“When should I take a level 2 class?” We get this question all the time. Or “Which class is right for me?” Or “Do you think I’m ready for a level 2 class?” We would love to be able to give you a formula of something like, if you’ve taken at least five years of dance or once you’ve taken ten Choreo 101 classes, then you’re ready for level 2. But that’s just not true.
Yes, of course, a level 2 class is designed for more experienced dancers. It requires more technique, a faster pace of learning, increased choreography retention, more athleticism, a higher level understanding of musicality, and more nuanced and layered movement. So if you’ve got a decent amount of dance experience and you’re used to picking up choreography, you may think that a level 2 is the right fit for you.
But even someone who’s been dancing in the studio since they were 2 years old may still “not be ready” for that more intermediate or advanced level.
So if it’s not just based on experience – Then what? How does someone know if they’re ready to take that step into a higher level class?
Honestly guys, it’s 99% mental.
We know; not very glamorous. But here’s the thing. If you are mentally ready for whatever challenge may come your way in a class, and comfortable with not getting the whole routine “perfect,” then you’re ready.
So what does it actually mean to be mentally ready?
It’s knowing “I’m going to make mistakes today, and I’m excited to learn and grow!”
Having an open mindset and not expecting yourself to be perfect is essential whenever you take a class that pushes you out of your current comfort zone.
Think about it. Let’s say you’re someone who grew up dancing, and it’s been about 5 years since you’ve been in the studio. You’ve got a good amount of experience taking various styles, so of course you presume that an intermediate/ advanced level would be appropriate. And that may be true. BUT! Even with all that experience, if you go into it with the mindset of “this is gunna be easy, I’ve got this,” then buckle up, buttercup. You might be in for a rude awakening if that instructor throws something at you that you’ve never done before. How are you gunna handle it when the instructor expects you to know the fundamentals of a certain style like House or Locking but you don’t even know what those styles are? Are you gunna get focused and excited to learn a new style? Or will self doubt and negative self talk creep in?
Now let’s talk about the flip side. Let’s say you’ve taken a handful of Choreo 101 classes, and you’re loving the learning experience. When you’re in class, you go “full out” and make mistakes throughout the learning process. But you stay focused and excited to learn. Maybe you’re a bit nervous for each new class experience, but you put that fear of failure on the back burner and just expect yourself to learn something new and grow throughout the process. You decide that just one class per week isn’t enough; you want more! Now THIS person just might be ready for a level 2 class. No, they probably are not “intermediate or advanced” level dancers yet. But that focus on growth and not perfection will take you 10x farther than a decade of experience coupled with an ego.
Here’s the deal. There are different levels choreography classes for a reason, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with taking a level 1 class. It’s a great place to start to build up your technique, confidence, and learning skills. We never want someone to take a higher level class and leave the studio feeling completely defeated and that experience deter you from continuing your dance journey. As you gain that experience and confidence, its crucial to continue to push and challenge yourself if you want to continue to grow.
But we can’t be the ones to tell you if you’re ready to take a level 2 class. You need to decide that for yourself. Ask yourself things like, “How do I react when the choreography is faster than I’m comfortable with?” Or “what do I do when I can’t seem to get an entire 8 count?” In challenges like these, do you shut down and tell yourself you can’t do it? Or do you stay focused and excited to figure it out? If it’s the latter, and you want to continue to push yourself, then we say go for it! Take that next step. But if you find that you really struggle mentally when you come up against a challenge in a level 1 class, then that current class you’re in is the perfect place to strengthen your mentality and build that resilient mindset