A New Year, A New Opportunity for Growth
The start of a new year is always an exciting time for dancers. Competition season is just around the corner, and I can still remember the thrill I felt as a kid, barely able to contain my excitement. All the hard work put in during the fall is about to be showcased on stage, in front of family, friends, and judges. Each dancer has poured effort into learning new elements, refining their skills, and even exploring new styles of dance. Now, it’s time to take all of that to the stage.
Dancers everywhere are putting the finishing touches on solos, duets, trios, and group routines with their teammates. This is the time to truly focus and embrace your teachers’ vision. With only a few more practices before stepping onto the stage, preparation is key. Consider trying some new strategies for taking and applying feedback to maximize improvement. For example, start using a notebook to track corrections from your teachers and later add critiques from judges. Writing down feedback not only helps you stay organized but also reinforces it in your memory—an extra step that could make all the difference in your performance this season.
In the front of your notebook, write down a few specific goals for yourself. Here are some ideas:
- Perform your solo from beginning to end on stage without forgetting any sections.
- Work cohesively with your team during group routines and focus your energy before stepping on stage.
- Aim for a specific adjudication or placement in the overalls.
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Maintain strong performance and stamina, even during the most challenging parts of your routine.
By listing these goals, you’re already beginning to map out a pathway to achieve them. For example, if you’re striving for a Platinum adjudication and know it requires consistently landing a solid double pirouette, make that a priority in your practice sessions. Identify the skills you need to master, create a plan, and commit to working toward those goals.
After each competition, take time to reflect on your experience. How did you feel? Were you well-rested or feeling under the weather? Did you eat too much—or not enough—before performing? Documenting these details can provide valuable insight as you grow as a dancer. Write down your adjudication, placement, and critiques from the judges, and start looking for patterns in the feedback. While it might feel tedious at first, this process will help you identify areas for consistent improvement.
Throughout the season, use your notebook as a diary. How are you feeling? Are you frustrated with your progress or struggling with communication with your instructor? Writing about these emotions can serve as a safe way to express yourself and process your experiences. At the end of the season, revisit what you’ve written. Did you achieve the goals you set at the start? If not, what stood in your way, and what can you change moving forward?
This habit of reflection and goal-setting is invaluable, not only as a young dancer but throughout life. By channeling your energy and focus toward specific objectives, you dramatically increase your chances of success—not just in dance, but in school, career, and other areas of your life. So grab a notebook that inspires you, a pen you love to write with, and get started. Your future is yours to create—and to write about!
Chris Suchan
Executive Director
Platinum National Dance Competition
Instagram: @suchanchris, @danceplatinumco
TikTok: @danceplatinumco0
Podcast: The Great Dance Debate
Chris Suchan is very proud to be the owner and Executive Director of Platinum National Dance Competition. He has been dancing for over 25 years and teaching since the age of 16. As a performer, he has most recently been on the National Tour of The Pajama Game where he performed in the ensemble and served as Dance Captain and Associate Choreographer for the show. He also performed in the Broadway National Tours of The Producers and Crazy for You, and the International production of 42nd Street in Moscow. Chris hails from Washington, DC where he grew up competing in all forms of dance. He has also been a member of several dance companies including Dancin’ Unlimited, Stage Crew, and Jazz Danz DC based in Washington DC. He has taken master classes from some of the greatest stage performers of all time including Gwen Verdon, Ann Reinking and Ben Vereen. Chris has performed as a member of the Jean Ann Ryan Company on Norwegian Cruise Lines as a dancer and singer. He has choreographed numerous musicals and productions, as well as award winning routines at competitions. Chris’s passion for dance and all things dance has led to a wonderful career in the dance industry and he is so excited to share that passion with you!