At Dance Habit, the safety and well-being of our students is our top priority. This is one of the main reasons why we are NOT a competitive dance school. Although competitions can inspire great sportsmanship and teamwork and provide performance opportunities, the majority of the time, the negatives outweigh the positives in the competitive dance world.
Competitions seem to have become increasingly expensive, commercialised, and over-sexualised: the choreography, music and costuming are not age-appropriate. Dance routines at competitions also seem to rely heavily on tricks, instead of artistry, neglecting and overshadowing the fact that dance, at its essence, is all about communication. Dance is first and foremost an art form, as it allows creative expression, emotion, and freedom of movement.
Through the use of movement, we strive to raise kind, honest, caring, inclusive and confident human beings. The goal is for our students to have a well-rounded dance experience, where they feel safe, supported, respected, and empowered, and yes, this means age-appropriate music, costuming and choreography. As dance educators, we aim to create a place where students can be themselves, have fun, make friends, enjoy themselves through movement and foster a love of dance.
We do NOT strive to create an environment that is about winning and perfectionism. We teach our students that mistakes are a part of life and learning and that they should strive to have a growth mindset inside and outside of the dance studio. We teach them how to be the best version of themselves and focus on celebrating individuality and individual development.
We believe that we can provide the positive benefits of competitive dance in an environment free of drama and stress – alternatively, one that is nurturing and uplifting. As well as our general dance classes, we also have our Performance Group (PG). PG is a wonderful addition to our Senior School for Grade 3-6 students, who wish to gain extra and valuable performance experience, in a supportive and empowering environment. Each year our PG students get the opportunity to show creative self-expression, build confidence and practise working in a team. They actively engage in the community by performing at festivals, Primary School Events, and also in-house concerts. Through performance at these events, they shine brightly and can share their passion for dance with the community.
Leisel (Senior School Lead).
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