Today, I’d like to hear from you! I know that many of you compete or enter your students in competition. Competition is a topic of discussion among many dancers, teachers, and parents and I’d like ask my readers,
What are the pros or the benefits of competition in dance? And, what are the cons or negative aspects?
I realize that many have strongly held beliefs and opinions on this subject. It is perfectly alright to express these opinions, however, I ask that you remain respectful to those that hold differing opinions. Thanks, in advance, for your participation!
Nichelle (owner/editor)
Founder/Editor at Dance Advantage
Nichelle Suzanne is a writer specializing in dance and online content. She is also a dance instructor with over 20 years experience teaching in dance studios, community programs, and colleges. She began Dance Advantage in 2008, equipped with a passion for movement education and an intuitive sense that a blog could bring dancers together. As a Houston-based dance writer, Nichelle covers dance performance for Dance Source Houston, Arts+Culture Texas, and other publications. She is a leader in social media within the dance community and has presented on blogging for dance organizations, including Dance/USA. Nichelle provides web consulting and writing services for dancers, dance schools and studios, and those beyond the dance world.
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I would just like to start saying that I love this website and the unifying of the dance world you are participating in! Anywhoo, I have had very mixed experiences at compititions. I have watched as well prepared students perform well choreographed, age appropiate pieces and have been fairly judged and received good feed back. I have also sat in the audience with parents who are infuriated because they are realizing their children have poor technique, embarassing costumes, and are doing choreography that is way too beginner in comparison.
Generally speaking, my opinion is that competitions are good in moderation; they are a means of ensuring quality in a studio, they give students a wider view of the dance world and the possibilities within it, they give exposure to parents, students, and faculity of new styles, techniques, and teachers. Competitions also give something great for students to work towards.
On the flip end, studios that compete need to be aware of where their students stand and keep them up to the standard of the competition. In my opinion, it is not a positive thing for anyone to attend a competition where you are extremly under par year after year. That is not to say that the only reason for competing is to win; that is a dangerous and toxic mindset to get into. But from a business standpoint, it is not going to be profitible to charge students to go see how much better the the other local studios are.
Basically, I am still on the fence!
Thanks for your perspective, Chelsea! I think you are probably not alone, and that there are a lot of folks with mixed feelings about competitive dance. There is a lot of potential in competition for giving students, as you mentioned, “a wider view of the dance world” as well as perhaps other positives. The challenge of navigating the competitive dance world may be in how students/teachers/parents maximize (or not) that potential. Yes… no? If so, how do we maximize that potential?
I appreciate your thoughts on competition readiness as well and the dangers of being in it just to win, or walk home with a medal. Would love to hear some more thoughts on this. Do dancers get too caught up in the award aspect? How do we know when someone (or a group of kids) are ready to compete?
In response to both of the above postings, I have to agree! I grew up a severe competition kid, going to about 18 a year including nationals. Now that I am a professional in the field, it is quite surreal sitting behind the judges table and taking it all in from this new perspective. Personally, I think a child is ready to compete when they are able to posess the qualities of a showman as well as a technician in their respected age group. Sometimes when I am watching a trainwreck of a piece, it is a challenge to remember that it is not the kids fault… they only know what they are taught. It is up to the teachers and studio owners to be very honest with themselves to determine if a child is ready to compete, regardless of how pushy the stage mother is! I agree with Chelsea in that competitions are such wonderful learning tools (but must be used in moderation). In fact, I fel that competition dance is evolving at a faster rate than concert dance. With all of the hype surrounding these dance TV shows, artistry has become a key player and this trend has trickled down from the tv dance competitions to the ‘real life’ ones we see every Febuary to July!
Thanks very much for your unique insight! Having taught non-competitive classes at several competing dance studios I have to agree that teachers/SO’s must be honest about competition readiness. I’ve often felt that the kids I was teaching did not have the technical skill to back-up what they were performing in their competition classes and dances. They would drill advanced skills like switch leaps and end up with chronic knee and back injuries. It was often disturbing for me as a teacher and at times I voiced this. Sometimes there seemed to be conflict within the SO about competing, recognizing that students were not at a level they should be but feeling pressure (from parents? from students? because competing keeps the school competitive business-wise? – I’m sure there are many reasons) to continue competing the kids. There are many many studios out there that rely on once-per-week ballet classes to support the technique for competition but certainly that isn’t enough for the competition level. Throwing more questions out there — Does anyone have thoughts about technique requirements for competition or how to assess readiness? Do competition facilitators have a hand in enforcing or expecting readiness when studios fail to enforce a certain level of readiness?
Also, having my foot in the world of concert dance, I think that concert dance is definitely evolving and doing so in some intriguing ways but I worry that not enough dancers or dancers-in-training see or support this work. I would like to see these two communities (competitive/commercial and concert/dance art) cross the divide more frequently in support of each other! This may be another topic!! If you have thoughts or suggestions on this perhaps we can open another space for discussion or, feel free to contact me! Would love to hear your thoughts!
I come at this from a figure skating perspective. There is currently a large and on-going debate in the field about the artistry of skating being lost to the need to develop a solid marking structure that does not allow for biased or subjective and inconsistent judging.
As a result of the need for such a structure the sport has now become closely linked to gymnastics with multiple and growing required elements that see skaters trying to contort their body into certain shapes – for example stretching their leg behind them and upwards, grabbing it with their hand, so that their skate touches their head. The closer to your head you can get your foot, the higher the tariff of the performance and more marks you can be awarded. Subsequently however more and more skating performances are looking the same – with the required moves filling the performance and leaving little opportunity for expression and creative freedom. In my mind there is only so much you can push the body to do at such a young age before it become not only unpleasant to watch but dangerous.
Also, in order to maintain the sort of structure needed for marking an ‘aesthetic sport’ many skaters, judges and coaches report a loss of creativity, artistry and the ablity to keep audiences interested ( important for funding and media coverage that helps keep the sport running)
As a doctorate researcher in performance and scenography and a skater myself I feel extremely frustrated that there are no structures in place that directly teach and encourage creative play, and performance technique that encourages new unique moves and performances
I understand that it is hard for those in sport to see how such creativity could be objectively marked, but having trained and worked in theatre I know that theatre practitioners and teachers have thorough training and marking structures that are based on a wealth of theatre and performance history. If the governing bodies in the sport would open their eyes and look towards such frameworks, and the skills and knowledge of theatre teachers and professionals I’m sure figure skating could actually start leading new research and development not only in the sport itself, but also in performance research – and where there is such willingness towards interdisciplinary research and education, there would be a greater access to funding.
(Facebook group regarding the judgment system in skating)
Thanks Hannah for connecting the skating system to dance. Skating has been in the sport realm longer than dance (or at least concert dance anyway) so it is interesting to consider the path that skating has taken. Competitive dance has yet to require a standard based on particular movements or skills but there is a natural inclination in competition to begin to include certain things in a performance to remain or appear competitive. I find your comments on judging creativity interesting – looking to theatre as perhaps a model of ways to do this. And, I also feel frustrated that at times the creative aspects of dance are sacrificed to training extreme (bigger, better, faster, more turns, higher jumps) skills. Those that do it best, train the whole dancer, however this takes a great deal of time and commitment and not all dancers or studios competing put that time in so something’s gotta go and it’s often creativity, artistry, expression of self that gets lost. I think there’s a way to find balance. Does anyone have thoughts on this?
