30/08/2026
Some may see this as controversial..but I think it needs to be said…
To the young dancer,
I wish I could sit beside you and tell you something you deserve to hear.
You are so much more than a trophy, a placing or a score. Your worth was never meant to be decided by what happens when the music stops.
Your teacher should not have to yell at you to make you win. You should never be threatened with being cut because you made a mistake, bribed with money to win, or made to believe that winning is everything.
You are allowed to make mistakes. You are allowed to fall. You are allowed to learn.
The right teacher will see the little things others don’t. They will celebrate your progress, encourage you when you’re struggling and believe in you even when you don’t believe in yourself. They will push you to grow, but never make you afraid to fail.
They will be there through your highest highs and your lowest lows. When you win, they will celebrate with you. When you don’t, they will still be proud of you.
You should feel wanted.
You should feel safe.
You should feel respected, included and loved.
Dance should bring you joy. It should make your heart feel full, not heavy. You should be able to walk into the studio, laugh, make mistakes, try again and simply love dancing.
If you have started to feel scared, anxious or worried that you aren’t good enough, please know this:
What you are experiencing is not normal. And it is not your fault.
There is a difference between being challenged and being frightened.
One day, the trophies will gather dust and the competitions will become memories. I hope what stays with you is the music, the friendships, the laughter, the stage lights and the people who made you feel like you belonged.
Most of all, I hope you never lose the reason you started.
You danced because you loved it.
Please protect that love.
Please never let anyone take that away from you.
❤️ Miss Flick