So my new partner is shorter than me, we want to compete......?

Question

Ok, so he a professional dancer and I am fairly new to dance. We have great chemistry and move very well together. Monday will be the first time I dance with him in heels. I am already an inch or so taller than him. With him in heels I will still gain at least another inch. It is not a problem with our dancing, but we are worried about what judges will think. Do you think that our ability to move cohesively and with a good top line will be enough? We see this as a challenge so we are willing to do what it takes i.e. me losing weight to appear smaller and him gaining a little to appear larger, doing drills and training to dance more into my knees. We will be dancing mostly smooth, american and international, shows and comps. We are very serious about dancing together, I was just wondering what other dancers think about this kind of obstacle, would you just find another partner that was taller? Or stay with the one that you work best with? How much will it hurt our scores?

Answer 1

Height shouldn't matter. Judges don't base their scoring on that. If you two have good chemistry on stage and move well together, then you'll be fine. The judges look at they way you move together, not the height comparison.

Answer 2

I'd say, if it seems the best option at this point - go for it. Yes, there will be difficulties, but you'll get good training.

It's hard to tell how much will it hurt your scores. On one hand, only the dancing is judged. Judjes are highly qualified professionals who are trained to look past your height difference. However, dancing is all about visual impression, and judges are humans. There will be a little bit of infuence, I think. However, if you have good chemistry and work well together, this is what gets noticed a lot more than physical parameters. Look at it this way: when you get first place, you can celebrate a bigger victory.

Your ability to move cohesively will be affected in in International Standard, less so in American Smooth. In Standard, the height difference would be the most visualy noticeable, too. If your leg length is significantly different from his, you'll have a lot of trouble creating good movement. However, if your leg length matches well you can move together just fine. Creating a good topline will be another challenge.

I don't recommend you guys gain/lose weight just for that purpose, unless it is healthy for you. He can easily add some width with 1/2 size wider taicoat if you see it useful. (My partner "shaves off" a whole good size like that, LOL).
May I recommed getting a ballgown with open shouders, not a turtleneck kind. Your height is perceived by the overall length of your dress. If your shoulders are open and your dress visually starts somewhere on your shoulderblades, you will look shorter. Go for a lighter necklace that sparkles a lot yet doesn't put a color accent on your neck. You can find court shoes with 1.5 inch heel, just like on practice shoes. No need to gain an extra inch.

Would I find another partner who was taller if I were you? It depends on where you live. If you're in New York or Utah or San Francisco, where you have good chances, then yes I'd look into that. If you're risking to not find a partner for 3 years if you're to turn this partnership down - then no.

Answer 3

if its only 2 inches it really shouldnt matter at all, the judges wont care