I am posting as a parent of an 11 year old. I feel that what your child gets out of a dance competition greatly depends on the teacher. The competition can be a wonderful experience for bringing friends closer together, boosting self confidence and improving showmanship and stage presence. But all of this is dependent on the teacher. We have recently switched studios because competitions at the last studio were frustrating and destructive for the child. And not because the studio’s technique was inferior, (they would usually win). But because of the way they were treated at the competitions. When they came off stage, if they had made the smallest mistake, they would be shunned by their teacher, told “don’t even talk to me!” At competitions certain students would be told, you don’t have to practice because your better than them, just watch and critique the others, (which doesn’t promote team spirit or friendship.) They would be made to do 30 or 40 perfect quads before they went on stage (which often meant some girls were doing over 100 turns to get 40 perfect ones). Even though the girls usually won, we always left competitions with a negative feeling. Now for the new studio, they are still getting proper technique and still winning at competitions, but all the kids are treated equally at class and competitions (even though of course there are still different skill levels). They run through the dance a couple times before they go on the stage (the teacher is very positive and has the attitude if they don’t have it by now, we’ll work on it at the next class and doesn’t demean them before they go on stage.) If they happen to make a mistake when they are on stage, she comforts them when they come off and lets them know that it happens to everyone and its no big deal. My daughter now smiles all the time at competitions and in class, all of the dancers get along, and her dancing has improved dramatically I feel because she knows her teacher has confidence in her and she in turn has confidence in herself!
Wow, Michelle, I’m so glad that you recognized the unhealthy environment and removed your daughter from that situation! Believe it or not, some teachers manage to impress upon students and parents that their destructive methods are the only way to improve or win. The attitude a teacher/studio models and fosters is a very large part of making competition a positive and successful learning experience.
Unfortunately you are right about teachers convincing families that this is the best way to train dancers. It definitely happens.
I’m so glad you got your daughter to a better studio – the teacher/coach approach is crucial to promoting the right mental attitude and now I’m sure your daughter can feel positive and happy about her performance as well as developing her skills further. Well done for making a tough but really good choice 🙂
As someone who danced competitively for 18 years and now dances professionally around the world I am also on the fence about competitions. They are a huge reason that at the ripe ole age of 18 I straight up gave up on dance as a career worth pursuing. All I knew at that point was that I was never good enough no matter how hard I worked. I was apart of one of the top studios and dance companies in the state in my age catagory and yet never felt successful. I know now that this had a lot to do with my teachers and parental influence at the time. But I think it’s important to note that competition in general is not for everyone. Dance is an art not a sport. Yes competitions expose new choreography and keep the creation of work alive and flourishing in young people, but what competition taught me is that the only dance worth pursuing existed in Hollywood. In music videos, tv, and movies. I too feel that competitions strip not only the dancer of the privilege of creative exploration and development, but of the joy of dance to some capacity. It was only after a two year hiatus that I returned to dance with a new found passion and love for dance. No longer a stressful, self esteem bruising, race to the top. But a choice to pursue my passion because I simple enjoyed dancing. Only from that place can any dancer ever achieve what they want.
On the other hand I wouldn’t be the dancer I am today without the tough skin i developed in the competition world. I feel there are other ways to teach self confidence though that don’t include breaking you down in order to build you up. These are just a few of my thoughts, but what a great discussion. Thanks for the opportunity to share my story. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your story, Amber!
Something that jumped out at me in your comment was this line:
I have noticed that competition students I’ve taught and their families definitely focus on commercialized dance. For studios that are specifically directing their students to a career in this field that makes sense to a degree (although I firmly believe even those going into commercialized dance as a career will benefit from recognition of and exposure to concert dance). Competition studios are in the majority now, however, and even studios that simply have a recreational focus (meaning students are not necessarily looking to pursue dance as a livelihood) are focused on dance in the commercial realm. And I do think that is limiting, as there is a whole world of dance that exists outside that realm. Creative exploration and development (as you eloquently mentioned) is a privilege and it is too bad that many students don’t receive that opportunity. I don’t think competition itself is the reason they don’t but, I think it’s possible that this majority shift in focus toward commercial dance has affected the balance in education. I’m interested in hearing other opinions though. Does it matter? Is this a temporary shift? Have studios always been this way?
My daughter attended 2 competitive dance studios in our city (rivals of each other, by the way), and after a total of 6 years in those environments, I was completely done dealing with the nastiness of the girls and the bullying that went on behind the teachers/SO’s backs. I’ve realized that there was a lot of favoritism at both studios and the same girls were always front and center in all the dances. One year, my daughter took a break from competing and that year, she may as well have been invisible. I felt that she did not get quality instruction she deserved and at the end of the season, the teachers did not feel she was ready to “move up”. I don’t think it was completely my daughter’s fault. It was then that I realized that we needed to shift gears and take her dance education on a different path. We found a “conservatory” type of school where my daughter’s skills will be evaluated based on her ability, not her age or size or what will make the dance look “good” on stage. My daughter loves dance for what it is–an art, and not a sport. She’s told me that she loves the stage and enjoys performing for people, not to win medals but because she enjoys expressing herself through dance. She’s hoping to dance long-term and into college. I hope that this path will lead her there.
Thanks for adding your perspective as well momof4! I too hope that this new school will nourish her love of self-expression and allow her to improve and move forward with focus on her abilities.
Competition has great potential to bring out the best in people but it also has great potential to bring out the worst. Bullying, catty behavior, favoritism – these are things that have plagued pre-professional and conservatory schools as well I’m afraid. Where there is competition for parts, roles, or attention, there is room for negativity (in the professional world, too!). Particularly where children are involved, however, I do think it is up to teachers and studio owners to take these “facts of life” and encourage (demand) positive and considerate behavior. This does NOT mean needing to adopt a “yippee, everybody wins, everybody’s perfect” attitude. I think it means that 1) We respect the art form by committing to personal growth, recognizing that everyone has room to improve. 2) We diversify our focus to include a full spectrum of goals in dance (not just the competitive side of it).
Love all the thoughts and perspectives on this! Keep them coming!!
I am for the most part against competitions. Many dancers are perfectionists as it is, and I actually think a lot of dancers end up holding themselves back because they get so wrapped up in being perfect. Deep down, seeded in every perfectionist is a knowledge and fear that they aren’t perfect, so they always harbor thoughts that they can’t/won’t get better, and intuition soon becomes a gripping inhibition. Training them to quantify perfection with winning does even more damage to the psyche. Especially for artists; a true artist never cares about winning anything…they create because they have to and I think dancers should be the same. Anytime motivation comes from something other than that inner pulse to create, it’s crossing a precarious line of ceasing to be art. The idea of winning in general is for sports, not art.
