What Lapree Ncube Tells Dancers Before a Major Competition

Julia Wagner · 2026-07-16

You can feel the energy shift when a major dance competition is on the horizon. It's a mix of pure adrenaline and, let's be honest, a healthy dose of nerves. For the dancers preparing for events like the Red Bull Dance Your Style Finals, the pressure is real. That's why the insights from someone like Lapree Ncube are pure gold. As a host and a respected figure in the dance community, Ncube has a unique vantage point. She's seen what works backstage, what makes a performance resonate, and what trips dancers up when the spotlight hits. She recently shared some of her top advice for dancers gearing up for big stages. It's less about a rigid checklist and more about mindset and preparation. Think of it as a conversation with a mentor who's been there. ### Focus on Authenticity Over Perfection One of Ncube's core pieces of advice cuts straight to the heart of competitive dance. It's easy to get caught up in nailing every single move perfectly. But sometimes, in that pursuit of technical flawlessness, the soul of the performance gets lost. Ncube emphasizes that judges and audiences connect with feeling first. They remember the dancer who made them *feel* something, not necessarily the one who executed the most complex sequence without a single misstep. Your unique style and personality are your biggest assets. Don't polish them away. ### The Mental Game is Half the Battle Physical rehearsal is obvious. You spend hours in the studio, drilling routines until your muscles remember them better than you do. But Ncube points out that mental rehearsal is just as critical, if not more so, for competition day. - **Visualize the entire experience.** Don't just see yourself dancing flawlessly. Picture walking into the venue, feeling the stage under your feet, hearing your music cue, and even handling a small stumble with grace. - **Manage your energy.** The hours leading up to your performance can be draining. Have a pre-stage ritual that calms you—whether it's listening to a specific playlist, some light stretching, or just five minutes of quiet breathing. - **Embrace the nerves.** They're not your enemy. That buzz is your body's way of saying you're ready to perform. Channel it into your movement. ### Preparation Extends Beyond the Routine What you do in the weeks and days before the event matters as much as your on-stage minutes. Ncube talks about holistic preparation. It’s about treating your body like the instrument it is. Fuel it with the right foods, get consistent sleep (as hard as that can be with excitement!), and incorporate active recovery into your training schedule. Pushing through a minor injury or showing up exhausted can undermine months of hard work. Listen to what your body is telling you. ### Connect With the Community This might be the most overlooked tip. Competitions aren't just about the solo moments on stage. They're a gathering of your community. Ncube encourages dancers to engage with each other. Watch the other competitors. Cheer them on. Learn from their styles. The dance world thrives on connection and inspiration. The relationships you build there can be far more valuable than any single trophy. As Lapree Ncube gets ready to host the finals, her advice serves as a powerful reminder. Competing is about more than winning a title. It's about showcasing your art, challenging yourself, and being part of something bigger. It's about leaving a piece of yourself on that stage, and taking the growth from the experience with you when you leave. So as dancers everywhere tighten their laces and run through their final rehearsals, keeping this perspective in mind might just be the secret weapon. It shifts the focus from pure outcome to the richness of the journey itself. And often, that's when the most memorable performances happen.