The Truth About Dance Comp Teams: What’s Working (and What’s Not) In Your Studio

Running a dance studio means constantly balancing passion, potential, and practicality - especially when it comes to competition teams.

In this week’s honest and slightly emotional chat, Amanda and Bec unpack what it really takes to build strong, happy, and thriving comp teams without losing sleep (or students).

The Invitation vs Audition Dilemma

Amanda shares why she’s always chosen invitation-only for her comp teams. It’s not about being exclusive - it’s about avoiding false hope and giving opportunities based on a year’s worth of observation. No dramatic auditions needed.

Bec, on the other hand, started with an “everyone’s welcome” model and ran with it successfully for years - even with giant teams of 40+ kids. Her belief was that participation and opportunity mattered just as much as technical ability - and for a long time, it worked. But as the industry shifted and standards rose, she realised a change was needed.

This year, Bec introduced a company/tribe model - creating two levels of competitive teams: one for elite dancers (Company) and another more developmental group (Tribe). The aim was to ensure every child had a place to grow, but with expectations more aligned to their current skills and commitment.

When Tears Happen: The Parent Factor

Let’s be real - studio life is emotional. And when you introduce change, especially when it involves kids being placed into different groups, you’re going to ruffle feathers. Bec shared candidly how some parents cried during re-enrolment when their child wasn’t moved up. Others questioned whether Tribe was “good enough.”

Instead of avoiding those tough conversations, Bec leaned in. She offered meetings, created transition plans, and most importantly, made decisions that were kind - but clear.

As Amanda said, it’s not about being harsh - it’s about not setting a child up to fail.

FOMO, Frozen Jr & Finding Buy-In

A big theme in the episode was how creating FOMO (in a good way) helped drive student motivation. Bec uses an internal app where all teachers post class updates. The result? Kids see what their friends are doing in other styles and want to join. It’s been a powerful tool for engagement, particularly with younger dancers.

Amanda also touched on letting go - something that’s not easy for most studio owners. She sat back during her studio’s Frozen Jr production and experienced the entire show as a mum—not a teacher or director. It was a big moment that reminded her how empowering it can be to trust your team.

Minimums, Models & Motivation

What about class requirements? That’s always a hot topic. Amanda shared how her studio had set clear minimum class numbers for comp students and introduced a “performance team” years ago as a middle step between recreational and elite.

Bec’s model has evolved from low entry barriers (just a technique class) to now more clearly defined tiers, where Company dancers train at a higher level and Tribe dancers still have a great experience, but with less pressure.

A key insight? Most kids choose to do more because they see the benefits, not because it’s forced. Especially in younger levels like 6 & unders, minimums stay low to keep things joyful and accessible.

Why There’s No One-Size-Fits-All

Here’s the truth Amanda and Bec keep coming back to: there’s no universal right way to structure your comp teams. Your setup should reflect your studio’s goals, values, capacity and culture.

If you’re building an inclusive, nurturing environment, great. If you’re working toward elite performance standards, also great. The most important thing is to communicate clearly, be kind but firm, and stay open to evolving.

What worked five years ago might not work next year - and that’s okay. Studios grow, kids change, and so do we.

Whether you’re new to the comp game or a seasoned pro, take this as your reminder that studio life isn’t just about perfect routines or placing at comps. It’s about nurturing confidence, creating pathways, and supporting kids through their ups and downs.

As Bec said, “You never know which four-year-old space cadet is going to be your next superstar.”