Beyond the Dance Floor: What We Learned at ASH Orlando 💜✨

Valuable feedback from the judges, advice from industry professionals, and important lessons for our Esprit dancers and families!

This past weekend, our Esprit dancers attended Artists Simply Human (ASH) Orlando for a weekend filled with classes, performances, and opportunities to learn from incredible dance educators.

While our dancers were busy learning and performing, our studio leadership also attended a Studio Directors Meeting with ASH faculty and staff. During this meeting, we received valuable feedback from the showcase judges, along with insight into what dance educators and industry professionals look for in developing dancers.

We wanted to share some of the most important takeaways with our Esprit families because these lessons apply to far more than just one convention or competition!

🌟 1. Every Class Is an Opportunity — Dress for Success!

One of the strongest messages from ASH staff was the importance of professionalism and presentation, not just onstage, but in every class.

At conventions, dancers may be observed by faculty members, scholarship representatives, and industry professionals throughout the weekend. Sometimes, opportunities arise when dancers aren’t even aware they’re being evaluated!

ASH staff emphasized that the way dancers present themselves can make a difference.

Proper dancewear isn’t simply about following a dress code. It allows instructors to see a dancer’s technique, alignment, placement, and movement quality.

For example:

• Oversized clothing in ballet can make it difficult to evaluate posture and body alignment.
• Loose sweatpants may hide important technical details during combinations.
• Wear the appropriate shoes for the class or performance—and wear both shoes when the style calls for them! ASH staff specifically mentioned dancers wearing only one shoe because it’s their “turning foot.” While it may seem like a small detail, this creates an unfinished, unprofessional appearance. Dancers should be properly prepared and dressed for the entire combination or performance, not just their favorite technical element.
• Neat hair and appropriate grooming help dancers present themselves professionally.

Staff also reminded directors that dancers should avoid adjusting clothing, shoes, or costumes while performing. Performance shoes should be broken in beforehand so dancers can focus on dancing rather than worrying about their appearance or comfort.

And yes, everyone gets sweaty and tired during a long convention weekend! But taking a moment to straighten your hair, change into appropriate attire, and prepare for the next class demonstrates professionalism.

💜 Our takeaway: We ask dancers to follow dress codes and arrive prepared for a reason. These expectations help them develop the habits and professionalism that will serve them in dance and beyond.

✨ 2. Clean, Confident Dancing Is More Impressive Than Difficult Tricks

This was one of the most important points shared by the showcase judges!

Judges explained that while most choreography successfully highlighted dancers’ abilities, there were moments when routines included technical elements that were simply too difficult for the dancers performing them.

Their message was clear:

Competition choreography should showcase what a dancer can do well right now, while studio training should continue challenging them to reach the next level.

That doesn’t mean dancers shouldn’t be pushed to improve. In fact, the opposite is true!

Our dancers should constantly be working toward more difficult turns, leaps, tricks, and technical skills.

But there is a difference between a skill we’re developing in class and one we’re ready to perform confidently onstage.

For example, a dancer who can consistently execute two beautiful turns may make a much stronger impression than a dancer attempting four turns without the technique or control to complete them successfully.

As dancers grow throughout the season, their choreography can grow with them!

A routine performed in November doesn’t necessarily have to be identical to the version performed in April or June. As skills become stronger and more consistent, choreography can be adjusted to reflect that progress.

The message was simple: Challenge yourself in training, and showcase your strengths onstage.

💜 Our takeaway: More difficult doesn’t always mean better. Strong technique, clean execution, confidence, and artistry are what make a performance stand out.

💪 3. Safety and Consistency Come Before Difficulty

Closely related to choreography, judges emphasized the importance of making sure dancers are technically prepared for the skills they’re performing.

Advanced tricks and technical elements should be consistently mastered before they’re included in competition routines.

A dancer shouldn’t be stepping onstage simply hoping they’ll land an aerial or complete a difficult turn sequence.

They should feel confident because they’ve practiced the skill, developed the necessary strength and technique, and demonstrated that they can perform it reliably.

This is especially important for younger dancers who are still developing their bodies, coordination, and technical foundations.

Sometimes, an instructor may choose to simplify a skill or wait before adding something more advanced to a routine.

That decision isn’t a reflection of a dancer’s potential!

It’s about making sure they have the foundation necessary to execute the skill safely and successfully.

💜 Our takeaway: Please trust the progression of your dancer’s training. We want them to accomplish amazing things, but we also want them to develop the strength, technique, and confidence to do those things safely.

🎭 4. Don’t Stop Performing Between the Big Moments!

This was one of the most interesting observations shared by the judges.

They noticed that some dancers would begin mentally preparing for a difficult trick or technical element as much as two eight-counts before it happened!

While the dancer might still be moving through the choreography, their attention had already shifted to the upcoming skill.

As a result, their performance energy dropped, their expressions changed, and the storytelling was interrupted.

The judges emphasized that transitions deserve just as much attention as the big technical moments.

A beautiful turn or impressive leap is wonderful, but what happens before and after it matters just as much.

Every step, every transition, and every movement should contribute to the overall performance.

Sometimes the most memorable dancers aren’t the ones performing the most difficult tricks. They’re the ones who remain completely engaged in their performance from the first count to the last.

