As dance students grow older, the familiar feeling of overflowing confidence and owning the room might slowly decrease and become unfamiliar, namely losing the confidence in dance they once had. This transition may come when young dancers become full time dance students, when - as an extension of their hyper-aware tutors - they become more self-critical and judgmental about their technique and overall ability. Whilst the level of technique the student is working at may be higher, the level of confidence may have slipped as their knowledge of dance has increased.
Students may become easily intimidated in class by a new sequence or variation, perhaps moving from their usual position at the front to near the back of the studio. With the increased awareness of correct technique may come a growing awareness of the dancers around them who are also improving, gaining further experience and confidence. There is no doubt that self-awareness and self-criticism is healthy, as it allows dancers to grow and flourish, however there is a fine line between this becoming a negative experience.
In order for a dancer to return to their former confidence, there is mental discipline required that means the inner critic can not even be allowed in the dance studio or on stage. In class it is important to be focused and listening, working hard and using your body to give 100 per cent. Confidence must be combined with technique and artistry in order to move training forward, with the dancer trusting themselves that hard work will take over when needed. Teachers can then be sole figure providing advice and corrections.
Ultimately, it is important to remember that confidence is partly made up of acting. Use a dancer or performer you admire for their performance, technique and stage presence and emulate them in order to adopt a confident demeanour. This pretence of an effective attitude will trick yourself into experiencing feelings of confidence.
Regaining dancing confidence
As dance students grow older, the familiar feeling of overflowing confidence and owning the room might slowly decrease and become unfamiliar, namely losing the confidence in dance they once had. This transition may come when young dancers become full time dance students, when - as an extension of their hyper-aware tutors - they become more self-critical and judgmental about their technique and overall ability. Whilst the level of technique the student is working at may be higher, the level of confidence may have slipped as their knowledge of dance has increased.
Students may become easily intimidated in class by a new sequence or variation, perhaps moving from their usual position at the front to near the back of the studio. With the increased awareness of correct technique may come a growing awareness of the dancers around them who are also improving, gaining further experience and confidence. There is no doubt that self-awareness and self-criticism is healthy, as it allows dancers to grow and flourish, however there is a fine line between this becoming a negative experience.
In order for a dancer to return to their former confidence, there is mental discipline required that means the inner critic can not even be allowed in the dance studio or on stage. In class it is important to be focused and listening, working hard and using your body to give 100 per cent. Confidence must be combined with technique and artistry in order to move training forward, with the dancer trusting themselves that hard work will take over when needed. Teachers can then be sole figure providing advice and corrections.
Ultimately, it is important to remember that confidence is partly made up of acting. Use a dancer or performer you admire for their performance, technique and stage presence and emulate them in order to adopt a confident demeanour. This pretence of an effective attitude will trick yourself into experiencing feelings of confidence.