However, I somehow find ballet competitions to be different, because variations are established and they’re more of a chance to “audition for the world†and show one’s technique and potential. Although those competitions are taken very seriously, I can’t think of anyone who goes to see a specific dancer because they won a gold medal at a competition. We become enamored with them for other reasons (some more noble than others), and there is something to be said for that connection with an audience. Actually, I’m not sure a lot of ballet fans would even call the competitions art, because it’s just the dancers on stage without a full orchestra, scenery and other production values. We still call it dance and ballet because we can imagine those things, but ballet competitions will always lack the things that make a ballet a finished product.
Although I know the dancers work really hard, I am never impressed by competition dances. It’s all about your “bag of tricks†and a lot of the dances end up looking the same as a result. Everybody does the multiple turns, the fouettes, the aerials, the leg holds…timed to the music and with a toothy smile, but without a purpose. When I go see a dance show, I don’t expect the dancers to show me every single skill they can do in two minutes because I know they’re trying to serve a greater purpose in expressing an idea, instead of aiming to impress people all the time.
I also don’t like competitions because of what it has done to the jazz genre. I feel like jazz is kind of the “lost art.†There’s a little in musicals, and there are a few jazz companies, but not many. Instead, jazz is strongly (and almost exclusively in some cases) associated with competition. It’s disappointing because you now have a lot of dancers who think they know jazz because they do competitions, but don’t really have an appreciation for what the style actually is. I love jazz…and it kills me to see that competition dominates the idea of what it is.
I even like commercialized dance, and dance that just entertains in the big spectacly-Ziegfeld kind of way, and love to see people just having a good time. But every time the word competition is attached, it’s tainted. I wish we could just have exhibitions…no winners, no losers, just dance…whether you want to express an idea or you just want to let loose and show off. I think Americans are really too much into labeling and “who’s the best,†and competition dance in addition to SYTYCD and that awful Superstars of Dance are not helping. Kids would learn SO much more and see far more interesting things if they took the time to watch the PBS documentaries on Jerome Robbins or Balanchine. But of course, the two things that seem to motivate everything are ratings (money) and winning. It’s a pity…I’ve heard from friends who are now dancing in Europe that it is so different there, and they feel much more appreciated.
Bravo – my thoughts exactly, especially the endless and same old bag of tricks done over and over and over. I was recently at a competition where they gave awards for the top 10 so nearly everyone is a winner. But even crazier were the levels of winners: High Platinum, Low Platinum, Gold, Silver, First, Second and so on… So the individual who comes home with 1st is actually 5th??? Really?
I saw a few nice dancers perform, but they didn’t rely on technique or ability to win us over – they had to top it off with in your face cheese that approached on arrogance, which was a total turn off for me and the other dancers. I rarely saw elegance or mastery of any technique.
The other awful part was having to sit through really awful performances. There is no standard – it just seems to be about taking in money. Sure pay your entry fee, dance, and get a trophy. I’m glad the performers learn about performance – but overall, I find it to be unimpressive. Maybe this is a sport but it is certainly not art.
youdancefunny… I like the way you think!
Thanks for taking the time to venture over here from twitter to write that eloquent and thoughtful comment! 😀
I currently attend a studio which does not involve competition. I have mixed feelings about this.
I love my studio: I feel that I can really focus on technique instead of “tricks”.
On the other hand, I often wish they could teach these so-called “tricks”.
Watching tons of competition performances on youtube shows me some amazing things. I can point out a good amount of jumps and turns that I’ve never seen at my studio, even among those at the most advanced level.
Sometimes I wish I went to a competition school, because I truly love to perform. I feel a little bit in the dark, a little bit unexposed.
So I have mixed feelings. I like the focus on education at my studio, but wish I could get rid of the limits.
Vivian, I really do understand your feelings. It’s hard sometimes to feel like you are being held back or behind other students. And there are a lot of amazing dancers showcased on YouTube, TV, etc. – it’s great to want to aspire to that level. But those tricks… there’s nothing special about them. They are ultimately just an extension of the basics. Skipping over, or not bothering to master the basics before jumping ahead is limiting – like building a house on sand, eventually injury and bad habits are what will hold a person back.
Competing or not, good technique is what will free you from limitation – there’s really no way around that. Whether you love your studio or not, if you feel like you’d like to be at a more advanced level, then you need to assess what kind of time you are willing to put in to achieve your goals (you get out what you put in so there’s something to be said for how many hours you spend on class/technique vs. choreography). Also consider what kind of sacrifices you may need to get there (traveling to a studio further away, dropping out of other activities), what kind of teachers can help you hone your technique and put you on the path you want.
Competition does offer additional performance experience so if that’s part of the goal, great. But those amazing YouTube dancers aren’t great because they go to a competing school. If they’re truly amazing, it’s because they’ve thoroughly committed themselves to working hard, focusing on dance (sometimes exclusively), and surrounded themselves with strong teachers (who know that it’s better to have a strong foundation – to build on rock rather than sand).
Thanks so much for your frank response to the post and its comments. It’s a good reminder for teachers to hear what, I know, many other students are thinking and feeling. Thank you for adding your voice!!
I know this thread was started a while ago but it caught my eye. My daughter is in a non-competition studio. We love it! At least around here, the competition girls are really mean to each other and they start way too young. The problem is that my daughter’s studio may not be in business much longer. They are a non-profit and the economy has taken its toll. I’ve been trying to research other area studios and am hard pressed to find one that does not do competition. I’m not against competition in general but don’t want it for my daughter. I’ve also heard from people that if you major or minor in dance in college that they do not look at competition experience as a positive thing. I must admit that reading the responses here confirm my choice but make it all that much more difficult to find a studio close by.
Hi momof1,
Thanks for stopping by! Never too late to comment here!
I commend you for being thoughtful about the decision regarding your daughter’s dance experience. And I’m very sorry to hear that financial problems are plaguing the non-profit where she attends.
As you’ve noted, it is becoming more difficult to find a studio that does not do competition, particularly in certain parts of the U.S. To be, well, competitive many studios feel competition is necessary.
Because competition is so widespread, I would not worry too much about competition experience interfering with college dance program admittance. I would say most university programs recognize that training varies wildly from studio to studio, competing or not. Some competing dancers come to college with bad habits and a competitive dancer “style” that is difficult to shake. I won’t deny that university dance programs have likely seen this often enough to have developed some preconceived notions about competitive dancers. However, I am pretty positive they’d be happy to be proven wrong by any competitive dancer that walks through their door!
Often studios will offer classes to students who are not in the competitive companies. Unfortunately, I know that in many studios only the competing dancers have the opportunity to take an intensive load of classes. And sadly your daughter may feel pretty left out or even ostracized if not competing so I really feel for you in your dilemma. I guess I would suggest taking the time to visit as many of the schools in your area as possible, see what kind of program they are running, have a look at their dancers in class and performing so that you can fully judge what they are offering. Don’t rule them out on the basis that they are competitive – rule them out according to what you see and experience.
Hi, I just came across this because I’m trying to help my 15 yr old daughter make some tough decisions this year. She’s been a comp kid for about 10 years at 2 studios in our area. I started her into it because it provided another outlet for performance experience and it was a nice addition to recital when she was young. It also pushed her to work harder and become a better dancer as a result.
