Dear Coach,

I was at a dance competition recently that was a National Dance Council sanctioned event.  There were competitors there that had taken lessons for years at one of the chain studios and were advanced dancers, but were competing in the Newcomer division at this particular competition.  How can an advanced dancer be allowed to compete in a Newcomer division?  This did not seem fair to the other dancers that truly were newcomers and it was obvious by their dance skills.

Curious Bystander, Portland, Oregon

Dear Curious Bystander:

Chain studios usually (although this is changing) only allow their instructors and students to compete in closed studio competitions.  They may be competing even nationally but only in competitions promoted by the chain studio organization.  The independent competitions that are not promoted by the chain studio’s franchise organization have no way of knowing who is competing or at what level they are competing in the chain organization’s competitions.  When they began competing at independent competitions which are open to everyone, the first time they compete they are allowed in the Newcomer division.  There is no way for independent competitions organizers to know a competitors dance level until they began to compete.

This is a problem for other Newcomers who are truly newcomers to compete against seasoned competitors or advanced dancers.  A lot of the integrity of the dance competitions rests on the instructors shoulders to place students in categories that are truly their dance skill level when competing in any competition.  It is a temptation for the instructor to place students in lower categories just to get a better chance of scoring high in the event.  Every instructor wants to see their student win, but many times getting a first place is all they consider.  If the instructor is truly interested in the development of students’ skill levels, placing them in divisions that challenge them is more productive.  When a student is placed in lower divisions it kills some of the sub-conscious drive of the student when they walk away with “the gold” too easily.  Now the challenge to improve is erased just for the sake of saying, “I won a first place,” or the instructor to say, “My student got a first place.”

For me the satisfaction of the victory is challenging my students to improve continually in skill level, attitude, and sportsmanship and, the competitive venue is a great place to motivate them to work to reach the higher level.

I recently competed with 5 Newcomer students who had never competed before, had trained for less than three months, had only 30 hours of private instruction and because of their skill level, I placed them in full bronze and full silver levels.  They still won many first places in their dance divisions.  In their solo routines, out of 11 we received 11 first places.

In the open events where they competed against other dancers they did extremely well.  Out of 13 categories we took 6 first places, 1 second place, 2 third places, 2 fourth places and 2 sixth places.

Not too bad for all new competitors that could have been placed in Newcomers or low level bronze categories, but I felt it would kill their incentive.

However, anyone that has the courage to get out on that floor in front of friends and family and compete are first place winners regardless of what score or color ribbon they receive.  Especially the first time.  It takes work, practice, dedication and overcoming the fear of being judged.  Most dancers prefer to sit on the sidelines and watch.  Over the years I have coached competitors that competition dancing has totally changed their life…extremely shy individuals who have put aside their fear of performing just to force themselves out of their shell.  Performing changed their lives in relationships, at work, and gave them a sense of accomplishment they truly thought they would never experience.  Others felt all of their life that they were never good at anything and when they became good enough to compete, their self-image and expectation for themselves totally changed.  Others used competing as a motivation tool to keep their weight in check.  Others realized how gorgeous they were when they put on ball gowns and makeup.  Believe me it totally changed their self-image and the way that many of their friends and family viewed them. 

Others had a burning desire to dance, and because of life’s demands had never gotten to when they were young.  These dancers had to wait until kids were raised and spouses had passed on, to realize a lifelong dream.  They know they will never be National Champions on the circuit, but they are doing something they have always dreamed of doing, that is good for their body (and now we know, mind) and that keeps them socially connected to others with similar interests.  It is a hobby just like skiing, bridge, playing bingo, and thousands of other hobbies that people spend leisure or retirement time doing.  I really respect the senior dancers for all of these reasons.  I had a student that competed until she was 95 years old and when her competition dancing ended she died even though physically she was very healthy.  I feel she gave up fighting father time when her dancing stopped and I felt very bad about that.

I think it is very interesting to note that competitors that take all first places are totally thrilled at first, but when the hype of winning dies down no longer talk much about competing.  On the other hand the competitors that place lower begin planning how they are going to practice more and work harder for the next competition.  They talk about what their next costumes are going to be like, what skills and techniques they needed to work on, and by the way, “When is the next competition?”

Go Figure It!!!!