Dance studio owner throws open doors for free to encourage male participation

Andrew Micallef has been running a dance school in Melbourne for decades and has performed in Hollywood classics like Moulin Rouge alongside Nicole Kidman.

But now, the veteran dancer is worried about the future of boys in the industry.

His solution? Opening up his academy to boys, for free, for life.

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Micallef, who runs Galactic Dance Studio, admits it was tough being a young dancer.

"I was basically beaten up," he said.

"Got my jaw broken, teeth smashed in, fractured cheekbone."

Now 41 and a father himself, Micallef wants to ensure the next generation has a different experience.

"If I can get three or four boys in a room, all of a sudden, I have created a safe space, a haven for these boys to grow up together, hang out together, dance together," he said.

The push to get boys back into the studio comes as industry leaders notice a sharp decline in male participation.

John Demicoli, who runs Melbourne studio DFX, told A Current Affair the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic was significant.

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"Pre-COVID, it was amazing," Demicoli said.

"Out of 300, we used to have 30-50 boys at our school.

"Since lockdowns, we only have one family with two boys in the entire studio."

To combat declining numbers, Micallef is throwing open his academy doors.

"What we're doing at the moment is offering scholarships to boys for the rest of their life, essentially.

"So the idea is that we get them in at pre-primary, and they will dance here free of charge for as long as they're wanting to."

For best mates Jaxon and Dylan, the studio has become a second home.

"He was actually quite shy to begin with," said Jaxon's mum, Michelle.

"Over the years, he's grown (in) confidence, and he's not shy anymore."

For Andrew, the message to any boy thinking about picking up dance shoes is simple: "If you're into music, you're into movement, strength, exercise ... all you can do is try."