08/12/2026
What Do You Want From Dance?
Do you want a trophy or a medal, or do you want a dance education that will stay with you throughout your life?
Competition can be a wonderful part of dance. It teaches discipline, commitment, how to challenge yourself, how to accept constructive criticism, and—perhaps most importantly—how to learn from mistakes and move forward. Those are lessons that apply not only to dance, but to college, careers, relationships, and life.
But a trophy is not what prepares you for the future.
A trophy will not get you accepted into college. It will not get you a job. It will not earn you a professional dance position, a Broadway audition, or acceptance into the theatrical world.
What will help you move forward is education, training, experience, discipline, and the ability to accept instruction and critique.
Dance should teach you to challenge yourself and your imagination. It should help you understand your strengths, recognize your weaknesses, set goals, and develop confidence and self-respect. It should teach you to appreciate the accomplishments of others while continuing to work toward becoming the best dancer—and person—you can be.
Competition happens every day in the real world. We compete for jobs, college acceptance, opportunities, and positions in our chosen professions. Learning how to handle that competition is valuable.
But let's also remember that the "tricks" that may earn applause or a high score on a competition stage are not what make a professional dancer successful. The professional dance industry demands much more: strong technique, musicality, versatility, discipline, professionalism, adaptability, and the ability to take direction.
So, why dance?
Don't dance simply for the trophy.
Dance for the education.
Dance for the challenge.
Dance for the knowledge and experience of your instructors.
Dance for the constructive critique and support that helps you grow.
Dance for the discipline and self-respect you develop along the way.
And most importantly, dance for the lifelong appreciation and understanding of the art.
The trophy may sit on a shelf, but the education you receive through dance can stay with you for a lifetime.
