By: Jenae Collins
Updated: Feb. 1, 2023
Originally Published: Jan. 29, 2023
When I was growing up, dance was my entire life. I began taking lessons at the tender age of two and continued until I turned eighteen. My routine often had me at the dance studio three times a week for at least two hours each session. Fridays were a marathon of dance; I’d rush there right after school and wouldn’t leave until well after sunset. It was an intense commitment that consumed not only my life but also my mother’s until I reached my teens.
However, today’s landscape of dance seems far more demanding than I ever experienced. The driving force behind this change? Competitive dance.
Back in the 90s, competition in dance was relatively minor. While there were contests, they didn’t dominate the scene like they do now. Competitive dance has evolved from a fun extracurricular activity into a full-blown lifestyle that demands significant sacrifices from both the young dancers and their families.
Unlike traditional dance lessons, competitive dance typically requires extensive training, often on weekends, focusing on a variety of styles such as hip hop, jazz, ballet, or contemporary. Young dancers—predominantly girls—are often viewed as the top tier of their studio, participating in teams that are specifically geared towards competition. Within these teams, certain dancers are selected for solos, duos, or trios in addition to group performances. The competition season, which runs from September to July, is packed with multiple routines, each requiring its own costume, often a dazzling upgrade from standard recital attire.
A revealing feature in The New York Times offered a glimpse into the world of competitive dance at a New Jersey studio, exposing a realm that is often misunderstood by outsiders. Despite my own extensive background in dance, I was astonished to learn just how far this phenomenon has developed.
Since its inception in the 1970s, competitions like Showstopper have significantly expanded from their humble beginnings. By 2016, around 52,000 dancers participated in Showstopper alone, necessitating a semi-truck just to transport the trophies.
The explosion in popularity can largely be attributed to shows like Dance Moms, which debuted in 2011. The young dancers featured have gained immense visibility, often leading to successful careers and dedicated fanbases. I’ll confess, the show presents competitive dance in an appealing light, despite the surrounding drama. It’s easy to see why so many girls are drawn to this world; the talent and determination displayed are undeniably captivating.
To gain further insights, I spoke with two mothers entrenched in the competitive dance scene. Their stories reflect some common threads. The financial cost is staggering. For instance, Lisa, a mom of two girls aged six and eight, spends around $3,000 annually on costumes, competition fees, and private lessons for solos. This does not include the $2,800 she pays for dance school tuition or expenses for travel.
Another mother, Sarah, shared that her tween daughter’s competitive dance costs her between $9,000 and $10,000 each year, with some costumes exceeding $500 due to their custom designs and extensive embellishments. These costumes are far more extravagant than anything seen at a typical recital. The sparkle and shine could practically be seen from space—truly a sight to behold. If your child competes in multiple dances, the financial burden multiplies quickly.
As Jared Thompson, a tap dancer and competition judge, aptly noted, “These kids are like gladiators. The competition is strategic and intense.” It requires serious dedication, with some children practicing anywhere from 10 to 30 hours a week. A single dancer could perform in as many as ten routines in one competition.
The time commitment is daunting, especially when balanced with school responsibilities. This raises an important question: when do these young dancers find time for their friends? During competitions, they often spend long hours in cramped backstage areas of hotels and convention centers, sometimes for days on end, with little to do besides rehearse and manage their nerves.
The pressure can be overwhelming. Even though they are part of a team, these young dancers are also pitted against one another, leading to a competitive environment that can foster hurt feelings. As one mom revealed, drama can be rampant at her daughter’s studio, and the pressure to conform to the competitive culture is intense. She felt her daughter would be “blacklisted” if she withdrew from any dance, saying, “I should have said no, but it’s all a big mind game.”
Not every studio fosters such a toxic atmosphere. Another mom, Emily, described her daughters’ studio as supportive, where while mistakes can lead to tears, there is a strong community backing them up.
It’s disheartening to think that a twelve-year-old girl would need a mental health break from an activity meant to be joyful. Should young dancers, who should be relishing their time in the spotlight, really be pushed to their emotional limits? For what? A trophy? A moment of glory? For every Maddie Ziegler, there are countless girls who remain within the amateur competitive dance scene.
So, is it truly worth it?
In conclusion, the world of competitive dance has transformed dramatically from the dance classes of yesteryears, becoming a demanding pursuit that raises important questions about its impact on young dancers’ well-being.
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