“During the initial years of dance college, it felt like a challenging trial to determine who possessed the resilience to persevere. Teachers would constantly challenge and push you, seemingly determined to test your limits.
Lily is among a group of dancers and former dancers who have come forward to share their training experiences at some of the UK’s renowned dance schools in light of allegations of misconduct surrounding the production of Strictly Come Dancing.
The popular show is scheduled to make a comeback in the autumn for a highly anticipated series commemorating its twentieth anniversary. However, with the current challenges faced by the program, there is a renewed emphasis on dance culture and teaching methods.
Several dancers we interviewed shared their experiences of teachers who exhibited aggressive behavior during lessons, resorting to scratching, pinching, and even throwing objects. These teachers would go as far as humiliating young students in front of their peers and, at times, even encouraging them to criticize and turn against one another. Some individuals allege that they were advised to ingest tissues or pennies in order to maintain a lower body weight. Someone mentioned that “pictures of individuals who are overweight” were displayed as motivation to avoid snacking.
According to lawyer Dino Nocivelli, a partner at law firm Leigh Day, many dance students face this harsh reality behind closed doors. Nearly 200 dancers and former dancers have approached Nocivelli to claim they have been the victims of abuse.
One individual expressed a desire for plastic surgery to address concerns about their elbows, while another made the decision to forgo having a child due to apprehensions about the impact on their body. Many individuals have expressed that they choose not to have mirrors in their homes and have experienced challenges related to their relationship with food.
And these claims are not only from the past. Although all the dancers we interviewed received training in the 2000s, Mr. Nocivelli claims that one dancer allegedly experienced abuse earlier this year. An expert in safeguarding Latin, ballroom, and ballet dancing notes an increase in complaints in recent years, both recent and historical. This rise can be attributed to the implementation of improved procedures for reporting and escalating incidents.
Nevertheless, dancers and experts emphasize that despite the presence of numerous dance companies and associations in the UK and the inspection of some schools by Ofsted, the absence of an overarching governing body or regulator, unlike the FA for football or British gymnastics, poses challenges when it comes to tracking complaints.
Securing a spot at one of the nation’s most esteemed dance schools during her teenage years in the early 2000s was a realization of Lily’s aspirations, yet the actual experience proved to be far from ideal.
“Since the beginning, there has been a pervasive atmosphere of bullying and humiliation,” she states. One teacher seemed determined to uncover any flaws she could find. Once any vulnerability was exposed, she would relentlessly target you until you eventually succumbed to tears. Even the slightest display of emotion would only fuel her cruelty further.
By the time they reached their third and final year, a significant number of her classmates had departed. “They were incredibly skilled dancers,” she remarks. “They simply couldn’t handle it.”
“I can recall teachers during our barre work walking around and scratching their fingernails up the back of our legs with quite some force.” Never did it cross my mind to consider reporting this. I simply embraced it.”
Because the objective was to pursue a career in dance. “And I believed this was the sole method of reaching that destination.”
According to her, a number of her classmates experienced eating disorders. “I’ve always been confident in my relationship with food, but as I’ve grown older, I’ve come to realize that although I don’t have anorexia or bulimia, I struggle with significant body dysmorphia. This is largely due to the pervasive messages that society ingrains in us.”
Lily compares the intense training to the rigorous discipline of the military. “Sit-ups and crunches… they would push us to our limits, leaving us feeling physically drained and emotionally overwhelmed.”
Sara, another dancer who attended a different college in the mid-2000s, shares that she too experienced being scratched in order to straighten her legs. “I was summoned to the office of one of the teachers and informed that ‘we should address this concern regarding your thighs’.” She had incredibly long nails and forcefully dug them into the back of my thighs, all the way up to my buttocks. I was in tears. I distinctly recall finding it rather unpleasant, but it seemed to be an inevitable occurrence.
Eating disorders were prevalent, she states. “I recall receiving compliments for experiencing a stomach bug for a couple of days, as it resulted in significant weight loss.”
late 2000sGina*, who embarked on a musical theatre course at the Hammond performing arts school in Chester at the age of 18 in the late 2000s, dedicated herself to studying acting, singing, and dance. According to her, the reported abuse occurred solely during dance lessons.
“On one occasion, I found myself standing alone while the entire class surrounded me, applauding and urging me to jump in place,” she recalls. The teacher was criticizing her jumping ability, attributing it to her physical appearance. She recalls: “I can still feel the burning heat on my cheeks, overwhelmed by embarrassment and shame.”
According to her, there would also be dancing games, where the teacher would remove participants who didn’t meet the expected standards. “This resulted in a classroom filled with individuals observing the less proficient students repeatedly attempting the task.” I recall witnessing my friend in tears as she struggled to carry on with the dance.
wereGina was a member of a group that students referred to as “the fat club,” where they were frequently weighed. “All of these things that I now reflect upon and realize, that was quite risky to share with a young, easily influenced individual.”
Gina resolved a civil case with the school earlier this year, without accepting any responsibility.
Considering her claims, it is probable that the school incurred substantial legal expenses that exceeded the damages sought. These costs may not be recoverable, indicating the financial advantages of pursuing a prompt resolution.
