Teamwork is the cornerstone of most sports, and it often is for dance too. Dancing – for some – is mostly an individual sport, and the focus can often be on yourself and your skill as an individual. However events like fundraisers, galas or competitions require dancers to work as a team, consolidating their skills as individual performers. Dancers can also compete as soloists at competitions, but even then, support from teammates from your dance school or group is necessary even if they’re competing against you.
However, ahead of any sort of success as a team, dancers must make sure that they are the best they can be, which includes not being too egotistical. All team members – within dance or otherwise – have something special and worthwhile to bring to the table, so it is important to give value to every dancer in the group. All team members are different so it is important to leave your ego at the door when you come into the dance studio.
When you are working as part of a team its vital that everyone feels part of it. Team spirit is vital and you and your fellow dancers could even make up a cheer or chant for the studio to go through and enjoy at competitions. Your teacher could put together a playlist for the dancers to warm up to at competition that really gets everyone’s energy up, all the dancers’ favourite tracks. If you have a team or dance captain your chant and playlist could be their responsibility, as well as warming up the younger dancers and getting everyone prepared for the competition.
The final cherry on the cake of team spirit is of course your dance school or studio uniform, which helps everyone feel part of the group and more connected. There are many different variations to choose from!