As a ballet dancer these days, you often find yourself flooded with posts about summer intensive scholarships and competition results when you open your social media feeds. While these are great accomplishments to be proud of, if you aren’t one of these people, it can make an already disappointing situation into something more. We care so much about the mental and physical well being of our students, we felt it was necessary to inform our community about how they should be prioritizing their summer intensives and competitions.
“I didn’t get into the summer intensive/company I wanted; now what?”
Many students we’ve encountered this year were hoping to get into a specific summer intensive/college/company, and after auditioning found they were not accepted. While it can be heartbreaking to find out this news, please know that you are not alone. Most successful ballet dancers have been passed up for opportunities but how they respond to the news is what makes or breaks them. Remember, Sara Mearns and Janie Taylor weren’t accepted into the School of American Ballet summer programs when they first auditioned yet they went on to become principal dancers in the New York City Ballet!
Many of these opportunities are often the result of one person’s opinion, in one moment of time, and that single decision does not invalidate your talents or your future. So, instead of allowing a single moment in your long journey as a dancer define you, we encourage our readers to take this time to look into the opportunities they DO HAVE and make the most out of them. Maybe this year, you decide to stay home and take valuable one-on-one sessions to build your technique so you do get into the program you want next year. Or, let’s say you choose to take that apprenticeship in the smaller company you weren’t so excited for and find it to be the perfect place for you to excel and have a happy career!
The point is, your journey as a ballet dancer will not always be easy and you may often be passed up for opportunities you have your heart set on. However, every moment like this is an opportunity for us to learn and become stronger in our craft!
“What place did you get in that competition?” Asked no one ever in your real-life dance
career.
With the competition season in full bloom, it’s hard not to put your whole worth into what your score sheet says. You have spent all year working on those few pieces and it all comes down to a few minutes on stage, and several people judging you. Competitions can be a great learning tool for performance experience, however, don’t let your rank control your worth. Just like acceptance letters, seeing those around you receive awards for what you had practiced and hoped for can be a huge blow to your ego. Again we ask you to take a moment and think of how you can turn this into an opportunity to grow!
Here are some questions you can ask to discover opportunities despite receiving an outcome different than what you expected.
Did you learn new things in the master classes offered at the competition?
Did you have fun with your friends all weekend wearing your pretty costumes and performing in front of your family?
Did you learn a new perspective on the level of training going on around you and see where you need to ramp yours up?
Was training for this competition a chance to get more one-on-one attention from your teacher?
Chances are, the answer to all of these questions will show you all the good you got out of the competition! Try not to dwell on the negative. With other people posting their ribbons and trophies, you can post about how much fun you had expressing your joy of dance on stage. That will be as big an inspiration as some award, if not more.
Adversity breeds strength and character. At VVBS we love encouraging our students to take every opportunity, whether positive or negative, as a chance to grow. Keep faith in yourselves and your chins up. And, if you need extra help in preparation for auditions and competitions or you are looking to advance your skills as a dancer, please contact us by clicking the button below.