Not specific to dance here, but just replying to your general thesis:

The "just be yourself" advice is so hard, because it's what actually works, but it's also difficult to do when you care about the outcome.

And, of course, it has a prerequisite of a whole lot of work to make "yourself" into something worthwhile and interesting. Of course one would like a shortcut that still works if you've not done the prior coursework. ;)