Now we’re at a crossroads, over the past several years she’s developed a passion for musical theater also and has become a fairly accomplished vocalist and actress. She’s been cast in quite a few community theater productions locally and is now in high school with additional opportunities there. She loves to do it all but the competition commitment is now starting to become a challenge where she can’t do both. She’s a strong tapper with good overall technique but she’s only 5’2″ and not the strongest ballerina.
My question is does the comp experience (at the older teen level) prepare them for the future if performance is part of their career goals? or would she be better doing a broad range of training and performing in theater?
I’d love to hear from anyone who’s struggled with this decision.
Thanks!
btw – our comp experience has been very positive, it has definitely helped with handling the reality of auditions. Especially the re-inforcement of the statement that the critique and awards are the opinions of a single set of judges for a single performance on a given day. Changing any of those factors could have resulted in a different outcome. Helps to remember that when you’re dealing with getting cut (or not called back) during an audition.
Hi Kris, thank you for your input!
As for your question, I can’t say that I’ve struggled with the same decision necessarily. However, many performers who have gone on to great and wonderful things have not been involved in dance competition. I think, as you’ve pointed out, competition can sometimes help prepare dancers for certain situations. It can also inspire some kids to work harder. But in professional performance versatility, strong training/technique, talent, and determination are going to be primary factors in getting work.
Unless perhaps she’s competing individually for some sort of national/worldwide title, her dance competition experience will not necessarily set her apart from others down the road. But honestly, neither will her community or high school theater experiences. So, in the end I think it the decision of which to pursue comes down to what she really wants.
I really think the training and not the competition or performance is the most important factor here. She’ll need to stay self-motivated to improve her skills. If she stops competing she still needs to keep up with a high level of training in tap and ballet in order to be versatile for, say, a Broadway career. (Time spent learning choreography is not the same as time spent training – I’m sure you know that but some people may not make the distinction so I’m adding it to be clear) It’s the same with her vocal and acting training. She can have all the performance experience in the world but if her skills are lacking, a career is going to be tough.
Hi, my 12 yo daughter is on the competition team, this is her second studio-the first was non-competive. She wanted to switch because she wanted to compete. Her current studio also has a company competion team. These students receive more training and compete nationally not just regionally. My daughter wants a career in dance and she is very passionate, focused and hard-working. She has great technique, stage presence and she dances with alot of emotion. For the past two years my daughter has auditioned for the company and has not been accepted. This past year, when I went in to pick-up my daughters schedule, the asst. director and team instructor called me in and told me my daughter isn’t going to put on company because she isn’t agressive or “cut throat enough.” First of all, I was shocked because I never asked and second, I never thought being a good dancer had anything to do with being cut throat. I thought it was about artistic expression, creativity, technique, hard work, and passion. Maybe I’m just naiive. Her instructor also told me I wish all my students were like my daughter–great stage presence focused, great ability etc. but she has to be born cut throat and your daughter is sweet. She told my daughter should be happy where she is and you wouldn’t want to be on company anyway. I was really disturbed at what kind of message this was sending my daughter. What happened to encouragement and setting and achieving goals. That aside, I find this to be an excuse. There are girls on the company team that are certaninly not cut throat but are shy and quiet. I realize that they have their favorites and every studio does. The team director’s specialty is acro and contortion and these girls are favored whether they’re “agressive” or not. My daughter is more graceful and elegant and doesn’t do contortion. Anyway, company auditions will be coming up soon and my daughter wants to try out because she says she’s one of the best in her classes and she’s been working really hard and receiving positive comments from her teachers. To be perfectly honest, I don’t know how to handle this situation. Should I talk to the owner and explain my situation? I feel like I’m between a rock and a hard place. If I talk to her, I don’t want to be the pushy mom but I feel they’re not giving my daughter the chance she deserves either. I don’t want to tell my daughter not to try out, I always want to encourage her but it seems like they don’t want to give her an opportuniy,that she’s hit a ceiling.It seems like that would take the motivation and drive out of somebody if you know you can never advance. I would appreciate your thoughts and comments.
Beth, I wonder why you’d stay at a studio that wouldn’t advance your daughter according to her abilities. I’d switch studios.
Momof1gr8girl, You make a good point and I have been contemplating switching studios but my daughter really likes it there and has made some nice friends. Every year she thinks she’s going to make the company team because of her hard work. I’m wondering if I can resolve this by talking with the owner but I don’t know how far to push it and still be diplomatic. Quite frankly, there really aren’t that many good studios in the area.
Well Beth, I’ve been the one to point out the elephant in the room to a studio owner. Good luck. I hope your outcome was better than mine. All the moms were high five-ing me privately and what ended up happening is my daughter took the brunt of it. Luckily it made her want to leave the studio. Made it easier to leave.
Point well taken. Thanks for the advice.
Hey ladies! Great conversation going here. Beth, I have some thoughts on your questions but I don’t have a lot of time to write them at the moment. My first thought was the same as momof1 so thank you for elaborating on that. I’ll be back on to add some things later this weekend, hopefully.
Since we’re on the topic of talking over things with studio owners, I’d like to give you a link to a recent post that outlines how to approach with suggestions, changes, etc for your director: https://danceadvantage.net/2010/01/13/how-to-talk-and-be-heard/ Just some ideas that might help as you consider having a conference with your SO.
Hi again Beth, and thanks to Catherine for helping to continue this conversation! Catherine raises a good point and one that I tried to make in that post I linked to above – you want to avoid accusing the director or assistant of any wrongdoing. It is a good idea to consider what IS good about the school (if anything), have these in your mind, and even express some of that to the director if possible. It sounds like they have put your daughter in other leadership roles and appreciate her abilities (at least in some areas). Is she receiving a quality education regardless of being part of the competing company? (because I think that training hands down is way more important than competition experience).
I just wrote a lot more on my philosophies for education and parenting but it is too long for a comment. I actually have a post coming up that deals with a similar subject and I think I’ll revise it to include some of these thoughts so please stay tuned!! I think what it comes down to is this: If the school is pushing this “cut-throat” mentality elsewhere and you are not comfortable with that or if the good does not outweigh the bad, I wouldn’t even bother with talking to the studio owner. If you feel like her not making the team is the only con in an otherwise positive experience then you may just have to accept that your daughter may never make the team and actually look for the positive in that as well. Their decision to focus on certain skills or talents is not necessarily poor teaching or even poor team management. They have a right to set their own goals for their team (we don’t have to agree with them) but remember for some it about winning and others about the process and you can’t force your perspective on anyone. It is their choice as an audition-only competitive team. Your daughter sounds like a wonderful student but of course what she deserves is not always what she will get as reward for her hard work. That is unfortunately just a reality. I shudder to think of the downside to only ever getting what I deserve because sometimes I don’t deserve what I get!
Thanks Nichelle, you make some excellent points and have given me some ideas to consider. You are right, sometimes we don’t always get what we deserve even if we are deserving–and there is a lesson to be learned in that. Thanks to all that responded. I’ll stay tuned for your upcoming post.
