Dance competitions are an exciting opportunity for dancers to showcase their skills, compete against others, and receive valuable feedback from judges. For dance school owners, creating a successful competition team can be a great way to increase revenue, promote your studio, and offer your students an additional challenge.
But how do you create a successful dance competition team? It takes more than just selecting your most talented dancers and sending them off to compete. Here are some tips to help you build a winning team:
1. Set clear goals
Before you begin building a competition team, it’s important to set clear goals. What do you hope to achieve through competition? Do you want to win awards, build a reputation for your studio, or provide your dancers with a challenging and rewarding experience?
Once you’ve identified your goals, you can begin to build a strategy for achieving them. This may involve selecting certain competitions to attend, setting performance goals for your dancers, or developing specific choreography to showcase your studio’s strengths.
2. Identify your most talented dancers
While it’s important to remember that every dancer has something to offer, you will likely want to select your most talented dancers for your competition team. These dancers should have strong technical skills, a strong work ethic, and a passion for dance.
It’s important to remember that talent isn’t everything when it comes to competition. You’ll also want to consider factors such as attitude, reliability, and willingness to work hard.
3. Create a strong sense of team spirit
One of the key factors in creating a successful competition team is building a strong sense of team spirit. Your dancers should feel like they are part of a cohesive group, and should be motivated to work together to achieve your goals.
To build team spirit, consider hosting team-building activities such as group dinners, dance workshops, or team outings. Encourage your dancers to support one another and celebrate each other’s successes.
4. Develop a clear rehearsal schedule
In order to succeed at competition, your dancers will need to be well-rehearsed and prepared. Develop a clear rehearsal schedule that takes into account each dancer’s other commitments, and make sure that everyone knows when and where they are expected to rehearse.
It’s also important to make sure that rehearsals are productive and focused. Avoid wasting time on unnecessary chatter or distractions, and make sure that everyone is working toward the same goals.
5. Invest in top-quality choreography
One of the most important factors in competition success is the quality of your choreography. Invest in top-quality choreography that showcases your dancers’ strengths, and that will stand out from the crowd.
Consider hiring a professional choreographer to create your competition routines, or work with one of your studio’s experienced dance teachers to develop innovative and exciting choreography.
6. Ensure that your dancers are well-prepared
In addition to strong choreography, your dancers will need to be well-prepared in other areas as well. This may include developing their technical skills, working on their performance skills, or practicing their stage presence.
Consider offering additional classes or workshops to help your dancers prepare for competition, and make sure that they are receiving regular feedback and support from your studio’s dance teachers and coaches.
7. Attend workshops and competitions
Attending workshops and competitions can be a great way to help your dancers develop their skills, gain exposure to other dancers and choreographers, and stay up-to-date on the latest trends and techniques.
Consider attending workshops or competitions as a team, and encourage your dancers to take advantage of these opportunities to learn and grow as dancers.
8. Communicate regularly with parents and dancers
Communication is key when it comes to building a successful competition team. Be sure to communicate regularly with both dancers and parents, providing updates on rehearsals, competitions, and any other important information.
Encourage parents to get involved in supporting your competition team, whether it’s by attending performances, helping with fundraising, or simply offering their support and encouragement.
9. Celebrate your successes
Finally, it’s important to celebrate your successes as a competition team. Whether it’s winning an award, receiving positive feedback from judges, or simply feeling proud of your dancers’ progress and hard work, take the time to celebrate your achievements and recognize the hard work of your dancers.
By following these tips, you can build a successful dance competition team that will showcase your studio’s strengths, provide your dancers with a rewarding and challenging experience, and help you achieve your goals as a dance school owner.
