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  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
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  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology

Award-Winning Journalist and Dance Mom Nicole Beyer Unveils Candid, Supportive Guide for Parents of Young Dancers in Love Your Dancer: A Girlfriend’s Guide: Inside the Dance World

PHOENIX, AZ — For parents navigating the often intense, emotional, and chaotic world of competitive dance, guidance can feel hard to come by. Nicole Beyer, a mother of five, veteran journalist, and former Division 1 athlete, is here to change that with her new release, Love Your Dancer: A Girlfriend’s Guide: Inside the Dance World. Drawing from more than 12 years of hands-on experience in studios, competitions, and conventions, Beyer delivers a heartfelt, honest, and empowering book for parents who want to better understand and better support, their dancer’s journey.

More than just a how-to manual, Love Your Dancer is a warm and witty inside look at what it truly means to be a "dance parent." With empathy and clarity, Beyer walks readers through the rollercoaster of emotions and logistics involved in raising a young dancer—from the 5 a.m. wake-up calls and intense competition weekends to the emotional aftermath of a performance gone wrong.

“I remember wishing there was a resource that told the truth, something that went beyond glitter and bun tutorials,” Nicole shares. “That’s why I wrote this book, not just for the moms and dads brand-new to the dance scene, but for every parent who’s ever sat in a lobby wondering if they were doing this right.”

Nicole’s entry into the world of dance began when her daughter, Alexandria, expressed interest in classes. What started as a simple extracurricular quickly evolved into a full-blown commitment. Despite her success as a journalist, winning multiple Emmy Awards and anchoring major newscasts, Nicole quickly realized that the dance world came with its own unique set of unspoken rules, etiquette, expectations, and emotional dynamics.

What sets Love Your Dancer apart is Nicole’s refreshing honesty. She doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges of being a dance parent, nor does she offer unrealistic advice. Instead, she shares real stories, real struggles, and real triumphs, always with the goal of helping other parents feel seen, supported, and better equipped to show up for their children.

The book is designed to be both a friend and a guide. Nicole’s writing is relatable and funny, grounded in experience yet brimming with heart. Each chapter touches on specific lessons she’s learned, such as how to deal with competition politics, how to stay calm when your dancer is melting down, and how to balance encouragement with healthy boundaries.

Perhaps most powerfully, Love Your Dancer emphasizes the emotional development of young dancers and the critical role parents play in shaping their mental wellness. Nicole is clear: Dance is more than physical movement. It’s about identity, self-esteem, discipline, and joy—and parents must nurture those aspects just as much as they help with packing costumes or scheduling privates.

“Being a dance parent isn’t just about showing up,” Nicole says. “It’s about listening, guiding, and protecting your dancer’s joy. You have to help them navigate not just choreography, but confidence, comparison, and disappointment.”

Nicole also reminds parents that dance should remain a choice, not a chore. She reflects on moments when her daughter had to decide whether to keep going, and how crucial it was to let that decision come from the dancer, not from parental pressure or the fear of quitting.

As a Division 1 college athlete, Nicole brings a unique viewpoint to the table. She understands discipline and commitment from an elite level of sports, but also recognizes the need for compassion and emotional care, especially for young dancers still finding themselves in a high-pressure environment.

One of the standout features of the book is the contribution from Alexandria herself. As a young dancer, Alexandria adds her own voice to the narrative, giving readers a window into the emotional side of growing up in dance. Her candid reflections make Love Your Dancer not just a book about dancers—but a book with them.

The book also includes practical advice for maintaining balance. Nicole offers tips for organizing the chaos, staying grounded as a parent, and avoiding the burnout that can come with back-to-back conventions, rehearsals, and the pursuit of “perfection.” With grace and realism, she encourages parents to take care of themselves, too, recognizing that their energy directly impacts their dancer’s experience.

“You don’t have to be perfect,” Nicole reminds readers. “You just have to be present. You have to love your dancer, even on the days when things are messy, frustrating, or confusing.”

Beyer’s journalistic roots shine throughout the book—her attention to detail, ability to break down complex topics, and instinct for storytelling make every chapter feel like a conversation with a trusted friend. Combined with her lived experience as a dance mom, the result is an engaging, practical, and emotionally intelligent guide that fills a critical gap in the parenting space.

Whether your child is just starting their dance journey or you’ve been deep in the convention circuit for years, Love Your Dancer offers encouragement, wisdom, and solidarity. It’s a must-read for parents who want to show up better—for their child, for themselves, and for the dance world at large.

Love Your Dancer: A Girlfriend’s Guide: Inside the Dance World is available now wherever books are sold.

To learn more about the book or to schedule an interview with Nicole Beyer, please contact:

Contact Information:

Name: Nicole Beyer

Email Address: nicolebeyer@cox.net

About the Author:

Nicole Beyer is a multiple Emmy Award-winning journalist and former television news anchor. After stepping away from the newsroom to raise her five children, Nicole found herself immersed in the world of competitive dance. With a background as a Division 1 tennis player on a full scholarship, she brings a rare blend of athletic discipline, storytelling skill, and parenting wisdom to her writing. Love Your Dancer is her first book, inspired by more than a decade of being in the trenches of the dance world alongside her daughter, Alexandria.


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