07/08/2026
YESSSS!!!💪
“Talent does not make a child older.
A young dancer may have beautiful technique and technical ability far beyond what we typically see at their age. But they are still a child, and the choreography, music, costuming, and movement we give them should respect that.
Age-appropriate dance is not about holding children back. It is about giving them material they can understand, connect with, and perform honestly. A child should not need to portray an adult experience in order to prove how talented they are.
The lyrics, costuming, movement, and overall message all shape what the dancer is being asked to portray and what the audience sees.
There is beauty in childhood. There is joy, innocence, imagination, humor, energy, and emotion. We have endless possibilities for meaningful choreography without asking children to become something they are not yet ready to be.
As dance teachers and studio owners, we set the standard. We decide what we will celebrate, what we will present, and what we believe quality dance education should look like.
Let us challenge young dancers. Let us inspire them. Let us help them grow into strong artists.
But let us also allow them to be children.
That may be one of the most important responsibilities we have.”
-Rhee Gold
