People are rightly appalled by the Netflix show rated TV-MA with scantily clad little girls dancing inappropriately. Lifelong dancer here. The costumes don’t bother me as much as the sexualization the attire enhances. I grew up in leotards, tights, hot pants, crop tops, etc. 1/

Dance is about the body. Lines, technique, positions, etc. are better shown with tight fitting clothing & exposed muscles. Especially for instruction. That’s why ballerinas wear what they do for class. But man the lines have been crossed & at a you get age in recent decades. 2/

Even those not in the dance world have seen how studios around the country have taken to more provocative choreography at a younger age thanks to reality TV. Some competitions can disqualify if they think it goes too far, but there is no standard & it happens rarely. 3/

Girls watch music videos where the dancing is risqué. They want to emulate celebrities. Nothing new & not worrisome on its own. EXCEPT, There are a lot of stage moms, teachers, & people involved in the profitable competition circuit that are more than happy to enable this. 4/

I‘m not saying this is how all studios or parents operate. But a lot of adults get wrapped up in the glitz, glam, & edginess to catch attention & have their kids be the “wow” factor. The group everyone talks about. It makes for blinders & bad decisions. 5/

This can lead to sexually provocative material, instead creative & technical material that can be just as provocative & “edgy” without the need to overly sexualize. It’s an increasing trend that has had this choreographer & dancer very put off at what is winning competitions. 6/

So a little story about a competitive middle school dance team I was hired to teach a hip hop master class to & provide a routine for a basketball pep rally. These girls were pretty good. They took to my instruction well. i taught a short combo at the end of the master class. 7/

They performed the combo in small groups. There were some hip pops & body rolls because it’s hip hop. But NOT in a sexual way, in a rhythmic way. Yes, there’s a difference. (A hip pop is accented movement to the side, not a thrust, etc) I demonstrated & was very clear. 8/

When they were “performing” in groups, many of the girls tried to turn various parts of the combo into being what they thought was sexy. Touching down their bodies, various pelvic moves, & even facial expressions I DID NOT choreograph or teach. I ended up stopping the music. 9/

“WHOA WHOA WHOA! Did I do this?”
Demonstrated thrusting.
“Did I do THAT?”
Grabbed boobs and then my crotch.
They nervously giggled & looked around.
“Well did I?!”
“No.”
“My choreography is not a suggestion. This is not your time in front of your bedroom mirror.” 10/

I then told them dancing like that was not the only way to be good at hip hop & certainly not artistic. The director interjected at that point & for a moment I thought I might be in trouble. As y’all might imagine, I am not exactly the sweet & cuddly teacher type. 11/

Then the director said,
“GIRLS. We’ve talked about this. You’re not sexy, you’re WHAT???”
They all groaned & in unison said “We’re cute.”
“Exactly. Save that for when you’re older. Don’t give pervs something to obsess over later.”
I LOVE THAT WOMAN. We need more like her. FIN/