Striving for Excellence: The True Goal of a Dance Inclusion Competitive Dancer

At Dance Inclusion, our mission goes beyond the pursuit of trophies and first-place titles. While winning is exciting and undeniably rewarding, it’s not the ultimate goal of our studio. Instead, we focus on something much more meaningful—personal growth, continuous improvement, and striving for excellence both on and off the dance floor.

Progress Over Perfection

Our philosophy is rooted in the belief that the only competitor you truly have is yourself. Each dancer who walks through our studio doors has their own unique journey, strengths, and challenges. We encourage our students to focus on being better than they were yesterday, measuring success by the effort they put in and the progress they make over time.

We don’t believe in taking shortcuts to success. You won’t find us entering lower competition levels just to secure a win, nor will we choreograph routines designed to be “easy” for the sake of a trophy. If you are starting to see experienced dancers that remain in beginner or intermediate levels, this is a red flag that a studio is prioritizing winning a trophy over dancer development and growth. Allowing dancers that have competed and danced for several years to be in lower level competition, is not only unethical studio behavior, but it is concerning to a child's mental development and could be creating a false sense of accomplishment or robbing them of experiencing true accomplishment and pride. Dancers who go on to pursue dance as a career could have major setbacks if they did not prioritize developing talent over winning a trophy. This is applicable to other life experiences, as well. The level of disappointment these individuals could feel due to rejection, setback, and even failure, as they go on to invest time and energy to be successful in the dance industry, could be detrimental to their psyche. Here, at Dance Inclusion, our competition dancers are prepared to be mentally strong and we allow them to feel disappointment. Our program is uniquely designed to support dancers and give them the tools they need to cope with disappointment. That is why we continue to challenge our dancers to push their limits, embrace difficulty, and grow through the process. After all, it’s through hard work, dedication, and resilience that true confidence and skill are built. It is far more rewarding to win when dancers are competing against other talented dancers.

Learning and Growing Together

Competitions are an incredible opportunity to showcase talent, but they’re also a chance to learn and be inspired. At Dance Inclusion, we view these events as a celebration of artistry, passion, and the diverse talents within the dance community. Watching other performers, connecting with peers, and receiving constructive feedback are all invaluable experiences that contribute to a dancer’s growth.

We teach our students to approach every competition with an open mind and a positive attitude. Whether they walk away with a trophy or not, the lessons learned and the memories made are far more significant. It’s about embracing the journey, not just the destination.

Striving for Excellence

Excellence isn’t about being perfect or always coming in first place—it’s about consistently putting in the effort to improve. It’s about showing up to every class, rehearsal, and performance with a willingness to learn and grow. It’s about taking risks, being vulnerable, and finding joy in the process of becoming the best version of yourself.

At Dance Inclusion, we celebrate every win, big or small. From mastering a challenging new step to overcoming stage fright, every achievement is a step forward. These moments of progress are what fuel our passion and remind us why we dance.

Inspiration in Community

One of the most beautiful aspects of dance is the sense of community it fosters. Competitions give us the chance to be inspired by others—their creativity, dedication, and unique perspectives. By appreciating the talents around us, we not only grow as dancers but also as people. This mindset of encouragement and support is at the heart of Dance Inclusion’s mission.

The Ultimate Goal

At the end of the day, our goal is to empower our dancers to be confident, resilient, and inspired individuals. We want them to leave the studio not just as better dancers, but as better people—ready to take on challenges, celebrate their progress, and support those around them.

Winning is wonderful, but the true reward lies in the journey of learning, growing, and striving for excellence. At Dance Inclusion, we’re here to help each dancer discover their personal best and embrace the joy of dance, one step at a time.

Ready to join us on this journey of growth and inspiration? Visit [www.danceinclusion.com](https://www.danceinclusion.com) to learn more about our classes, competitions, and community. Let’s strive for excellence together!