Ignite Dance Competition: Building community in competitive dance
Our take
## Our Take: Reigniting the Joy – Community and Confidence in Dance
The world of competitive dance can be a brutal one. We've all seen it – the pressure, the tears, the relentless pursuit of perfection that can sometimes overshadow the sheer joy of movement. Meghan Harvey’s Ignite Dance Competition, as detailed in [Ignite Dance Competition: Building community in competitive dance], is a breath of fresh air, a much-needed corrective to that narrative. It's incredibly validating to see someone actively working to create a space where young dancers feel supported, encouraged, and celebrated, regardless of their placement. It reminds us that the journey, the artistry, and the growth are just as important, if not more so, than that coveted first-place trophy. The recent news of [Ballet Arizona expands with acquisition of Ballet Theatre of Phoenix] highlights a different facet of growth within the dance world, demonstrating that expansion and evolution are constant, and Ignite’s approach feels like a vital counterbalance, ensuring that growth isn't solely about institutional scale but also about nurturing individual well-being. And it’s wonderful to see organizations like Dance/USA addressing crucial support structures for artists, as evidenced by [Dance/USA announces conclusion of Fellowships to Artists program], demonstrating that community building extends beyond the competition floor.
As someone who's spent years embracing both the power of performance and the importance of self-care, I wholeheartedly believe that fostering a positive and supportive environment is key to unlocking a dancer’s full potential. It’s not just about technique; it’s about cultivating confidence, resilience, and a genuine love for the art form. I see a parallel here with the broader movement towards body positivity and self-acceptance. We’re constantly bombarded with unrealistic images and expectations, and dance, unfortunately, isn’t immune to that pressure. Ignite's focus on encouragement and community sends a powerful message: your value as a dancer – and as a person – isn’t determined by a judge’s score. For me, personally, finding strength and confidence through movement, whether it’s pole dancing, a challenging Pilates routine, or simply putting on an outfit that makes me feel incredible, is about so much more than aesthetics. It’s about owning my body, celebrating its capabilities, and radiating that inner strength outward.
The timing of Ignite’s launch, just before the pandemic, was undeniably challenging. However, the fact that it’s not only survived but thrived speaks volumes about the need for its mission. It’s a testament to Harvey's vision and the desire within the dance community for something more authentic and nurturing. Think about it – so many young dancers leave the competitive scene disillusioned, feeling burned out and questioning their passion. A competition that prioritizes community and encouragement can be a lifeline, a reminder that dance is a source of joy, creativity, and connection, not just a pathway to victory. The energy and confidence a dancer gains from a supportive environment translates directly to their performance, allowing them to truly express themselves and connect with their audience. It’s about fostering a space where vulnerability is embraced, and mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth, not failures to be ashamed of.
Looking ahead, it’s exciting to consider how Ignite's model could influence other competitive platforms. Could we see a shift in judging criteria to prioritize artistry and emotional expression over technical perfection alone? Will we see more emphasis on mentorship and peer support within these environments? The growing awareness of mental health and well-being within the performing arts is a positive trend, and Ignite’s approach feels like a natural extension of that. Ultimately, the question remains: can we, as a dance community, collectively redefine “success” to encompass not just accolades, but also the overall well-being and artistic growth of our dancers? I, for one, am optimistic that initiatives like Ignite are paving the way for a brighter, more supportive future for all those who dedicate their lives to the beautiful art of dance.
In the high-stakes world of competitive dance, where trophies often overshadow the pure joy of dance, Meghan Harvey, founder and CEO of Ignite Dance Competition, saw something missing: genuine community, authentic encouragement, and a reminder that dance is about so much more than first place. Launched in 2019, just before the world shut down, Ignite was born from her years as a judge traveling the country, witnessing young dancers’ passion dim under growing pressure as they got older.
What started as a bold leap from corporate life has grown into a beloved east coast competition with a dedicated following. Ignite now spans over 20 cities with thousands of dancers each season. Every Ignite event is built on one powerful pillar: community, which helps every dancer feel seen, valued and free to be themselves.
This desire to let dancers be fully themselves flows from Harvey’s passion for equipping them for the long-haul, whether they have a career in dance or elsewhere. She shares, “As a judge, I felt the weight of ‘Are we doing everything we can to empower these young dancers to go forth and set their hearts on fire?’ Sometimes that’ll be a professional dance career. Other times they’ll grow into great physical therapists or dentists or teachers.” Harvey continues, “The kids in my classes can say, ‘Oh Miss Meghan is so funny,’ but the dancers I’m judging can’t see that in a two-and-a-half-minute critique. Yes, we can give great feedback, and I hope they go back to the studio and that excites them, but what about the relationship part? That’s such a big part once they get out of competition.”
