Making Moves: Inclusivity in Dance Studios

by Kaitlin Battiste From the Top Dance

Dance is a universal language, which means it should be accessible to everyone. One’s participation in dance should not be contingent upon their gender, ability or culture. Dance is for all, and it is important for dance studios to reflect that philosophy. Accepting students in all of the beautiful ways they come promotes the importance of inclusion in our society while creating an environment where every student feels welcome and supported.

Dance studios unite people from many different walks of life with varying backgrounds. The art of dance can be used as a means of self-expression, to tell stories and share ideas. It transcends gender, language and cultural barriers, and should in turn encourage inclusive education.

Kaitlin Battiste

Inclusivity is the practice of providing equal access to opportunities for people who may otherwise be marginalized or excluded. It values diversity and the unique contributions each student brings to the group. In order to cultivate an inclusive environment, students’ needs must be prioritized in order to ensure that proper conditions are in place for everyone to achieve their full potential.

Participating in inclusive dance classes aids development of students’ personal skills such as physical fitness, motor skills and confidence, as well as their interpersonal skills: social skills, forming friendships and cooperation. When students of diverging abilities and backgrounds socialize and learn together, their respect, understanding and empathy grows.

Let us not forget that dance also helps boost dancers’ self-confidence. What if you were at a party and everyone danced the same exact way, or didn’t feel confident enough to dance at all? Everyone should be encouraged to bring their own unique dance moves to the dance floor. The art of dance is not exclusive to one specific type of person. Dance is art through self-expression, which everyone should be able to access from a safe and comfortable position. As Verna Myers, author and expert on diversity and inclusion said: “Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance.”

If you didn’t know, now you know – dance is for EVERY body!

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