Christine joins us to talk about all things Jack and Jill at social dance events. As a social dancer herself, Christine loves the challenge and opportunity for growth that a Jack and Jill competition offers but unfortunately has experienced being denied the opportunity to to take part in a competition because she signed up to lead. The problem? She’s a woman.
What to expect in this episode:

(01:07) Introducing Christine Walsh
(02:27) Jack and Jill competitions - their place in the social dance scene
(06:19) Denied access to a competition for being a woman
(10:50) Why organisers should be making changes
(14:08) Why do we have a fear of dancing with someone of the same sex?
(16:33) Boundaries: don’t get it twisted!
(19:03) Feeling Safe: The effect of competitive rules on an event
(21:36) Are separate events/categories the answer?
(31:20) Competition, community, lessons, they are all connected
About Christine Walsh
Christine is an Australian dancer and emerging social media activist who has recently set up home in London. From 9-5, Christine works as a Diversity and Inclusion Project Manager and she brings her expertise to the dancefloor with a goal to have conversations that build safer, more inclusive dance communities.
Christine grew up spending a lot of time in dance studios and began teaching almost 10 years ago. From her foundations within jazz, tap and contemporary, she has worked as a dance teacher for universities, dancers with Down Syndrome and more recently moved towards bachata, within which she is certified as a Role Rotation teacher.
Sign the petition
https://www.change.org/SocialDanceCompEquality
Connect with Christine Walsh
@christinew.dance
https://www.instagram.com/christinew.dance/

About Bobbie Miles:
Bobbie Miles is a social dancer and empowerment coach in the salsa, bachata, and kizomba scene. Dancing is a happy place for Bobbie, as it is for so many. In order to foster safer dance spaces for all dancers, Bobbie is on a mission to promote more accountability and responsibility surrounding boundaries, consent and safety within the community through education and conversations that matter. Bobbie is a coach and advocate for speaking up, boundary setting, and promoting respect in the dance scene. Through The Empowered Dancers Podcast, she promotes transparency, understanding, and accountability and as a coach and public speaker, she focuses on boundary setting and respect in practice, both on and off the dance floor.
Resources:
Download my 5 Top Tips to boost your confidence on any dance night! https://empowereddancers.com/5tips
Practice saying NO on the dance floor: empowereddancers.com/no
Connect with Bobbie Miles
Follow me on Instagram @theempowereddancerspodcast
https://www.instagram.com/theempowereddancerspodcast
Find me on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/bobbiemilesbailadora
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA8pcAq9lXttVf9w9lDb1bQ?sub_confirmation=1