29 April 2026
Across our many different genres, ISTD is home to a rich, diverse community of teachers, students and dance professionals. On International Dance Day, to celebrate, we asked our faculty members behind those genres the same simple question: What does dance mean to you?
Dance is a universal language
Time and again, our faculty returned to the same idea: dance speaks when words fall short.
"The body becomes language, and dance is its voice. Through it, we can express what words cannot hold, thoughts, emotions, and fleeting moments of being." - Angeliki Andrinopoulou, Modern Theatre Committee
"Dance is the place where emotion becomes movement and movement becomes meaning, a language that stays powerful because it lets us express what words can't." - Argo Oblikas, Modern Ballroom Committee
"Dance is a profound form of personal expression, emotional release, and joy that connects the mind, body, and soul. It acts as a universal language for storytelling, a way to build confidence, relationships and release stress into creative energy." - Jacqui Lewis, Cecchetti Classical Ballet Committee
Dance is a way to connect
Other members described what makes dance so enduring is not just what it does for individuals, but what it builds between them.
"Dance cuts through cultural and language barriers and promotes the feel-good factor. It can mean something to everybody and it's more accessible to all. Exercise is good for the body and brain, no matter what age you are." - Barbara Simon, National Dance Committee
"Dance is sharing, freedom, and connection. It's fun, enlightening, and a way to escape. There's nothing more rewarding than reaching out through dance and bringing joy to someone else." - Ruth K Armstrong, Modern Theatre Committee
Dance is community
Dance brings people together, builds belonging, and turns a shared passion into something that lasts long beyond the studio.
"It's more than a job; it's an essential part of who I am. We all need some form of dance in our lives, a way to move, express, and feel alive." - Sadie Morgan, Modern Theatre Committee
"When working with dancers of all ages, you can see and feel the power of dance in the room. It's the shared passion, the thrill of doing something physical together, the reward and rush of adrenalin when you master a step, and the sense of community and friendships born out of training together each week." - Elizabeth Reeves, Modern Theatre Committee
Dance is a reset
In a busy, often overwhelming world, dance offers something genuinely rare: a moment to breathe, reconnect and let go.
"Music and dance energise the soul. Dance lifts the spirit and nourishes the mind. Dance allows me to escape from day to day stresses." - Louise and Robert Aldred, Sequence Committee
"As a classical ballet teacher I see dance as the balance between discipline and artistry, where technique provides structure, but individuality and inner feeling gives it life." - Lorraine Swain, Imperial Classical Ballet Committee
"Dance has always been more than just movement to me; it's my way of making sense of everything around me. Even after one class, on the teaching side, I forget about everything going on around me and leave feeling liberated." - Anna Knowles-Hibbert, DFR Committee
To every teacher, student and dance lover in our community, today is for you. Happy International Dance Day, from everyone at ISTD.
