When it comes to competition there is more than one way to be the best. Sure, there is scoring first in your division or first in overall, but those don’t mean anything if you can’t celebrate the win with the people closest to you.
Below are some suggestions to get the most out of your dance competition experience and feel like you’re becoming the best dancer and person you can be.
DON’T
1. Don’t talk bad about other dancers or schools! When you talk bad about someone else, it says more about your character than theirs. Remember, everyone is at a different point in their dance journey. It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. Maybe you’ve already had tons of training or you just started. Wherever you’re at in your journey, always appreciate that hard work and a good attitude will get you further than a negative perspective.
2. Don’t compete against your teammates! Sometimes your score may fluctuate, and sometimes your teammate will consistently score higher or lower. If you support your teammates and help inspire a team environment it will help you grow as a dancer. Wouldn’t you rather be on a strong team than a fractured one? The difference starts with you and your attitude towards competition.
3. Don’t laugh or cry when you make a mistake. It is inevitable that you will make a mistake. It happens to everyone, but crying distracts you from performing your best in the next routine and laughing makes it seem like you don’t care. I always encourage students to acknowledge the mistake, apologize to any other members of the dance, then let it go! By acknowledging and apologizing you show you care and avoiding the waterworks proves you’re a strong teammate with your head in the game.
4. Don’t blame! No one is perfect so don’t be the one who points a finger. Try to focus on being accountable for your own actions and let the dance teacher deal with anyone who is not being a team player. I also strongly believe you get a better result in life if you assume the best in people.
5. Don’t accuse teachers of having favorites. Whether it’s true or not, believing teachers have favorites means you’ve taken on a victim mentality. Instead, focus on what you control: Do you know all the choreography? Do you know all the counts? Do you execute the choreography to the best of your ability? Do you have a strong performance quality? Can you improve on your technique, flexibility, or tricks? Challenging yourself to obtain these goals helps empower you to grow as a dancer.
DO:
1. Showcase your strengths! As Dr. Seuss said, “There is no one alive who is youer than you.” If you’re not a strong trick dancer please don’t go on stage and hop around in 12 Fuettes. However, if you’re an incredible turner please DO come out and showcase that. Whatever your strength is, work on honing it. What is your strongest skill? Are you great at movement, dispersing weight on and off the floor, or maybe you’re super flexible? Do you have great facials or nice isolations? Whatever you are best at, showcase it.
2. Congratulate your teammates. Be kind and always strive to do the right thing. Everyone likes a team player and being sour towards your own team won’t help anyone. Even if you feel like you worked 10 times harder to get where you’re at and your teammate passed you in score, remember to be grateful you’re on a team together. Teammates are not your competitors.
3. Know you have worth. Every SINGLE person on your team has worth! Competition can be hard. Some people naturally glow on stage and some have to work at it, but being a team is SO much more than a competition. Are you the team cheerleader? Do you bring cookies during holidays or organize activities outside of dance? Have you ever said something positive to a teammate that helps them feel better? Are you the person who knows all the counts? Are you the team videographer? Whatever your role is, know that making teammates feel better will have a better outcome than being a perfect dancer who is not a team player.
4. Focus on what you can control. I say this to my daughter all the time. You can control the effort you put into practice and how often you practice. You control your mindset -think positive and try to be better than you were yesterday, but don’t beat yourself up when you have bad days. You don’t control luck: you had a bad turn day, the stage was slippery, etc. You don’t control what your competitors do. Focus on what you’re doing and you will be the best you!
Always remember, you are not defined by a competition. This is an event that can help you grow and get feedback from professionals in the industry.
Please feel free to share your competition tips with me. I’d love to hear from you!
Nichole Fortunato
Excel in Motion, Co-Owner
Elite Performance Challenge, Co-Owner