Q&A for How to Memorize a Dance Routine

It can take a bit of time to learn a full routine, but you can make a lot of improvements within about 3 practice sessions.

Practice as much as you can and make sure you know your cues. Don't practice until you get it right, practice until you can't get it wrong. Your body will know what to do even if your mind draws a blank, it's called "muscle memory."

Just tell yourself that the only people who know the routine are the people doing the dance, so most likely the audience didn't even notice. Everyone makes mistakes (even if you don't see them), so don't be too hard on yourself. Practice as much as you can before your next performance and you'll be fine!

Try find someone who knows how to dance so that they can give you feedback. If not, record yourself and see which areas need more work.

Yes, as long as you run the dance in your head. Listening to the dance music also helps with memorizing the counts and/or words.

Just forget about it - If you mess up, it's not the end of the world. Depending on your performance, you'll probably never see most of the people again, and they may not have even noticed you messing up.

Practice for a few hours (not straight) each day, and before you go to sleep, picture yourself doing the whole dance to the music. You could also videotape yourself doing it, and watch it when you are taking breaks. Believe in yourself!

Practise makes perfect they say. Practice as much as you can, and you will know that you can't fail on stage.

Do the best you can. If you forget, go with the music until you find the spot where you remember the choreography.

A two-minute dance is easier to learn in two weeks, than a 10-minute dance in one week. You should be fine, as long as you follow the steps.

First, watch the first 15 to 30 seconds of the video and memorize the choreography, just like you would in a dance class. Slowly start marking the motions as you repeatedly watch that segment of the video. Once you feel you have a solid grip on that section, play the video and set your phone down on a table. Try to do the dance without looking at the video and see what parts you need work with.

Most people won't care, and they'll make mistakes of their own. Just be confident, smile, and have fun!

Go to as many workshops, master classes and auditions as you can. Take classes at multiple studios, go to conventions and go to well-known studios.

Practice as much as possible. Go over it every day until the show. Record yourself doing it and play it back so that you can correct yourself.

Ask if you can get some help moving furniture around somewhere so that you have some space to dance. If that's not possible, ask if you can go to a friend's house to work on your dance. Maybe your friend will want to learn it with you!