Just adding the link to that post about parenting children through disappointment. Would love your comments, folks! https://danceadvantage.net/2010/02/16/dealing-with-disappointment/
Hi Beth,
I can definitely appreciate your predicament. Keep in mind that often the casting of intensely competitive groups (and certainly professional companies) has alot to do with the physical mix of the group. I’m not sure if this is true for your daughter but the asst studio director may be just choosing incorrect language. I am not sure that I would necessarily say anything, especially if she’s getting opportunities at the studio. Being on the high pressure, national competition group, especially if they have a tenet that you must be aggressive and cutthroat mentality, might actually ruin your daughter’s love of dance. If that is not her personality anyway, it probably will not be fun for her, anyway.
It does sound like she is definitely getting the chances, she is competing and learning and assisting classes. Unfortunately, not everyone will be a rockette. I’ve had to break the news to my daughter that she’s probably not going to be taller than 5’3″ so regardless of her training, ability and drive, she’s never going to meet the criteria for a rockette. (They have to be 5’6″ or taller). Sometimes the casting has as much to do with how the student will fit into the group as their talent and capabilities.
If the discussion is part of a supportive conversation where you can get across to her that her self-esteem should be built on the things she cares about and not whether or not a particular comp group casts her. There are many, many options available for people who love dance. Let her come up with the things SHE values and use those to build her comfort around not being part of that particular group.
Good luck!
Kris, thanks for the insightful comments. I never really thought about it that way. My daughter has a real love for dance and it could possibly ruin the joy she has for dance. She loves it because it is a creative outlet and a way to challenge and express herself. She enjoys being part of a team, as well, but definitly not with a cut throat mentality. I honestly didn’t realize these were the qualities they would want in their dancers. I thought it was the dancer with best abilities, work ethic, potential,etc. My eyes are certainly beginning to open to the world of competetive dance.
That is what one of the studios wanted from my daughter. Read my other post. We finally found a studio that is competitive but amazing!!! If you are good enough to be on the top team you are…you don’t have to be cut-throat – you have to be good. As far as technique….it is a requirement to be in ballet and technique. Technique is the basics and most important part of dance. Everything builds on that.
If your daughter works that hard, find her a studio that appreciates her. Please read my other post. Some dance studios have lost focus on what dance is about and are in it for themselves…so sad but true. You sound like an amazing MOM. Fight for her…look for a studio that will look for the pearl and not make her into a shark.
We found that studio at the beginning of my daughter’s junior year. We drive to another town to get there but it has been worth the drive. Trust me there are good studios out there.
I am sorry for what your daughter and you have been through. I hope that you can find a studio for her that will nuture, teach, and appreciate the good dancer that she is. Oh I spent time watching at the studios that I took my daughter to. I watched how the students treated eachother, how the teachers treated the students, and how the students treated each other. That can tell alot about a studio. The studio she is at now all said hello to her and when she did her combinations they all clapped for her…they clapped for eachother…they helped eachother…and the teacher corrected and praised. It is still that way.
There are studios like that… sometimes it just takes time to find them.
🙂 Jolene
I’m so sorry you are involved in this type of situation. It is unfair to you and your daughter. There are many ways to handle it, and all will depend on your own personal circumstance. You can talk to the people there, but my hunch is that they have already made up their minds about your daughter, so I don’t know if that would be helpful. You can tell your daughter what she said–along with a parental shoring up and some emphasis on how being cut-throat is not a good thing. You can just let her audition and then explain that not everything has to do with talent.
Quite honestly, I’m not sure what I would do. Leaving the studio does seem like the best thing, but I understand your issues as well. Still, that would probably be my first choice as it would be hard to continue paying to support this type of attitude.
One other thought…you mentioned that it was the Asst. Director? Is there someone over her head you could talk to? Perhaps the owner/director is not aware of this type of behavior and you can point it out? It’s a risk–if she is and condones it, your daughter may well pay the price–but then it may be worth switching studios. If the studio owner is not aware of it…you may not be the only person to come forward.
I really feel that this was handled badly by this woman and her comments to you were extremely inappropriate.
Have you mentioned this to anyone else–other parents?
Catherine,thanks for your thoughts. I’m considering mentioning the situation to the owner/director but I also have the feeling she will defend the asst. director, since this is her very good friend. I think maybe they have made up their minds and how do you convince them otherwise? Honestly, I don’t understand what being agressive has to do with dancing, as I said it seems like an excuse to me because, you can improve technique or other things but how can you be more cut throat.
I understand. Sometimes all of the decisions you can make are not ones you want. 🙂 I agree–being agressive should not have anything to do with dancing. It really is an odd thing to say. Perhaps you can talk to a few other parents (gently) and see if anyone else has had this type of problem? Are there any parents there you are friends with, or that you think you could trust?
There are some other moms there that I could mention this to that have been there for quite awhile. This is our third year at this studio. This is another reason I’m reluctant to change and this is our second studio. I’d like to be able to work it out with the powers that be and would hope that they would base their decision on my daughters ability. Maybe that’s just naiive. My daughter is so involved with the studio-she’s there 6 days a week and even assists in some of the classes.
I totally understand you wanting to work it out, but…it doesn’t sound like that will happen from what you have said. I also understand resisting the change over to another place–especially when she has friends there and is very involved. Yet…if your daughter will ultimately be happier at another place, and have more opportunities, perhaps it would be worthwhile…? Have you talked with her at all about changing?
Also…if you do decide to change, remember that it is perfectly within your rights as a parent to ask the director/instructor what their philosophy is and make sure it matches with your own before you sign on. Unfortunately, as you know, there are some people out there who do not necessarily play by the same rules.
I am so sorry about your situation. It is a very challenging place to be for you. You are a good Mom though–just your presence here and concern for your daughter are so refreshing!
Thanks Catherine, I appreciate your thoughts. I’ve been struggling with this since last summmer. I know my daughter would be reluctant to change but I know if I explain to her that they don’t want to advance her that may change her mind. This is certainly not the attitude I want my daughter to be exposed to. I would like to hear what the owner has to say but I don’t know how to approach it or what to say without sounding like the pushy mom. Any suggestions?
It’s tough. If your sense is that it won’t matter, it may be a good idea to talk to your daughter and explain what you would like to do before you speak to the owner. That way the two of you can come up with a game plan before that conversation happens and then move forward from there, depending on the outcome of that conversation. 12 is a tough age–she’s to the point where you don’t want to make all her decisions for her, but still quite young to make them by herself…(my opinion…every child is a little different!)
As for approaching the owner, try to treat her (him?) as a seperate person. Don’t assume that they will automatically side with the asst. director. Try to express your concerns without using accusatory language and ask for help. This has been stewing in you a while, so it may be hard to go to that person with a clear head and heart. Still, if you really want to give it a last shot, you must do just that.
A good studio owner will listen to your concerns and try to address them if you express them without anger or resentment. If they are unable or unwilling to do so, then I would say you have to consider the environment your daughter is in very seriously.
I hope that the situation will be able to be resolved for you and your daughter! All the best!
