Solo: Physical/Technical Skills

Balance and Stability

Execution of a Solo dance piece demands high levels of balance and stability.
The successful creation of various forms in space depends on the dancer’s understanding and application of centre of gravity.
Sudden shifts in your weight during the performance need to be controlled, and dynamic balance is crucial in order to perform turns and leaps confidently.
Mastery of both static and dynamic stability is essential to express the solo choreography expressively.

Strength and Endurance

Performing a Solo piece requires significant muscle strength especially in the core, arms, and legs.
Endurance is key as the performer must demonstrate the ability to sustain high energy levels for the entire performance
Cardiovascular endurance allows a dancer to sustain longer periods of activity without fatigue.
Strength, particularly core strength, provides the power and control needed for turns, lifts, and jumps.

Kinesthetic Sensitivity

As you perform alone in a Solo, your kinesthetic sensitivity - ability to feel or sense your own body’s position and movement - should be highly developed.
This sensitivity helps in space utilization, body alignment and fluidity of motion.
It assists with understanding how much force to use for specific movements and allows dancers to achieve greater control and precision.
Kinesthetic sensitivity supports the performer in managing changes in speed, weight and flow of the movements.

Spatial Awareness

In a Solo performance, the entire space is yours to exploit. Therefore, strong spatial awareness - understanding of where your body is in space - is imperative.
The ability to move in different directions and levels adds a dynamic quality to the dance.
A sense of space and orientation aids in forming intricate pathways and patterns.
Body alignment allows for a variety of shapes and movements to be performed without losing balance.

Rhythm and Musicality

Solo dances often require the performer to dance in harmony with the music, meaning a solid understanding of rhythm is paramount.
The performer needs to display a strong musicality, showing they can interpret the piece’s rhythm and mood through movement.
Fluctuations in the dance’s rhythm might demand both slow, sustained movements and quick, sharp actions, therefore adaptability is key.
Timing and synchronization with the music are integral to delivering a captivating Solo performance.

Flexibility

For complex movements and shapes, a dancer needs excellent flexibility.
Greater flexibility permits a broader range of movement and enhances the aesthetics of the dance.
Both dynamic and static flexibility should be demonstrated in the performance.
Flexibility aids in creating fluidity of movement and can reduce the risk of injury in a demanding Solo performance.