Performance Awards are a program created by the American Academy of Ballet. They are offered at studios throughout the world.
They are not like the summer recitals most dance studios host. There are no elaborate costumes; instead the dancers mostly wear simple unadorned leotards with tights and minimal makeup. The program is best described on the AAB website:
"Every child - especially a dancer - enjoys the thrill of praise; the pride in achievement.
A most distinctive response to every dancer's aspirations is the Performance Awards: immediate, tangible, and permanent.
The Performance Awards are a series of distinctive choreographic compositions over 12 levels, that ballet students perform before an audience of parents and friends.
A most important aspect of the Performance Awards is that they are NOT competitive - each student receives a medal, and a certificate.
Not only should studio "stars" perform the program, but any student of a reasonable standard can dance the program.
A judge from another city will attend the performance, evaluate the dancers and award the medals and certificates to each student.
The judges have been specially selected by Mignon Furman, the Director of the American Academy of Ballet, for their experience within the Performance Awards program; their knowledge of ballet; and their ability to relate to both teachers and students.
The Performance Awards are a stress-free, enjoyable experience for teachers, dancers, and parents alike.
What can be more exciting for young dancers than to dance a solo dance before parents, and friends? - especially when cameras, videos, and flowers at the end of the performance add to the excitement of this special achievement.
Each level is a study in superb choreographic compositions that are a joy to perform. The levels consist of port de bras, adage, allegro, and solo dances. There are two choices in each section which give added interest to classes, and make an astounding total of 103 choreographic compositions, from "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary, " in Level I through the Blue Bird Variation from "Sleeping Beauty, " in Level 11, and culminating in the visually enchanting dances for Level 12, which any professional soloist will feel proud to dance."
Lauren's class is pre-primary, which is before level 1. The girls learned 3 separate dances and performed them all together. Beginning with level 1, the girls will have to do at least one of the dances by themselves. It's all about instilling them with confidence and teaching them how to get on stage in front of a crowd. For these 5-6 year-olds, it was an amazing accomplishment for them to even be out there together!
The judge this year flew in from New York. Luckily, the girls didn't seem fazed by the process and were focused on having fun.
Each girl performing in her group was identified by different colored flowers in their hair and ribbons pinned to their leotards.
[I glued Lauren's hair to her head with so much hair gel that visions of my synchro days danced in my head].
Of course Nana and Pop-Pop Mark were in the audience to cheer on our little ballerina.
As was Daddy.
No flash photography was allowed, but luckily, the studio owner's husband is a genius with a camera.
Presenting the fabulous threesome during their performance. The youngest and smallest girls participating in the program, we were bursting with pride.
Lauren's group finished within the first 5 minutes. Of course, I then had to wait another 3 hours for the rest of the routines to finish before medals were handed out. Unbelievably, the girls sat and watched every single performance, mesmerized by the big girls. It was exactly what Lauren needed to inspire her to keep going with her dancing. She wants so badly to dance like the big girls. Not to mention her cousin Steph.
At the end of the evening, all the participants took their bows on the stage.
And vamped a little.
The sweetest sight was seeing our girls standing next to the level 12s, who were amazing. Just think, in 11 short years, that will be our babies.
A certificate, glittery star medal, and lots of hugs later, we headed home to wash out the hair gel, wipe off the makeup, and crash, utterly exhausted, but happy, into bed.
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