Lessons From the 20-21 Dance Season

In August every year, our dance studio sends letters to the children selected for the competition team.  Included with the congratulatory message is a contract for the upcoming year, outlining the rules and responsibilities of participation.  Most parents just sign the letter and send it back, but I have to make things a little more difficult (because, you know, it’s me).

Maybe it’s because I’m a teacher, but I take this opportunity to sit my girls down and have a frank discussion with them.  We always talk about how their dance commitments will impact their lives once classes start (fewer hangouts with friends, not being able to participate in school sports, needing to manage our time effectively, etc.).   Our chat is also the perfect chance to reflect on the triumphs and trials of the previous season; this helps us to identify what worked and what didn’t, and figure out how to make the upcoming year even better.

A Season Like No Other

But as everyone knows, the 2020-2021 season was unlike any other that we had experienced.  While live competitions made their comeback, dance families had to deal with quite a few changes.  When I think back on last year (which just ended a few weeks ago for us), a handful of “pivots” stick out for me.

Big Changes

Block Scheduling

The first major change was block scheduling.  While some dance parents voiced a preference for it over traditional scheduling, the overwhelming majority of those I polled on my Facebook page held a more negative view.  Its supporters pointed out that the entire studio’s fan base was at the venue to support every dancer, and you still had time left over in your weekend.  Critics hated the quick changes and chaotic pace, and missed seeing other studios’ routines.  For a more complete list of pluses and minuses, check out The Pros and Cons of Block Scheduling, Part 1 and Part 2.

Overall, block-scheduled events definitely had a different vibe to them.  At this point, competition companies may be forced to adopt that format again when the regional season kicks into gear. So it may be too soon to say “good riddance” and be done with block scheduling forever. 

Masking Up

For one of our regional competitions, dancers, spectators, and staff were required to wear masks the entire time.  Even though they had rehearsed in masks at the studio, wearing them onstage was still a bit odd and required some getting used to.  During a group routine, the mask of one poor girl crept up her face and covered her eyes!  We definitely learned some do’s and don’ts (see Dancing With Masks – 5 Tips), so we’ll be in a better position than last year if we have to go that route again.

Change of Venue

Another curveball thrown our way was a fairly last-minute venue change.  Days before a regional event, the competition company needed to move it to an expo center outside the state.  Yes, it meant more driving; that I can handle (thank you, Google Maps).  What I had a harder time dealing with was the anxiety of being more than an hour and a half away from home, just in case I had left something vital (like, oh, I don’t know, a COSTUME) behind.  

Thankfully, we had packed everything we needed and everything turned out alright.  But just having that tiny seed of doubt in my head for 90 minutes was one of the most nerve-wracking experiences of last year.  

Recital Adjustments

Here in New Jersey, our government issued new COVID-19 guidelines every week or so during the months of May and June.  Our studio director planned for our annual recital to be broken up into one competition-only show, along with six mini-shows on a subsequent day, to comply with social distancing requirements.  Within a week or so of the recital, most mandates were suddenly lifted; this meant that the precautions our SO had carefully put in place were no longer necessary.  

At this point, though, it was really too late to change the format (tickets were already in hand).  The Sunday event (with the six mini-shows) was utterly exhausting and ran late into the evening.  Most dancers wound up staying home from school the next day, but my girls needed to go in (long explanation).  By the time they got home on Monday afternoon, they looked like soulless zombies.  Honestly, we hope to never need to repeat the experience (for more details, see A Recital Like No Other).

Back to Normal-ish

Last month, we were able to participate in our first traditionally-scheduled event since before the pandemic hit.  We attended Starpower Nationals in Ocean City, Maryland; the competition had three stages running for a good chunk of time, so there were people EVERYWHERE.  The halls, dressing rooms, and auditoriums were often packed to the gills.  The whole experience was surreal; it was like COVID never happened, which was both relieving and concerning.  

Our year wrapped up with business as usual at the World Dance Pageant and World Dance Championship (we even won a few World Cups).  Overall, our dancers were thrilled to be performing again with the format we were all missing for the past year and a half.   

Moving Forward

During our end-of-season chat, my girls asked whether we would have to deal with some of the past year’s changes again.  Predictably, they aren’t fans of block scheduling, performing with masks, or competing so far away from home (they had fewer in-person fans, since the drive was just too much for Grandma and other family members).  I explained to them that, at this point, it’s just too soon to tell. 

I truly wish I could assure them that things will be back to normal by the time our regional competition season picks up again.  Honestly, I’m a little sad that they have become somewhat numb to the disappointments that became common over the past 18 months or so.  Just like all of our kids, they were forced to grow up a bit too fast because of all of the lows they were made to weather.  

The most constructive way to approach the upcoming season, in my opinion, is to take what we learned last year and move forward with hope in our hearts.  Our world will not be in such a state forever, so creating a positive outlook is essential.  If we focus on just the doom and gloom, our kids might follow suit.  They deserve to learn how to find “the good” in a situation to develop healthier mindsets to lead more productive, happier lives.  And who better to teach them than us?

Wishing all of you a wonderful and successful dance year!

Work hard, have fun! – Danielle

After tryouts or auditions, the waiting period can seem to last forever. My advice? Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst.