DA:NCE Staff and Coalition Advisory Council members attended the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) annual conference in Albuquerque, NM in September. Hundreds of educators, directors, and choreographers participated in three full days of workshops, lectures, and performances themed “Synergy”. I first attended this conference over a decade ago in Los Angeles, CA as a young arts administrator. In addition to the rich conference offerings, it was a delight to reconnect with colleagues and peers with whom I’ve partnered in the decade since while representing the mission of DA:NCE. See the vibe: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1cYbaAToru/
A decade ago, I did not have the language or full understanding of issues around hypersexualization and exploitation of children in dance. My peers and I would turn up our noses at dance performances we didn’t consider “artful” or “having substance”. But we weren’t always clear on the “why” of our confident snubbing driven by our twenty-something egos.
A decade later, I can confirm that I have seen the chaos and harm caused by hypersexualization of children in dance across cities, studios, and companies. Instead of simply feeling helpless and incensed, I have the capacity to communicate the how, what, and why of the issue through DA:NCE. Over the three days we staffed the DA:NCE exhibition booth at NDEO, we shared the mission of DA:NCE: providing education and resources to end exploitation through hypersexualization of children in adult costumes, choreography, and music. Those conversations covered a range of experiences and frameworks – from being fully invested in a parallel mission to dismissing it as an abstract, isolated issue.
Reaching Teachers
College students planning to teach in K-12 settings were a significant demographic attending the conference. Many of those with whom we spoke recognized the issue and were relieved to learn about DA:NCE’s resources to support building a pedagogical approach informed by recent research in this area, and tools such as the Healthy DA:NCE Directory. Each generation of educators have an opportunity to turn the tide. Embracing dancers and educators entering the workforce is critical in furthering DA:NCE’s mission. Many dancers begin teaching dance as young as their early teens, without strategic mentorship or insight into the nature of hypersexualization. DA:NCE was encouraged to see multiple speakers and poster presentations addressing this concern in different areas of the dance industry – an increasing trend.
The dedication of many dance educators to their craft is immense. We spoke with studio owners and directors of dance programs, often wearily expressing their frustration navigating the issue of hypersexualization due to pressure from parents, competition leadership, and even students. In that weariness, there was also an uplifting connection. Running any kind of dance program can be all-consuming, leaving directors siloed. At DA:NCE’s booth, they found affirmation and encouragement to continue staying the course to protect children in dance. Hearing their experiences continues to inform DA:NCE’s approach to communicating through the avenues hypersexualization quickly travels.
The Message still Matters
We met current and future trailblazers in the field – determined to make a positive difference in and through dance education. It is DA:NCE’s hope that they are supported and empowered by the research and resources we provide – free to any and everyone – as they push forward. It is also our hope that the individuals passing by our booth, shrugging off this issue as unrelated to their work, will have a place to turn and resources to utilize, whenever they do encounter and recognize hypersexualization of children in dance within their sphere of influence. DA:NCE’s efforts attending several NDEO conferences resonated in the relationships being built, sustained, and activated through repetition and exposure.
As DA:NCE celebrates a decade of existence, it is our hope that the next decade increases with unified advocacy across sectors of the dance industry. A wonderful part of dance training is the interpersonal collaboration and mutual inspiration towards a common cause. This emulates DA:NCE’s efforts to amplify the mission to protecting children in dance, done in partnership with dancers, educators, and concerned adults around the world.
Take a look at NDEO 2026:
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1FhZp9zcPQ
