In the ever-evolving world of dance festivals and competitions, it might be hard to believe, but NO, scoring does not matter! The score given was a snapshot of one run of your solo. You may have had a good or bad day. Scoring isn’t the best gauge, and adjudicators come from varying backgrounds. Adjudicators tend to keep things positive, and they all mark differently. Here are some ways you can assess each of your performances constructively:

1. Compare to your own goals

  • Make sure you have goals. Ask yourself: What did you set out to achieve in this routine? (e.g., clean turns, stronger expression, better stamina, etc).
  • Did you meet those goals? What felt better or easier this time compared to past performances?

2. Use a video adjudication 

Sometimes watching yourself is tough, so find a structured way to critique and learn from each time you step on stage:

  • First watch: No judgment, watch and observe.
  • Second watch: Grab a pen and paper and write a list of all the positives (this builds confidence).
  • Third watch: Flip over your paper and choose one or two areas to work on to (rather than tearing the whole thing apart).

3. How did YOU feel on stage?

  • Make some quick notes in your mind immediately following your solo.  Sometimes performances feel better than they look in slow-motion replay.

4. Seek specific, honest feedback

  • Ask a friend, teacher, or dancer to watch your performance and choose what they loved as well as one item you can work on. This avoids overly nice but vague feedback.

5. Focus on progress, not perfection

  • Watch a past performance or the early “learning” videos of your solo to compare growth. Improvement matters more than a single score or one “perfect” run.

If you find you are overly critical of your performance, ask yourself: “Would you critique a teammate that way?” Remember, a little self-kindness goes a long way!