Dealing With Impostor Syndrome in Dance Class (and Beyond)

Dealing With Impostor Syndrome in Dance Class (and Beyond)

You just learned a dance in class that was pretty tough — but you made it through. Maybe you were really nervous because it was one of your first dance classes, or because you haven't danced in a while. Despite feeling like you might faint beforehand, you walked out of class energized, proud of a job well done.

But as the excitement fades, a new worry sets in: Will I be able to do that again?
Those nagging thoughts creep in:

• Could I really do that again?

• Was it just luck?

• Can I really call myself a dancer?

That feeling that you aren’t good enough. That no matter what you do, you’re somehow behind. It makes you afraid to take risks and afraid to make mistakes.

This all-too-common experience is known as impostor syndrome.

What Is Impostor Syndrome?

If this sounds like you, don’t worry — you’re in very good company.

Almost 70% of adults experience impostor syndrome at some point in their lives. Impostor syndrome is a persistent belief that your achievements are undeserved and that you might be exposed as a “fraud.”

To put this in perspective, in a hypothetical adult dance class of ten people, about seven might experience impostor feelings at some point — including the teacher.

This happens especially in environments like dance, where learning happens in front of others.

Between 25–30% of high achievers struggle with impostor syndrome on a regular basis. Despite clear accomplishments, they attribute success to luck rather than effort, preparation, or skill. They struggle to acknowledge their own potential and often feel like they’re just one mistake away from being “found out.”

Impostor syndrome doesn’t just affect confidence — it can hinder performance, limit growth, and make dancers hesitant to pursue goals or try new things.

Impostor Syndrome Beyond the Dance Studio

This feeling doesn’t stop at the studio door.

In the book Uncommon Sense Teaching, the authors explain that when a learner feels they aren’t good enough, even the smallest perceived failure can derail them entirely. Students may start to believe they simply “aren’t cut out” for a subject — especially in areas like Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

This can show up not only in adult dancers, but also in kids who are new to dance, trying something creative for the first time, or learning outside of traditional school settings, such as homeschool environments. One missed step or correction can quickly turn into self-doubt.

How Do We Help Students Overcome Impostor Syndrome?

So how do we prevent this — in dance class and beyond?

According to Uncommon Sense Teaching, one powerful remedy is opening the space for honest dialogue. Talking about impostor syndrome openly allows students to realize:

• These thoughts are normal

• They are not alone

• Even people they admire experience them

Naming the experience takes away much of its power. When these feelings stay bottled up, they feel heavier — like something is “wrong” with us personally.

It’s also important to remind students that these thoughts aren’t necessarily a bad thing. In moderation, they can motivate learning, encourage humility, and support growth — as long as they don’t control our confidence or actions.

Address It Through Dance

Creating a space to intentionally talk about impostor syndrome — and other topics like it — is why the Secret Dance Technique classes exist. These classes create room for conversations that often go unspoken and allow dancers to practice these ideas through movement, not just talk about them. We then connect those experiences back to how they can support confidence, learning, and success in everyday life.

These classes are designed for all dance levels — including beginners, casual dancers, kids, and those training more seriously — and they:

• Address topics that often go unspoken for kids and adults in dance, learning environments, and everyday life

• Practice mental skills through movement

• Connect those skills back to confidence, creativity, and real-life success

Curious to experience it for yourself?
👉 Try a free trial class and see how life skills and dance come together in a welcoming environment.

For more reading on topics like impostor syndrome, confidence, and mental skills for dancers, check out the book The Secret Dance Technique, available on Amazon.

Sources & Further Reading

• Psychology Today – Impostor Syndrome

• The Secret Dance Technique by April Lorenzi

• Uncommon Sense Teaching by Barbara Oakley, Beth Rogowsky, and Terry Sejnowski