Oh my goodness, has anyone else ever been discouraged? Imagine all these top instructors judging you, in a level higher than you dance because the catagory in which you dance is too full, so they put you in a higher one, AND your dress happens to slide up to reveal your cheeks, then to top it off, your hair falls out. And you don't place in finals, and you look like a complete idiot! That is how I feel. Let alone all these canadians invade the competitions, of course making it more challenging. GGRRRRRRR. I get to go back to practice today at the studio where Im sure looks of "What the heck is she dancing?" await me. This sucks. Any words of encouragement?

Let me guess, you dance in Pro/Am events in the US?

I've done Pro/Am for about six years now and that's just kind of the way it goes sometimes. Keep practicing, and make sure your dress and hair are anchored better the next time around. It'll be okay. Think how good you'll look next time when everything goes better!

really - they do that in Pro Am? They 'put you in a higher category' becasue the 'pro' has too many entries? You pay them and they do that? Sheesh!!

However, not placing in the finals is not a right or given, even though Proam is usually fairly low level. And... those Canadians!!! How DARE they come in and dance better than you! They made it more challenging - wow, that certainly is the antithesis of Proam, for sure.

A complaint could be lodged. Especially for not getting in the final - usually Proam is set up so that everyone gets good placement....

Don't worry about it. I have seen over the years people actually knocked out on the floor. I have seen heels break off, and the person kick the other shoes off and finish the dance without shoes. Nearly the best of all, my partner all lined up ready to take the floor, suddenly found that in her haste to change costumes had forgot to put on an important part of her underwear. Mad dash back to the dressing room These things happen, laugh it of. Its all in the game.