Written by Spring 2025 AFA Intern Anouk Mignon
I started dancing before I even knew what I was doing.
At the age of six, I walked into a dance studio for the first time and I have not really stopped since. Twelve years of contemporary, three of jazz. And yet, putting words to this practice has always felt harder than crossing a stage. Because dance is a language but a language without syntax or dictionary.
As a child, dancing can feel like a strange experience. There is this unease that comes with a growing body you do not yet understand. You are not sure what to do with your arms, legs, or shoulders. It feels awkward, even a bit embarrassing.
It was during my internship with Arts For All that I really took the time to reflect on what dance truly means to me and why it is so important that all children have access to it.
After all, dance is much more than just steps or choreography. It is the act of expressing oneself through the body when words are not enough. It is a way to share emotions, moods, and desires. Moving also helps you get to know yourself better to reconnect with who you are. Gradually, you start to understand what your body is capable of, and you learn to listen to and accept it.
Dancing also means showing yourself to others, which can be scary at first. But over time, you learn to inhabit who you are even when someone’s watching. That is exactly the mission of Arts For All: to give every child the opportunity to express themselves and grow through dance. Because everyone deserves a space where their body can speak freely and be heard.
