our story
Dance is (in my biased opinion) one of the most difficult activities in the world. In fact, earlier this year, researchers at the Occupational Information Network even declared dance as being the most physically demanding job in the United States - above other athletes, steel workers, and firefighters. Along with the physical strength and stamina required in dance, it is also vital that dancers have strong support systems at the studio.
All too often, I’ve seen extremely talented and gifted dancers quit because of conflict with classmates or not feeling like they belong to a community. All too often, I’ve seen dancers be kind to one another, and then turn right around and talk poorly of each other.
That is exactly why I started Dancer for Dancer. For the girl in the back of the room who hangs her head low out of low self esteem. For the girl that eats alone in the hallway between classes. For the little boy who is ridiculed by his classmates at school for being a ballet dancer. For the dancers who watch their “best friends” spread rumors about them when they aren’t looking. For the person who started dancing as an adult, and who might feel like they don’t belong to the greater dance community. I started Dancer for Dancer to create a place where each and every dancer feels like they belong, because I’ve felt and seen what it’s like not to.
After spending countless hours at the ballet studio since I was three years old, I came to terms with the fact that very few dancers genuinely support each other. In an activity where dancers spend so much time together - dancing together, eating together, traveling together, performing together - so many dancers feel alone. We call ourselves the “dance community,” but sometimes that seems like the farthest thing from what we experience.
On top of this, there seems to be some sort of unspoken competition between dancers. This sort of constant comparison causes us to feel isolated from each other, even in a room full of other dancers. It goes a little like this: If the girl next to you does two pirouettes, you have to do three. If the girl next to you looks thin, you must become thinner. If your friend auditions for a certain summer intensive, then so do you.
From this unhealthy comparison and competition, to striving for a state of unattainable perfection, dancers’ relationships with their art form can become toxic. I wanted to create a community where dancers are not afraid to stand up for themselves and others, and who are committed to spreading positivity in their own communities.
So, in early July 2020, Dancer for Dancer was born. Through monthly community-building Zoom calls, a new group of dancers talk about stigmatized topics in dance, such as competition, mental health, and racial discrimination, in a safe environment. Together, we can reform the dance community to be one that is full of compassion, empathy, genuinity, and strength.
Dancer for Dancer is growing more and more every day, and you don’t want to miss out! Sign up for a Zoom call through our website, follow us on Instagram, and join the movement towards a more positive, supportive, and open dance community. Be a Dancer for Dancer!