Yesterday I posted the details for the “So You Think You Can Dance Canada” auditions. One of the criteria listed was an age minimum and maximum – basically you have to be between the ages of 18-30 years of age.
What does everyone think of these limitations. I can understand the minimum age limit because they are looking for adult dancers but is 30 too young an age limit to set? Are there not amazing dancers over the age of 30 who are still young, flexible and talented enough to compete with the twenty somethings?
If I think of the best salsa dancers in Canada and even in North America, they are almost all over the age of 30. This is mainly because it takes years of experience to become smooth and versatile in this dance. The other reason is because most people learn salsa as adults so it is not like ballet where a 15 year old dancer already has 10 years of dance experience.
Most other dances including ballroom, ballet, tap, jazz have dancers starting at a young age so this age limit may make sense. But it seems a shame to limit the competition when the 30 somethings will bring with them finesse, confidence, experience and a maturity to the competition that could really add an interesting element.
Oh well such is life! Comments??
