by Debbie Brower he shelves around the top of the room personality and it is a lot of fun. However, sound of laughter -- baby laughter! One tell the story. Trophies. too numerous lyrical quickly became Madison’s passion, of my very favorite things in life is to hear to count. sit waiting to be looked at, “because it shows emotion and you can baby laughter. It is the kind of thing that T Teen Solo and High Point for her age admired, listed. Surrounded by the results of express a story more than other types of will brighten even the worst moment of your hours spent in the studio, Madison Duncan is dance.” life. You see, babies know when something division, and made the Dance Off! (High a poised, talented, blonde haired, blue eyed is good. They trust instinctively and laugh Point is awarded when you have two or beauty. Now, at the ripe old age of 13 -- almost 14 without reserve. more solos with the top two highest scores I’m told -- Madison is hooked! Dance is combined in the Top 10 against others.) Madison (called “Madie” by her friends ingranied into her psyche. Every day is Marleigh’s laughter was directed at Madison and family) began dancing at age 3, when spent either at dance lessons or maybe -- who was tickling her in exactly the right The win was especially wonderful because she enrolled in tap and ballet lessons in dancing through the house -- the living room spot under her neck. And when Madie Madison choreographed the dance to Paris, Texas, where they lived at the time. seems to be a favorite spot -- or maybe would stop, she would come back begging “Tainted Love”. This is only one of the From these early beginnings, a determined scouring the internet looking at videos of for more. And Madison complied. More many trophies she has been awarded dancer was born. Madison, according to other dancers. laughter. -- and one I understand has not made it mom, Glynda, was one of the few 3 year old to the bedroom yet because it still resides children that could keep the beat and truly With all of this attention to dance, Madison So how about normal? During the school in the living room where she can see it learn the dance. Listening to Dad, Tad, you has little time for other things -- but then year, there is somewhat of a routine. It goes while she begins choreographing her new would think he taught her everything she again, she just makes time! A student at something like this: competition dance! knows -- and maybe some of the talent and Trinity Christian School, Madison runs good looks come from him. Madison laughs, track, plans to play basketball this year, • School Madison’s passion for dance comes from as she explains, “I love my family. Both my and participates in cross country, making All • Dance class two days a week within, but it helps to have others who have mom and dad have been supportive of my District last year. She has also participated • Private dance lessons several times shown her the ropes. dancing and I truly appreciate that.” in the Texarkana Community Ballet, with each week parts in both the Nutcracker and Cinderella. • Dancing in the living room every night One of her mentors and friends is Megan After moving to Texarkana at the age of 6, (Makes me tired just thinking about it!) • Scouring the internet looking at dance Meador. Older than Madison by 5 years, Madison continued those lessons, adding videos at night Megan is also an amazing dancer. In fact, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, musical theater and What is a normal day for her? Is there such • Homework when asked what her favorite dance of contemporary eventually to her repertoire. a thing in the young dancer’s life? Probably • Working on her own choreography for all time was, Madison stated, “Wickeder, Her love for this artistic expression grew not. The day might begin by awakening to competition dances because I was able to dance a duet with each year, becoming so much a part of her the sounds of her 1 year old sister, Marleigh. • And of course, there’s the competitions Megan where there was lots of personality. that it would be hard to distinguish Madison Now, Marleigh is another story all by herself she attends throughout the year! The song is about the witches of Oz, and the teenager from Madison the dancer. and she absolutely loves her big sister. they didn’t like each other, so we got to In fact, during Madison’s recent trip to the have a lot of fun. I was the good witch and Jazz is one form of dance that is a favorite One of the things that greeted me when I Talent on Parade (TOP) Competition in Megan was the bad witch. It was great!” because Madison gets to really show visited with Madison for this article was the Branson, Missouri, she won National Junior Of course, much of the credit for her talent ompetitive dance is a popular, from about six to eighteen years old. Dance companies emphasize that dancers are other routines, to not enter or exit the widespread activity in which schools typically arrange for their classes primarily competing against themselves, and auditorium during a performance, etc. Aside Ccompetitors perform dances in any to compete as groups. Advanced dance thus competitive dance is not so much about from these standard rules of etiquette, of several permitted dance styles—such students often compete solo or in small competing, but rather is an opportunity to: many competition companies impose as acro, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, and groups (e.g., duo, trio, quad) in addition to additional rules. For example, American tap—before a common group of judges. competing with their dance class groups. • Receive valuable critiques from dance Dance Awards requires all dancers to say This is in contrast with other activities that professionals. Competition companies “thank-you” when presented with an award. involve competition among dancers based Competitive dancers must be physically provide original judges’ scoresheets on purpose, or specific dance style, such as fit because even short dances can be and critiques and, in some cases, Many dance schools attend competitions pom squad, ballroom, latin, ceremonial, and physically demanding. Also, dancers must audio recordings of judges’ comments and so dancers from different schools highland dance. continuously train to maintain and improve to dancers, to help them improve their may see each other many times during their technique, balance skills, strength technique and routines. the competition season. This creates a The competitive dance industry largely and flexibility. Competitive dancing requires • Watch and learn from other dancers. sense of community as well as valuable consists of competition production dedication as many months may be spent Dance schools often instruct their connections should a student decide to companies—also sometimes called dance practicing dance and developing dance dancer to spend their free time watching become a professional dancer. competition companies—that conduct routines. other routines. regional competitions at stops along their Source: Wikipedia.org annual, nationwide tours. Dancers who Although the highest scoring dancers are Dancers are expected to conform to proper compete at these regional competitions ranked according to their overall scores, etiquette at competitions. They are expected are usually dance students ranging in age dance schools and competition production to be courteous to each other, to applaud 10 ALT Magazine www.alt-mag.com 11 Madison credits to her teacher, Marti Clary, Dan Karaty from “So You Think You Can both won top awards and High Point. a year-long scholarship to Tremaine Dance. Does she think of trying out for this asked to vote for her. I am certain who my of Joni’s Gymnastics and Dance Centre. Dance.” • After attending the Jump convention in Dance Competitions. Internationally amazing show? Well, that would be just vote will be for. “Without Marti, I never would have reached • At age 10, Madison’s first solo, “Born Dallas, Madison auditioned and made known choreographer/teacher, Joe great, except for the fact that she must be this level of expertise. She has taken care to Entertain,” won several awards, the cut to be a VIP Runner-up, sending Tremaine, and nationally known dance 18 years old to audition. So, with at least 4 Good luck, Madison! of me, doing my choreography, being my including Broadway Bound, 2nd Overall her to Hollywood on a scholarship for the educator/business consultant, Julie years to go, it is doubtful. Shows come and mentor. I don’t know where I would be at Nationals, and the talent award at the year. This all-expense paid scholarship Adler, along with a staff of working go -- maybe this one will still be around. Interested in doing competition dance? The without her,” Madison explains. Junior Miss Texarkana Pageant. also included dancing special dances in professional choreographers and following studios offer the opportunity to the National show at Universal Studios teachers, gather to conduct classes at Even if it is not, Madison Duncan is a participate: So, with all of this dancing, Madison has • At age 11, “Spanish Rosa” won many Gibson Theater. conventions across the U.S. The latest dancer to watch. From Texarkana to who amassed 75 trophies, numerous medals, overalls, Judges Special Awards, and • And now she is 13 -- and as we in dance techniques is presented and knows where, she will make her mark in the Joni’s Gymnastics and Dance Centre -- pins and ribbons, scholarships, and cash Broadway Bound.