In a statement, they expressed their willingness to engage in a conversation about their concerns with the school’s current senior leadership. This would allow the former pupil to openly share her experiences and concerns while also providing the school with an opportunity to acknowledge and learn from them. She decided against going to that meeting.
The Hammond emphasizes its commitment to the safety and well-being of all its students, regularly evaluating and improving its current practices.
Ellen Elphick, who is considering legal action against the Royal Ballet School after joining in 2009 at the age of 16, expresses her desire to speak out and inspire positive change in the industry.
During her initial weeks, she recalls a teacher making a disturbing comment about her appearance while she stood in front of a mirror.
“The teachers lacked compassion.” They lacked a nurturing quality. They constantly reminded us that our place was not secure. A constant fear was instilled in us about the sanctity of our surroundings and the need to appreciate our presence there.
Ms Elphick, who no longer dances, shares her experience of battling an eating disorder. She recalls a particular incident where, after losing weight, her teacher had the entire class applaud her. During her third year at the school, she alleges being advised to stop taking the contraceptive pill due to its potential to cause bloating.
According to her, there is a need for improved education for dance teachers. “Now, it’s all about being accountable. We’re not speaking out to stir up trouble or create unnecessary challenges for these schools. It’s empowering to start making a difference.
The Royal Ballet School has undergone several changes since 2013, including a restructure in the following year. Since then, the school has implemented various initiatives to support the well-being of its students. These include in-house counselling and mental health support, a healthcare programme, an enhanced safeguarding programme, and comprehensive training for teachers, students, governors, and volunteers. The school has recently implemented an anonymous reporting system for students.
According to Mr. Nocivelli, who is advocating for Ms. Elphick and other female dancers and former dancers in civil claims against multiple schools, there have been significant issues at various schools. These issues involve a considerable number of teachers over an extended period of time, indicating a pattern of systemic failings.
According to him, there are situations where the impact lasts a lifetime.
“Many individuals believe that these things may have been common in the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, but that it’s no longer the case. However, based on our conversations with nearly 200 women, it appears that most of the abuse has occurred from 2000 to the present.” There have been reports of misconduct in recent months. And what we witness is a repetition of the methods, the mistreatment, and the consequences. This is a persistent problem that dancers continue to encounter.
Mike Hawkins, a safeguarding officer for the British Dance Council, has extensive experience in dealing with reports of physical and sexual abuse. He is not only a founding member of the Safer Dance organization but also a former National Crime Agency officer. Many individuals in the world of dance, particularly ballroom and Latin, as well as ballet, unfortunately face issues such as bullying and gaslighting. They often receive the discouraging message that they are inadequate or need to change their appearance.
According to him, some people may consider these concerns to be of lesser importance, and dancers often hesitate to voice them, feeling that they are not taken seriously. “They’re influenced in terms of what’s considered appropriate and inappropriate. It seems like their understanding of boundaries has become quite blurred. And minor concerns can be quite problematic, as they tend to escalate and become more significant over time.”
Everyone we interviewed, from dancers to experts, agreed that most dance schools are recognized for their compassionate and supportive approach towards students.
Chrissy May, the owner of the Southampton Dance Academy, recognizes the difficulties of the industry, characterizing it as fiercely competitive. Those in the dance world must excel in both physical prowess and creative expression, all while cultivating the ability to bounce back from setbacks.
“I want our families to perceive us as nurturing and patient,” she conveys when discussing her school. “Our aim is to establish a supportive and inclusive environment where dancers can freely explore and develop their skills without any concern of being judged or criticized. I would assume that most local schools have a similar philosophy to ours.
She believes that the industry would greatly benefit from regulation to protect the interests of students and teachers. “The only people who hold us responsible are the parents of our students—evaluators who visit our schools only assess the dancing.” I think that having mentors or conducting observations would be really helpful to make sure that the best practices are being implemented.
During a recent press briefing, Tim Davie, the BBC boss, addressed the Strictly scandal and offered his apologies to those who have had a less than ideal experience with the show.
“Apart from the fun and entertainment, there will be a feeling of competition, commitment, and a drive to achieve,” he expressed. “That’s one of the factors that adds to the distinctiveness of this show. Nevertheless, it is crucial to always uphold certain boundaries. We strictly enforce our policy against any form of unacceptable behavior.
As part of the investigation into the show’s complaints, the production staff will now be present to chaperone rehearsals for the upcoming series. However, both Mr. Nocivelli and Mr. Hawkins are of the opinion that further steps need to be considered.
“Chaperones may be viewed as a potential solution to the issue, yet they do not effectively tackle the root cause,” Mr. Nocivelli explains.
According to Mr. Hawkins, the dance industry is making encouraging progress in terms of ensuring safety. Nevertheless, he recognizes the difficulties of self-regulation in an industry filled with multiple organizations and lacking a centralized governing body.
He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing teacher training and improving messaging.
“A significant factor in this can be credited to the mindset of teachers who have personally experienced a ‘tough love’ approach,” he explains. “It was never deemed acceptable in the past, and it continues to be deemed unacceptable today.”