A north-east dance school has reported a surge in the number of boys taking up dancing.
The head of Danscentre, on Hutcheon Street in Aberdeen, said the number of males getting involved has risen, with several classes now filled with boys.
Karen Berry, who started the school more than 25 years ago, said: “Many come for enjoyment and exercise but many do go on to have very successful careers.
“It is all about opportunity really – essentially I don’t see the same resistance to boys attending dance classes that I have seen in many places in Britain and in fact worldwide.
“Aberdonians are cultured by nature and seem to see through the ridiculous prejudices and perceptions that dance classes are only for girls.
“Dancers are trained as athletes and as such are strong and skilful as well as expressive and musical.”
Miss Berry also works in London, where she recently became co-principal of the Royal Ballet School.
She said her teachers have noticed a recent upsurge in interest for hip-hop, jazz and ballet among boys.
At times, it outweighs the interest coming from female dancers, she said.
She said: “As well as boys-only classes, boys regularly mix within the girls’ classes – where the girls then have to fight for their space at the front and for attention.
“Girls by nature are less competitive and having boys within their classes can make them more assertive and physical.”
Male dancers at the school have experienced huge success, with four recently performing in Matthew Bourne’s production of Lord of the Flies at HMT.
A group of 40 students, 37 of whom are male, are heading to London on November 1 to perform in the Dance Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.
Later this month, dance pupil Harris Beattie will re-create the lead west end role he played for a year when he stars in Billy Elliot the Musical Live.
The show will be broadcast live to cinemas across Europe on Sunday.