Why Dance Education Needs to Change. And Why Teachers Can’t Do It Alone!

Dance has always been about passion, discipline, creativity, and expression.

For so many children, it becomes a place of belonging, a second home where they feel seen, understood, and alive.

But behind the passion, something else has quietly grown.

Pressure. Comparison. Perfectionism. Anxiety.

And increasingly, both students and teachers are feeling the weight of it.

The Hidden Struggles We’re Not Talking About Enough.

Many young dancers today are navigating far more than technique and choreography. They’re managing expectations, fear of failure, body image worries, and the constant comparison that can come from auditions, exams, competitions, and social media.

At the same time, teachers are holding an enormous emotional load.

They’re expected to:

• Support students through anxiety and low confidence

• Manage parents’ expectations

• Run busy studios or departments

• Maintain high standards

• Stay calm, encouraging, and resilient, no matter what

And often, they’re doing all of this without the right tools, language, or support.

This isn’t because teachers don’t care, it’s because dance education has never been taught how to care properly for wellbeing.

Good Intentions Aren’t Always Enough

Most teachers entered this industry because they love dance and want to inspire young people.

But many teaching methods are inherited, not questioned.

We teach the way we were taught.

We correct the way we were corrected.

We push because we were pushed.

And sometimes, without realising it, those well-meaning habits can contribute to fear, pressure, or emotional harm.

This doesn’t mean teachers are doing anything wrong, it means the industry has evolved, and our approach needs to evolve with it.

Why Psychological Safety Matters in Dance

Psychological safety is the foundation of learning.

When a dancer feels safe:

• They take creative risks

• They learn faster

• They recover better from mistakes

• They develop confidence that lasts beyond the studio

When a dancer feels unsafe:

• Anxiety increases

• Confidence drops

• Perfectionism takes over

• Joy disappears

The same is true for teachers.

When educators feel supported, understood, and equipped, they teach with more clarity, compassion, and confidence. When they don’t, burnout quietly creeps in.

Teachers Can’t Hold This Alone

One of the biggest misconceptions in dance education is that teachers should just know how to manage wellbeing.

But teaching is emotional labour and emotional labour needs support.

Teachers need:

• Language tools that build confidence instead of fear

• Awareness of how words and tone impact young minds

• Strategies to manage anxiety, comparison, and perfectionism

• Space to care for their own wellbeing too

This isn’t an “extra”, it’s essential.

Creating Change From the Inside Out

Real change in dance education doesn’t come from blame or criticism. It comes from education, awareness, and support.

It comes from:

• Teachers being supported, not scrutinised

• Wellbeing being embedded, not bolted on

• Children being seen as humans first, dancers second

• Studios becoming safe spaces for growth, not pressure

This is the work I do through The Butterfly Mind, supporting teachers and students to build healthier, more sustainable dance environments where confidence and wellbeing can thrive.

Because when teachers feel supported, dancers feel safe, and when dancers feel safe, they soar.

A Gentle Reflection

As you read this, you might want to pause and ask yourself:

What kind of dance culture am I helping to create, and what support do I need to do that well?

You don’t have to have all the answers, you just have to be willing to start the conversation!