#54: That’s Not Fair! – Dance Competition Levels & What Skills Really Mean
04/17/25 • 11 min
Feeling frustrated after a competition because your dancer didn’t place how you expected? Or maybe you’ve found yourself wondering, “How is that trick allowed in novice?”—then this episode is for you.
This week, Brittany dives deep into one of the most debated (and misunderstood) aspects of dance competitions: skills vs. levels.
✨ Just because a dancer throws a back tuck or an aerial doesn’t mean they belong in the advanced category.
✨ Not every trick is executed with advanced technique—even if it’s flashy.
✨ Not all studios structure their teams the same way, and that impacts levels too.
✨ Most importantly: trust that competitions handle things behind the scenes. Just because you didn’t see it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why it’s not always "cheating" when a high-skill trick shows up in a novice or intermediate routine
- What judges really look for: execution, not just tricks
- The problem with comparison and how it damages your child’s experience
- What integrity and maturity at competition really look like (hint: it’s not ranting on Facebook)
Got a question or story you'd like to share? Message me HERE, and your submission might even be featured in an upcoming episode!
Feeling frustrated after a competition because your dancer didn’t place how you expected? Or maybe you’ve found yourself wondering, “How is that trick allowed in novice?”—then this episode is for you.
This week, Brittany dives deep into one of the most debated (and misunderstood) aspects of dance competitions: skills vs. levels.
✨ Just because a dancer throws a back tuck or an aerial doesn’t mean they belong in the advanced category.
✨ Not every trick is executed with advanced technique—even if it’s flashy.
✨ Not all studios structure their teams the same way, and that impacts levels too.
✨ Most importantly: trust that competitions handle things behind the scenes. Just because you didn’t see it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why it’s not always "cheating" when a high-skill trick shows up in a novice or intermediate routine
- What judges really look for: execution, not just tricks
- The problem with comparison and how it damages your child’s experience
- What integrity and maturity at competition really look like (hint: it’s not ranting on Facebook)
Got a question or story you'd like to share? Message me HERE, and your submission might even be featured in an upcoming episode!
Previous Episode
#53: The Power of Summer Dance Intensives
Summer Dance Opportunities: Camps, Competitions & Career Growth
In this episode of Dance Colleges and Careers, Brittany Noltimier dives into the world of summer dance opportunities—from camps and intensives to competitions and workshops. Drawing from her own experiences, Brittany breaks down the pros and cons of different summer programs and shares why staying active over the summer can be a game-changer for any aspiring dancer.
You’ll learn:
💃 Why summer is the perfect time to level up your technique
🩰 How intensives and workshops build both skill and confidence
🎭 The value of community and connection in competitive settings
🏕️ What to look for in a camp or program that aligns with your goals
⏸️ Why taking the whole summer off could slow your momentum
Don’t miss this episode if you’re a dancer (or dance parent) looking to make the most of your summer!
👉 Learn more and grab resources from today’s episode at: www.brittanynoltimier.com/53
Got a question or story you'd like to share? Message me HERE, and your submission might even be featured in an upcoming episode!
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