Hi Everyone...I just opened a studio and my students want to go to competition. This is my first year in working with these kids and I just don't feel they are ready to go to compeition. They came from studios that competed so I don't want to deprive them of what they want but am torn as to what to do. I have been bringing kids to competition for years and my previous students came from a strong technical background where these kids do not have that yet. They work hard and I know that they will grow this year as dancers but competition season starts so soon into the dance year that I'm not sure they will be ready. Has anyone else been in this position??

Pick 1 competition that is late in the yr and just enter a few dances. Don't make it a big stressful event, make it like a pre-recital performance opportunity.

I agree with the above poster just pick 1 and only enter a few dances. Also some competitions have a recreational division try to enter them into that.

I would try for the recreational divisions if you can qualify for them. (Some have time in class restrictions, some have years of experience rules.) Allow them to take solos and duets but avoid groups for right now. At the end of the year take one or two groups. Keep it that way until you feel they are ready.

Look for local ones that do only one event, rather than a national one, if you can.

Many have a recreational, pre-competitive or novice division. Take them to see one, first. It is good for them to get an idea.

I took some of my kids my very first year and they were beginners. They received bronze (that is when they used to give them out) but they loved it!

Thanks everyone for the help! I did think of only doing 1 competition..and i forgot about entering as recreational- that is probably what I will do.
Thanks again!!

You are quite welcome. When you start looking at them, let us know which ones you are considering so that we may steer you away from less savory ones.

The first year I competed we did one group of about 12 dancers at a small local comp, then the next year we did a larger group, one number, at a regional comp. After that we did more pieces and several competitions each year. It wouldn't hurt to start this year and start small, and see where it goes! The high school team I coach now started competing a few years ago when I didn't think they were ready (wasn't my decision at the time), but now I'm glad they did. The first competition they were exposed to so many different levels and styles, I think it really opened their eyes!

Good luck!

Do some research and choose a friendly competition over a serious one. Check out which studios attend and that may give you a clue about the level.

yes, im in the same position as well.. we are doing all local competitions so that they can get a feel for it before we over whelm them with a big competition.. they need to realize how hard they need to work so by bringing them to a smaller competition we hope they will understand how hard they need to work, goodluck with your girls wishing you the best of luck!!

I agree... look for smaller, newer, and local competitions. From owning my own, I know when I started, the calibre of dancing was not as high at my first competition as it is now. So it will be less intimidating. Also, if you think they belong there, put them in recreational division OR enter them "for adjudication only" (most competitions should allow that)- that way, they can get their gold, platinum, etc trophies and be critiqued, but there is no pressure of hitting high scores. Good luck...I have a group of 7 coming in new now, separate from my regular team, and they need to get their feet wet!

I brought a group of beginners, who danced clean, to the biggest competition and entered them as novice, in my very first year. They got a bronze, when they still gave those out, and were thrilled to bits.