Let’s Talk About Ethics

I’ve been in this industry for over 20 years, and just when I think I’ve seen it all, something happens that reminds me the bar for ethics in the dance world can drop lower than a limbo stick.

The dance world has always had its messy moments. Studios splitting, students being poached, allegiances shifting. But lately, it feels like we’ve thrown out even the most basic professional courtesies. It’s the Wild West out there, people doing whatever they want, whenever they want, without much thought about the ripple effect.

And now, with Instagram and direct messaging just a tap away, the lines are even more blurred. You can reach anyone, anywhere and too often, people do. But just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

I have been part of the Gold Coast dance scene my entire life, and I’ve watched the culture shift. For the most part, there used to be a strong sense of ethics between teachers—an understanding of boundaries and mutual respect.

Of course, there were always a few who crossed those lines but to be honest, they were usually the ones at the top of their game. They had the experience and the ability to genuinely take a student to the next level. Right or wrong, it at least came from a place of proven value.

Now, it feels like those same lines are being crossed by people who haven’t earned that standing. The respect between studios is fading. There’s less regard for the relationships others have built with their students, and more focus on what can be gained quickly.

In today’s industry, it’s common for teachers to work across multiple studios. But that flexibility comes with responsibility.

If you’re teaching at multiple studios, you need to respect each one equally. That means leaving any bias at the door. You don’t compare studios. You don’t talk one up while standing in another. And when you leave a studio, you leave respectfully. You don’t contact students behind the scenes. You don’t encourage them to follow you. You don’t offer private lessons or classes outside of the space that paid your wage.

When you walk into someone else’s space, you are part of their team in that moment. And with that comes a duty of professionalism, neutrality, and respect for the relationships that exist within that studio.

And it’s not just teachers—dancers need to understand ethics too.

You can’t move through this industry thinking only of yourself. The choices you make and the way you treat people will follow you. This is a small industry, and your reputation matters more than you realise.

I’ve been part of this community for a

long time, and I’ll likely be here for many years to come. I’ve seen people come and go—often those who believed the rules didn’t apply to them. But the truth is, you don’t have a career until you’ve actually built one.

Real success is earned and it lasts when it’s built with integrity.

We may not have an official code of conduct, but there is a code. Or at least, there should be. And when we ignore it, we chip away at the culture of trust and mutual respect this industry desperately needs. It’s no wonder so many teachers avoid each other at comps and events. The unspoken tension is everywhere, and it’s exhausting.

So maybe it’s time to bring ethics back.

Our industry is only as strong as the ethics we uphold. If we want respect, we have to start by showing it. Dance better. Teach better. Be better. That’s how we move the industry forward.

Let’s create an industry we’d be proud to pass on.