What Dance Parents Need To Know About Dance Competitons Ohio

By Dennis Russell


If you are a dance parent who is new to the world of competitive dance you may be feeling lost and overwhelmed by the process. This is normal. These events can seem large and confusing. Once you have lived through a few events, however, you won't find the experience as stressful. Here are a few things that you need to know that will make attending dance competitions Ohio much more enjoyable.

Once your child signs on with a studio that offers a competitive team, you may be amazed at how many different competitions there are to go to. It would be very difficult for a child to attend all of them. This is why many studios have one or two that they tend to focus on. If you want your child to go to more, make sure to talk to the studio director and see what they recommend.

It is not uncommon for dancers to spend a lot more time at the studio when they are close to competing. Often the routine will need to be polished. Small gestures or steps will be corrected and this can be a stressful time for your son or daughter. Remember to be as encouraging and supportive as possible. Ask the teacher if there is anything you can do to help such as having your child practice at home.

You may want to find out when your child will be dancing at any given event. Some dancers will be in a bunch of numbers and this may mean you will need to come back on more than one day. If you have to travel a long distance to get there it may be easier to simply book a hotel room and stay near where your son or daughter will compete. Just remember to book a room as early as possible so that you have your choice of where to stay.

You may not think your son or daughter will have a lot to bring with them. Keep in mind that each dance will have a different costume. Some can be large and bulky especially if they involve a tutu. Shoes, small props and other items can also take up a lot of space. You may want to get a large suitcase that can be filled with costumes and other items. Wheels are a definite advantage since gear can quickly become very heavy.

Costumes are not the only thing that you should pack for your dancer. Hair products, elastics and pins are all good things to have in your competition bag. Sewing kits can be very handy when it comes to attaching straps, sewing on trim or pinning costumes that may not fit perfectly. Food is something you should also pack. Dancing can work up an appetite and sometimes it is hard for them to get to a restaurant between numbers.

You should expect to arrive early and leave late. Dancers need to arrive early enough that they can get dressed, do their hair and warm up well before they go on stage. Some competitions run behind schedule. Even if they are running on time, there is usually time between when a dancer performs and when the awards are handed out. Factoring this wait time into your day can help you stay relaxed and relatively stress free.

It's no surprise that dancers love to compete. In the end, there is nothing more exciting or rewarding than seeing your son or daughter on stage. You will be able to watch them doing what they love and putting all their hard work to the test.




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