What does a Dance Teacher do?
Dance teachers educate their students in the technique, performance, and choreography of dance. Some teachers focus their approach on a single style while others work in many forms, among them ballet, jazz, modern, tap, ballroom, swing, salsa, hip-hop, folk, pole dancing, and traditional dance forms from around the world. While the specific activities and approaches employed by dance teachers vary greatly depending on the style and setting in which they teach, most classes involve some combination of warm-up exercises, technique-based drills, learning or practicing choreography, and rehearsing for performance.
At a Glance
Most dance teachers are experienced or who specialize in one to three particular styles. Most public and private schools require their dance teachers to have a bachelor's degree in dance as well as a teaching certification, while university-level dance teachers are expected to have an MFA degree. Success as a dance teacher can come in many forms: opening one's own private studio, cultivating a fantastic public school dance program, or working for a prestigious conservatory or dance company.
Dance teachers work in a wide range of settings, including public schools, private schools, dance academies, conservatories, universities, private dance studios, health clubs, gyms, and cruise ships. Many dance studios require teachers to carry dance insurance coverage or dance fitness liability insurance, while health clubs and gyms generally require a fitness trainer certification.
Dance technique; choreography; deep specialization in one style or broad knowledge of several; teaching; budgeting; communication; leadership; organization; physical fitness
Dance teachers are passionate about both dance and teaching. They have excellent communication, organization, and leadership skills, which enable them to manage a classroom, organize a curriculum, and convey difficult concepts to their students.
In addition to working on their feet in the classroom, dance teachers also spend time preparing for classes, observing and tracking the progress of students, and training and acquiring new skills. The majority lead elastic work lives based around part-time teaching gigs in multiple settings—a flexible schedule that can leave room for personal projects and continuing work as a professional dancer or choreographer.
