By: Christina Ricucci Nationals_2

The 2016 competition season is slowly coming to a close, but nationals are just right around the corner! During this time, there can be a significant amount of pressure placed upon you, your teammates, and your dance teacher. We must not let the pressure and our nerves get to us! Now is the time to pull together more than ever before.

What I usually do when I’m preparing for nationals is boost up my training in both technique and ballet class. I work and work and work until I feel I’ve reached my best potential. This has always helped me get into the best dancing shape and mindset before I have to go out there and perform. As they say, “practice makes perfect!” Of course, you shouldn’t necessarily strive for perfection, you should strive to be better than you were the last time you competed at nationals.

If there’s something I’ve learned in the 13 years I’ve been competing, it’s that your only competition is yourself. The more you trust yourself and feel comfortable with your dancing, the better the outcome will be. Good luck to everyone, I hope you all kill it!!