Ryan Andrews started studying ballet when he was 6, in the small town of Sequim, Washington. He was the only boy in class—and still is, 10 years later. Until recently, he didn’t have any male teachers. It’s well known that boys face social difficulties when studying dance, from feeling awkward to being bullied. But what […]
Back-to-school can be a nerve-racking time for male dance students—especially as they approach middle or high school—and for their parents. Fears of bullying, isolation and low self-esteem are valid worry points, and, as parents, we want to do our best to help our kids feel supported and loved—especially in uncertain times. For a first-person account […]
I didn’t realize how much the whole movement meant to me until I saw the mass of male dancers congregated in front of “Good Morning America” led by the likes of Travis Wall, Alex Wong and Robbie Fairchild. It was pre-7 am—I was all packed up and ready to begin my trek to work when […]
When the news broke that Prince George, currently third in line for the British throne, would be continuing ballet classes as part of his school curriculum this year, we were as excited as anyone. (OK, maybe more excited.) This was not, it seems, a sentiment shared by “Good Morning America” host Lara Spencer. On yesterday’s […]
I’m a part of a popular group on Facebook called Dance Teacher Network which consists of dance teachers across the country discussing and sharing information on all things dance. Yesterday morning, I spotted a photo shared in the group of four smiling young boys in a dance studio. And I couldn’t help but smile to […]
When a young male dancer hits puberty, you’ll know the signs: “One day they look normal, the next they look like a string bean. They can get a little wonky for a while,” says Jim Lane, managing director for The Portland Ballet, a youth academy and company. “You’ll notice turns get out of whack, or […]
What do the UConn Huskies have in common with your dancers? Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams at University of Connecticut are NCAA Division I Champions this year, and that’s thanks in large part to the teams’ tremendous leadership. While we strive to draw the best out of pointe students—not point guards—principals of motivation, […]