Shifting the Dance Culture:
Why Winning isn’t Everything

At NYCDA, dance is an art form, a passion, and a way for young dancers to express themselves. We believe in the power of dance as a transformative experience. While there is no denying the thrill and excitement that comes with winning, our current culture that focuses on winning poses several risks to a dancer's personal growth. Our mission goes beyond awards and titles – we are committed to fostering a culture where winning isn't everything, and where personal growth, self-expression, and artistry take first place. Why is this shift in mindset so crucial? Here are some practical actions for parents and dance studio owners to make a positive impact on young dancers' convention experience!

In the dance convention world, it's easy for young dancers to get caught up in the idea that winning is the ultimate goal. While striving for excellence is admirable, an obsessive focus on winning can have detrimental effects on young dancers' physical and emotional well-being.

The foundation of a healthy dance culture begins with instilling a growth mindset in young dancers. Teach them that effort, perseverance, and learning from mistakes are more important than achieving first place. When they understand that improvement is a journey, they'll be more open to challenges and less focused on the end result.

How?
Praise your child or student for their hard work and determination, rather than just their achievements. Encourage them to set personal goals and celebrate their progress along the way.

Betsy Carr, Artistic Director of Company Dance Traverse, shares, "I feel it’s important to establish this culture at my studio right from the beginning, with the younger dancers – stressing the JOURNEY, supporting each other, celebrating moments of growth and not necessarily prizes won. We work on it continually as the dancers move through our program, so that the support is automatic during Competitions.”

NYCDA is so much more than a dance convention; it's about providing world-class training and educational opportunities to young dancers. As a parent or studio owner, prioritize education and skills development by seeking out workshops, master classes, and scholarship programs over trophies.

How?

Explore the various educational programs, intensives, and scholarships offered by NYCDA and other dance organizations. We prioritize offering dancers training scholarships to prestigious programs all year round, and are proud to partner with Steps on Broadway, Ballets Jazz Montreal, Ballet Hispanico, Bodytraffic, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance, Chicago, Parsons Dance, Peridance, and Perry Mansfield Performing Arts School. Encourage dancers to participate in these opportunities to enhance their skills and broaden their horizons.

"I remember my time as a young dancer at NYCDA fondly," shares Devin Richey, a former NYCDA dancer who joined the choreographic team of A Beautiful Noise, and is a dance educator at Steps on Broadway in NYC and across the globe. "Though, I'd be lying if I told you I didn't have that all-too-familiar weight of competitive dance on my shoulders - will I be seen? Will I get pulled up on stage? Will I win the thing? I think for a lot of us, these felt like earned evidence for a long career ahead. The irony is that I never won a "title" at NYCDA until my senior year as an OD finalist in Chicago, and even then, I didn't make it to Nationals. Meanwhile, my career is still in its early years, and I've been lucky to feel dream come true after dream come true."

Winning-focused cultures can sometimes lead to unhealthy rivalries and a lack of camaraderie among dancers. Shift the focus towards collaboration and the joy of dancing together. Teach young dancers that they can learn from one another and grow as a team.

How?
Organize team-building activities, group rehearsals, and collaborative projects. Encourage dancers to support each other and celebrate each other's successes.

Carr adds "Celebrating everyone afterwards (not just the “winners”) is so important. I ask our parents to remember to tell the dancers they are so proud of them, and that reinforces the message.”

While it's essential to recognize and celebrate achievements, it's equally important to applaud personal growth and improvement. Ensure that young dancers know that every step they take in their dance journey is a success in itself.

How?
Acknowledge and celebrate non-competitive accomplishments, such as improvements in technique, acts of kindness, or perseverance through challenges. Maintain a journal or a portfolio of your child's or students' progress, documenting their accomplishments and personal growth. Share these successes with them and remind them of how far they've come. Encourage your students to log their own milestones and personal successes, too!

Dancers often face physical and emotional challenges, and it's crucial to prioritize their well-being. Emphasize self-care, proper nutrition, and a balanced lifestyle over extreme training and perfectionism.

How?

Offer wellness resources, workshops or plans for your young dancers throughout the year that include rest days, injury prevention, meditation, stretch or strengthening, and examples of nutritious meals and snacks to keep dancers nourished inside and out.

Overemphasis on winning can stifle creativity, as dancers may feel pressured to conform to rigid routines to please judges.

How?

Create an environment where dancers are free to express themselves creatively and take risks in their choreography, rather than conforming to a strict formula for competition. Encourage dancers to explore their own choreographic voice or be involved in the storytelling process of their pieces.

Create a community where dancers support each other. Encourage the older, more experienced dancers to mentor and inspire the younger ones. The bonds formed through peer support can be instrumental in cultivating a nurturing dance environment.

How?

Pair up members of your youngest dance team with your oldest. Littles can look to their Big as someone to emulate. But the Big will benefit too; knowing that a junior member of the team is watching them can inspire the Bigs to conduct themselves more responsibly and with a higher degree of maturity. This support will carry them into their competition weekends and beyond.

"I love that this is being talked about by NYCDA in this moment," adds Betsy. "So much great information here! It is always evident when attending NYCDA that the culture that is present is one of community, collaboration & belonging, regardless of any Honors earned. It just feels good, and right and authentic”

This season, let’s make an effort to empower our young dancers to dance for the love of it, to express themselves, and to become confident individuals who understand that the journey itself is a significant part of the destination. By doing so, we can create an environment where dance truly transforms lives, one joyful step at a time. See you on the road!