Should My Child Compete in Dance?

A young dancer enjoys ballet class in a non-competitive dance program focused on joy, growth, and proper training.

If you're a parent of a young dancer, you may be wondering whether competitive dance is the right choice. Maybe your child has friends on a team, or you have seen the excitement of competition weekends on social media. As with many decisions in a dancer’s journey, choosing whether or not to compete depends on your family's goals, values, and priorities.

This guide is designed to help you understand the bigger picture—so you can make an informed decision that’s right for your dancer.

Why Some Families Choose Dance Competitions

For many dancers, competition offers exciting opportunities:

• Frequent stage time and the chance to perform throughout the season

• A strong sense of team through shared rehearsals and travel

• The motivation that comes from working toward a goal

• Exposure to feedback from judges and potential scholarship opportunities

Competitions can be a valuable experience for some dancers, particularly those who thrive in fast-paced, goal-oriented environments.

Things to Consider Before Committing

While competition has its benefits, there are also several important factors to keep in mind:

Parents often weigh the time and financial commitment of competitive dance before deciding what’s best for their child’s training and schedule.

Cost

Competitive dance comes with a significant financial commitment. Entry fees, choreography, travel, hotel stays, costumes, and extra rehearsals can add up quickly. A single solo performance can cost between $150-200 in entry fees alone—for just three minutes on stage.

Time Commitment

Most competitive programs require multiple nights of classes each week, as well as multiple weekends dedicated to rehearsals and travel. For families with full schedules, this can be challenging to maintain.

Pressure and Scoring

Dance competitions are judged subjectively and often scored to the hundredth of a point. While some dancers thrive on this feedback, others may feel discouraged or overly focused on validation through medals and rankings.

Focused technical training lays the foundation for long-term growth—something that can be overshadowed when rehearsal time is devoted primarily to choreography for competition.

Technique vs. Choreography

In a competition-heavy schedule, more time is

often spent rehearsing choreography than refining technique. This can impact long-term growth, especially for dancers who need a strong foundation in ballet, modern, or jazz.

Safety and Age Appropriateness

In the push to impress, choreography sometimes includes extreme tricks or movements that are not developmentally safe. Additionally, costume and music choices can be overly mature, especially for young dancers.

Artistic Development

Some competitions emphasize athleticism over artistry. For families looking to nurture creativity, musicality, and expression, this can be an important consideration.

Studio-Hopping and Instability

A common byproduct of the competition world is a sense of “grass is greener” thinking. Dancers may change studios frequently in search of better teams or placements, which can interrupt consistent training and community building.

Non-Competitive Paths for Serious Dancers

Dancers shine in a community performance that emphasizes storytelling, collaboration, and stage experience—without the pressures of competition.

Choosing not to compete doesn't mean fewer opportunities to grow. Many studios offer rich alternatives that prioritize performance and development without the competitive structure.

These opportunities may include:

• Recitals, seasonal showcases, and original productions

• Charitable and community-based performances

• Festival and event appearances

• Auditions for intensives, scholarships, and pre-professional programs

• Company structures that foster teamwork, mentorship, and inclusivity

These options allow dancers to develop their stage presence, confidence, and artistry without the added pressure of competition scoring.

Questions to Ask as You Decide

• Is my child personally interested in competition, or feeling external pressure?

• Can we commit the time and resources necessary to fully participate?

• How does my child handle criticism and high-pressure environments?

• Are we looking for a community focused on performance, or on winning?

• What kind of experience do we want dance to be—artistic, athletic, or both?

There’s no one right answer. The best path is the one that aligns with your child’s needs, your family’s schedule, and your values.

With consistent training, artistic focus, and meaningful performance opportunities, dancers can achieve excellence—without ever stepping into a competition.

Considering a Non-Competitive Studio?

Danse Élan is proud to offer a performance-based alternative to competitive dance. Our dancers train in a technically focused, artistically rich environment where the joy of movement, the power of storytelling, and the value of community take center stage.

Through performances, workshops, and thoughtful programming, we help dancers grow as artists and individuals—without the pressures of the competition circuit.

Interested in learning more? Contact us at info@danseelan.com or follow along on Instagram at @danseelan.