r/CompetitionDanceTalk

I’m a mom of a very young dancer who seems to gravitate toward ballet, but I have zero dance experience or knowledge. I loved to dance (and sing 🎤 ) as a kid but was never given any opportunities to train in any capacity whatsoever. It was just my friends and I in my room choreographing our own dances to spice girls haha.

I now have 3 girls. My oldest is 7 soon and has a year of rec/performance dance under her belt, doing jazz, ballet, hip hop, and tap. She also does theatre and loves it. She’s now moving to a comp/recital team in a studio that specializes in ballet and has a pre-pro program but no professional company.

Like my husband and I, she is tall and lean and very flexible but struggles with strength/stability so we will continue to help her with that to avoid joint issues as much as possible.

Looking back on your journey, if you could control every aspect of your training and experiences, is there anything in particular you wish your younger self could have done? It doesn’t matter to me if she pursues dancing professionally or not, and I am not worried about money, but I would like to give her the best opportunities I can to explore her creative interests.

I‘m a studio owner and I obviously think we do a great job and convincing people we‘re a good choice isn’t hard for me to do in person. But so many people don’t ever make it in the door before making that initial decision (most I think go on social media and websites first) so I would love to know what made you call for a trial class or got you interested enough to pursue your current studio? We are the only serious competitive studio in the area, everyone else who does comps does them sort of as a side gig, which does make us an obvious choice for someone who wants to compete seriously, but comp dance is only now gaining some popularity in our area so people don’t really know what they’re looking for.

Just trying to get input from the parent side on this, in a more objective manner than asking our team parents (love them all dearly but they’re our biggest fans so not always super objective on the matter haha)

Hello again all. I’m again trying to learn from you all and your world. Father here.

Is it common/accepted to change studios?

One dancer decided to try out for another studio, and it was done in secret as though this was a crime. When they left, they were labeled as traitorous.

Also, totally unrelated but how does one look into potentially changing studios? How do you know if the new studio would be a better fit? Do you just search and get in touch with them, preferably in secret?

Further, do all teachers tend to be stern and demanding and yellers or are there studios that praise?

Also, do many dance moms talk bad about each other and is drama a feature and not a bug? Maybe this is in all sports and all genders; I apologize if my writing is rude or offensive and I hope it’s okay that I’m asking.

Thank you!

Hello everyone,

As we start thinking about next year’s dances, let’s get into it. Which songs have you heard at competitions this year that were not age appropriate?

Obviously, 16 and 17 year olds are also minors. I am a firm believer that they too should not be dancing to inappropriate music. The line is different though. Older teens can dance about themes like heartbreak and relationships in an appropriate way.

This thread is not for defending a dance you already made or a song you have saved for next season.

This is just a list of songs that other people in the community find inappropriate for children to dance to for an audience.

I’ll get us started:

~Big Spender ~Haus of Holbein ~Cell Block Tango ~Candyman ~Express (Burlesque)

For competitive child dancers what hours a week do you think is ok for each age group?

So for Minis, Juniors, Teens, Seniors?

I’m really curious as to what has worked for you or your child that wasn’t to overbearing but still provided noticeable improvement and required dedication.

I see some people say the top studios like club and project for example have their kids in every day which sounds so tiring for children

Too many comps have these dance offs that are grouped into 12 & Under and 13 & Over. The 12 & Under portion just ends up being these Extended Lines that are led and dominated by 16 and 17 year olds, with 6-8 year olds running across the stage and doing a butt bounce for 10 seconds. Since they are in the dance the average age gets lowered. Any dance that is legit 12 and Under such as a Mini Line or a Junior line gets smashed. It’s crazy to think 8 and 9 year olds are competing against girls about to go to university.

