Does anyones daughter compete in freestyle and slow dance comps?

[Jem27]

My daughter is 11 and has been going on for ages that she wants to start freestyle and slow dance competitions with her dance group.

I have been putting it off as was pregnant for most of last year and wanted to get through the haze of newborn baby land before her starting.

She is with a dance academy and her instructor is keen for her to start competing, we went along to a local one on Sunday and the costumes and make up was like a different world, as were the rules and regulations!

Does anyone elses daughter do this so I can ask all my stupid questions - I have spoken to her dance teacher but some of it still isnt clear in my mind regarding costumes etc!

My dd doesn't compete and won't be lol.

Seriously it is a huge commitment with costumes, private lessons for solos and duos and extra lessons for group dances.

Comps are usually held over the course of a weekend and can take up a huge chunk of your life. Costumes can be very expensive.

Saying that it can be a real sense of achievment for children.

I must admit I am nervous about her starting and the costs involved.

I have been quite firm that she will be doing ones that are near to us so not more than an hour or so away and she will not be having any time off from School for them - a friend of hers always seems to be off attending comps.

She already has five dance classes a week, so the extra cost class wise should just be the private lessons which are about £7 for 30 mins so Im hoping thats managable. My parents have said they can help with costumes as they know how much she wants to do it and are keen to help out.

I kind of understand the freestyle aspects as for a beginner its quite straight forward. Its the pairs and slow part Im confused about! I think in slow you can start with the elaborate costumes right away, but Im not sure if that means that it doesnt have grades.