Meet our 2026 Trailblazer Award Winner
A Professor of Psychology at Colorado College, Dr. Tomi-Ann Roberts has dedicated her career to understanding the psychological consequences of sexual objectification and the ways cultural environments can shape the experiences and well-being of girls and women.
Her lifelong commitment to saying “no” to the exploitation of girls and women has never felt more urgent. Meet our 2026 Leslie Scott Zanovitch Trailblazer Award recipient and discover why her work is changing the conversation about children in dance.
Trailblazer Award Finalists
Staff Article: Melissa Croushorn
Alongside Dr. Tomi-Ann Roberts, two outstanding Trailblazer Award finalists were recognized for their dedication to protecting children in dance. Jamie Azpeitia-Sachs and Christy Hernandez represent the very best of what healthy dance advocacy looks like and their commitment to keeping children safe in dance is something worth celebrating.
Let Kids Be Kids on Stage – A Dance Dad’s Perspective
Guest Article: Christopher Fitzgerald
I didn’t grow up in the dance world. I just became a dad with a daughter who fell in love with it, and suddenly I was front row at every recital, cheering louder than I knew I could. Dance has been a gift in her life. I’ve watched it build her confidence, discipline, and resilience.
Reclaiming Wholesome Artistry: What Small-Town Saskatchewan Taught Me About the Future of Competitive Dance
Guest Article: Deanna Cormier
The competitive dance industry is increasingly shifting towards more hypersexualized routines, mature themes, and a “win-at-all-costs” mentality. However, stepping into a competitive dance festival in Saskatchewan felt like a breath of fresh air. Rather than witnessing the typical “adultification” of young dancers, I encountered age-appropriate storytelling, healthy progression, and a celebration of genuine childhood experiences.
Healthy Dance Studio
One of the goals of DA:NCE is to highlight organizations we feel embody healthy dance. DA:NCE would like to present Pegasus Dance Studios, located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Just Getting Started: 10 Years of Fighting for Age-Appropriate Children’s Dance
Staff Article: Elizabeth Knight
When DA:NCE Awareness was founded in 2016, few could have imagined how far our work would travel. Ten years later, we have shared the DA:NCE message and empowered an army with resources and tools to advocate and implement age-appropriate choreography, costumes and music for kids. From California to New York, Canada, China and beyond, the movement continues to grow.
What I Wish I Knew About Children’s Dance: Navigating the Line Between Developing Talent and Harmful Hypersexualization
Guest Article: Jody Frey
The world of dance is so varied and offers incredible chances for creativity, physical health, confidence, and talent development when approached in a healthy, age-appropriate way. When my child wanted to start dancing, I was excited to see those skills developed.
An Evening That Changed the Conversation
Staff Article: George Frimpong Boateng
On July 24, something remarkable happened in Redlands. As the sun began to slowly set over the historic Redlands Bowl, nearly 100 community members gathered at the beautiful Talbert Courtyard for An Evening with DA:NCE (Dance Awareness: No Child Exploited). What many expected to be an informational gathering quickly became something much more a night of listening, learning, and awakening.
Ready to make a difference in the dance community?
At DA:NCE, we’re working tirelessly to end the hypersexualization of children in dance by protecting young dancers from harmful, age-inappropriate costumes, choreography, and music. But we can’t do it alone.
By joining the DA:NCE Coalition, you become part of a dedicated, non-partisan network of dance professionals and advocates shaping a safer, healthier future for dance. We invite you to join our Coalition!
Nominate a Safe Dance Studio for the Healthy DA:NCE Directory
The Healthy DA:NCE Directory is a free, international database for safe, age-appropriate children’s dance. Explore organizations in your area, or help other families by nominating a studio committed to protecting young dancers.
We invite you to explore the Directory and nominate a Safe Studio that is committed to protecting children in dance.
Conferences
DA:NCE representatives speak, attend conference sessions, and host exhibit booths at conferences to educate people about healthy and harmful dance.
2026 Completed:
- June 26-30 dance and the Child international (daCi) USA 7th National Gathering Holland, Michigan
- September 12 Dance For Life Gala Salt Lake City, Utah
- September 24-27 International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS) Melbourne, Australia
- September 24-27 National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) Albuquerque, New Mexico
2027 Upcoming:
- January 23 Dance for Life Gala Miami, Florida
- February 23-26 National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Nashville, Washington D.C.
- April 7-10 Society of Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) Charlotte, North Carolina
Donate to Dance Awareness: No Child Exploited to help end child exploitation through dance.
We Are 100% Donor Funded.
- All our resources are free because of people like you.
- Your support equips families to protect children in dance together.
DA:NCE is a program of Soul to Sole Choreography, a Section 501(c)(3) organization, EIN 20-0370145. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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