🧼 Are You Over-Cleaning Your Routines?

I rarely rant.

But this needs to be said…

I’ve been watching competitions from the best seat in the house. Emceeing and judging across the country. I LOVE what I do!

But here’s what I keep seeing:

Teachers running dances right up until minutes, even seconds before their kids go on stage. 🙄

If you’re STILL rehearsing at this point, here’s the (harsh?) reality…

⚠️ They don’t know the dance.
⚠️ You don’t trust your dancers.
⚠️ Or—you’ve unintentionally trained them to need you for every step.

Let’s be real. There’s a difference between being polished… and being so “clean” that your routine loses all flavour.

Especially in hip hop and tap dance, where groove, swag, and individuality matter just as much as timing!

When every dancer moves exactly the same— no texture, no personality— the routine looks safe… but forgettable.

Yeah, I said it.

Because it’s true.

What sticks with an audience (and judges) isn’t just unison. It’s commitment. Confidence. Story. Passion. Things you can’t drill into a dancer last minute backstage.

So here’s your reminder:

✅ Clean your dancers enough to be clear.
✅ Let them be free enough to be unforgettable.

Let them own it! Let them breathe. Let them shine.

🔥 Like getting honest takes like this?

You’re in the right place. Share this email with a fellow teacher who needs to hear it.

And if you want a workshop that helps your dancers own the stage, hit reply and let’s talk intensives or virtual coaching.

Shawn B

P.S. I’ve got limited summer dates for tap intensives that build confidence, passion, and performance skills—not just steps. Lmk if you want info before they fill!

💥 Want more tips like this?

Each week in Dance Teacher Insider, I’ll keep giving you strategies to coach with heart, lead with courage, and get better results from your dancers.

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ABOUT DANCE TEACHER INSIDER

Welcome to Dance Teacher Insider, where passionate teachers and studio owners like you come to recharge, get inspired, and make waves in the dance world. You’re here because you care about more than just the steps… you care about making an impact. I started this newsletter with one mission: to reignite teachers globally. Because when teachers are inspired, dancers thrive.

Together, we’re creating a ripple effect of positivity, connection, and growth in studios everywhere. So if this fires you up, don’t keep it to yourself! Share these emails with your fellow teachers and team. Let’s transform studios and keep the world dancing, one clean double pirouette at a time.