Top 10 Reasons To Participate in Dance Competitions: Debunked

There’s an escalating conversation happening about the value and return on investment dance competitions provide dance studios and our clients. 

When we stopped competing in 2015, there were a lot of issues with the competitive dance space, which I detail in my book Trash the Trophies. Those issues are seemingly exacerbated in today’s dance competition climate, which means change isn’t happening. 

I talk to a lot of people about this on a regular basis from all sized cities in various parts of the US, Canada, England, and Australia. With each conversation, there are justifications for why people continue to participate in dance competitions even though they know there are a myriad of issues ranging from integrity/ethics to cost to lack of consistency. 

They insist it isn’t about the trophies or the award.

For people on the fence about whether to compete or not, I wanted to debunk 10 of the top misconceptions.

You can shift the focus away from competition to something more positive, meaningful, and empowering, and you can still be successful in doing it. 

Reason #1:

Dance Competitions foster careers in dance. 

Careers are not built upon dance competitions. Careers are built upon training, intrinsic motivation, and exposure to the career tracks that best match your interests (Broadway, contemporary dance, classical ballet, etc.). 

Competitions can serve as a performance extension of in-house training options, but this should only be an option if you feel like the event and industry align with your studio’s vision and brand AND your dancer’s goals. 

Reason #2:

You can earn your investment in Dance Competitions back through scholarships. Dance Competitions look good on a college resume. 

For the majority of dance competition participants, this will never be true. Cash and college scholarships are only awarded at a handful events to a limited number of participants. Students rarely attend one event and receive a substantial scholarship. Typically, you must attend at a high frequency to be considered and recognized for this type of award. 

Colleges are not looking for dance competition adjudications on a resume. Instead, they’re looking for commitment, passion, and dedication to an interest. Competitions can be a part of that, but it can also be replaced with performance, philanthropy, training, innovation, and travel.  

Reason #3:

Dance Competition increases my network, including contacts and exposure.

Anything you do and anywhere you go will increase your contact and exposure. See shows, attend auditions, go to workshops and intensives- it will achieve the same goal and, in many cases, it will be in a more intimate environment. 

Reason #4:

Dance Competition encourages improvement and progress. 

Improvement and progress should not be tied to an event or external validation. It should be a daily journey that dance studios cultivate, foster, and nurture within each and every dancer. 

Reason #5:

Dance Competitions are an opportunity to perform and be on stage. 

Dance Competitions are a very expensive option for performing and being on stage. We have more performance opportunities now that we do not compete. The majority are no cost and are mutually beneficial as they (a) provide performance opportunities and (b) strengthen our relationship with our community. 

On the business end, think about it:

Community Performances= Free Advertising 

Free Advertising= More Exposure 

More Exposure= More Clients 

You are not building your business at dance competitions, as this is not the appropriate environment to externally recruit and market your program. 

Reason #6:

Dance Competitions promote a growth mindset. 

A growth mindset is important, but do dance competitions promote a true understanding of progress and performance when there’s no consistency, standardization, or regulation in the adjudication process? This quality control gap places the entire responsibility of the growth mindset on the dancer, which can be complicated and confusing in a trophy-based environment. 

Reason #7:

Dance Competitions create positive memories. 

When you are with your community, you have the opportunity to create positive memories. There are many ways you can create dance magic and memories within your community without tying it to competitive dance, which also carries the risk of creating negative memories that will be aligned with your brand and completely out of your control (even though the blame will fall on for your endorsement of the event). 

Reason #8:

Dance Competitions build stamina. 

We build stamina through how we train. Stamina should not be event-based. Brutal hours, excessive physical demands, and questionable conditions (for dressing, eating, waiting, scheduling) are not beneficial for our studios or our clients. Advocate for better and provide those options! 

Reason #9:

Dance Competitions cultivate inspiration.

Inspiration is everywhere. You can find it in performances, at festivals, and in other venues. While I agree you can find inspiration at dance competitions, I also find that they foster an environment of imitation- for song, choreographic style, and costume. 

Reason #10:

Dance Competitions enable us to take it to the next level. 

Hard work, determination, and the right attitude enable us to take it to the next level. We set the tone and inspire that in our communities. If competitions are not working for you, you can find ways to progress your dancers’ training without competition. 

If competing in dance isn’t about the award, you have the power to shift your resources (time, money, and brand alignment) to other opportunities that provide the same benefits in a different environment. Feeling stuck? Stay tuned. We can chat now AND we will also be rolling out more resources this summer!