I recently saw a post on Instagram that really hit home: “Your dancer doesn’t need to be front and center to be special.”
Yes! A hundred times, yes.
As a dance parent, it can be easy to get caught up in who’s in the middle of the formation, who has the solo, or how many dances your child is in. But the truth is—none of that matters as much as we think it does.
My motto for my dancer has always been simple: Love dance and have fun with it.
Because in the end, that’s what this journey should be about. The joy of movement. The friendships made in rehearsals. The confidence built after hours of hard work. The sparkle in their eyes when they step off stage—not because they were in the spotlight, but because they danced their heart out.
Sure, it might feel like a big deal in the moment. But dancing in the center doesn’t mean your child is better than anyone else. It doesn’t mean they’re more talented. And it definitely doesn’t mean they’ll succeed more in the future.
What really matters is the training they’re receiving. Are they learning good technique? Are they being challenged? Are they surrounded by teachers and teammates who lift them up?
Dancers grow when they’re focused on learning, not on placement. They grow when they work hard, support their teammates, and stay humble. They grow when they love what they do.
Studio hopping just to chase the spotlight can lead to burnout—for both dancers and parents. Let’s not teach our kids that their worth depends on being the star. Life isn’t always about being the center of attention. And honestly? That’s okay.
Your dancer is already special. Not because they’re in the front row. Not because they have the solo. But because they love to dance and they have your support.
Let’s keep our eyes on what truly counts. Let’s put training first. Let’s teach our kids that dancing with heart is what really makes them shine.
They don’t need to be in the center to be a star!
