Dance is just like a sport—but without the fame, free college, career path, or Nike Bucks. And just like a sport, you need the commitment and Mega Money—-of your Mom and Dad.
Because it’s an art, Dance is expensive. Your monthly Netflix pays for two dance classes. You need three to five classes a week to become an intermediate dancer after three years.
Like any athlete, you need good shoes. Sure you can save with clearance sneakers that gift you bloody blisters and split soles after 21 days. But dance shoes will save your Dance Kid from orthopedic surgery at 30.
My first Capezio dance sneakers cost $92 and lasted 10 years. But I only danced twice a week recreationally. More vigorous and more often, you need new shoes every two years.
Every sport requires gear. Ballet studios are strict with their uniform of leotards, tights, maybe skirt, and shoes. When my daughter CG took beginner ballet, her starter leotard cost $45, tights $15, shoes $35, hair bun and net, $12. I was out $107 before she even stepped on a dance floor.
But for serious dancers, competitions require chintzy costumes with zero breathability. It starts at $35 and can go up to $200 in flashy add-ons. Each qualifying round requires a new costume and different competitions need a new outfit.
Unlike my Hula Mom, Dance Moms are willing to DRIVE (!!) their Dance Kids to practices, which are inconveniently located in a dark narrow street with no parking or wifi. Sometimes, it’s in a steamy gym with a few hard seats. Some parents stay to watch the practices—-which is my Mom definition of Wasting My Time!
Next Level Competitive Dance
Jacquie, a 7th-grader, joined her school’s dance club for fun. She tried out for varsity her first year but didn’t make it. So she took summer dance classes. The next year, she was invited to try out again, and she made varsity! Jacquie was the only first-time dancer in a team of experienced dancers.
“They welcomed her,” said Jacquie’s Dance Dad Paul De Jesus.
Varsity training is next level because it’s geared for local competitions. Each dancer competes individually, then also as a team. Each loss pummels the dancer’s confidence. Each win elevates the team’s ranking.
“You will feel the pressure as a parent,” said Paul, “To the point that it feels like we the parents are the ones competing.”
Monique wearing Sayawatha shirts to support the Philippine dance team.
Dancers who compete practice for eight to ten hours a day. So this is now your full-time job—-as a Dance Mom or Dad, which costs as much as a part-time job.
After each practice, Dance Dad Paul again DRIVES (!!) back home late at night, then hurriedly feeds Jacquie, while icing her sore limbs and treating her bruises. If it has been a hard practice, Dance Mom Ginny has to encourage or cheer up Jacqui.
After 10 hours of doing ANYTHING, you’re just Done. So, Jacquie is too exhausted to even do homework. “At first I didn’t believe the stories that the child couldn’t study after practice because of bruises. Until I saw it. That’s when I saw how depleted the child was,” said Paul.
Qualifying for a competition is gruelling and uncertain. When Hip Hop International came to Manila, Jacquie was thrilled when her team ranked and qualified to compete in the US Finals. But various issues made it impossible for her to go to the US. Jacquie was devastated. Her parents were heartbroken for her.
“As a parent, you really go through what your child is going through. You’re part of the decision-making. So you’re to blame for her disappointments because you pushed her, and supported her, and encouraged her to join the competition,” said Paul.
Jacquie and her parents had to endure several nights of torturous flip flopping; Will She or Won’t She compete? In the end, Jacquie was able to join her junior varsity team to win the Bronze in the Hip Hop International World Championship.
Was it worth it?
“The Financial side is really heavy,” said Paul and Ginny, who had to pay for the cost of their family’s visas, plane tickets, hotel, food, transportation, and travel expenses to the US.
“But we’ve seen how Jacquie has developed since she joined the varsity team. She was with veterans who have competed internationally. The pressure was there. You need to have the self-confidence to take on the challenge.”
Paul said that having Jacqui become part of the varsity has been gratifying. “When they’re together, they bond. It’s a real team effort.”