Dance Competitions often bring out highly competitive behaviors as the dancers compete with others to prove they are the best in their category. This is a drive often fueled by hours of practice and preparation.
Unfortunately, this level of competitiveness can lead some dancers to disrespecting other dancers. They might view the other dancers as “not as good as me” or the the other studio as “not as good as mine.”
A dance studio and its instructors have a responsibility to instill values of respect and appreciation in its students. These values should be carried outside the dance classroom and reach other studios, the community, peers, and also be visible in the student’s life endeavors. Learned values become part of one’s lifestyle and a dance studio can have a great impact on a child in this regard.
Most dance competitions and conventions encourage appropriate behavior. This is a growing trend, and a studio should work with its students on representing the dance studio at these competitions by competing hard but respecting and appreciating the competing dancers and their studios. They can lead by example in their actions, words, and deeds. Go up and congratulate a winner in a particular dance category or another dancer or dance team that you felt performed really well.
Dance studios can lead by example and help their students enjoy the competitions they participate in, and at the same time carry the right spirit to these competitions by acting with respect and appreciation of the event and the other competitors.
