Competition can be a very scary word for many people. While we thrive on the actual act of competition, the idea of it is very daunting and deflating. Questions arise within us that we do not like to otherwise acknowledge. Questions such as:
- Am I good enough?
- Will I disappoint my instructor/studio?
- What if I forget my dance steps on the dance floor?
- What if I fall?
Let us look at each of these questions individually. The answer as to whether or not you should compete lies within the answers.
- Am I good enough?
- The categories that Arthur Murray has for the competitors are made so that anyone can compete, whether they have been dancing for 2 days or 20 years. An instructor will always ask you already having a plan on how to prepare you for the competition. It is never the competition that teaches you anything, it is all of the time spent preparing that teaches you everything! Keep in mind that we as a society do well when we have a deadline.
- Will I disappoint my instructor/studio?
- You will never disappoint us. We are proud of the fact that you are willing to step out and do something like this. We know the benefits that you will gain by competing, and so we are looking forward to when you realize those benefits. We all have good days and bad days on the competition dance floor (including professionals), and so we are in this together!
- What if I forget my dance steps on the dance floor?
- Preparing for competition is not about choreography. It is about learning how to dance on a crowded dance floor in a way that looks confident, natural, and comfortable. As a man, you are leading, and so we will follow you no matter what. As a lady, remember to breathe and trust that we will take care of you. At the end of the day, remember that it is never about the few faulty steps that may happen, it is about how far you have come in your dancing!
- What if I fall?
- I am an actual member of the floor club! I have fallen many times. We joke about how if you fall, just make it look like part of the dance. Logistically, if it were to happen we would make sure that you are physically okay, we would help you up, “dust you off”, and start to dance again. The other students on the sidelines would wonder if you were okay, once they saw you dancing again they would most likely cheer exceptionally loud for you. Emotionally, we will be there with a hug, and many encouraging words. After all, no judge looks at how you fall, they only look at how you dance! Here is a little secret, your judges have probably fallen quite a few times too.
Are you the type of person that would never imagine themselves dancing in front of people? Then competition is something you should put on your bucket list! Are you brand new to dancing? Then competition is something to look forward to! Do you feel like you are a slow learner? Then competition is definitely something to put into your dancing!
As a professional, I was told that the only true way to become a good dancer, is to compete. I didn’t understand then, but I do now. Competition pushed me to practice, it pushed me to get it comfortable, it pushed me out of my shell (I’m actually a shy person, and very much an introvert). Each partner I have had, I have learned so much from; about dancing, about partnership, and about team work. Each coach that I worked with provided me with an amazing amount of wisdom. I am a much better teacher, partner, and dancer because I have competed, and continue to compete.
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