When one hears the phrase "dance team" one may think of the popular reality television show, "Dance Moms." However, normal dance teams have nearly nothing in common with the the show, except we all share a passion for dance. It is normal to have some amount of drama in a female dominated sport because, well, girls can be catty. Dance teams are a positive environment, unlike what can be portrayed on tv.
One must fully commit to the team in order to have a positive outcome. This means giving up some weekends for rehearsal. With the countless hours of class comes the inevitable sore muscles, which I sometimes view as a good thing because it means that I am improving (even if it feels like my legs are on fire).
Dance is not a comfortable sport. My dance instructor pounds into my team's heads, "if dance were easy, then everyone would do it." Dance pulls you out of your comfort zone and stretches your limits. One must truly give this sport their all to see the results they so desperately want come competition day.
Sometimes there can be drama on a dance team, because, lets face it, no two humans are alike. A lot of people were raised differently. So, there is going to be a few girls that you do not like all the time, but of course over time you learn to love them. With all of the time spent at the studio, your team will become your second family. The relationships that you make on the team will last far beyond the time you spend in the studio. The girls that leave the team or graduate will still be part of your life somehow, too much time was spent with them to just forget the crazy fun memories that were made.
The instructors you have will be some of the most influential people in your life, at least in my case (and maybe I just got lucky). The dance instructors have become some of my largest systems of support that I have in and out of the studio. In all of the time spent in class, rehearsals, and solo practices, it is hard not to become close to them. You will learn to admire your instructors so much that your admiration borders jealousy. They dance so well and you can only hope to be like them. However, do not fear, because wild admiration for your teachers is completely normal.
Dance competitions are, of course, what we are all working towards. With the season kicking in high gear within these next few months, everyone is starting to seriously buckle down. Competition days are long and tiring, and probably the only time you will enjoy waking up before seven A.M.. The havoc of changing and warming up in a cramped dressing room, most likely with complete strangers, is surprisingly super fun. Come competition day, you may be running off of hope, and caffeine because you stayed up late the night before with your team in the hotel. Competition day is also great because, I mean, who doesn't love getting to run around in fancy stage makeup all day?
Dance is a sport that gives nothing back, except from what you take from it. You work for months and it all leads up to is the fleeting moments where you are onstage and swear that you are on top of the world.
