Dance Competitions often spark mixed feelings, even among seasoned dance professionals. It’s a bit of an open secret that not everyone in the dance world is a fervent enthusiast of competitions. As a dance educator with years in the field, and hailing from a studio with a history of awards, it might seem contradictory to express reservations. To be clear, dance competitions do offer valuable experiences. They present dancers with opportunities to learn crucial life skills, expose them to diverse talent, and provide professional evaluations of their technique and artistry. These are undeniable benefits that contribute to a dancer’s growth, and my own students have certainly gained from participating in dance competitions. However, at its core, a dance competition is an exercise in ranking dancers against one another, and inherently, this process is fraught with subjectivity and can never be entirely equitable.
The spirit of competition has its merits, and in many athletic domains, it’s relatively straightforward. Sports typically operate with defined rules, leading to clear wins and losses. While I appreciate the competitive drive, I also recall being the parent at my son’s football games, quietly hoping the dominant team might ease up a bit. This perhaps reveals a less cutthroat perspective, yet I grasp the concept of winning and losing in sports. Disputes over calls or unsportsmanlike conduct aside, the outcomes are generally definitive. Players and teams acknowledge the results and move forward. Dance competitions, however, operate within a different paradigm.
While dance competitions employ scoring systems, declaring an absolute “winner” in dance is fundamentally impossible. This is because dance is an art form, not a sport. The subjective nature of art comes into play significantly. I’ve witnessed the same dance routine, performed by the same dancers, in the same costumes, to the same music, achieve top honors at one competition and receive a less favorable placement at another. Numerous uncontrollable variables contribute to this inconsistency. A judge’s personal connection to a particular musical piece can influence their perception. Another judge might have a strong affinity for tap dance, while yet another could find a song’s lyrical content unsuitable. These are all subjective interpretations, elements beyond a dancer’s or choreographer’s control.
It’s undeniable that proficient dancing is recognizable. Judges genuinely strive for objectivity and largely succeed in recognizing and rewarding exceptional talent at competitions. However, most audience members have likely experienced moments of surprise when top routines are announced, thinking, “Really?”. This doesn’t imply judging errors or poor choices. It simply highlights that judges connect with art in diverse and personal ways. Imagine displaying three paintings and asking viewers to choose the “best.” One would likely receive a spectrum of responses.
In the dance competition environment, dancers, parents, and instructors often engage in extensive post-performance analyses, dissecting every movement to understand why a routine won or didn’t. However, the reasons often remain elusive, and perhaps, that’s acceptable. The essence of dance lies in creating a captivating moment that resonates with an audience. If the pursuit of “winning” becomes the sole focus, instructors may begin to tailor choreography solely for judges’ perceived preferences. This approach is problematic for several reasons. Firstly, it compromises the authenticity of artistic expression. Choreography should stem from genuine inspiration, aiming to convey a message that is personally meaningful to the artist. When we prioritize guessing what judges want to see, we silence our own artistic voice. Secondly, victory remains unpredictable. Creating a visually stunning, innovative, and imaginative dance piece doesn’t guarantee a win. The artistic merit of a work isn’t elevated by a diamond, gold, or platinum label. The work stands on its own. Audience appreciation is the true measure of success, and judge appreciation is an added bonus. Thirdly, when dance becomes solely about winning, we disservice the dancers themselves. They must understand that their worth isn’t defined by a trophy. A dancer’s skill isn’t suddenly enhanced or diminished by their position in a top ten lineup. Allowing external validation to dictate self-esteem is a recipe for disappointment, because in dance, as in life, winning isn’t guaranteed, and fairness isn’t always the defining characteristic.
