Are you incredibly passionate about social dance? Ready to seize every opportunity and put in all the work to excel in this newfound passion you've discovered in the past few months? Have you shared your enthusiasm with your teacher, only to receive a response like, “That’s great! Keep working at it!” when you were hoping for more support or opportunities? You might wonder why they aren’t more eager to help you.
The reason for their reaction may surprise you.
The Casual Hobbyists
This isn’t about those who treat dance as a fun pastime, attending classes, socials, and events for enjoyment. These individuals are the backbone of the community, contributing significantly to its vibrancy and health.
Passionate Beginners
If your teacher has been around for many years, they’ve encountered many passionate beginners. These are the “New Year’s Resolution” yogis of dance. They start with high enthusiasm, attending all the classes and socials, and expressing their love for dance to their teacher. They dream of teaching one day! But then, they suddenly disappear.
Initially, newer teachers might be excited about such passionate students, offering encouragement, volunteer opportunities, and mentorship. However, when these students drop out or fail to follow through, it becomes disheartening for teachers to repeat this cycle repeatedly.
This doesn’t mean these beginners weren’t passionate, but it’s a different type of passion than that of long-term committers like the teachers themselves.
Who Stays?
Among the many passionate beginners seen, only a few stick around long-term as meaningful contributors. One standout individual truly invested her time, money, and effort, unlike many others who were more interested in what dance could offer them rather than contributing to the community.
Typically, those who remain engaged and involved in the community show their dedication over time. This might include:
Taking offered opportunities and giving back (volunteering, assisting teachers or studios, etc.) seriously.
Building genuine bonds with teachers or other community members beyond just dancing.
Seeking out ways to get involved beyond seeking free stuff or discounts.
Engaging with everyone at all levels, not just focusing on advanced partners.
Gradually growing into roles over time as they are noticed.
Setting concrete goals for what they want to achieve, whether it’s performance, competition, teaching, or DJing.
These dedicated individuals may not spend much time talking about their passion with their teachers. Instead, they demonstrate it through their actions by dancing, seeking classes, volunteering, and getting involved.
Talented Future Teachers
There is an exception: the talented future teachers. These individuals usually have a strong background in sports, dance, or other competitive fields, bringing self-motivation and professional goals. They work hard to improve, often aligning with mentors who can help them reach the next level. These dancers often become traveling artists if they find a supportive mentor or home school.
Unlike the average passionate beginner who sees dance as a fun hobby, these individuals view it as an elite “sport” requiring rigorous training. These are very different mindsets, each leading to different trajectories.
Demonstrating True Passion
When you sincerely believe your passion is different and intend to stay around for a long time, you might hear, "That’s great! Keep working at it!" The sincerity of passionate beginners about their love for this hobby is appreciated, but understanding the perspective of those who have seen many passions fade is essential.
If you are truly passionate and want to prove it, stick around and get involved. Teachers and community leaders want to see commitment before investing time and energy beyond the usual social interaction and paid classes. They want more passionate people growing, teaching, organizing, and volunteering, but they need to see that the commitment is more than just a few months long.
If you’re fortunate enough to have a teacher who is new to this cycle or is incredibly understanding, you can demonstrate the reliability of your passion. Be honest about how much you’re willing to give for what you receive and ensure it’s a mutually beneficial relationship before teachers start investing in you.
Ultimately, community leaders and teachers value dedication over initial passion. While they want to nurture everyone’s passion and growth, their time and energy are limited. Therefore, they need to focus on those who have shown they’re willing to stick around and get involved.
So, keep your passion alive. But if you want to catch your teacher’s eye as a future community star, back it up with dedication.
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