Competition (Dance, Pom & Acro Dance)


	Flexibility, balance, strength and control
	Acrobatic training teaches flexibility, balance, strength and muscle control - which are invaluable to dancers of every dance style. With careful, quality instruction, a dancer will gain more flexibility and upper body strength – giving them a substantial advantage with today's demanding choreography. Acrobatics is also an excellent way to learn spatial awareness, an important element in partnering and ensemble work. Basic tumbling skills can be an added bonus for any dancer or athlete.

	At The Edge, we offer training in three distinct disciplines of Cheer & Dance:

	Pom

	Pom-Pom is a dance squad or dance team that participates in competitive dance. In a routine, a squad will incorporate a specific dance style (such as hip-hop, jazz or lyrical), technical work (tumbling, leaps, turns, kicks, splits, jumps) whilst holding both pom-poms for 80% of the routine. Routines last up to 2.30 minutes and are performed on a 12 x 12 floor. Pom squads are much like stunt cheerleading or dance, but with the use of pom-poms. Pom squads also use kick-lines in their routines. A kick-line is a routine of kicks such as high kicks, fan kicks, low kicks, and kicks that go to the waist. Pom squads emphasize precise, synchronized motions along with technical dance skills (such as jumps, turns and leaps). Their routines encompass a variety of styles of dance styles and genres. A key feature of the routine is the ability to change formations very smoothly and seamlessly with great energy, dynamics and explosive power.

	Acro Dance

	Acro dance is a style that combines dance technique with precision acrobatic elements. It is defined by its athletic character, unique choreography and its use of acrobatics. Skills learnt and displayed include partner work (stunts and lifts) and tumbling skills (forward and backward walk overs, cartwheels, aerials, round offs, hand springs and forward and backward tucks). It is a popular style in amateur competitions as well as in professional dance theatre. This style can be seen in contemporary circus productions such as those performed by Cirque du Soleil. Acro dance is especially challenging as it requires dancers to be trained in both dance and acrobatic skills and as such, students considering Acro Dance will be required to enrol in at least one other (any) dance style at The Edge.


	Competition

	Competition class is COMPETITIVE DANCE and designed to extend students' performance and technical skills through public displays and competitions. Competitions encourage students to work together as a team on developing a strong stage presence whilst learning and developing professional dance etiquette. It teaches students to fight for what they want and push themselves to be better and stronger both physically and mentally. Students also learn improvisation skills and work on developing their own choreographic techniques throughout the year. Competition classes are delivered by different specialist teachers throughout the year.