3 Ways to Deal with Rejection as a Ballet Dancer

“You learn more in failure than you ever do in success.” – Jay-Z

As a ballet dancer it is important to learn to start seeing rejection as redirection. The feeling that comes after rejection can hurt and cause a dancer to feel sad, uncomfortable, and in some cases can lead to unhappiness. Rejection can not be avoided in a dancer’s career; every ballet dancer will face roadblocks and obstacles. The dancers that learn how to deal and move forward after rejection are the ones that will be successful as they move forward.

Alberta Ballet School has three important steps to consider when dealing with roadblocks during your ballet journey.

1. Change Your  Mindset

Initially you may be angry when facing rejection. Use the circumstance as a reminder that while you cannot control the outcome of a situation, you can control your reaction to it. Shift your mindset to focus on the positive rather than the negative.

The things that you tell yourself during an uncomfortable time allow you to reframe the situation or get stuck in it. Ballet dancers can be hard on themselves; negative thoughts can lead a dancer to believe things about their progressing dance career that simply are not true. Stick to the facts of the situation and tell yourself, “my style of dance may not be right for this role, but there is a role that is made for me. I need to keep working hard so I can get there.”

Rejection hurts – do not use your own thoughts to reinforce the hurt. Use your thoughts to focus on the next opportunity – a dance performance, a solo role, a ballet class or a ballet studio that is looking for students.

2. Use it as an Opportunity in Your Ballet Career

Many celebrities, famous artists, and world-renowned dancers say that rejection in one aspect of their career has opened the door to some of their greatest opportunities.

Use your rejection as an opportunity is to improve on your technical skills, your strength, your flexibility, and even your mindset. Being turned away does not mean you lack talent as a dancer; it means you were not right for that dance performance. Watch for other bigger and better dance opportunities.

3. Lean on Your Dance Studio Peers

Once you have overcome the initial shock of rejection, it is time to accept it. Make a list of all the reasons you are a wonderful dancer and a great performer.

Dance can be an extremely subjective art form. You are never alone in how you are feeling, and it happens to every ballet dancer. You may even use this experience to reach out and connect with your fellow dancers to see what their tips and tricks to dealing with rejection are. At your next dance class, ask the dancers at your ballet studio about their experiences and how they have used them to move forward in their ballet career.

Your ballet instructors can also share their experiences. You might be surprised to learn that the dancers that you look up to and learn from have their own stories of overcoming rejection. Start by reading the stories that Alberta Ballet School has posted about our own faculty members: Graham McKelvie; Paul Chambers; and Dianne van Schoor.

Whether you are looking for dance academies in Edmonton or dance classes in Calgary, Alberta Ballet School is known for creating environments where our students can thrive. If you have any questions about our programming, do not hesitate to contact us.