The Benefits of Competitive Dancing
In these times when competition dancing is bigger than ever, we take a look at the benefits of competitive dancing, for the dancer who puts themselves out in this high energy, competitive arena.
1) Experience, experience, experience…
– Working towards a competition provides a dancer with a fully rounded experience of taking dance steps from the studio, onto the big stage. Dancers learn to commit to rehearsal schedules and to work hard in class, knowing that every improvement will count on stage.
– Appearing under the big lights, in front of judges, allows the dancer to get comfortable in this highly charged environment, and to learn to focus through their nerves and adrenaline. These are essential skills to acquire if they are to go on to perform successfully at auditions.
Dancers learn how to perform. There is more to the successful dancer than simply great technique. They need to connect with the audience, to bring their movements to life. Competition experience provides them with a platform on which they can learn how to work the stage.
2) Judges feedback…
– Competition dancers get to hear constructive criticism and feedback from experts within the field. The smart dancer will take this valuable information and use it to work on and improve their craft, technique, and performance. This knowledge is worth more in the long run than any trophy or medal they may receive.
3) Exposure…
– Dancers have the opportunity to get seen by seasoned professionals in the dance industry. This type of exposure is invaluable.
– The competition circuit is like a whole other world. Dancers will get to meet dance peers from different backgrounds and with different experience. They will make connections that may prove very useful in their future careers.
4) Organization…
– Dancers will learn the practical skills of being organized and responsible. They’ll need different costumes, head pieces, make-up, for different dances, and they’ll need to bring all of this to different venues.
– They’ll need to keep track of additional rehearsal schedules and plan their out of dance commitments around these.
6) Pushed to perfect and polish…
– Competition deadlines force dancers, teachers and choreographers to push themselves and aim higher. There is a drive to improve from one season to the next. Teachers and choreographers will strive to continually come up with something new, something that will stand out amongst the glitter. Dancers are given a reason to push their technique further, to add that extra turn, to bring the performance to life.
7) Resilience…
– Dancers will learn to bounce back. They won’t always win the trophy, or get the highest score, despite their long hours and effort. Sometimes it’s just not their day. They’ll learn to lose with grace, to handle disappointment, and to use the experience positively, to drive them forward. This attitude will be beneficial to them throughout their lives.
