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Recently, cases of harm have surfaced in competitive dance. The purpose of this study was to explore experiences of harm in competitive dance, specifically focusing on interactions between dancers and instructors. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 competitive dancers of various gender and racial identities. Data were analyzed using reflective thematic analysis. Four themes were generated: hurtful comments, physical expressions of frustration, physical conditioning directives, and favoritism. Findings are interpreted to suggest the existence of harm in competitive dance and a need for more critical reflection on teaching practices within the competitive dance environment. Based on this research, recommendations are posed for preventing harm through the application of student-centered pedagogies.
Milne et al. (Tue,) studied this question.