Is Competition in Dance Over Emphisized?

Competition in dance education, like any other sport, is important in the development of the athlete (or in this case dancer).   To compete in a dance competition at a high level, the team must have learned to dance as a team. Each dancer has to be committed to the girl next to them and must be willing to push themselves to be the best they can be, while trusting all other teammates are doing the same. Dance competition takes the team, and individual dancers, to places that simply performing will not. It encompasses an atmosphere to learn exactly what it takes to be a champion, promotes sportsmanship and respect between teams, and allows teams to learn from one another. Nothing compares to the feeling after finishing a competition routine and knowing that everything was left out on the floor. As a dance educator, it is my opinion that every dancer should experience that feeling. I believe every dancer should be allowed the opportunity to experience what competition has to offer during their journey of becoming the best dancer they can be.