Blog Post 3 of 6

"Why Do the Same Kids Always Get the Solos?"

Dance Edge School of Performing Arts | Canberra Part 3 of our series: What Dance Parents Deserve to Know

If you've spent any time in dance school communities, in waiting rooms, in parent Facebook groups, in the quiet conversations after concert night, you've heard some version of this.

"The same kids get chosen every single year." "My daughter works harder than anyone in that class but she's always in the back row." "It feels like the teacher has her favourites and everyone else is just making up numbers."

Favouritism in dance studios is real. It happens when teachers, sometimes consciously, often not, invest more attention in the students who respond fastest, perform most naturally, or whose families are loudest and most involved. It happens when casting decisions are made without explanation, and families are left to draw their own conclusions in a vacuum. It happens in an art form that is inherently subjective, where there is no scoreboard to point to, no lap time to justify a decision, just the quiet, painful experience of a child who tried their hardest and still wasn't chosen.

The damage this does is not small. A child who feels consistently overlooked in their dance class doesn't just lose enthusiasm for dance. They start to believe that effort isn't the point, that the system is designed for someone else, and that no matter how hard they work, the result will be the same. That is not a lesson any child should be learning in a performing arts class.

Why It Happens, and Why Silence Makes It Worse

Part of what makes favouritism in dance so painful is the absence of explanation. In sport, a coach can point to data, scores, times, measurable performance. In dance, decisions about casting, solos, and spotlighting are often made on feel, which means that without communication and transparency, even genuinely fair decisions can look unfair from the outside.

When studios don't explain their thinking, don't acknowledge the children who didn't get the spotlight, and don't make deliberate effort to ensure every child has a moment that belongs to them, trust erodes. Families disengage. Children feel like props rather than people.

How Dance Edge Approaches This

Our philosophy starts from a simple but firm belief: every child deserves to be seen, challenged, celebrated, and cherished. From the very beginning. Not just the ones who pick things up fastest. Not just the ones who have been here longest. Every child.

This shapes how our teachers structure classes. It shapes how we think about performance opportunities, milestones, and acknowledgement. A first clean plié is as worthy of celebration as a standing ovation. Progress is measured against where a child started, not against the child standing next to them.

Our concerts and performance opportunities are designed with this in mind. We make deliberate, thoughtful choices about how every dancer is featured. And because our performances are non-compulsory, families are never pressured into situations where their child might be put in direct competition with peers for visibility.

When decisions are made, about class levels, performance roles, or progression, we communicate. We don't leave families guessing. If you ever want to understand how or why a decision was made about your child's journey at Dance Edge, you can ask us. We will always give you an honest answer.

Every Child Deserves to Shine

Dance teaches children that they are capable, expressive, and powerful. That is the gift of it. But only if the studio they're in actually believes it, about all of them, not just the ones who make it easiest.

At Dance Edge, we mean it when we say every child. If you'd like to come and see what that looks like in practice, we'd love to have you.

📍 Tuggeranong & Gungahlin | 📞 0499 998 049 | 🌐 danceedge.com.au

Next in the series: "Why Did Our Dance School Bill Just Triple?" — the hidden cost problem in dance, and how we do fees differently.

Dance Edge School of Performing Arts is a proud member of the Dance Arts Alliance. Studio Principal Renee serves on the DAA Board, advocating for the regulation and elevation of dance education standards across Australia.