The Art of Competing: Dynamic Energy

Yes, that’s a diagram that you see, all will be explained in due time. Two of my band directors once told me that a key to a great musical piece is changing dynamic levels. Dynamics in music refers to sound level and quality. No matter how nice a melody is, if it never changes or progresses it’s flat and can become a bore. The same can be said of a performance spectacle, whether in theater, choral singing, dance, and even performance modeling.

The Art of Competing: Know Thy Enemy!

As clichéd as the above quote is, in the world of competition it’s one of the most essential elements towards victory over adversaries. In the business world, analyzing competitors and their strengths/weaknesses rules how most corporations (that have survived for the long haul and are successful) handle their quarterly affairs. In performance modeling any troupe serious about being taken seriously should do the same.

The Art of Competing: Foresight

“He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot will be victorious.” 

–Sun Tzu, The Art of War

I’m writing this with the NC troupes in mind. No shade to the other regions, but my knowledge is battle tested and biased towards by own experience.


Well, it’s that time of year. Yes dear, the spring semester is usually when classes are notorious for giving important assignments in slim framed time spans, new clothes and flesh are revealed in time for the spring/summer season, spring romance takes root in young trollops lovers hearts and loins and modeling competitions take place across the state! This is a first in a series of posts that will help make your competition show, a memorable one. Won’t say winning because judges do shade now-a-days like it’s a Ballroom event! *gasps and clutches pearls*

The Art of Competing

Ah, the infamous modeling competition, where groups from all around vie for winning titles and regional recognition. With so many groups around these days, many are bound to lose and face upsets, yet how does one go against trophy winning titans and conquer these foes? Though the last winning show I competed in was in 2008, I have seen my fair share and can tell you what worked for us, our foes, and what made those involved win or lose. Now I won’t give away secrets (so don’t worry EMT), but the series of posts should help your troupe understand how to approach these events and if not win, at least place and have a memorable show!

Get Inspired: Ovation TV’s Nutcracker Dance-Off!

It’s very important to read up on other performance art forms and learn from their techniques (if you want to have an enriching show)!


For those that don’t know, Ovation TV, the channel dedicated to Fine Art (*squeals*), is having a dance off between six major ballet companies. They’re being judged on who has the best rendition of the Nutcracker Ballet, viewers can see this on TV or via the internet.

Virginia State University's Kerojo Modeling Troupe - Competition Piece - East Carolina University - 2010

Feast your eyes on this lovely show from Kerojo, one of VSU's modeling troupes. I loved it! The rouines were different and precise, the clothing followed a black and silver color theme but each model had on unique and varied attire which was great. Whoever thought of placing the disk skirt with the train on one of the female models should get a shoe thrown at them for evoking my favorite disco diva, Grace Jones!