I agree with you. I have to try not to be emotional or accusatory. I just have to be honest with her and let her explain her philosophy to me and take it from there. Hopefully, she won’t hold any resentment toward my daughter.
I’m a mom of an almost 9 year old who recently started taking 4 different dance classes a week. She’s moved up levels with the other girls her age even though she hasn’t been in competition like most of them. She’s a quick learner and sweet dancer, not as strong as the competitive dancers, but the other moms think she would be able to be on the team if she tryied out. She wants to, but we think it would be hard to keep up with her other sport and communitiy activities. And we’re thinking that once she starts up, she’d have to drop the other activities. Maybe since the team will be there next year – it couldn’t hurt to keep taking her classes and wait to autition… We’re trying to decide if balance is best at this age, or if she is going to gravitate more and more towards dance, earlier and more training or competion is better for her in the long run. I also don’t want her to feel left out, but we like her being invovled in a variaty of things. Not to mention time to just play with her sister…
As a parent who has struggled with my 15 yr old’s commitments due to dance comp and other activities, I have to suggest that if your daughter is able to get quality dance training without doing the comp team I’d hold off as long as possible, unless she is truly dedicated and doesn’t mind giving up the other things. At 9, she probably doesn’t know all the options that will be out there as she gets older. I have found that once she’s on the company it can be a challenge to choose something else and still keep her standing at the studio. If there are other dancers who do not do other activities, they may not understand her choice.
My suggestion is to wait, if possible, and make sure it’s something she is truly passionate about because it can be a significant commitment and a lot of work.
You might try attending the competitions and see if she loves hanging out there all day long and being immersed in dance and dancers. For this year, I’d plan to go to comp, support and hang out with her friends and see if its something she’s really into before making the commitment.
My 2 cents.
Hello to katie – great question! Kris has fielded this really well. I wholeheartedly agree with her advice.
There exists a trend among teachers and therefore parents regarding competition dance, particularly in the last few years, that disturbs me a bit. This is the overemphasis of the importance of competition experience. Competition is sort of guarded by many as being the only way to build confidence, or gain performance experience, motivate students… you name it. The thing is competition is only one way to do these things and just like anything else, how the experience is implemented and supported will determine its real impact for students.
As momof1 points out below, there is a stigma among many college educators about competitive dancers. It exists, not because there is something wrong with competition dance, but because many studios drop almost everything else for focus on competition… including training, technique, creative exploration, and other important facets of dance education. I compare this to “teaching to the test.” Teachers are working and spending a lot of energy on only the things needed to be successful in competition to the detriment of a well-rounded dance education.
Hi Beth, Some of the other comments reminded me of something I gleaned since my original post a little over a month ago. I spoke to a young lady who is majoring in dance at a good university. I spoke to a dance instructor who teaches at another university. She is involved in the admission to the dance school and I spoke to a professional dancer. All three said that competition experience is considered a negative both in entering a college program and in the professional community. It isn’t that it excludes these dancers; however, they have found that they are usually lacking in technique and are more apt to be too showy in presentation. Both of the professionals told me that when they see a resume that has competition that they do really look for a lot of little and big things that are problematic.
The other thing that I would agree with that the previous poster said is that competition dancers usually can be involved in nothing else. My friend’s kids are at the studio 6 days per week. Oh and don’t forget the cost. It is huge between the costumes and the travel, hotel, food, transportation.
It’s a big commitment in time and money and from what I have been told it doesn’t advance you at all in any lifetime dance goals.
Hi Momof1gr8girl,That’s really good to know, since my daughter would like to major in dance. I would’ve assumed this would be an asset on your resume.
I definitely agree that competition dance can be all consuming. My daughter is there six days a week, sometimes seven, not including all the workshops that are required. The studio posts a list of all the students who take additional hours over and above the required six hours. My daughter was involved with our local community theatre and really enjoyed it but wasn’t able to audition this past Fall because of her dance commitments. It really leaves little time for anything else.
Hi,
I am a dance mom and am beginning my own competition. Aly’s (my daughter) journey has been a great, yet, at times difficult. She was deaf until she was five and had other medical problems as well. She did not start dancing until she was in the fifth grade. Needless to say, dance was difficult for her. She struggled to hear the beat, balance was difficult, and when she had a cold it was difficult to hear.
We switched studios several times as some of the teachers said she would never be a good dancer because of her past medical problems. Fortunately, Aly and I, did not listen. Her studio did not want her to do a solo in competition….Aly wanted to. So we persisited long enough that they gave in. She started out with a duet. She did well. She practiced and practiced and practiced. A couple of the studios that she was in were so critical when it came to competitions. If anyone messed up that person would immediately hear about it in front of other teams as well as her own… That is when my daughter wanted to quit dancing and I didn’t blame her.
We switched to another studio where they treated dancers like the loving human beings that they are. They only go to two competitions but perform all over the place. It is a pleasure to go there.
But, I got ahead of myself. Aly wanted to compete and so we decided that we would enter her as an independent at different competitions. We traveled together and would sometimes take another friend with us. The judges would be honest, and, Aly and I would take the critiques and work on her solos. We took them to her directors and they would help her.
I can not begin to tell you the self-esteem and confidence that Aly has at age 18. She is now a two time national champion. She loves to dance. All I can say is parents…listen to your child….second listen to your instincts…third love your dancer no matter how they do. It makes all the difference.
If you asked Aly the competition that she learned the most at, it is one that after winning many in a row she did not win. She was very upset and felt she deserved higher. I was disappointed in her behavior. We had a abouy a two hour drive home and her and I talked. We refer it to the Michelle Kwan talk. How no matter how well or bad she did, in front of the world she was graceful and grateful.
From that point on, Aly said that now she knows that it isn’t about winning but about having a good attitude. She does not always win but she now cheers on and congratulates everyone and comforts those who are disappointed. I have enjoyed watching her help a competitor before they go on to compete and cheering them on while they dance.
We have many friends in the dance world. I too have learned many lessons throughout this process. Competitions are only as good as the studio, the dancer, and the parents make it. Choose your studio wisely, praise your child requardless of how well they do, teach them to be kind to their competitors, grateful for the critiques to help them improve, and be sure to listen to them.
Know your studio. I have learned to check into the studio very closely. My daughter is on a team where loving eachother, helping eachother, and praising eachother is put in place by the attitudes of the teachers. They dress modestly and their music and their moves are always family friendly. They do very well at competitions.
Just thinking about this journey brings tears to my eyes. I am grateful for everything dance has done for my daughter. She guaduates this year and I am truly going to miss those times together. My hope is that everyone can find the joy that we have at competitions, dance, and together.
