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Dance has many benefits including the improvement of physical and mental health, as well as strengthening social connections.

We met with three ISTD students and their teachers to learn about their experiences of dancing and how it has affected their lives for the better.

Ava, 11

Ava has danced since she was three years old. She was an ISTD competition soloist and always did well in exams. Two weeks before her Grade One Modern exam she fell off a balance ball in school and broke her femur. They found she had a rare form of cancer in the top of her thigh. She had to undergo chemotherapy and have her leg amputated.

Ava has remained dancing throughout and now dances on a blade and is back to taking exams. Her story is remarkable and so is Ava.

Watch Ava's story now

Elijah, 10

Elijah started dancing from a young age at Pointers Dance Studio after watching his older sister attend dance classes there.

When Elijah was four he was diagnosed with Dyspraxia and ADHD. Working closely with Elijah’s mum, his dance teacher Charlotte came up with a plan to ensure he enjoyed dance classes and how best they would help him to develop.

Elijah does ballet, modern, tap and street from the ISTD syllabus and it has had such a positive effect on his coordination, social skills and energy.

Watch Elijah's story now

Tia, 20

Tia started dancing and learning the ISTD syllabus at 6 years old in Modern Theatre and Imperial Classical Ballet.

Tia struggled with anxiety, especially during her teenage years and through her classes at Rise Studios, she found her safe space to dance and also talk about mental health and well-being.

Dance at Rise became Tia's escape, and the close friendships that she made there will last a lifetime.

Watch Tia's story now

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