Perfection. Is that what you associate when you think of the perfect dancer… the stereotypical dancer? Skinny, long hair shaped into a bun, beautiful as such, with idyllic posture and balance. Do you think of a room full of girls in front of a mirror with equal timing, all with the same expression?

One professional dancer who wishes not to be named said ‘Dance is varied sport; it comes in all shapes and sizes, genders and is for all ability’s. It’s for everyone. Dance is all about showing your true emotions and how you can express them, this may sound difficult but if you try hard enough anyone can achieve it, a stereotypical dancer has no advantages.’

A TV programme recently aired called Big Ballet had overweight people, of different genders and ages. Who all performed a success show, which was quoted ‘This truly proves you can really look like anything and shine.’

Lauren Smith, a GCSE dance student said ‘In school an area that I find particularly challenging is writing, I find that I know exactly what I want to say but I find it hard to get it down on paper and generally it doesn't make sense. With dance it’s all different, it’s the one subject I find it easy to express what my emotions are, how I feel and what I’m trying to say, it does make sense.'

Although people feel worried or insecure to dance, a lot of dancers argue that it has so many benefits, like exercise, improving balance, expressing yourselves, making friends and purely just having fun.

Hannah Moore, a GCSE dance student and member of Stagefright academy of dance said ‘In both outside and inside school, the people there are very varied, no one looks alike. You do have some people better than others, but you get that everywhere, it’s all about just having fun. Dance can be underestimated as a weak or ‘easy pass’ subject but trust me it’s not, it takes dedication and hard work, and if you’re willing to try it, anyone can do it.'


Give it a go!