Ask the experts in a live chat.

Jill Chase from Dance Masters of America and Kim McKimmie from I Love Dance give you the lowdown on all aspects of competition: the judging process, if you should "sell" your routine, and how much costumes really influence your score.

The following are highlights from a live "Backstage Chat," hosted by Voice of Dance's president Lori Smith on www.voiceofdance.org. The "Backstage Chat" series is created in partnership with Dance Magazine. Other people participating in the chat are identified by the screen names that they have chosen.

Lori: Welcome to "Backstage Chat." Tonight the subject is competitions. Our guests are Kim McKimmie and Jill Chase. Kim is a well-known professional dancer, choreographer, and dance teacher. Jill Chase is a studio owner and president of Dance Masters of America.

Lori: What do you think are the pros and cons of competitions for a young dancer?

Kim McKimmie: The number one pro of competitions is simply the performing experience. There are very few cons connected with competition unless you're involved with an undesirable competition business.

Jill Chase: I believe that if the student has an open mind and is eager to learn and improve it is very beneficial. Dancers should be able to accept winning and losing. They will learn from observing and sharing.

Lori: Can you talk a little about the judging process?

Kim McKimmie: The judging at l Love Dance consists of judges being flown in from other states to keep all aspects fair and impartial.

Jill Chase: Competition prepares the dancer for the audition world. They learn to dance under pressure and learn through corrections from the judges.

Lori: I haven't heard anyone say anything about the cons of competition. Are there some downsides to competition, especially for the young dancer?

Jill Chase: I do feel that, if a student is very negative about herself and compares her dancing to everyone in a negative way, it can be harmful.

Linda K: I think the downside is going out to win--the goal should be learning From others.

Billisal: You're right, Linda ... it's all in the attitude of the dancer.

Kim McKimmie: When dancers are ready to perform, they are ready to compete. That is an individual readiness. However, we have beginner ability levels to help those dancers feel more comfortable.

Jill Chase: I do feel that the student should only enter title competitions after competing in a regular solo division. In this manner the dancer will be able to compete in all areas.

Lori: Do you have any advice for people who get stage fright?

Kim McKimmie: Although we strive for a professional, low-key atmosphere, stage fright is something each dancer has to handle in her or his own way. I still get stage fright all the time!

EZ: Do you think if you have an attitude and sell your routine you may score higher than dancers with technical skills who don't sell?

Kim McKimmie: Projection must be coupled with technique, EZ. Having soul and passion for your performance is necessary.

EZ: Does personal appearance like costumes, braces, and even the race of a person ever affect the outcome of a competition?

Kim McKimmie: At I Love Dance, we have a separate special costume category, so costume is not a part of your dance score. I believe a dancer can perform terrifically in black leotard and tights.

Jill Chase: The judge takes into consideration that the music is appropriate for the age of the dancer; then the costume, grooming, level of technique, projection, and so on.

judy ann: I feel costumes should not be included in scoring the dancers. You're looking at their ability to dance, not to model. The costume should be appropriate to the choreography, give the dancer good lines, and move well.

James: I only take off if it is a little girl in a sexy outfit--NOT appropriate.

EZ: That's good, James! Wish ALL judges were that way! LOL [laugh out loud]

James: What do you all think about dance being treated as a sport instead of as an art?

Jami: If you are competing only for a trophy, then you are treating it like a sport!

EZ: It's kind of like ice-skating, I think. It's like an art, but you can still compete.

James: But ice-skating is a sport and has art elements. Dance originally was an athletic art, not a sport--until competitions came up.

Kim McKimmie: Competition is part of all aspects of the performing arts. We cannot deny needing the best skills possible to audition for a job.

Jill Chase: Dance is art. The trophy is another way for dancers to measure their accomplishments.

James: But how can art be measured? What competitions have created is more and more dance that is farther from "art."

barbiedoll: James, did you ever compete?

James: Yes, I did--and I judge now. I am a professional dancer in NYC and teach here.

Jill Chase: Dance Masters title competitions prepare the dancer for the world and a job. We have an interview included with the competitions.

James: You don't interview for real dance jobs. DMA has talented dancers that attend, but not all make good transitions to the professional world.

Jill Chase: James, what about auditioning? Don't you have to learn how to dance under pressure? Plus, the dancer should perform during the audition. Competition gives the dancer this opportunity.

James: Yes, auditioning is high pressure; but competitions don't teach you how to deal with it any better than any other performance opportunity--and they treat dance as a sport instead of an art.

Geerup 1: James, not all competitions are live-or-die situations!

Kim McKimmie: I understand all the benefits thousands of young performers have received as a direct result of their involvement with our company. Love is our middle name! Goodnight, and keep dancing!

Jill Chase: Have a positive attitude, believe in yourself and all your endeavors. Remember to dance from your heart. Good night, all my dance friends.

James: This sounds so much like a big commercial instead of a serious discussion to me.

EZ: You go James! Ha ha!

Jill Chase: Kim McKimmie, I enjoyed being on the chat together. Good luck in all your endeavors.

Lori: Thank you so much, Kim and Jill!

Permission to reprint this "Backstage Chat" is provided by Voice of Dance. Check out the entire transcript at www.voiceofdance.org and find out what else Kim McKimmie and Jill Chase have to say about competitions. Chats with dance celebrities are every Monday at 8:00 P.M. eastern, 5:00 P.M. pacific.