Dance competitions are a chance to showcase dancers hard work, creativity, and passion. But let’s be honest—they can also be highly stressful especially with the pressure to bring home a quadruple platinum titanium elite or whatever they are calling the highest adjudication these days. Remember when we just had bronze, silver and gold? Well…those days are long gone. Dance studio owners feel this immense pressure, more and more, to bring home 1st place grand champions every weekend. You’ve seen the posts of every studio in your area winning first place overall and sometimes several 1st places. How? It is understandable people are highly confused about awards in the competitive dance world. The opportunity of bragging rights seeps into the selection of dance competitions by studio owners because it is so tempting to select a competition and enter your dancers in a level that they could have a good chance of winning. Especially for smaller studios trying to attract talent. Studios use these awards to advertise their competition programs, assuming they will attract more talent if they broadcast all their winnings. Who doesn’t want to go to an “award-winning” studio? I often wonder what people would think if they really knew that sometimes those dancers aren’t competing against anyone or are being placed in a lower level. Did you know some competitions are known to be easier than others?
If we are not careful, we can contribute to creating a false sense of ability for those children that grow up their entire lives thinking they are amazing dancers because they always got a first place trophy and were never leveled up or surrounded by amazing talent to inspire them. By putting our dancers in a position to always win, they lose the opportunity to grow. Those dancers could go on to pursue the professional dance world, but did we really set them up for success? If we avoid tough competition because we fear dancers will leave our studio for another “award-winning studio” or we will lose out on attracting talent, we are selfishly using dancers for our own personal gains. We must do better as studio owners and we must remember that we are shaping the lives of our youth. Yes, it is fun to win, but dance studios offer so much more than the excitement of winning.
At Dance Inclusion, we intentionally choose to participate in competitions with higher levels of talent and challenge. Why? Because we believe in the value of growth over the simplicity of winning a trophy. We believe in building resilience.
When things don’t go as planned, like not performing your best or not placing as high as you hoped, it’s natural to feel disappointed. But these moments are also where the most growth happens. Here’s how to manage disappointment and why we embrace tough competitions as part of our journey.
---
Why We Choose Tough Competitions
1. Growth Through Challenge
Competing against talented dancers pushes you to elevate your own skills. It provides a benchmark for where you are and where you want to be. By stepping into a competitive environment, you’re not just striving to win—you’re striving to improve.
2. Focus on Effort, Not Just Results
Some competitions only award first place without ranking the rest, and that’s okay. Winning isn’t the only measure of success. The effort you put into preparing, performing, and learning from the experience matters far more than a trophy.
3. Building Resilience
Facing tough competition helps dancers develop resilience. It teaches them how to handle challenges, bounce back from setbacks, and keep striving for their goals. These are life skills that go beyond the stage.
4. A True Measure of Progress
When you compete in a challenging environment, you get honest feedback about your performance. This feedback is invaluable for growth and helps you set meaningful goals for improvement.
5. Creating a Supportive Community
At Dance Inclusion, we believe in building a community that empowers and supports each other. Tough competitions remind us that dance is not just about individual achievements—it’s about celebrating the art form and learning from others.
---
Managing Disappointment After a Tough Competition
1. Acknowledge Your Feelings
It’s okay to feel disappointed. Allow yourself to process those emotions without judgment. Remember, it’s normal to feel this way when you’ve worked hard but didn’t achieve the result you wanted.
2. Focus on the Experience
Reflect on what you gained from the competition. Did you learn a new skill? Did you perform in front of a larger audience? Did you step out of your comfort zone? These experiences are just as important as winning.
3. Celebrate Small Wins
Even in tough competitions, there are always things you did well. Maybe you nailed a turn or leap, maintained your stage presence, or performed with confidence. Celebrate these moments—they’re victories in their own right.
4. Learn and Set Goals
Use the experience as a learning opportunity. What can you do differently next time? Set specific goals to work toward before your next competition. Growth happens when you turn challenges into stepping stones.
5. Remember the Bigger Picture
Competitions are just one part of your dance journey. The skills you’re building—discipline, resilience, and creativity—are what truly matter. These qualities will stay with you long after the trophies are forgotten.
---
Final Thoughts
At Dance Inclusion, we intentionally choose competitions that challenge us because we believe in growth over shortcuts. Tough competitions build stronger dancers and more confident individuals. They teach us to focus on effort, progress, and the joy of the journey—not just the outcome.
When you face challenges on stage, remember this: Every stumble, every moment of disappointment, is a step toward becoming the best version of yourself. The real reward is not the trophy—it’s the growth, the lessons, and the memories you create along the way.
Let’s continue to embrace challenges, support each other, and celebrate the art of dance together.
Yorumlar