How CPYB is Pioneering Mental Health Care for Dancers

“The pursuit of ballet is seeking perfection in an imperfect world. Pursuing something you will never achieve.” – Nicholas Ade, Chief Executive Officer of Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet For a ballet school revered for its foundational training and recognized as a school of distinction in the industry, the idea of accepting falling short of perfection might seem insincere, but according to CEO, Nicholas Ade, this school-wide perspective is what keeps dancers pursuing progress and not perfection, and that has been key for protecting and prioritizing mental health. “It can be very difficult for people, especially youth, to reconcile trying to create something perfect that is not physically possible. If we see someone forming an unhealthy balance within themselves, it’s our job to remind them of what is most important and what is within their control. If they get frustrated, they will get in their own way. Frustration impedes progress. Again, we are teaching young dancers how to pursue progress and accept that the end goal will not be perfection.” This might sound good in theory, but how does a school like the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet follow through with such a progressive stance on mental health while training classes of graduating students each year who have the dedication, discipline, and drive to pursue successful dance careers? Is it possible to truly care for a dancer’s mental health without sacrificing their ballet potential? CPYB believes it is and is committed to championing this mindset throughout the dance community. In 2004, the World Health Organization redefined mental health as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” This should be the goal for all dancers. To realize their abilities; have the tools and support to cope with unavoidable stresses of life; pursue progress in their craft; and have a positive impact on their school and the dance community at large. Like any goal, it takes commitment and intentionality to make it a reality. For dancers at the Children’s and Primary Divisions, the focus is how to inspire confidence and build up self-esteem so that children not only enjoy ballet as a current hobby and commitment but can dream about pursuing a career in ballet in the future. Kids need to feel accepted as they are and given the tools to shape their own destinies. According to Nicholas Ade, “We meet the child where they are. It’s crucial in developing our dancers to build trust early on so that instructors aren’t pushing a child to reach an unattainable standard, but rather helping them pull themselves up using their own internal motivations. As young dancers establish a healthy work ethic, the aim becomes how we can challenge them to do it for themselves, for their own improvement and feelings of accomplishment and success by their own efforts. Children are more resilient than we often give them credit for being but need to understand that we’re on their side. We’re trying to make them better through their own work.” As students get older and more serious about a dance career, a whole new set of very intense circumstances is inevitable. There are common stressors in the dance world including: high physical workload, body image, technical requirements and choreographic demands, ever-present sense of competition as dancers vie for coveted roles, managing finances, and balancing family obligations as so much time is necessary for developing a thriving dance career. To effectively address the mental health topic at this level, it takes more than just aim – it takes action. In 2023, CPYB launched a partnership with Persistence Psych, a team of sports psychology specialists. Persistence Psych’s practice, “applies psychological principles of human performance to help individuals perform in the upper range of their capabilities and more thoroughly enjoy the performance process.”  Working directly with the dancers at CPYB is co-founder, Arianna Cicarelli Shimits, MA, CMPC who danced professionally at the Washington Ballet, Ballet Arizona, and the Colorado Ballet throughout her professional career, giving her the unique ability to connect with dancers from a place of understanding the environment and stressors present in their world. As part of this program, Arianna meets with each student for a 1:1 conversation to address concerns they have; discuss their goals and unique challenges; and to start building a trusting relationship. She then leads quarterly seminars with the entire school. And lastly, CPYB offers their students free, unlimited 1:1 sessions throughout the academic year for ongoing mental health support. This program is 100% paid for by CPYB so that the price of sessions is not a barrier for our dancers. “We take things on wholly here at CPYB and give it our all,” explains Ade when asked about this new initiative. “This comprehensive wellness program is about more than just physical health and recovery training.” In its introductory year, an estimated 25% of students were regularly meeting with Arianna.  All sessions are kept completely confidential. CPYB hopes that more students will take advantage of this program moving into year two. Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet is encouraged by how the partnership with Persistence Psych has been received and hopeful that the investment into their students’ lives will yield mentally resilient and happy students who will find growth in their art and continue to share their gift of dance with the world. Accepting the imperfection of their pursuit, but dedicated, nonetheless.