💜 Our takeaway: We want our dancers to become performers, not just dancers who execute a series of skills. Musicality, expression, artistry, and storytelling are essential parts of their training.

🎨 5. Creativity, Growth, and Age-Appropriate Choreography Matter!

The judges also shared some wonderful positive feedback about the routines they saw throughout the weekend.

They were particularly impressed by the creative growth demonstrated by returning studios.

Judges noticed studios exploring new concepts, different styles, and choreography that challenged their dancers artistically.

They also commented that many routines were impressively solid considering how early it is in the competition season.

Another important observation was that younger dancers’ choreography was generally age-appropriate, something the judges specifically appreciated.

We love hearing that these qualities are being recognized!

Dance is an art form, and while technique is incredibly important, creativity, musicality, expression, and thoughtful choreography are equally valuable.

💜 Our takeaway: Our goal isn’t simply to teach dancers harder skills each year. It’s to help them grow into well-rounded artists who understand movement, music, expression, and the purpose behind their choreography.

🎓 6. The Lessons Go Far Beyond Dance

Another message emphasized by studio owners and ASH educators was the importance of the educational experience itself.

Dance conventions provide so much more than an opportunity to learn choreography from different instructors.

Dancers are also learning how to:

• Work hard even when they’re tired.
• Stay focused in unfamiliar environments.
• Adapt to different teaching styles.
• Accept corrections and apply feedback.
• Demonstrate professionalism and respect.
• Persevere when something is difficult.
• Build confidence through new experiences.

These are lessons that apply to school, future careers, relationships, and life in general.

We want our dancers to recognize that every class is an opportunity to grow, even when they’re not receiving an award, scholarship, or special recognition.

💜 Our takeaway: Success in dance isn’t measured only by trophies or placements. The work ethic, resilience, confidence, and character dancers develop along the way are just as important.

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💜 Parent Takeaway: What You Can Do Starting This Week!

We know our families want to help their dancers succeed, and there are some simple, meaningful ways you can reinforce these lessons at home.

You don’t need to be a dance instructor to make a difference! Here are some specific ways you can support your dancer’s growth.

Your Family Action Checklist

• Check the dance bag before class. Make sure your dancer has the correct shoes for each style, dancewear, hair supplies, water, and anything else needed. Encourage older dancers to take responsibility for packing their own bags.
• Make punctuality a priority. Arriving on time means dancers don’t miss important warm-ups, instruction, or corrections. Aim to arrive a few minutes early so they’re ready to begin when class starts.
• Reinforce studio dress codes and proper footwear. Correct attire allows instructors to evaluate technique and alignment. Remind dancers that wearing only one shoe because it’s their preferred “turning foot” isn’t appropriate when the class or routine calls for both. Shoes should also be broken in before performances.
• Encourage consistent attendance. Progress happens through regular training. Missing classes means missing valuable corrections, conditioning, and opportunities to develop skills safely.
• Ask what they learned, not just what tricks they landed. Try asking, “What correction did you get today?” or “What’s something you improved this week?” Help them recognize progress beyond learning new skills.
• Encourage short, focused practice at home. Have your dancer review choreography, musicality, expressions, or corrections they’ve received. Avoid attempting advanced tricks or acrobatic skills at home without proper supervision and equipment.
• Help them practice performing, not just remembering steps. Encourage your dancer to listen to their music, understand the story behind their routine, and practice expressions and performance quality all the way through.
• Celebrate consistency and improvement. Instead of focusing on how many turns or tricks your dancer can do, recognize cleaner technique, stronger control, improved confidence, and better performance quality.
• Trust your dancer’s instructors. If a skill isn’t included in choreography yet, there’s a reason. We want dancers to be challenged, but also prepared, confident, and safe when they perform.
• Encourage a positive attitude toward corrections. Corrections are how dancers grow! Help your dancer see feedback as an opportunity to improve rather than criticism.

Three Questions to Ask Your Dancer After Class

Instead of only asking, “How was dance today?” try these:

1. What’s one thing your teacher corrected today?
2. What’s something you did better today than last week?
3. What’s one thing you want to work on before your next class?

These simple conversations encourage dancers to take ownership of their training and recognize that progress is about much more than mastering the next big trick.

Remember: The goal isn’t perfection. It’s consistent effort, steady progress, and developing a love for the process of learning.

💜 Bringing These Lessons Back to Esprit

We believe that continuing education is just as important for our instructors and studio leadership as it is for our dancers.

Attending events like ASH gives us opportunities to hear directly from experienced educators and judges, evaluate our own teaching and choreography, and continue improving the training we provide.

As we move further into our competition season, we’ll continue emphasizing strong technical foundations, professional habits, safe skill progression, and the performance quality that transforms choreography into art.

We also want our families to understand the why behind the expectations we set.

Why do we require certain dancewear? Why do we spend so much time on technique? Why might an instructor simplify a trick or insist on rehearsing a transition again and again?

Because all of those details matter.

We’re not just preparing dancers for their next competition. We’re helping them develop the skills, discipline, confidence, and artistry that will support them throughout their dance journeys.

We’re proud of the work our dancers are putting in, and we’re excited to see how much they’ll continue to grow this season!

Thank you for trusting us with their training and for supporting the process—not just the performances.

With love,
Your Esprit Performing Arts Family 💜✨