Advice: Dancing for 1 year. Should I Start Competing?

[hyer]

I have been dancing about a year and my instructors say I am looking much better. I am trying to figure out if I should compete or not this year can anyone give me some advice?

[Enthusiast]

Competing in ballroom dancing can be very rewarding. Many people feel that by challenging themselves to be in a competition, they become better dancers. It can be a little stressful, but after you've done it, you'll likely feel a true sense of accomplishment.

So rather than asking yourself if you are good enough, ask ask yourself if you want to challenge yourself to become better.

Finally, try to find something that meets your budget. Competitions can be expensive when you add up travel, hotel, meals, teacher pay, costume and shoes. Usually, local competitions are much more affordable, and "all amateur" competitions are the most affordable (you need an amateur partner).

And I left out fun...
Competitions are fun and full of many exciting performances. It's even more fun when you go with other people from the studio and everybody cheers for each other.

[Laura]

I tend to think that the only way you'll know if you're ready or not is to just go and do it. Well, let me back up a bit: if it sounds exciting (in a good way) and intriguing to you, and if you think it will be fun, then try it and see how you like it. Either:

a) you'll love it and can't wait to do it again
b) you'll hate it and don't want to ever do it again
c) you'll like it but decide to take more lessons for a while before trying it again

Good luck, and enjoy it!

[DanceMentor]

One thing is almost always true...Your first time competing will be something you will remember for a long time. You'll probably find that it wasn't as bad as you thought it would be. Any good reason you have NOT to compete?

And I agree with Laura's three outcomes. It kind of reminds me when I was asking a girl out for a date for the first time. I was nervous. I wasn't sure what she would say. I ended up with C. :lol:

[Anonymous]

I, too, have been dancing for about one year. I went to a local competition last fall. It was a studio compettion. I had a good time with everyone and was glad that I went. But I am agreeing with one of the options in another reply. I am spending my money on lessons instead. The cost of costumes and extra lessons leading up to a competition aren't in my budget right now.

We have occasional showcases at my studio and that satisfies my "competition" needs for now.

[MissAlyssa]

Just think of it this way. Everyone messes up (sometimes again and again and again), just remember you aren't competing at a professional level. Go out there if you feel you are ready and just have fun! The best way to learn is to learn from your mistakes! :D

[Vince A]

hyer,

COMPETE!

It is so much more satisfying to be out on the floor dancing, than it is to be in the audience watching.

The only thing better, is when you are walking off the floor after you have finished a dance, good or bad. In fact, there is no bad. It's all good! And you won't know what this feeling is until you do compete.

So, go compete. Besides, getting floor experience is part of the learning process.

[SDsalsaguy]

As much as I understand where everyone here is coming from, I think that the critical issue has been overlooked – do you want to compete? Ever? Many people start dancing for their own reasons and while some catch the competition bug, others do not. If you indeed do want to compete (as in overall), then it probably makes sense to try it out sooner rather then later just to find out if you actually like it or not, etc. If, on the other hand, competing is not exactly your thing, then don’t let yourself be swayed into it by pressure, no matter how dressed up, from your instructors/studio. When I first started dancing I had no desire to compete – yet was constantly bombarded with suggestions about doing showcases and competitions. Why? Because the profit margin for such things is much higher then for lessons alone…not to mention the additional lessons which, inevitably, one ends up taking in preparation for such events.

As such, if competing is a personal goal/desire, then the additional prep time and expense are more then justified…if competition is not such a goal (at least not at this time), then the question becomes “do you have the $ to try it just for the experience?” – if so, and you think it might be fun, go for it. If not, then don’t let others pressure you into it, even by saying “why, you’re getting much better, have you thought about competing?”

As an aside, I feel like I should make a comment regarding the following statement:
just remember you aren't competing at a professional level.
First off, I take MissAlyssa’s point to be that no one expects you to dance at a level higher then the one you currently are at, i.e., if you are a “novice,” then no one expects you to dance like a championship level dancer, etc., and as such, do what you can and enjoy the experience.

By the same token, however, being a “professional” and even competing as a professional is not definitive of a certain level of dancing. It is a designation of an occupational status. Many elite amateurs – both nationally and internationally – can “wipe the floor” (as it were) with 99% of the professionals. Now certainly this core of elite amateurs is quite small, but the point remains valid. Just because someone claims to be a professional does not mean that they are a good dancer or even qualified to teach. Certainly the majority probably are, but there are also those who hide behind the label as well, the “how can you question me, I’m a professional” types. Keep in mind that, with the exception of its newly created “World Competitor” status, the NDCA considers *anyone* who gets paid for teaching a “professional” regardless of any qualifications.