Competitiveness in Ballet and Beyond

I think that competition in the ballet world is something that dancers and their families are often very aware of from a young age; I certainly was. And before I discuss the negative aspects of competition, I think it's important to note the positives of it. I believe that the environment within a dance class or studio is determined by the teacher. For example, I have had teachers that compare young dancers to each other, maybe thinking they are motivating their students to learn from their peers (or not), but they ultimately assist in creating a toxic environment in the classroom. To sum it up, making a dancer stand behind a dancer with a higher leg extension and pressuring them to achieve the same height as the dancer is never the right way of fostering a healthy environment in the classroom.

As a dancer myself, I did (and still do) use competition to motivate me. For example, I always try to stay attentive in class, particularly when other groups are dancing, to adopt habits or artistic choices of dancers I admire, to push or "compete" with myself. Although I am still adhering to my individual artistry and style that I have developed, watching other dancers as much as possible can only improve your own dancing. Some of the things I enjoy paying extra attention to when watching other dancers are particular moments of suspension in a step that I can implement, or moments of exaggerated turnout. In this sense, competition is a personal thing that pushes you to become a better version of yourself, which is why I emphasize learning from other dancers while still valuing your individuality. Another thing I like to do and recommend to others (although it is not the most enjoyable) is to film yourself after class once in a while. This strategy was first recommended to me by the teacher Zippora Karz, and I am forever grateful to have learned this. It is an incredibly useful tool to watch yourself dance because you can self-correct and notice things that you cannot see in a mirror. Secondly, it allows you to track and be proud of your progress! I have been taking videos of myself dancing for years now, and I love to see how much I have improved. The detailed focus of ballet can often make it hard to see progress, but video really puts it into perspective.

As I am shifting to discuss negative competition, I think it is important to note how it is necessary to have confidence and awareness of your progress, talent, and abilities, particularly in the most competitive spaces. I have experienced imposter syndrome before, and have doubted my own talent and if I was deserving of being accepted and attending certain programs when I saw the talent of other dancers attending. I have one thing to say to that, to anyone who may be experiencing this, you were picked for a reason! I know, trust me, it can be very intimidating to be in spaces filled to the brim with talented and competitive people. So although you may not be the best dancer in the room, learn from the other dancers and know that you are talented yourself and deserving of your accomplishments and space in your class.

As dancers get older, spots in summer programs and roles in performances become much more competitive as well. So naturally, and unfortunately, ballet culture becomes more competitive. This is something many other dancers and I have noticed as we have gotten older. When dancers really care about getting a certain role, etc., competition between dancers (and even parents) can start to get very toxic. The truth is, not everyone is going to achieve what they desire, sometimes regardless of talent. This is why I really encourage dancers to know their worth from a young age, because as dance/ballet culture gets tougher, it is crucial to have a strong head on your shoulders.

The truth is, dance is a competitive art form. If you want to perform at a high level, you will undoubtedly come across hardships and difficult situations. Although I didn't provide solutions to these issues, I hope my suggestions will help you navigate these particular concerns and continue to progress as an artist in the process.