Dance competition advice
Dance competitions, like The Fonteyn, are often pivotal milestones in a dancer’s journey. A dance competition offers more than just the chance to perform, creating an environment where dancers can challenge themselves, show their skills under pressure, and gain invaluable stage experience. For many young dancers, stepping onto a competition stage is one of the first opportunities to showcase their artistry beyond the studio, helping them grow in confidence, resilience, and overall performance quality.
Besides the stage, a dance competition introduces dancers to a wider community. Watching peers from different schools and backgrounds can be both inspiring and motivating, encouraging dancers to refine their technique and develop their own artistic voice. Feedback from adjudicators provides valuable insight that can guide future training, helping them understand exactly what they need to improve. For those aiming to enter a dance competition to win prize money, this feedback can be especially important in gaining a competitive edge.
Preparing for a dance competition
Alongside competitions, structured dance exams, such as those offered through recognised syllabi, like the RAD, play a crucial role in preparation. Unlike dance competitions, these systems provide a clear framework for technical development. Through consistent training and assessment, dancers build a strong foundation in posture, alignment, musicality, and discipline. These elements are essential not only for exam success but also for delivering confident, polished performances in any dance competition.
Dance exams also help students become comfortable performing in a formal setting. Preparing for an exam, focusing on precision, expression, and consistency, closely mirrors the experience of competing. This makes exams an excellent stepping stone for those who are wondering how to win a dance competition, as they build both confidence and consistency under pressure.
While entering a dance competition can feel intimidating, success often comes down to overcoming a few common challenges. Below are three key pain points, along with tips on how to win a dance competition and stand out on stage:
1. Overcoming nerves
One of the biggest obstacles dancers face in a dance competition is managing nerves. Even the technically strong can struggle to perform at their best under pressure.
Tip: Preparation is key. Practice full-out performances regularly, including entrances and exits, and simulate a real dance competition environment in the studio. Dance exams are particularly useful here, as they help you become comfortable performing in front of an examiner, making competition day feel far less overwhelming.
2. Technique under pressure
Many dancers perform well in class but struggle to maintain technique during a dance competition. This inconsistency can impact scoring, especially in high-level events or when competing for prize money.
Tip: Build reliable technique through structured training. Following a syllabus, like the RAD’s, ensures that fundamentals are ingrained. When technique becomes second nature, dancers are far more likely to execute cleanly and confidently during a dance competition, even under pressure.
3. Artistic expression
In any dance competition, judges are not only looking for technical precision — they want to see performance quality, musicality, and emotion. Dancers who focus only on steps and technique may struggle to stand out, particularly in competitions where prize money is at stake.
Tip: Treat every class and exam as a performance opportunity. Practice connecting with the music and telling a story through movement. Strong artistry can make a lasting impression on judges and is often a deciding factor in a dance competition to win prize money.
Ultimately, dance exams and competitions work hand in hand. Exams provide the technical foundation and discipline needed for consistent performance, while a dance competition offers the opportunity to apply those skills in a high-pressure, real-world setting. For dancers aiming to succeed in a competitive environment, and especially those looking to win titles or prize money, embracing both pathways is key.
Whether you are preparing for your first dance competition or striving to learn how to win a dance competition at a higher level, combining strong training, performance experience, and artistic development will set you apart and support long-term success.
Interested in taking part in a dance competition? Applications to The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition 2026 are now open! Apply to take part before 1 June 2026 for your chance to work with world-renowned choreographers and professionals, as well as the chance to perform on an international stage.
