IF EVERYONE GREW UP IN A DANCE STUDIO...

Sometimes I say, "If everyone were raised in a dance studio, the world would be a better place." I certainly believe that many good principals and life lessons are taught and enforced inside the walls of dance studios. Lessons that live on inside souls forever that can carry on for generations to come. Many life lessons I personally learned at home and at church were reinforced by my dance teachers without me even knowing it. Inside those walls things like self-respect, common courtesy, love, respect for others, manners, work ethic, drive, determination, self belief, self worth, discipline, how to work as a team, and how to put others before yourself are not just taught but the expectation of living out these principals are expected and demanded. These values are priceless in the art form and in life. They are necessary for success.

Inside a dance studio, there is gender, but then again there isn't. What I mean is that men do things in dance that women don't, as women do things in dance that men do't. For example, using 3rd position. I was trained that women use 5th and men use 3rd, BUT we all had the same expected of us. There really isn't age. Discipline, manner, and respect, etc., are taught and demanded regardless of age. Technique is taught based on readiness not age. The only limits set are the limits one sets on themselves, so never set limits on yourself! There isn't race. We are all humans. We are all people. We love. Period. There isn't judgement of failure. Everyone is there is help you succeed. When you are down, there is someone to encourage you, to pick you up, so once again you can try your best. We are all dancers and teachers striving for excellence, and to help one another.

Dance competitions provide another wonderful opportunity for dancers to learn valuable life lessons. In a day and age driven by instant gratification, it can be easy for dancers to become focused only on themselves and the awards they receive. In the studio, educators can teach that competitions are about growing from each performance, learning from the judges' critiques, as well as learning from watching others. Dance competitions provide the opportunity to teach appreciation of others, and their hard work. Take time to appreciate the art form, and the dancers that surround you. It is important to remember that everyone has worked hard for their moment on the stage. Take time to appreciate the "prop dads", the parents who paid the entry fees and paid for the costumes, the competition staff, the teachers working ending hours, and the venue staff. This is an excellent opportunity to watch others, applaud for others, and congratulate others. Sportsmanship is a priceless lesson to learn. At some point in life everyone will win and everyone will lose. People must learn how to do both gracefully. Dance studios and dance competitions are a great place to learn these lessons.

Dance studios should be kind. Dance studios should be loving. Dance studios should be a safe place and a place to grow as a dancer, teacher, and human begin. I believe in dance. I believe dance, dancers, and dance teachers can make a difference in this world. How wonderful would the world be if we just were all just people loving and encouraging each other striving for excellence? So today, and everyday, make a difference.

Dance hard. Dance smart.

Meredith
thecompetitiveedgebymeredith.blogspot.com

*Originally published November 11, 2016 on Dance Apps Inc.'s app with NappyTabs, Dancer's Toolbox. You can read more from Meredith on the app under Dancer's Dish.

FOLLOW MEREDITH ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Instagram: competitiveedgebymeredith
Facebook: Meredith Pennington
Twitter: @the_comp_edge