At CSHD, we encourage our students to compete. Seems weird, right? It can feel backwards, because surely there’s kids that would prefer not to. So why would we encourage those kids, along with naturally competitive people?
While it is always the dancer’s choice, there are so many benefits of competition that we feel are an integral part of a dancer’s journey. Competitions aren’t just about winning trophies! They’re about growth, camaraderie, dance excellence, character building, learning to deal with adversity and embracing the journey. Here’s why stepping out of your comfort zone and into competition can be one of the most rewarding experiences for dancers.
Dance Excellence: 4 Things Competing Can Teach You:
There are way more than just 4, but these are our top reasons for encouraging competition at our studio!
Learning to Progress with Purpose: Competitions give us something to work towards. A tangible goal that fuels our passion and pushes us to improve. With each competition on the horizon, we set our sights higher, striving to better our technique, refine our routines, and showcase our progress to the world. We set non-results goals at the outset of each competition, giving the kids useful, achievable targets that can make them feel successful regardless of how they place. Did they nail that difficult transition? Did they keep their arms strong during that turn? Did they nail their leap? This is way more important in the long run than an arbitrary placing. And helps progress their technique in a way that results often can’t.
Experiencing Recognition and Satisfaction: There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing our hard work pay off. Whether it’s a medal, a smile from the judges or a round of applause from the audience, every accolade earned in competition validates our dedication and fuels our determination to keep pushing the boundaries of our abilities.
Gaining Strength from Setbacks: Let’s face it, not every competition ends with celebration and success. But it’s in those moments of setback and disappointment that we truly learn to rise. Handling defeat with grace, analyzing our performance, and coming back stronger—these are the invaluable lessons competitions teach us, both in dance and in life.
Building Bonds in the Dance Community: Beyond the thrill of competition, there’s a special camaraderie that binds us together as dancers. Competitions bring us face-to-face with peers who share our love for Highland Dance, creating opportunities to connect, support each other, and celebrate our shared passion.
In essence, competitions are more than just opportunities to showcase our skills. They’re transformative experiences that shape us as dancers and as individuals. So, to all our fellow dancers out there, let’s embrace competition with open arms, knowing that every step we take on that stage is a step towards growth, dance excellence, connection, and fulfillment.
Dance Competition: How Do We Know It Works?
From personal experience and from watching tons of different pesonalities take the plunge into competing!
Elayna was super shy and never wanted any attention. Competing helped her learn to accept and even enjoy the attention she received at competitions. Initially hesitant and reserved, Elayna gradually found herself thriving under the spotlight. The applause, the acknowledgment from judges, and the camaraderie with fellow competitors all played a part in her transformation. Each competition became a stepping stone, building her confidence and stage presence. When she became a teacher, all those skills were so valuable! The poise she developed allowed her to inspire and lead her students effectively. Through competing, Elayna transformed from a shy dancer into a confident performer and a respected leader in the dance community.
Alex loved attention and was super competitive. Every competition was an opportunity for her to shine and prove herself. However, when she didn’t win, she was angry and needed to learn how to deal with the disappointment. The journey was not easy, but competing taught her invaluable lessons in handling loss gracefully. She learned to reflect on her performances, appreciate her strengths, and identify areas for improvement without letting anger cloud her judgment. Gradually, Alex discovered how to channel her competitive spirit positively. She used her setbacks as motivation to push harder and refine her skills. This transformation helped her become not only a better dancer but also a role model for others, exemplifying how to balance ambition with humility.
Now, we see the value in having both types of dancers, and a huge range in between. Each dancer brings unique qualities to the floor, from the shy and reserved to the bold and competitive. Competition can fill in the gaps that regular dance class sometimes can’t fill, providing a holistic growth experience for every dancer. It encourages shy dancers to step out of their comfort zones and embrace the spotlight. While teaching highly competitive dancers the importance of resilience and grace under pressure. This diverse environment fosters a rich learning experience, where every dancer, regardless of their natural inclinations, can grow, evolve, and thrive both on and off the stage and encourage dance excellence.