As adult dancers we may feel like we have reached our peak and there is no more improvement to be had. Not true, my friends! We still have the capacity for growth and improvement regardless of age or where we are on our dance journeys.
If you feel like you haven’t seen improvement in your dancing recently and you would like to, or you have a specific goal (ie, make a certain dance team), but you know you need to become a ‘better’ dancer to achieve that goal, read on. These tips are not new or ground-breaking. They are not a magic formula (improvement is very personal). But these simple reminders may be just the nudge you need to become the dancer you want to be (however, let it be known that I already think you are fabulous💜).
Identify what you want to be better at. “Better” is such a broad term and you need to define what it means to you. There are so many elements to dance (performance, story-telling, proper movement execution, technique, musicality, texture, ability to retain choreography, relaxing and having fun, etc.). If you know exactly what you want to improve upon, you will be more focused in your training, and more likely to succeed.
Strategically select classes. Once you’ve identified what you to improve on, take classes from teachers & studios who possess, demonstrate and provide the opportunity to focus on that quality in their classes and programs.
Take “challenge” classes. Stepping out of your comfort zone and pushing beyond your perceived limits are two fabulous ways to grow. Keep an open mind and realistic expectations when you take challenging classes. Know it will be difficult, but worth it if growth is what you seek.
Take “feel-good” classes. Build your confidence by sprinkling in classes that remind you that you are a wonderful dancer and why you love to dance. These classes may not be the most difficult, but they should still keep you engaged and challenged. The goal here is to have that stress-free, for-the-love-of-dance feeling to keep you excited and motivated.
Be consistent. “The things you do every day will have far more power than those that you do only occasionally or sporadically.” -David Dillard Wright. If you apply steady effort and consistently show up, improvement is inevitable.
Consider private lessons. If you are trying to become better quickly, private lessons may be the key. In large group classes you won’t typically get the individual attention and feedback needed to expedite your growth. One-on-one instruction from someone who possesses the qualities and skills you seek could be the way to go (we can send you a list of our instructors who offer privates if you would like).
Study others. This one can be tricky if you’re prone to comparing yourself to others in a negative way. However, watching other dancers and noticing what they excel at can be beneficial and inspiring. Find a dancer who does what you want to do well. Observe them. Talk with them. Learn from them. Being open to others will make you open to growth.
Study yourself. Another tricky one. As dancers we always stare at ourselves in the mirror during class, often with a critical eye. But if you can release the self-judgement, studying yourself will be your biggest catalyst for improvement. Watching a film of yourself dancing can provide useful, instantaneous visual feedback. Like athletes who watch film back after a game, it can allow us to pinpoint exact movements, moments or elements you’d like to improve next time. Just be sure to be kind to yourself in the process!
Request feedback. Don’t be afraid to request feedback from your instructors or someone whose opinion you value and trust. If it feels appropriate, before class begins, ask if your teacher could keep an eye on you and give you some notes after class. Or, ask if they could review a video of you dancing. Make sure you tell them your goals so they can keep that in mind when providing feedback.
Celebrate success! Celebrate every success, even tiny ones (you showed up to class once a week this entire month, hooray!). If you’re having fun and enjoying the process, you will have no choice but to become a better dancer. The growth will be natural because you will continue to show up, press on, and acknowledge all that you have accomplished!
We would love to know if any of these tips resonate with you or what you would like to improve on in dance. Please share in the comments!
Written by Jenny De Tore, founder of Powerhouse Dance.