Expert: Jennifer - 7/14/2004

Question
Dear Jennifer,
This question isn't too important, but I need an opinion from an expert! I can't decide on whether or not I want to compete in dance or just take classes and do a few performances. If I decide to compete I have to go to a certain studio, and if I don't I will go to another studio! I think the teachers at both places are great and everything else is equal, but it's whether or not I want to compete! So, the question I am trying to ask is do you think I should compete or not? I won't make my desion based on your opinion, I just need some advice!
Please write back!

                      Thanks,
                 Confused ballerina

Answer
Hello, Ashley!

Yours is a difficult question because the competition experience is different for everyone, and while some love it, others hate it. I obviously cant answer your question for you, but hopefully I can name a few things for you to think about that will help you make a decision yourself.

You need to think about your personality and how well it meshes with the competition world. Even for some people who love to dance, competition takes their fun classes and turns them into *work*. Competition for some can be very stressful. You'll find yourself in the studio more often perfecting your choreography and performance, and you'll probably feel very pressured get everything perfect and not make any mistakes. On the other hand, competition can be very rewarding. It can give you a sense of accomplishment, teamwork, and you'll most likely be very proud of your finished product. It will improve your performance skills (especially important if you're looking for a career in professional dance). It all depends really on how you personally react to situations like that. Does competition inspire you? Or does it ruin the fun for you? Thats something you'll have to consider for yourself.

Another issue i hear from many dancers is about the ethics of a dance competition in itself. Though all forms of dancing have their own competitions (most of the time, its for jazz/broadway and ballroom, but there are definately big competitions for ballet dancers!), many dancers believe that it is wrong to judge dancing as if it were a sport. Why? Because they consider ballet to be an art, which is by nature is based on the conveyance of emotion... feelings from within... rather than the completion of physical feats that are graded on a scale. They feel that its like taking different painters, requiring them to put certain things down on canvas, and then judging them as artists on what they put down. It reduces the art since art is all about creativity and personal expression.  On the other hand, others think that competition doesnt necessarily take the art out of dancing... it just provides a different venue for dancing to take place. Its all a matter of whether you consider dance to be an art, and if you do, whether you think that art can be ethically judged against art.

Well, I hope I've given you a few things to consider before you decide whether or  not you should begin competition. It's wonderful experience for some, and stressful for others. You yourself need to consider how you might react to the competition environment.