Anonymous wrote:No one with actual talent is in competitive dance.

Disagree. But maybe it's area specific. My 2 female cousins are dancers in musicals both in NY and in global tours, both are dancers much more than singers so they are always going to be in the chorus /cast but both came from that sort of cheesy "dance mom's" kind of world of dance. Went on to study more stuff when they moved to NYC as teens obviously. But not app dancers with talent are drawn to ballet as their focus

No one with actual talent is in competitive dance.

Dance competition isn’t real dance.

If you want a realistic view if dance comps, you should read this...
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2017/12/21/magazine/inside-the-high-drama-world-of-youth-competition-dance.amp.html

There are much better ways to learn to dance and perform.

Anonymous wrote:Meh. I don't have daughters but I have a son who is a competitive gymnast at gym with multiple dance and cheer teams. That means I have been to several dance and cheer competitions.

You know what I see? Dance and cheer is, hands down, the most diverse youth sport I've ever seen. They have more racial, body type, location, and socioeconomic diversity than any other sport my kids have ever done or that I have ever seen. The families are really nice, welcoming, and generally positive. The kids seem to be having a ball.

Yes there is a lot of sparkle and glitter and makeup. But these kids are having fun, in a positive environment.

Lighten up.

Totally disagree with you. I see the OP's concerns and distaste as real. The fact that you wouldn't have problem with your 8 or 10 year hip thrusting, ass slapping, and gyrating her way through a performance in a revealing outfits with tons of make up on is fine. The fact that someone else sees it as too much, too soon, and not healthy for girls's emotional and social development does not mean they need to - Lighten up. Perhaps you need to be a bit more responsible adult. See how that works??

I've been teaching dance for over 20 years in a variety of settings and it sounds like you haven't found the studio that is a good fit for your family. There will be studios that focus more on creating competition dances in more suggestive costumes and some kids thrive in that environment and their parents are fine with it- they enjoy the costume, the traveling, the experience of competition. There are studios out there that give students plenty of community performance opportunities without doing competitions, which would help alleviate the $500? expense. Costumes are expensive, it's just what it is. I do everything I can to bring costs down by using a combination of true dance competitions with pieces of 'regular' clothing that is less expensive. Then there are studios that focus more on technique and not on performance. They usually have one or two productions a year, but not the focus on many short routines. This gives students more classroom focus on learning to dance vs learning choreography. Just like in school, sports, life, there will be moms and teachers that have values that don't match yours, but that doesn't mean that all of us in dance are training strippers! (as a matter of fact, all of my peers in dance are more focused on creating well-rounded, technically strong, overall healthy young dancers who can use what they learn no matter what path their lives take).

It's going to be just like any other activity, you find the path that fits your child, family, and values. I highly recommend finishing out the season you have committed to. One of my favorite parts of dance is that it teaches kids that everyone has to work hard and adds value to the group routines. By quitting, you do change the dynamic of the group. But then maybe this summer, you and your DD can visit some other local studios. I recommend trying a class or two to get an idea of the instructors, level of discipline, class structure and also having a conversation with the studio director. This would give you a chance to ask about the financial commitment, performance expectations, your DD can talk about her goals in dance and whether this would be a fit to help her reach them.

OP my daughter did community not competitive dance. Depending on the studio it can be gross. I agree with others find another studio
. Good luck!

My son did hip hop classes and I didn't see any stripper moves. I would get out of competitive dance, OP.

Anonymous wrote:It's a pedophiles wet dream. So so nasty they way these moms sexualize and pimp out their little girls. Generally though, it's a trashy sport, at least the way Americans are doing it. Reminds me of the honey boo boo crowd.

Ugh. You are disgusting.

It's a pedophiles wet dream. So so nasty they way these moms sexualize and pimp out their little girls. Generally though, it's a trashy sport, at least the way Americans are doing it. Reminds me of the honey boo boo crowd.

Candy Stripers do good and need training, too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is that $500 per person for competitions, or split amongst the group?

Entry fees are around $50.00 +/- per person for group dances, NOT $500.

OP must have accidentally added an extra zero.

OP is a drama queen.

Anonymous wrote:Is that $500 per person for competitions, or split amongst the group?

Entry fees are around $50.00 +/- per person for group dances, NOT $500.

OP must have accidentally added an extra zero.

You need to find another dance studio. Our competitive dance team does not wear suggestive clothing. There is a little drama, but in general the families are kind and supportive. Fees are not that bad (especially if you fundraise, like out team does). It does not have to be the way it is at your studio.

Is that $500 per person for competitions, or split amongst the group?