Jolene
Hello all! Greetings from a Texan in Canada! I’ve been reading these posts with great interest and felt compelled to write for advice. I was searching the net and came upon this thread…very germane to our situation. My daughter is 8-9-in-June (in her 6th year dancing) and we moved from Texas to Canada this past summer. She loves dance and LOVED her studio back home [not a big focus on competition dance, although they did participate]. Once in our new home abroad-ish, we visited various studios and she liked one that has a strong focus on competition. So. We’ve advanced from 2 hours of dance a week to nearly 6 hours with technique and choreography – FAR more intense than previous, but I see so much improvement/advancement in her technique! And let me say the older teen girls I watch are phenomenal! My daughter still loves dance [and probably is sick of me asking, “but you’re having fun right?!”] but the pressure is on with our first competition in 2 weeks…and when we practice at home if she messes up the chin trembles and the tears start and its this downward spiral into negative thinking, and I can’t do it, and I’ll never remember. Big bad drama. Being new to competitions (and to this studio…and to this country!!!!) I’m trying to learn as much as possible while still remaining positive. I don’t believe the studio is cut-throat; we get positive feedback from the teachers…this is more pressure my daughter puts on herself to be, well, perfect. And the unfortunate knowledge as a parent that nobody can be, stuff happens and that’s life. I’m chalking this up to a big ol’ life lesson, this being our first foray into winning/losing and judging…but wow…all the drama and emotion I’m afraid will surface on stage! And as she and I talk and talk and talk about all this I can’t help but question did we make the right decision here? I’m interested in any thoughts/comments…
Hi Monica,
Many dancers tend to be perfectionists. I am one myself and it is a real struggle sometimes to balance and cope with the resulting tendencies. I came across an interesting article that might give some insight. As I read this, I found some areas with which I fiercely identified and others not as much so the same may be true for your daughter. It offers some ideas about how you might help your daughter cope… breaking her goals into manageable pieces, studying up on “successful” people or idols and recognizing that they are often marked by setbacks… there’s more. Some or all of these might help your daughter work through her negative or perfectionist thoughts. As I reread the article, I realize how closely it relates to the Helping Dancers Deal with Disappointment article I just wrote on the blog. It was a connection I hadn’t necessarily made before! Anyway, here is the article. I hope you find it useful.
As for whether or not you’ve made the right decision, you might want to ask yourself if she shows this nature in dance only or if it is in other areas of her life as well. If it is dance only then you may need to ask why. And ask her specifically– Why does she think she gets so upset? What is she saying to herself when she spirals downward? Why is it so important to her? A lot of dealing with perfectionism is learning what is crucial and what isn’t… to a perfectionist everything is crucial. They need help working through what is (in reality) necessary for the task. If she gets into the cycle you may need to be the one to say enough – this could mean just refocusing the energy toward another activity, taking a breather with something she can feel more relaxed about, taking a break from competing, or leaving the environment alltogether. There isn’t a right or wrong – all you can do is continue to try and understand and talk through the options with her.
Hello Everyone!
I agree that competition and it’s benefits do depend on the studio and the competition itself. If the studio is focused on technique and sees competitions as only one facet of the dance world, I think the child is coming from a healthy studio with a healthy attitude and competition can be beneficial. If, however, the studio is a “highly competetive” studio- things can sometimes get a little tricky. Sometimes (I said sometimes) this studio has a lot of competition between students which can lead to a lot of negativity and drama. Also studios tend to have “favorite competitions”. They attend the competition’s nationals regularly and have students that are known by the competition very well. That’s life- sometimes it is about who you know and how many dances (or how much money) you are bringing to that particular venue.
My biggest problem with competition dance is that often the studios who are very competetive do not foster “love of dance” and focus on “love of winning”.
They announce loudly in the studio lobby that competition dancers have the best chance of going pro. I disagree. You have got to love dance not because of a medal or a trophy it can bring, or more often, the girl you can place in front of at a competition- you have to love dance because of the joy it brings to you….period. If the child’s motivation simply comes from the love of competition, I think the odds of going pro and making it are SLIM.
I applaud several dance ensembles in the US that really get students in touch with the history of a particular style(I’m thinking of a tap ensemble in NC) and provide wonderful classes and festivals where students work with great teachers from all over the world. Dance isn’t about winning or losing. It’s about ……everything to a dancer who truly loves it.
Hi, as I said in another post, I’ve just recently started dance, and I am turning 14 in a few months. Do you think I could eventually start competition dance? If so how long would it take? Also, I have previously been a competitive gymnast until I was 8, but I still have many of the skills I acquired. Thanks! 🙂
Hi Amber,
There really is competitive dance for all levels Amber. Some schools choose to compete dancers simply for the experience of competing while others encourage it as a springboard to a career. As Melin mentioned just above, competition is not the only route to a profession in dance. If you are looking for a school that competes, go back and read over some of the comments to this post. It may help you fine tune what you are looking for and also weigh some of the upsides and downsides. You may also want to check out this post about setting goals in dance in order to find the right school and instruction.
Best wishes, Amber!
P.S. Melin, I’m sorry I didn’t comment earlier but your response hits very close to my own feelings about competition – it is just one portion of training – an elective. I am wary of the importance and weight that is frequently given.
I am in the middle of a slight dance crisis. I’m forced to now to choose between 1- a dance studio that offers a conservatory for ballet and a company that teaches them lyrical and jazz for my daughter OR 2- to switch her altogether to a new studio that offers ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap w/ excellent teachers but is known for their “competitive” dance teams. I’m torn. As a ballet dancer of 14 years, I feel very confused. With the rise of competitive dance,I’m wondering if perhaps I should jump on board and let her “ride the wave”, but I’m also wondering if by doing so at such a young age (she’s almost 8), I am setting her up for a world of dance that is less concerned w/ dance for the sake of art and more w/ dance for the sake of personal glorification, reward, etc. It seems like it should be such an easy question to answer, but the problem is this – the lyrical, jazz, hip hop and tap at choice 1 is just not that fabulous, but the conservatory is going to be stellar for her. Whereas at choice 2, the training in the alternative forms of dance is phenomenal, but the ballet holds less of a focus. I’m also worried about the number of days/hours she will be spending dancing. I don’t want to burn her out, but I want her to have the best of both worlds. There will be no real ballet production at choice 2, whereas choice 1 has a fall production, a Nutcracker, a spring production and an end of year recital. Choice 2 will go to 4 competitions this year and will do a number of in-studio shows. The purpose of these is to have a small-scale ballet production and to also get the competition girls comfortable with performing their pieces in front of an audience. Two of the girls she’s particularly comfortable with will likely be heading off to the new studio (maybe) and she’s not really friends with any of the other girls that will stay behind. Because of her connections there, it makes her want to jump on board the competition wing of dance so she can be with them, but realistically, I am hoping that should she love dance so much, she should be given every opportunity to pursue this later in life. It seems as though the competition arm closes off opportunities, or at least makes them less attainable. I have noticed that the competition dancers do have a way of trying to draw the attention to themselves more which can serve 2 purposes – one which gets them noticed, but the other which makes them look obnoxious when they should be a part of something and not the shining star. Does anyone have any advice? I want my daughter to love dance in 10 years as much as she does now and am feeling so very deeply conflicted right now. I worry that the studio that offers the strong ballet and no so strong jazz/lyrical/tap/hip hop may lose some of their good teachers due to poor management, but then that’s no reason to put it all on the line walk away to take her dance another route. PLEASE HELP!!! We only have a week or two to kind of decide and my heart and head are so very torn. Thank you in advance for any wisdom/advice/etc.
