My Pole Dance Report Card

Remember how I told you that when I turned 40 I decided to enter a pole dancing competition, even though I can’t dance, don’t know gymnastics, and got no game, ’cause why not?  And remember when I thought I could just show up to the pole dance competition and drink a beer but then found out I had to make an audition video because they wanted to make sure I could actually, you know, pole dance?  And remember how my own dance teachers were (lovingly) telling me that I danced like a robot and looked worried when I danced?

Pencil hold
Pencil hold

Well, I just got the SCORES back from my audition video.   They give you your numeric scores, but also have a notes section where they wrote (and this is a direct quote,) “Seems robotic in places, thinking too much. Presents as a series of executions more so than dancing.”

I laughed so hard I almost cried, ’cause they really hit that nail on the head!  I figured they would give scores for the actual competition, but had no idea that they judged the audition videos too.  Each category is worth 10 points.  Here’s what I got:

  • Style and Presentation:   7
  • Creativity and Originality :   5
  • Technique, Flow, and Transitions :   10
  • Musicality:   2

Total:  24 out of 40

Pole hang
Pole hang

Notes:   “Cute smile, enormous potential.  Try to lose yourself in the dance more.  Seems robotic in places, thinking too much.  Presents as a series of executions more so than dancing. Great lines. Keep at it!”

Critiques can be very useful and I showed mine to my dance teachers, who also laughed out loud.  (At least we are all in agreement.)  I like that I got my preliminary scores early enough so I know where to focus before the actual competition.   Because…guess who will be competing in the Novice and Masters (40+) divisions at the Capital of Texas Aerial Championships next month?  (I know, I was shocked too!)

My highest score, “Technique, Flow, and Transitions,” was a relief, because it meant I leaned the mandatory spins, climbs and inverts, and my form was good, which honestly was the only thing I focused on for the audition video.  I wanted to prove I could do the steps right without falling off the pole.  So I proved that I could.  Yay!

My lowest score, “Musicality,” is pretty much the whole reason why I took pole dancing lessons in the first place:  I am completely uncomfortable in my body.  The really funny thing here is that it took me 3 bodybuilding competitions and 5 months of pole dancing classes just to move up to a score of 2.  Yay?

pole sit
pole sit

But it’s nice to hear that they think I have potential, because I think I do too, which is why I’m taking pole dancing lessons and did not join a gardening club.  (There is no hope for me and living plants co-existing.  It just doesn’t work out, and I’ve made my peace with that.)

Wish me luck on improving my scores.  My dance teachers Brenna Wilder, Dez Raven and Serena Hicks, have their work cut out for them!  The competition is in exactly one month.  I may not have natural musicality, but at least I’m having a lot of fun learning how to get some.

How about you?  Do you find evaluations helpful?

Lisa ;)

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9 thoughts on “My Pole Dance Report Card

    1. Thanks! Musicality is getting lost in the music. You know how at weddings some people just stand and clap, looking stiff and other people just move at ease to the rhythm? The latter group has good musicality.

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