Dance competitions are high energy events.
The day of competition can be a lot of stress for dancers.
“To start my day at a competition convention, I wake up at 6 AM and stay at the convention until 2 PM and go back for competition around 5 PM, “Naomi Gregory, junior, said.
“I wake up, get ready, and go to the convention, eat then come back when it’s time to dance,” Madelyn Oliver, sophomore, said.
“Before competition I like to go out to eat at Denny’s, then arrive at the convention and stay until it’s time to perform,” Adriana Calloway, sophomore, said.
“On this nerve-racking day, I like to relieve some stress by eating at Waffle House before arriving at the convention,” Alina Posey, sophomore, said.
Dancers often like the thrill of spotlight.
“I’ve been dancing since I was a kid; I love to move around, do combos, and dance, “Gregory, said.
“The reason I joined dance is because I watched my sister do it when I was little and she gave me inspiration to join her,” Oliver, said.
“I chose this sport because I learned to express myself through it,” Calloway, said.
“I love performing and being in the spotlight which is why this hobby was made for me,” Posey, sophomore, said.
Dance is a masterclass in discipline, failure, and growth.
“The biggest lesson I learned is to never compare yourself to other dances, and always try your hardest,” Gregory said.
“Talking down on yourself is going to make you perform bad, which is something I had to learn the hard way,” Oliver, said
“Being confident in yourself is the best thing you can do to help you do better on stage,” Calloway, said.
Experienced dancers should pass down the grace and blueprints needed for the beginners to succeed.
“Advice I would give to the younger dancers would be to get out your shell and do your best,” Gregory, said.
“Always perform to your fullest, and never doubt yourself,” Calloway, said.
“Enjoy it while you can because life moves fast,” Posey, said.
Pre-show jitters could knock off the focused energy; dancers may use different methods to control that.
“I pray, do breathing methods, or talk to my dance friends,” Gregory, said.
“During the emotional rush, I pray, listen to music, and talk to my team,” Oliver, said.
“It helps me to be alone, meditate, and do breathing exercises,” Calloway, said.
“I like to give myself affirmations that everything is going to be just fine,” Posey, said.