Hi Spinningincircles!
I will email you with a detailed response soon and say that anyone watching the comments that is wanting to respond is welcome. My brief response is that helping your daughter sort out her goals and true interests in dance will be important in making your decision and I will try to help you do that. Since she is only 8 there is no decision that can’t be reevaluated in a year or two.
I have mixed feeling about the pros/cons of competition. I am a late start, although serious, dancer, who at the age of 12 (13 this year!) and 7th grade has been dancing for 2 years, and takes classes with 3rd-6th graders most of the time.
First, let me just give you some background information on my studio and dance history so you can see where I am coming from:
My studio offers teen classes, adult classes, and beginner through advanced classes in Ballet, Jazz, Hiphop, Lyrical, Tap, and Pointe. The levels for ballet and jazz go 1a-1b-2a-2b…-4-5-6
My first year of dance I took a “beginner” jazz and ballet class. My second year, I took 2a (considered advanced beginner) 1 time a week. That was probably too much for me, but I consider it a good thing because those classes turned me on to dance.
Now, my third year, I take Jazz&Ballet (2A and 2B) three times a week, tap once a week, lyrical once a week, a turns and jumps class, and two non-competitive team classes because I wasnt around to audition this year.
This year, there are 3 competing teams at my studio (mini, junior, and senior). Minis are about my level but 6th grade and under. Juniors are my age, but for level 3a-6 (most people are towards the middle of that range), and Seniors are both too old and advanced for me.
I know I won’t make team, even though I plan to audition, again and again if I have to.
Thats one of the cons of competition. So few people are able to compete. Feelings get hurt, people get upset, etc. etc. However, competition also sounds really fun, and my friends who have told me that the reason they dance is to perform love the fact they can perform more than 2x a year.
Overall, well I don’t know. I would love to dance competitively, and think it is a good thing for dancers to do, but I also know that so few people getting in means feelings getting hurt.
Hi Laney, I’m sorry I’m just getting to respond to your comment. It is disappointing to feel excluded from something but competition is very much a part of dance, life, work, and growing up.
If the audition or selection process is as fair as possible (dance is subjective – no way around that), if those rewarded with a slot on the team are those who work hardest and/or are the top, most qualified performers, and as long as those in charge are not intentionally making students not quite ready for the team feel bad, then competition can actually be really good practice and a learning experience for young people.
I do think, though, that teachers need to be sensitive and careful that they are not excluding or ignoring students who aren’t or are not interested in dancing competitively. Beyond this, you are responsible for how you feel about not making the team and what you’ll do about it. A “no” is a chance to step up and work hard to improve and be ready for the next audition. Otherwise, it’s okay to not be into it enough to take that next step and be happy to enjoy dance recreationally rather than competitively.
I’m going to try out for my dance academys hip hop competition team. I’m taking a hip hop class there but I’m only a Intermediate lever 2 in hip hop. Any tips? I’ve been dancing like 6 months. And really want to make the team. Ive never tried out before. I’m 15.
Hi Tiffany, sorry I didn’t get to your comment right away. I don’t know if auditions have passed but there is a post here with some useful tips: https://danceadvantage.net/2010/09/02/audition-tips/
Other than this, all you can do is give your best. There are many factors in choosing members of a team. Team organizers look for ability and experience and also for people who work well with others. They may also have only a few slots to fill or be looking at things like your height, your “look,” or other things you can’t control. (rarer with high school teams but it happens). Also auditioning itself is something you get better at with experience. If you don’t make the team the first time out, try not to take it personally. Do work and practice to improve your skills, take class, learn if possible what you need to work on, and then try, try again!
HI, I am a 12 year old dancer. I have been competing since I was 7. I love to dance. I am taking classes at two studios. I compete for one and I take a technique class at the other. I am kind of tired of rehearsing the same numbers over and over again and want to spend more time learning new things at dance. But…I am afraid to stop competing. I think I will miss performing and getting feedback from the judges. I know that I want to be a professional dancer someday and don’t know if I should stop competing so that I can train more seriously. What should I do? I need to let both studios know what I plan to do next year very soon and I am very confused. Any advice would be great! Thanks.
Thanks for your question, Kayleigh. Only you can decide what’s best for you but if you want a professional career, getting the best training you can is very important. Now, better training doesn’t necessarily mean MORE training so I can’t say whether that would force you to exclude competition from your schedule or not. If you think it does, then I wouldn’t be frightened of leaving competition behind.
As a pro, the people hiring you don’t care about the awards you’ve won or what judges had to say. Competing is fun, the feedback can sometimes be helpful but in the end it will not make or break your career.
If you fear you might miss performing, why not look for other ways to do this? If the school you’re training at offers performances, do those. You might even use the time you’d normally be at competition to expand your performance and educational experience in other ways… audition for dance opportunities or musical theatre productions, attend workshops or intensives, look for master classes at colleges or see what nearby university dance programs have to offer in the way of classes or even performing groups open to the community, see performances by professionals.
Hope that helps! Best of luck to you 🙂
Hey,
Sorry that I have posted so late. I am a calisthenics girl. Calisthenics is a sport between dance and gymnastics, in the concert or competitions you do 6 routines, clubs (baton twirling, marching (In the name), rods (performing with a metal rod), aesthetic (ballet with a very long skirt) and free arm (normal dancing), we also do review (musical theatre). At my club competitions are compulsory and this is my first year but I am loving every minute of it. Sometimes our coach can be a little mean but we understand that it’s because she wants us to do really well in the competitions. The coaches are really nice and if we don’t understand a part they get one of the senior students to help us until we understand it. I started out with gymnastics a few years ago and even though I wasn’t competing it was horrible. When we stretched the coach would sit on our back, instead of doing normal splits our coach would grab 2 massive boxes (about a meter high) she would then get us to go into the splits and then she would push us on our shoulders forcing us into the gap. When we did back stretches our coach would make us lay on our stomach then she would grab our arms and pull them back with my back until my head touched our butt and our hands were on our feet, then she would reverse it by making us lay on our stomach again but this time she grabbed our feet and dragged them over my head so that my feet were infront and my butt was on my head. It was really bad.
Hope you liked my post,
Sarah
I am a retired dancer…soon to be a retired teacher. This is what I have learned over the years in my teaching for the past 50 years. This is from a teaching prospective in several studios around the country for many years in non-competitive schools as well as competition schools. Everything evolves and dance is no exception. 50 years ago you loved dance and it was your life and your aspiration for the rest of your life. 30 years ago you loved dance and aspired to be a professional someday. 20 years ago you loved to dance but were told that you needed to study other things as well to have a choice. 10 years ago you liked dance and the loved the friends that you made while studying and training but knew that you would have to make a choice when going to college. 5 Years ago you liked dance and loved your dance friends and knew that you would be quitting at age 18 to go on to college and should find something else that might be better to pursue other than dance or you might have gone to college for dance to get your degree. Today I find it to be mostly social with a very few exceptions here and there. It is a different dance world today as is everything else in this world. Everything evolves……