This focus on relationships shines brightest in Ignite’s Ambassador Program. What started to help dancers feel part of the community, and raise brand awareness, has turned into the true heart of Ignite’s community. “We select a group of about 30 dancers every year, typically one dancer per studio. They represent us for the year,” says Harvey. “We’ll bring them to Charleston where we do some training and convention classes with them. We want them to get to know each other. When we’re out on tour, those dancers become the bridge between us and the dancers competing.”
The Ambassador Program gives dancers permission to cheer one another on, even if they’re from different studios. Ignite’s ‘Firecracker Award’ has become a pivotal tool for Ambassadors as they ignite community. Harvey explains, “At every session, Ambassadors get a select number of rubber orange and black tie-dyed bracelets that say “firecracker” to give to dancers. They give them to dancers that inspire them, and for every Ambassador that looks different – sometimes it’s that they danced to the same song as their first solo, other times it’s overcoming nerves, others it’s their technique. Our goal for them is to encourage dancers and that’s one of the ways they get to.”
The Ignite team had no idea how impactful receiving a rubber bracelet would be. Harvey shares, “Sometimes I genuinely think that means more to them than an adjudication because for that moment, someone saw them for who they are and went out of their way to say something.”
Ambassadors also help hand out awards, and as Ignite has grown, assist with conventions. In addition to three non-competitive fall conventions focused on learning and growth, Ignite offers two free 30-minute convention classes each competition weekend, taught by judges – yet another bridge for building community. The heart of these classes is to give dancers an opportunity to expand on what they know without the pressure of competing.
Harvey says, “Our goal with the convention classes was to drop that fourth wall between the judges and the dancers to help them see themselves. We try to be very intentional with who’s on our judging panel and the experiences they’ve had, so that when they have the classes with dancers, the dancers can see themselves doing something similar to what the judge does. The judges do a really great job of communicating that they want to see dancers show up as themselves and not have everything perfect. That helps the dancers see that the judges are people too.”
Because building community and genuine relationships are such pillars of Ignite, selecting judges that align with their vision is crucial. When interviewing judges, Ignite looks for the perfect amount of tough love, an ability to make each dancer feel seen and valued, but also giving practical feedback they can apply in the studio right away. Their three-judge panel comes from diverse backgrounds, but all are united by the desire to pour everything into their time with dancers, hoping even just one receives encouragement to light their journey.
Harvey explains, “It’s all about delivery. We could say the same message in two different ways. It comes back to the willingness to go above and beyond, that they’re so invested in seeing this next generation succeed and want to see the dance world continue beyond us.”
Ignite keeps weekends manageable with capped entries for reasonable end times, no starts before 8am and no late nights, and schedules built with teachers in mind. As a fellow studio owner, Harvey knows firsthand the reality of long competition weekends, so every event includes a ‘teacher tent’ full of snacks, drinks, and even a couple of stools to take a quick breather.
Those who have seen an Ignite event in action know how special they are. Harvey shares, “The crew and judges all have the mentality that we may be from different studios, but we’re all in each other’s corner and one day we may end up working jobs together. We’ll hear from parents that their dancers felt they could show up authentically themselves, rather than just to fit a mold to get first place. If we can teach a dancer to feel that at nine, the pressure they’ll feel at 15 or 16 is so different because they’re dancing for them and not everybody else.”
Harvey’s mission of creating a competition with authentic community, genuine encouragement, and full of reminders that dance is about so much more than first place remains unwavering. She hopes the next generation of dancers feel this. “I hope that they are encouraged to be them, and know there’s a place for them and it doesn’t have to be onstage. Whether it’s a dance career, or something else, all the lessons you learned in class – discipline, time management, teamwork – those will carry you far in life.”
Ignite’s 2026 season, its largest season yet, is underway now, with tour dates across the east coast. Visit ignitedancecompetition.com to learn more, and follow Ignite on Instagram: @ignitedancecomp.
By Melody McTier Thomason of Dance Informa.
The post Ignite Dance Competition: Building community in competitive dance appeared first on Dance Informa Magazine.
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