Advantages of Becoming a Ballroom Dance Competitor

The results of the 2019 Music City Invitational were phenomenal!  Everyone attending a ballroom dance competition has a chance to

• stretched their comfort zone,
• improve as a dancer,
• enjoy time with friends,
• make new connections,
• see fabulous performances
• meet goals, and
• begin to set new goals.

Color and Sparkle of a Ballroom Dance Competition

One of the best advantages of attending a ballroom dance competition is trying on costumes.

Dance competitions are like ballroom conventions.  One of the great things about going to a competition like Music City  Invitational is that you can see amazing costumes and accessories. When you come to a ballroom competition, one of the first things you see at a competition is the glittering rainbow of costumes lining the hallway.  Trying on costumes is a great way to begin developing a ballroom style.  You can see how they look on and feel when you move.    Sitting down with an actual designer give you the opportunity to take the best of the designs you like and craft a signature look of your own.

Inspiration at Ballroom Dance Competition

Ballroom dance competitions are also the best way to put rocket boosters on your lessons. Competing gives you  some specific goals and a definite deadline.  You get so much more out of your lessons on the days coming up to a competition. But, you also learn a ton by watching the other competitors, both amateur and professional alike.

At ballroom dance competitions, you will be able to see moves you may never have seen before.  And, you may even see dances that you may not have much, if any, experience with, like paso doble, peabody, or international style dances.  Also, you may witness dancers doing things you never thought you could do that inspire you to try.  Watching a perky dancer over the age of 80 do a lift or routine or dance a bunch of entries can help change your perspective of your own limitations.  You may see amateur couples dancing together, smiling at each other, connecting, and having a great time.  Seeing new things and finding things you need more work on can help you set new goals for your future dancing.

Contagious Enthusiasm of a Ballroom Dance Competition

Music City Invitation is one of the best ballroom dance competitions, especially for National Dance Clubs students.  MCI is a National Dance Clubs competition set in the heart of Nashville.  A middle Tennesseans, we can take living in Music City for granted.  But Nashville is an amazing place to dance because music is everywhere.  We take special pride in the enthusiasm of the National Dance Clubs’ competition audiences.  When the cheers of the spectators rings throughout the ballroom,  the enthusiasm is contagious. There are always shenanigans at the NDC competitions that create an atmosphere of fun and energy.

A Community of Dancers

Competitions also give you the opportunity to meet other ballroom dancers from all over as well as officials and stars in the dance world.  You have a whole weekend in the ballroom, at meals, and in the evenings to really chat with fellow ballroom enthusiasts and get to know each other.

Even if you cannot do a lot of heats or compete at all, participating as a spectator is a wonderful opportunity to connect and learn.  Spectators cheering on the competitors makes the event that much more enjoyable for everyone.  In addition, supporting your teacher and fellow students helps create a stronger dance community and stronger friendships.  And, there is general dancing, especially in the evenings.  Competitors, professionals, spectators, and judges can dance with people they may not otherwise get a chance to dance with.  General dancing allows everyone to relax and enjoy dancing with each other socially.  And that connection is what learning ballroom is all about.

Master Classes

Not only do you get to learn and improve throughout a ballroom dance competition, Music City Invitational this year had a Sunday Congress of Legends where competitors had the opportunity to learn directly from ballroom champions.

This year, Forrest Vance, Arunas Bizokas, and Katusha Demidova all gave participants pointers on being better dancers, having more fun, and interject their own style. 

If you missed out on the Enchanted Palace: Music City Invitational 2019, never fear!  National Dance Clubs provides many opportunities to attend Ballroom Dance Competitions throughout the year.  NDC Championships are coming this July 26-28.  And mark your calendars for next year’s MCI!  You won’t want to miss it!

Check out this link to see how to maximize your results after a competitionl