Comps need to change the rule to be max age of the dance to qualify for these dance offs.

im 14F, ive never gotten a lead in a dance or even been front line center or any of that or gotten a special part before. so this year, i got my first lead ever, i have a whole different costume and everything, its the same choreo mostly but yeah, im not very good at socializing cause im homeschooled and very introverted so idk how to go about this, but i feel like its js awkward now and nobody really likes me anymore cause i got a lead. its not a lot of direct jabs at me just weird passive aggressive stuff.
“i hate this dance its so boring”
“wow ms.teacher really likes you huh?”
“you’re so lucky”
“arent you better at jazz than contemporary?”
“lol you better not mess up cause you’ll be watched”

like none of them say directly “i hate you you didnt deserve it” but my friends i had last year are more distant and i feel like i cant even so much as talk about the class let alone being the lead cause everyone gets weird and awkward.

like i remember so vividly the day i got it. we where doing the first formations and our teacher was explaining what the dance was about and said i’d be the lead and it literally was dead silent and everyone was js staring at me or getting fidgetty. and ive been in the room when other people (some even literally in the same room) got leads bigger than mine and everyone was clapping and smiling and it was literally nothing. i went home crying w a panic attack cause i literally cannot physically handle that many people being mad at me. like i already feel shitty enough about myself and insecure there so that didnt help. ive been coming home crying after almost every time i have that class. in like january i asked my teacher to talk after class and i asked her to be fully honest if i came off as rude or unaproachable cause i like genuinely was like “what if im one of those girls that never realizes how bitchy they are” and thats literally my biggest fear cause i dont talk alot and people dont rly talk to me much so i feel like i js come off as un-friend-able. she said i js seem focused and more reserved and i cried at that aswell cause i thought she was lying

so now its may, we just had our last competition and it’s gotten 1st at all our competitions and everyone literally always says “wow im so suprised THAT dance got 1st” or like saying other dances from our studio should’ve gotten first. idk i feel protective of the dance not just cause im the lead but i adore the story and the choreography so so much, and it feels like theyre sayijg it cause im the lead which idk if thats like self centered and me thinking ‘everyones oht to get me’ i just wish i got the same treatment as the other girls who got leads in other dances got. like nobody said they where happy for me or ‘good job’ or literally anything to do with how hard i work for this, it was all either that the teacher just likes me or that i was lucky like it was a random pick and theres no fathomable way i could’ve gotten it for my skill. idk if im overreacting but i havent talked to them about it cause i dont wanna be problematic.

i want to be equal with them and i feel like this js separated all of us. like everyone used to literally tell me and other people how nice i always was now i feel like they all assumed im an asshole all of a sudden because the teacher gave me a lead which makes 0 sense to me. also i feel like whenever i tried to stand up for myself last year everyone acted like i was mean. like i could only be considered nice if i just stayed quiet and let them do wtv they wanted and say wtv they want

I’m wondering what you all look for when you are finding a new studio. My daughter has been dancing at the same studio for 5 years now, but this is her first comp year.

Joining comp has made it clear we need to switch studios due to the commute and the amount of disorganization in the studio.

I’m just nervous to switch because she’s been at the same place for so long. She’s on board with switching because of the stress their lack of communication has caused all of us. A few of her friends will be jumping ship as well so that makes it easier.

Anyway, what should I be looking for in a new studio? How did you choose yours?

I’m in PNW so no matter where we go it’ll be expensive. I’d just like some quality training and open communication for the price that we pay.

Oh! And is it normal at comps to compete against no one? It feels like our kids win a lot, but some of the routines seem to be the only ones in that category..

We are looking into switching studios for my daughter who just turned 4. She loves dance and I was a competitive dancer so that is the route we currently plan to take. Her current studio doesn’t offer competitive options until 2nd/3rd grade and that’s also when they start offering classes like jazz, lyrical, acro, hip hop etc. before that it’s only tap and ballet. She has done well there but I don’t think the limited options will be beneficial in the long run. There elite competitive is very good and they score well and get invited to nationals every year and have performed at the nationals galas many years. The new studio we are considering has acro, lyrical, jazz, leaps&turns, stretch&stength, hip hop and tap/ballet starting at 4 years old. When I emailed to get information they asked me I was interested in company for the upcoming season/year and I was surprised they would accept her on the team (pending evaluation) at 4! I was expecting 5-6 years old. So all the to say, is 4 year olds on a competitive normal or beneficial to the child or a cash grab for the studio? They said training would be 6-10hours a week for the minis.

Anyone have a teen leave competition dance entering high school? Have they continued to dance recreationally? If so, any tips on how to find the right balance and the right classes? Did your dancer have any regrets?

I noticed at our local Hollywood Vibe (Burlingame/SF) that there were teams coming from Utah and Arizona even though they have closer tour stops (e.g., Layton UT, Glendale AZ). I also see Project 21 traveling out of state despite being quite close to the tour stops for all of the convention competitions they attend.

