Dutch Waltz passed November 2nd.Canasta Tango passed December 14th.
As a figure skater in Canada, and I am sure in the States, too, there are such things as test days. They are what they sound like - selected days during the figure skating season (which usually ranges from September to May) where Skate Canada sends an evaluator over to critique a skater. There are tests in ice dancing, skating skills, free skates, etc. It's a regular part of a skater's career.
I am not going to go into the requirements the evaluator looks for because your coach will definitely tell you all about it, so I will describe how I get through the major hurdle during my tests: nerves.
Nerves are inevitable, both during test days and in competitions. How I get through them is with the mentality that there's nothing you can lose (aside from the $10 participation fee). No, you will not die if you fail the test ; no, the world is not going to hate you if you trip/forget your pattern. With enough practice, you will find that when you step onto the ice, the dance steps just come naturally to you. If you are truly nervous, ask your coach if he/she can recite some of the steps while you dance: my coach asked me if I wanted him to recite it. The most important thing to do during your test is to smile! Enjoy your dance, focus on the wondrous feeling of the ice gliding away under you, and make dumb jokes, if necessary. Well, I made dumb jokes during my test so I won't freak over every little detail. Ha.
Arrive at the rink early; the official suggestion is to arrive 45 minutes early in the case when tests before you finish early, but I always find that 30 minutes early is more than enough. You will get a practice run-through of the dance before you do your test. Take that time to warm up, relax, and breathe. Remind yourself that you've practised, you know your stuff, and you are going to have a blast.
Best of luck to all testing teens! After that first test, the nerves will disappear out the window.
Next post: How Not to Die and Still Get to Practice in a Public Skating Session
