COMPETITION DANCING IN NEW ZEALAND

In New Zealand competitions are run which cover the Latin, Ballroom and New Vogue styles. These competitions are organised by the various dancing associations and dance schools but are nearly always conducted according to the rules laid down by the New Zealand Dance and Dancesport Council, which is responsible for the regulation of these events in New Zealand.

Competitions are held regularly in all four main centres, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. There is usually a small entry fee for participants and spectators alike.

The main competition is the New Zealand National Latin and Ballroom Championships, hosted by one of the main centres every year. This spectacular event is where New Zealand's Ameteur Representatives are selected to represent their country at overseas events, and often visiting Professional Dance Couples will be invited to give demonstrations.

 

GRADES OF DANCING

Competitors in Dancesport are ranked into five gades. 'A' grade (which is the highest) down to 'E' grade (the lowest). Typically a couple compete in their grade and in the one above it, except for 'A' grade couples, who can only enter 'A' grade events. Beginners, for instance, would enter the 'E' grade (which is the grade they are in) and 'D' grade events for the style they wish to compete in. They can of course compete in all three styles and be in different grades for each style. This makes it possible for a couple to be 'E' grade in ballroom and 'B' grade in Latin American.

A couple can move up a grade by two methods. Firstly they can win six times in their own grade, or they can win once in the grade above their own, with the condition that there are at least 6 couples competing in the event.

Some competitions also include Preliminary events for novices in which both the man and lady are judged seperately.

 

MEDAL TESTS

Medal tests are held at the Colleen Murray Dance Centre very regularly, and are an excellent way to measure your achievement. All dance students may sit a medal test at their level, and you don't have to dance competitively to sit a medal test. Medal progress as follows:

Bronze Social Pin
First medal test for beginners, 2 dances

Silver Social Pin
Second medal test for beginners, 3 dances

Gold Social Pin
Third medal test for beginners, 4 dances

Bronze Medal
First medal test for intermediates, 2 dances

Silver Medal
Second medal test for intermediates, 3 dances

Silver Bar
Third medal test for intermediates, 4 dances

Gold Medal
Fourth medal test for advanced, 4 dances

Gold Cross
Fifth medal test for advanced, 5 dances

1st bar to Gold Cross
Sixth medal test for advanced, 5 dances

2nd bar to Gold Cross
Seventh medal test for advanced, 5 dances

Oscar
The Final test for advanced dancers, 5 dances

 

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Colleen Murray Dance Centre
520 Cranford Street, Papanui
Christchurch, 8051
Tel: 03 383 0317
Mobile: 021 140 2783
Email: latin1@colleenmurray.com
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