1) Look at the age of the dancers. Sometimes it can be interesting to mix the ages but obviously if some of the dancers are younger that will certainly influence your style of choreography, music and costumes.

2) Decide on music. If you are planning to enter the piece in competition try to find something that the judges have not heard at every competition.

3) Choose appropriate theme for not only the age level but also the experience level.

 4) Decide if props are beneficial. Props can be a big asset if the port de bras are not very strong or if you are trying to create a specific storyline.

IMPORTANT CRITERIA FOR LYRICAL WORK

1) Ballet training is really a necessity. Simply because so much of Lyrical work needs the control and the ability to balance that studying ballet can give you. It also gives the dancers the grace and the skills to finish off their movements by pointing their feet or stretching their legs when needed.

2) Understanding use of space (spatial awareness). So often Lyrical stays rooted to a couple of spots on the stage, with the type of movement associated with Lyrical it is a wonderful opportunity to get the dancers to experience the freedom of using as much space as possible. It is also important for them to understand how using all of the stage in their movement can help them to connect with their audience.

3) Fluidity of movement. Very often the quality of the movement gets lost because the port de bras is not being worked from the center of the back and consequently all of the arm movements tend to have a stiff, tight feeling as if only worked from the shoulders. Getting the dancers to understand that their arms are like wings and their fingers are like feathers really helps them to improve on the fluidity of movement

SUGGESTIONS

1) Using partner work can only enhance choreography. If you do have boys there are some wonderful lifts either weight bearing if they have the strength or non weight bearing for those with less strength. Everyone always loves to see that connection onstage of a girl and a boy. If you do not have any boys there are ways to use partnering especially by making some interesting shapes and lines which can embellish your choreography

2) Changing formations frequently helps to make your choreography visually exciting. Using the stage in a variety of ways by using different dimensions and directions in your choreography can not only increase the dynamics of the piece but is also helpful when a little camouflage is needed!

"WHY IS LYRICAL ALWAYS SAD? " Lyrical dance is a wonderful way to help young dancers understand how to express themselves through their movement. Lyrical dance does not always have to be sad, in fact, unless dancers are in their late teens, it is easier for young dancers to express the elements of happiness, hope and a feeling of positive energy in their Lyrical work. Sometimes when young dancers are asked to express more adult emotions it comes across as very contrived and therefore loses its impact. Focus more on the quality and shape of the movement, rather than on using " tricks " that may work very well in a different type of dance, but that somehow seem out of place within the context of smooth Lyrical work. Look to find leaps and turns that compliment the character of the piece.

EXAMPLES OF MUSIC

1) E.T. - performed by Boston Pops

2) Summertime - performed by Fantasia

3) Superman Theme - performed by Boston Pops

4) Reflections - performed by Eric Hansen

Combining all or some of these ingredients can help you structure an exciting, dynamic, Lyrical number full of fluidity, grace and emotion, one that is certain to be talked about for years to come.