June 24, 2026 njads
and now there’s research to help explain why.
One statistic in a recently published research paper really stood out to us:
📈 Since 2016, youth mental health diagnoses have increased dramatically, including:
• Anxiety ↑ 61%
• Depression ↑ 45%
As dance educators, we’ve always believed that what happens inside the studio goes far beyond learning choreography. Every class helps children build confidence, resilience, friendships, and a sense of belonging.
Now, research is beginning to confirm what so many dance teachers have witnessed for years. In a peer-reviewed study of 256 dancers (ages 5–17), 85.8% of dance class sessions were associated with maintained or improved mood.
At NJADS, our mission has never been simply to create great dancers. We strive to build confident, resilient young people who learn perseverance, teamwork, courage, and the belief that progress is more important than perfection.
It’s one of the reasons we’ve invested in programs like our Mental Performance Training curriculum and continue to focus on creating a positive, supportive environment where every dancer feels they belong.
We’re excited to see research that highlights the powerful impact dance can have on children’s well-being.
Congratulations to Tiffany Henderson and everyone involved in this important research. It’s exciting to see scientific evidence highlighting the positive impact dance can have on children’s well-being.
📖 We’ve included a link to the full study for anyone interested in reading it.
Building Strong Dancers. Shaping Stronger Futures 💜