Tips From Our Community: Dancing in Small Groups

Our small groups at the end of every class are a great way to have more space and showcase what you just spent an hour learning, but we know that can bring on the nerves for some!

So, we talked to some of our community members who are pros at owning their moment ✨ They shared their best advice on how to feel more confident and just have fun!

David: For dancers who get nervous

filming in small groups, my advice is to focus on having fun and letting your personality shine. Dance isn’t always about being perfect or looking like the instructor; it’s about being you and expressing yourself. Remember, dance is a feeling, so feed off the energy of your group and the other dancers in the room—let that energy boost you! When the camera comes around, pretend it’s just another friend, there to enjoy the dance and cheer you on! What has helped me the most is the sense of community! That has fueled my performance and helped me have fun with everyone else, so meet someone new or reconnect with a friend when you go into the studio!!

Tamara: When I first started, I remember being nervous too — but also really excited to see how I would do after learning a choreo and testing myself. What helps me most now is focusing on having fun instead of worrying about things like, ‘Do I look good?’ or ‘What will people think?’ Everyone messes up sometimes, and that’s totally fine. What really stands out is when a dancer is enjoying themselves — it makes the performance so much more fun to watch. For me, I try to keep the same mindset in both big and small groups. I actually see small groups as an opportunity because I have more space to express myself and really feel the music. And honestly, sometimes I do get nervous when the camera is right in front of me, but I flip it in my head and think: what if this was a professional video shoot? That mindset helps me engage with the camera, have more fun, and take the pressure off. My advice is: don’t overthink it. Trust that you know the choreo, enjoy the music, connect with the moment, and most importantly — just have fun with it!

Bianca: Just do it and HAVE FUN! This may be the only hour of your day where there aren't any consequences if you make a mistake! Everyone is nervous but the only way to get better is to push yourself so do the things that are uncomfortable and scary ... and you'll be surprised how that translates off the dance floor.

Ali: Fake it until you make it!! No one expects you to know the choreography 100% in a fast-paced class setting, so don’t worry about getting the choreo perfect in a small group. Let your personality shine through your improv and your facials and the sections that you DO feel confident in, go hard on!! Also, I always practice full out, including facials, in the large group setting as we learn the choreography. That way, it will feel more natural and comfortable for me when I perform full out in small groups!

Kyra: I would say the main thing is to pretend like the camera isn’t there and just focus on you!! even the most experienced of dancers make mistakes — the most important part is having fun and showing your individuality. Also, AVA is super supportive and everyone is there to cheer you on!

This space is built on support, not pressure and we’re all in this together!