Do any of your studios do this, and if so, why? I know you get to compete against different teams this way, but isn't that what nationals is for? (Note: this included small/large group routines, not just soloists or dancers taking advantage of convention scholarships by attending multiple HV tour stops)

Personally, I'm glad we don't have to spend the extra time/money for our studio!

My daughter has been at the same studio since she was a toddler and she has recently expressed an interest in trying pointe. Her studio does not offer pointe as a class, however, her studio owner also does not allow competition dancers to take classes outside the studio. We are now having to decide whether to stay dancing at the same studio she’s been her entire life with the same friends she’s had all these years, or walk away from the studio so she can try pointe at a different studio. This is a very tough decision because she doesn’t even know if she will like pointe or not, but she feels like time is ticking and if she does like it she wants to be able to take pointe classes through high school. It’s unlikely she will be welcomed back at the studio she’s at if she leaves. Is this typical for smaller studios? If your studio doesn’t offer a specific style is your dancer allowed to take a class somewhere else?

hi!! Anyone have suggestions for a kids lyrical dance? I want it mature but age appropriate, so not a song about love or etc! I really like the vibe of these two songs so if you know any other songs like them pls lmk!! 🤲🏼

Willow- Jasmine Thompson
Riverside- Agnes Obelisk

Auditioned for a comp dance team , I’m 13 years old currently, I’m pretty scared about of the stress that comes with it but I’m willing. On the form, I put duets/trios for group size which may be a grave mistake but I’m a decent dancer. I chose acro and jazz for styles. Last year, I didn’t make it because I hadn’t done jazz before, but I practiced heavily this year. Auds are soon, tips or thing I can practice? I have my aerial with a spot and I’m learning backhandsprings. Tips, drills or skills to master would be helpful.

Do your studios encourage support at competitions across different ages and numbers? If yes, do you feel that people generally follow this. If no, do you ever have experiences where you feel there isn’t very much support for certain dancers or groups? How important is this for you?

My daughter has been at her studio for many years. I don’t think they encourage support very much at all. However, it typically works out that her teammates are there for each other. We had a really rough experience last weekend where her solos were in a different block from the rest of her teammates and friends from other groups. Her closest friends and a few other people from the team left to go do something for the afternoon. One teammate was there for her solos. My daughter showed up early the day before and went in early that day to support the other dancers. Obviously she was heartbroken, and I think it affected her performance because of course she looked at social media and saw that they were together. We have other reasons we’re considering leaving, but this is a big one for her. Whether we stay or go, I’m considering bringing up the lack of encouragement from the studio for dancers to support each other. Am I overreacting about this? Is this not as a typical as I thought? I appreciate everybody’s perspective.

Hi does anyone have (or know where to find) this costume in an youth XL or adult S that they could part with. My friends daughter lost it at her last competition (or someone picked it up), and if not reunited she's out for the season for that dance.

https://api.awishcometrue.com/Data/Media/7c7f75ba-2317-43fb-9c69-2084537d1a7e25260_44.jpg

Any help would be much appreciated.

I’m 23 and dance was a very important part of of my life I have a shelf with some trophies , medals and ribbons on it along with some plaques on my wall.

Me and my bf are talking about moving in soon ish and I don’t want to leave them at my parents house (I don’t want them to get thrown away) so I want to bring them with me but I have no idea how to display them and make them look nice and not as a bunch of clutter on a shelf

Any ideas?

😬

I am a dance dad and this whole world is so confusing sometimes, I am still trying to figure out the difference between high gold and 5 star gold. But anyway, my daughter is 10 years old and just finished the NYCDA comp this weekend. She got some kind of scholarship to do the outstanding dancer program or something for Nationals? What exactly is it? I hear scholarship and I think maybe it gets her into Nationals for free, but then it seems like it is a whole experiance. When I start reading up on it, it sounds like it is something extra, and we have to pay another 490 dollars for it? This is our first year doing this dance comp and I never know what to expect with these comps. It is more workshops? I read some where she can get into some summer intensives. This seems like a lot for a 10 year old. We just played little league and Pop Warner football.

My kid is in her 4th year of dance, 1st competing. We have class photos, comp photos, examination cards, level cards, random achievement certificates…her wall isn’t going to hold it all for long.

What do people do with it all? Do we throw it out? Scrapbook? Toss it in a box? Help!