Dance Deserves Better

Last September, I hosted a mini conference surrounding the conversation point, “Are Dance Competitions Disrupting the Power and Progress of Dance Education?” Based on my research, the answer is unequivocally yes. You see, in 2020, I wrote an infamous book called Trash the Trophies, which challenged the viewpoint that dance education had to normalize to […]
DA:NCE Newsletter – May 2024
DA:NCE Newsletter – May 2024 Nominations Now Open – Healthy DA:NCE DirectoryDo you know a dance studio or dance organization that is steadfast in their commitment to use age-appropriate choreography, costumes and music in children’s dance classes? If so, we need you to nominate them for our Healthy DA:NCE Directory! This database highlights those studios and […]
Dance and Body Perception

As prior generations have come and gone, the ideal body has evolved. Ever-changing body perceptions also relate to external cultural definitions of beauty, perfection and sex appeal. This evolving landscape influences the way young people perceive, feel, think, and behave, regarding their body (National Eating Disorder Collaboration). Girls growing up 15 years ago desperately wanted […]
Nurturing the Innocence: A Father and Addiction Counselor’s Perspective on the Hypersexualization of Children’s Dance
Introduction: As a father and a counselor, I have noted that the world of children’s dance has become a disconcerting arena where innocence often collides with adult themes—things like costumes, choreography, and music. For years I have had a growing concern about the hypersexualization of children’s dance, I’ve worried about the impact on the child […]
A Call to Create Beauty

Standing backstage, I hear the murmuring voices of the audience as they settle into their seats. My costume is on, my make-up and hair are glistening and I wait for the opening notes of the music to play. Butterflies float around in my stomach and continue to get faster until I step on stage. The […]
Dancing for a Difference

One of the goals of the DA:NCE is to highlight organizations we feel embody healthy dance. DA:NCE would like to present Dancing for a Difference as our Healthy Dance Studio for May 2024. Dancing for a Difference is an inclusive 501(c)(3) nonprofit dance studio offering dance and music lessons in Branton, Florida. Their mission is […]
DA:NCE Newsletter – January 2024
DA:NCE Newsletter – January 2024 What if our collective voices could flip the switch for a dance teacher who hadn’t truly thought about how the sexy dance moves she was teaching her young students would impact them? What if our stories reached a parent who hadn’t dared to speak out for his or her own […]
Keep on Dancing
My dance journey started at the early age of three at a parks and recreation mommy & me ballet class. It was affordable and I loved it! I continued to take tap and ballet classes there until I was 5 years old. At eleven years old I was inspired to dance again when I competed […]
A Counselor’s Perspective on Confronting Hypersexualization: Raising Awareness and Fostering Change

Introduction In our hyperconnected world, where information is just a click away, people have become increasingly desensitized to an issue that permeates modern society. With the advent of the internet and the proliferation of smartphones, we are constantly bombarded with an overwhelming amount of information from various sources. Over the past decade, a noticeable cultural […]
Confronting the Comparison Game and Porn Culture in Children’s Dance

The enchanting world of dance: It’s where kids get to express themselves, communicate feelings, and celebrate their journey of growth. Watching little dancers move is like witnessing pure magic. But you know what’s not so magical? The comparison game. The pressure to be younger, fitter, and sexier is everywhere. Author Jen Ferguson, mother of two […]