The Power of Versatility: Why Being a Well-Rounded Dancer Matters
In the ever-evolving world of dance, versatility is more than just a bonus — it’s a superpower. Being a well-rounded dancer, proficient in a wide range of styles, opens the door to endless opportunities, both artistically and professionally. Whether you're training in a studio, competing on stage, or dreaming of a career in dance, having a diverse skill set can set you apart in all the best ways.
Magnolia Williams showing off her red boots in a Jazz inspired photoshoot.
It All Starts With Ballet
At the foundation of nearly every dance form lies ballet. It’s the root of proper technique, alignment, control, and discipline. A strong ballet base equips dancers with the tools to pick up other styles more efficiently and with greater precision. Whether it's jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, or ballroom, the clarity and control gained through ballet training make transitions between genres more seamless. Think of ballet as the grammar of the dance world — once you understand its rules, you can write in any style.
Emily Spanjer performing a beautiful arabesque line in Advanced Ballet at SDC
Don’t Settle Into One Style
Advanced Dancers in Contemporary class.
It’s easy to find comfort in the style that comes most naturally to you. Maybe contemporary feels like home, or maybe you light up in a jazz combo. That comfort can be tempting — and sometimes, it even feels like a safe place to stay. But growth doesn’t live in the comfort zone. When you stop challenging yourself to step into styles that feel awkward, unfamiliar, or just plain difficult, you begin to limit your potential. Every new genre you explore builds strength, coordination, and adaptability. And often, what feels uncomfortable at first turns out to be the very thing that unlocks a whole new level of artistry. I’ve experienced this firsthand. Growing up, I focused mostly on ballet and modern technique, with bits of jazz thrown in. Towards the end of high school, I went to a school where ballet was the only style taught. While my technique improved, my artistry felt like it came to a standstill. I wasn’t being challenged to push beyond what I already knew, and I longed for something more. The same thing happened when I attended the Philadelphia Ballet as a trainee the following year. My ballet technique was honed, but I was still craving the creative freedom of other styles. It wasn’t until I rediscovered my love for contemporary dance that my whole perspective on dance began to shift. For years, I struggled with whether I wanted to be a ballet dancer or a contemporary dancer, feeling like I had to choose one or the other. But the reality is, I can be both — and I should be both. In fact, embracing both has helped me become a fuller, more dynamic artist.
Standing Out in the Professional Dance World
In the professional dance world, versatility can be the difference between getting the job and getting passed over. At auditions for companies, tours, or commercial gigs, hundreds — sometimes thousands — of dancers might show up for just a handful of available spots. With that kind of competition, technical ability alone isn’t enough. Directors are often looking for dancers who can adapt to a wide range of choreography and styles — someone who can pick up a classical ballet piece in one rehearsal and switch to a contemporary or jazz piece in the next. The more styles you're fluent in, the more roles you're eligible for, and the easier you are to cast. Versatility not only makes you more hireable — it makes you more useful once you’re hired. Within a dance company, this flexibility becomes even more essential. Companies frequently work with a wide range of choreographers, each with their own movement language, aesthetic, and creative process. One choreographer might require crisp, technical ballet lines, while another pushes for grounded, improvisational movement. If you’re able to shift gears with ease, you become someone choreographers trust — someone who can bring their vision to life, no matter the style or structure. In a fast-paced, high-expectation environment, being able to morph into different choreographic worlds without missing a beat sets you apart as a dancer who's not just talented, but truly indispensable.
A Creative Challenge Worth Embracing
Magnolia Williams during SDC’s 2024 Sylvia Photoshoot
Beyond the technical and professional perks, being a multi-style dancer is just fun. It’s creatively stimulating to wear different hats — to be elegant and refined in ballet one moment, and grounded and expressive in hip-hop the next. Each style tells its own story and challenges your body and mind in new ways. And yet, no matter how many styles you explore, you remain one dancer — just with more tools in your artistic toolbox. This constant evolution helps keep your passion alive. The journey of becoming a well-rounded dancer is never truly complete, which means there’s always something new to learn, master, and fall in love with. Over the past two years, I pushed myself beyond the concert dance and ballet world. I started exploring musical theater, which opened up a whole new realm of performance for me. I began taking tap classes, trying tango and swing dance — all things I never would have attempted if I hadn’t let myself break out of the box I thought I was meant to fit into.Being a well-rounded dancer isn’t just about building skills in different styles — it’s about building the mindset to always be learning, always be growing, and always be open to new challenges. The feeling of never settling, of always striving to push past your comfort zone, is one of the most fulfilling aspects of being a dancer.
In Conclusion
Being a well-rounded dancer isn't about doing everything — it's about being ready for anything. With a strong ballet foundation, a commitment to growth, and the courage to push past the uncomfortable, you can grow into a dancer who’s not only technically excellent but also creatively fearless and endlessly versatile. So, go ahead — switch styles, push boundaries, and show the world that you're not just one kind of dancer. You're every kind of dancer.
