“What’s the point of dance?”
“If my child isn’t going to be a professional dancer, why am I pouring money into all of this?”
I hear these questions all the time, from parents, from well-meaning family members, even from other educators.
Let me tell you something as a dancer who received a scholarship to college. Not based on grades, or extracurricular activities just based on my ability to dance. I used dance and turned it into a career, a passion, and a calling: your money is not being wasted. Not even close.
Dance gave me opportunities I never could’ve imagined. It gave me my voice, my confidence, and a space to explore who I am. It’s been my career, my outlet, my community. I honestly don’t know where I would be without the constancy of dance in my life.
And now, as a teacher and a dance parent, I see it even more clearly:
The benefits of a dance education are powerful and lasting.
The Marley Always Remembers
If you didn’t know, Marley is a type of flooring that dancers train and perform on. It’s smooth, supportive, and firm enough to hold you steady through long hours of rehearsal.
The Marley is always there, beneath tired feet, bent knees, and soaring leaps. It holds every scuff, every turn, every fall and rise. It supports the dancer, challenges them, and sometimes leaves a mark in the form of a Marley burn. But it never leaves them.
A Personal Moment on the Marley
I remember one particular rehearsal as a teen, where everything seemed to go wrong. I missed a jump combination. I forgot choreography. I was exhausted, frustrated, and embarrassed. After class, I sat on the edge of the floor, holding back tears.
My teacher walked over and said something I’ve never forgotten: “You’re still here. And that means something. You showed up.”
That lesson, the value of showing up even when you feel like you’re failing was one of many I’ve learned on the Marley. It was never about the perfect performance. It was about the process.
That moment taught me to keep going. To give myself grace. To know that growth doesn’t always look pretty, but it’s happening.
What You Learn on the Marley
In all those hours spent stretching, sweating, slipping, and trying again, dancers pick up more than choreography. They build character. They learn:
Resilience
Dancers fall—physically and emotionally. They mess up routines, they get corrections, they get tired. But they keep coming back. They try again. That resilience spills over into the way they tackle school, relationships, and life.
Work Ethic
Dance teaches that nothing worthwhile comes easy. Improvement comes from repetition, attention to detail, and discipline. Dancers know how to work hard, even when no one’s watching.
Perseverance
Some steps take months to master. Some combinations seem impossible at first. But dancers push through, again and again, until it clicks. This perseverance builds confidence and courage to tackle hard things outside of the studio too.
Teamwork
Even solos are built on community. Dancers rely on each other to hit formations, match timing, and support one another. They learn how to give and receive feedback with humility.
Confidence
Dance teaches kids to take up space. To express emotion. To trust their bodies. When they walk onto a stage, they know how to be seen—and how to shine.
Time Management
Balancing rehearsals, schoolwork, family time, and sometimes jobs? Dancers become masters of their calendars—and learn how to prioritize.
Discipline and Focus
Dancers listen closely. They respond quickly. They remember sequences. They correct themselves in real time. This kind of focus carries over into academics and beyond.
Emotional Expression
Movement gives kids a healthy outlet to process emotions. It teaches that feelings are not meant to be buried, but expressed and transformed.
For the Parents Wondering “Is It Worth It?”
Absolutely.
Dance is so much more than an extracurricular activity. It’s a form of education, therapy, training, and creative development wrapped into one. The structure and consistency of class build trust and security. The freedom of expression builds joy and release.
You might not always see the benefits of a dance education right away. But the seeds are being planted every time your child steps onto the Marley.
They’re learning how to try again after failing. How to show up on time. How to give their best effort even when they’re tired. How to celebrate others and hold themselves to a high standard.
These are life skills. Transferable. Real. And deeply valuable, whether a student becomes a principal dancer or a principal of a school.
Still Have Questions?
Q: What if my child doesn’t become a professional dancer?
A: That’s okay! Most dancers don’t pursue it as a career—but they carry the lessons forever. From job interviews to leadership roles to friendships, the skills gained in dance serve them well in life.
Q: Can dance help with school performance?
A: Yes. Dance enhances focus, discipline, memory, and time management. Studies even show a connection between movement and cognitive development.
Q: My child isn’t the “best” dancer—should we keep going?
A: 100% yes. Dance isn’t just about being the best. It’s about growth, self-expression, and joy. Every dancer brings something unique to the floor.
Dance Is Education
If you’re new to this world, you may not realize that dance has teaching standards just like math and reading. It’s not all tutus and twirls—dance educators are building comprehensive lesson plans, assessments, and academic goals.
We talk more about that in Did You Know Dance Has Teaching Standards Just Like Math and Reading?
And for those wondering where a dance education can lead? Careers in arts education, program direction, creative therapy, and more. You can get a glimpse behind the scenes of my own journey in Career Day: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at My Role as a Program Coordinator
Every child deserves to experience the joy and growth that comes with movement. The discipline, the self-expression, the release. The ability to feel something deeply and let it move through you. We talk more about that in The Benefits of a Dance Education: Why Every Student Should Experience the Joy of Movement
So, Why Dance?
Because dance teaches kids how to show up for themselves.
Because dance gives them a space to succeed, fail, and grow.
Because dance builds leaders.
And because some of life’s most important lessons are learned right there on the Marley.
Happy Dancing!
Taylor B.
