By LIBBY MIDDLEBROOK
Auckland dance teachers will gather at an emergency meeting today to try to prevent the ballet business from losing its footing.
Tears and anger followed publicity yesterday about the alleged oppressive nature of the New Zealand ballet world.
Industry players are furious at a study by Torbay ballet teacher Marian McDermott which included findings that girls as young as 14 popped pills to stay thin and suffered feelings of worthlessness.
The study also cited incidents including a ruthless mother pushing her daughter's rival down stairs and splinters of glass being deliberately placed in the shoe of a young ballerina.
A group of Auckland ballet teachers were to meet at 10.30 this morning to discuss the study.
Jill Williams, who runs Proudfoot Ballet, rubbished the claims.
"I'm furious. It's completely over the top and painting a very bad image of the industry. I don't know who Marian is and I've been teaching for 38 years."
Ms McDermott, who founded the Performing Arts School of New Zealand ballet programme, formally interviewed 40 students for the study.
Backlash at ballet claims
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