Comparison is often considered the “thief of joy,” so why is it being applied to young dancers looking for a fun, creative outlet? The idea of comparison clearly shows up in dance, specifically in competitive dancing, where competitors are ranked amongst their peers based on technique and performance quality. They train for local, regional and national events, which require extensive classes, rehearsals and preparation.
However, recreational dancing is structured a lot differently. Those dancers don’t attend competitive events, typically train fewer, less intense hours and also have a recital at the end of the year instead of competitions. Therefore, recreational dance is less intense for dancers—both mentally and physically— than competitive dance, while still being more cost-efficient for families.
More specifically, recreational dance is significantly cheaper than competitive dance due to fewer required performances, simpler costumes and less specialized training, which all result in lower overall fees.
According to an article on CNBC, families of competitive dancers typically spend $5,000 to $10,000 per competition season. Those costs often include travel expenses, entry fees and private lessons. In contrast, recreational rates can range from $500 to $800. If families make competitive dance a financial priority, their other monetary needs are more likely to fall short, which can contribute to financial strain or even debt. This evident difference between rates for each type of dance shows how recreational dancing can be considered the more realistic option for a dancer’s overall experience.
With lower intensity than competitive dancing, recreational dancing allows for a more balanced, low-pressure lifestyle. In recreational classes, students will typically spend the first few months developing technique, choreography and skills. Most competition classes will expect you to have already developed these skills and will spend the majority of classes preparing competition routines, since those start a few months earlier than typical recitals. The focus on preparing for competitions will require dancers to take on extra hours than that of those who don’t compete.
Emma Campbell, captain of the FVHS dance team with 14 years of dancing experience, reported spending 12 hours per week in the studio as a recreational dancer. In contrast, Ally Zeevalk, an FVHS freshman with 11 years of dance experience, spends 18 hours per week at the studio as a competitive dancer. The significant difference in training goes to show that competitive dancers dedicate much more time to the activity than recreational ones.
Research in sports psychology supports the idea that lower pressure environments, similar to that of recreational dance classes, encourage long-term engagement and enjoyment. This research also concluded that competitive dancers are also more likely to struggle with perfectionism and mental health issues due to the psychological pressures associated with constant performance evaluations, leading to mental fatigue and burnout. This mental strain can impact their overall well-being and ability to balance academics effectively.
While recreational dancing is proven to be cheaper and less intense, some may argue that fewer hours of training can hinder improvement and growth.
“I think that I learned more in competitive [dancing] because…they teach you how to memorize choreography really fast as well as keeping it technical,” Pirouette Dance Company member Ally Zeevalk said. “For rec, they [the classes] have a lot of people who aren’t trained, so we spend a lot more time on unnecessary things that won’t help you [as a dancer] in the long run.”
Considering that only three percent of dancers become successful as professionals, the “long run” can look really different for people, and it doesn’t entirely make sense for dancers to prioritize styles that score well in competitions or their strongest genres, instead of working to become a more well-rounded dancer.
To some extent, it is true that newer dancers, which rec has a lot more of, can slow down classes by needing to learn the basics. However, if dancers are placed in a class appropriate to their age and skill level, it can be a great learning experience.
It can be more helpful to develop skills that can be applicable to other careers or aspects of a person’s life rather than specific ones that only fit where they’re at right now. For example, being adaptable, open to new things—even if they aren’t your strong suit, and becoming an overall well-rounded person can really enhance your progress as a dancer, as well as later in life. Recreational dancing allows for more exploration between styles and helps students become more versatile dancers, therefore developing these skills.
Recreational dance gives dancers a fun, affordable and balanced way to grow without the stress that comes with constant competition. While competitive dance may push skills faster, rec dancers are more versatile because they have more stylistic freedom and less pressure. For most people, especially those looking for long-term skills, recreational dance is probably the more fulfilling option.
