It’s no secret that being a professional dancer is one of the most challenging yet rewarding journeys. It involves countless hours of rigorous training, endless revisions, and the pressure to reach high standards in a limited amount of time—all while still growing and developing physically and mentally.
Challenges of professional standards training
The pursuit of professional dance standards is often filled with technical corrections: adjusting steps, straightening legs, perfecting arm shapes and balancing turns. While these corrections are critical, focusing solely on them can create an imbalance. Jones has observed from her years of work that many young dancers experience an overwhelming sense of inadequacy when they continually feel they don’t measure up. He stresses, “The qualities that make aspiring dancers want to improve may also make them their own harshest critics.”
It’s time to rebuild. In order to build a successful career, young dancers must balance the pursuit of technical perfection with the confidence needed to step onto the stage and claim their spot. True confidence comes from understanding that while perfection may never be fully achieved, mastery of yourself and progress are achievable.
Shift focus from correction to celebration
An important but often overlooked aspect of training is celebrating what has been achieved. Young dancers work incredibly hard to develop their strength, flexibility, musicality, control and determination. Recognizing these achievements—rather than just focusing on minor flaws—can give students a sense of pride and self-worth. It’s crucial for them to view these small revisions as the finishing touches to an already impressive skill set, rather than as the defining feature of their abilities.
Jones notes: “Teachers should strike a balance between pointing out areas for improvement and encouraging dancers by highlighting their strengths. When dancers are constantly reminded of what is ‘wrong’ with their technique, they may feel these Small flaws are the only thing holding them back. Instead, focusing on their strengths can help them build the confidence they need to achieve their goals.
confidence factor
For a dancer to step on stage or audition, they have to believe they have what it takes. Many dancers can perform with confidence when an audience is present – they know the show must go on. However, “that confidence also needs to be present in the training studio,” Jones said. When confidence is lost during training, the relationship between teacher and student can break down, resulting in missed opportunities and unrealized potential.
The Teacher’s Role: Encouraging Discovery
Teachers play a vital role in building dancers’ confidence, not only by imparting technical knowledge, but also by encouraging self-exploration. Jones noted that when a student continues to have difficulty performing a particular movement despite multiple corrections, “it’s time for teachers and students to explore new approaches.”
“Rather than sticking to one method of achieving movement, teachers can encourage dancers to experiment, explore their bodies and find what works best for them,” he adds. Such exploration teaches students to take charge of their own learning process, which is An important part of a professional mindset. When students are empowered with the skills to solve problems independently, they are more likely to maintain a healthy, lifelong relationship with dance.
From hard work to smart work
Many dancers believe that the key to improvement is to work harder. However, when a dancer reaches a certain level of proficiency, working harder is not always the answer. Instead, dancers need to learn to work smarter—by analyzing their movements, experimenting, and finding creative solutions. This requires a shift in thinking from viewing dance as a series of corrections that need to be made to viewing it as an ongoing experiment where each adjustment brings new insights.
Develop a growth mindset
The process of becoming a professional dancer requires adopting a growth mindset—one that does not view corrections as failures but as opportunities to learn. Dancers need to understand that they are responsible for finding solutions to challenges—a skill needed for life in general. “While teachers can guide, support and provide expertise, ultimately, each dancer must learn how to overcome difficulties in a way that works for them,” Jones said.
Teachers can also benefit from this shift in thinking. If a particular correction isn’t working for a student, it may be time for the teacher to consider a different approach. Every dancer’s body is unique, and what works for one student – or for the teacher themselves in their own career – may not work for another. Teachers can take a more exploratory approach, working with students to find ways to help them achieve their goals.
The role of empathy in training
Jones emphasizes, “It’s also important to remember that young dancers are still young people. They are dealing with hormonal, emotional and social changes that can make the pressures of professional training even more stressful. Teachers must have Empathy and recognizing that these young dancers invest a lot of time and energy in pursuing their dreams fosters trust, which is the foundation of a good teacher-student relationship.
Encourage lifelong learning
The ultimate goal is for dancers to become not only professionals, but lifelong learners. Dance is a complex skill system, and every professional dancer is essentially a physical problem solver. When young dancers understand how to analyze, explore, and solve problems in their technique, they become more resilient artists and equipped to handle the challenges that come with a professional dance career.
“The same goes for teachers,” Jones said. “When teachers are able to step back and experiment, rather than sticking to one method, they provide themselves and their students with opportunities to grow.” This approach allows more students to reach professional levels and have more fulfilling teaching experience.
The journey continues
The journey to becoming a professional dancer is filled with great challenges, but also great rewards. By shifting the focus from perfection to exploration, and from correction to celebration, teachers and students alike can create an environment where confidence flourishes. Confidence is the key to getting on stage, auditioning, and ultimately having a successful career. For teachers, cultivating empathy and a growth mindset not only benefits students, but also enhances the entire studio.
Dance is about more than technique—it’s about artistry, passion, and the courage to grow. With the right mindset, dancers and teachers alike can rise to the challenges of this demanding art form and emerge stronger, more confident, and ready to take on the professional world.
If you are a dancer or teacher who would like more detailed information on how to reach the next level, Heal Yourself and Move has a special opportunity for Dance Informa readers to join Self-Healing and Action Breakthrough Club For just $15 per week you get live coaching with Zac Jones and on-demand access to many of the most popular and effective training courses in the HY+M system. To learn more, go to zacjones.com/ZacJones/page/the-breakthrough-club-dance-informa-exclusive.
If you would like to discuss how you can fast track your progress through a private coaching program designed to achieve your elite dance or teaching goals, book a time to chat with Zach Jones here.
