Dance education provides an opportunity for aerobic exercise and conditioning that is especially appealing to many girls. Dance may act as an outlet for girls and give them confidence, but, at the same time, it may create risks associated with perceived body-image. The benefits of taking dance classes were examined for girls, ages 13-20, enrolled in classes in three schools in Pennsylvania. Frequency distributions illustrated that the majority of dance students (92%) reported that dance improved their discipline. Almost all dancers disagreed with the idea that dance made them hate their bodies, while 88% agreed that it helped them release their feelings. Almost all participants failed to report feeling anxious or worried at dance classes, and 77% felt better about themselves after dancing. The hypothesis that girls with greater dance experience would have higher self-esteem is somewhat supported by the results. The personality analysis revealed that extraverts made greater use of dance classes as a means of emotional expression. The parental support findings suggest that there is a congruence between girls' and their parents' attitudes toward this activity. For the 8% of girls who did find that dance classes made their lives hectic, they experienced more stress and anxiety. (Contains 15 references.) (JDM)