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About this Book:

WINNING! The Competition Handbook for Teachers, Students, Parents, and Judges was written over a ten year period of time and it is based on the real life experiences of Liz Gallego and her competition teams. Beginning in 1986, with their first national competition students from the Liz Gallego School of Dance earned over 150 high point awards and placed in the top awards at fourteen consecutive national finals. "We became a powerful competition machine, but we did it at a great sacrifice. We lost our inner value of the experience of dance. It doesn't have to be that way. It is possible to dance with your heart, to compete, and to win." Liz Gallego

About the Author:

Liz Gallego is the recipient of the Disney 2004 Fine Arts Teacher of the Year Award. Ms. Gallego was selected from more than 150,000 nominees. Disney recognizes outstanding teachers who use innovative teaching methods that actively engage students. Ms. Gallego was among 39 teacher honorees. She was selected for her “creative, hands-on approach … combined with her general enthusiasm to teach,” according to program officials. The Disney award is the equivalent of an Oscar or Emmy for teachers. "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." Liz Gallego makes her home in Dallas, Texas with her husband, Dan McMurry and her daughter Bethany Canton. Liz's involvement in dance began while still in the playpen when her grandfather Jose Amado would encourage her saying, "Bailame un flamenco" (Dance flamenco for me). Formal lessons in ballet and Spanish dance began at four years of age and led to a life of involvement in the art of dance.

Book Review:

Study long introductions and weak endings. First impressions are formulated within seven seconds. A long introduction can significantly lower your score. A strong ending can make a difference. Make sure the ending of your routine supports your efforts to get one more point from each judge. Be creative with false beginnings. Judges tend to be impatient with false beginnings, especially at large competitions. In the jazz category, judges generally want to see jazz movements not classical ballet. To remedy the situation, be inventive with lyrical movement. Always carry a backup tape to the competition. I have only needed backup tapes twice in thirteen years. Both times I was glad I had made the effot The hits off the top forty charts are great for student morale, but be wary. The year "Smooth Criminal" was a hit for example, thirty-two routines competed at Starlight National Finals. With each repetition something was lost. Only one of the "Smooth Criminal" entries placed in the top five awards. Be original. Don't follow the crowd.

Order/Contact Info:

WINNING! is available Online from The Discount Dance Supply Direct from Ms. Gallego Individual autographed copies To order direct.: Send check or Money Orders for $22.50 plus $5 shipping and packaging made payable: Liz Gallego, P.O. Box 227496 Dallas, Texas 75222

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