10 Tips for New Dance Teachers

Starting out as a dance teacher can be tough. But what I’ve found over the last 15+ years as a dance instructor, is that it’s a highly rewarding journey full of growth.

Teaching dance demands passion, dedication and a commitment to nurturing the student’s growth. To help you with dance teaching in those early steps of your career, this article outlines some tips for new dance teachers. A few handy pointers which I’ve learned along the way. I hope you find it useful.

1.   Develop Lesson Plans and Structure

Effective and productive teaching requires structure and goal-shaped lessons. To keep your students engaged, organize your classes with clear objectives:

• Warm-ups to prepare their bodies,
• Stretching to enhance flexibility,
• Strength exercises to build endurance,
• Technique and skill-building drills to refine their skills,
• Choreography sessions to nurture their creativity,
• The last one, but a very important one that many skip, cool-down routines to conclude the class and cool the muscles to prevent injuries.

Consider structuring your music repertoire by minutes to align with your class structure. Tailoring music selections to different class phases can contribute to the overall experience.

That would mean creating a music list that follows your class objectives that we mentioned above. For example, use higher BPM (beats per minute) tracks for energetic warm-ups, match the tempo with the strength exercises and choose slower BPMs for cool-down sessions.

Teacher tip: ensure the music is suitable for all ages by using censored versions to maintain professionalism. That is how you show respect for your students and their families, and you will get the same back.

Using this guidance, the little ones will feel that they are having fun while actually learning, and the big ones will feel that they are learning while having fun. Progress is guaranteed.

2.   Master Your Craft

As a new dance teacher, it’s essential to continually improve your dance skills. Stay dedicated to your training, attend workshops and practice regularly to stay in form, not just physically but mentally as well. This commitment involves the development of your teaching skills.

Good teachers need to work on themselves so they can make an impact on their students. It is important to excel in your chosen dance style, but don’t limit yourself. Broaden your dance knowledge by learning various dance styles, from classical ballet to urban dances and contemporary styles.

Also, you can embrace opportunities to draw inspiration from other art forms and sports.

That means that Martial Arts like Capoeira or Taekwondo, or maybe Parkour or even Football can make some new insights into your new creative dance endeavours.

Shaping your style will be the result of your input and you have a broad variety of options and possibilities. This versatility will make you a more appealing and intriguing teacher.

3.   Seek Professional Advice and Learn Continuously

Let’s assume that you will never stop learning as a dance teacher and that you will attend workshops and conferences, and network with other dance educators to gain new knowledge.

Being an exceptional dance teacher is a commitment to lifelong learning.

When attending dancers tailored workshops, be proactive and seek advice from other dance teachers, because, these could be golden tips. Their insights will help develop your new teaching strategies but also you will find inspiration for your classes.

Additionally, consider exploring educational fields beyond dance, such as child psychology to understand the cognitive and emotional needs of your students. And of course, Google, YouTube, and the Internet are free educational tools that you shouldn’t ignore. By consistently expanding your knowledge and seeking wisdom from those who have walked this path before you, you will evolve into a more innovative and proficient dance educator.

4.   Create Different Learning Styles

Recognize that each student learns differently and be adaptable to employ several learning styles. That is the key to effective teaching and instruction.

Learn about the individual approach versus the group approach and how and when to apply each. Expand your teaching methods to meet the needs of your students, considering that not every student is a visual learner. Some may comprehend more auditory or kinaesthetic concepts. Teaching dance to different age groups, such as babies, toddlers, junior or seniors all makes a big difference too – so this article gives some considerations and techniques you can use.

Besides dance workshops, consider yoga and pilates classes to enhance your own physical awareness. A good foundation would be to expand knowledge about anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and nutrition which will further enrich your teaching. Be open to exploring some pedagogy or psychology classes and courses to absorb emotional aspects of learning for an inclusive teaching environment.

5.   Improve Communication Skills

In continuation of the previous point, by attending classes you should develop effective communication, and that is the key to successful teaching. Enrolling in communication classes could be on your list to educate yourself and equip you with valuable techniques.

It is a common thing that dance teachers use “dancer language” when counting, pointing and making cues on music beats. If you have been dancing for a while, you probably know what we are talking about. The “5, 6, 7, and Boom, Ka, Ti Ki Ti Ki, Ta! Hey!” is unique jargon that involves counting and cueing with movements to the beat of the music.

This language expression is an essential tool for stimulating and evoking wanted emotional responses, and you don’t have to change that. But, if you want to build up your dance language you can always further enhance your communication by mapping these cues to their corresponding musical beats, meaning, renaming the “Boom” with the belonging number. This approach proves especially useful when working with children and beginners using simple music samples. When music and choreography catch a higher level or greater speed, usually there is a need to use the “Dance language” to express these accents.

Also, musicality classes will be of great help in your understanding the music, its application in dance, and transferring knowledge. Actively listen to your students and give space for student’s questions and concerns. This is how you will build authority and how to be loud without being loud.

6.   Create a Positive Environment

Design a welcoming atmosphere in your dance studio, and encourage a supportive community that inspires growth. Build trust with your students and their families by providing them the opportunity to ask questions, propose ideas and assist in the operations of your dance studio, such as costumes, transport or even sponsorships and donations.

This collaborative approach can lighten your and your colleague’s load and strengthen your dance community. You wouldn’t believe how much dancers moms and dads love to be involved in helping around and supporting. Your dance community can have only benefits of this kind of functioning because it fosters a sense of belonging and growth.

Furthermore, implementing constructive feedback mechanisms not only backs student progress but also empowers them to take an active role in their own learning journey. Incorporate engaging games and activities into your classes that encourage students to give and receive feedback constructively and provide each other support in order to progress.

Important notice, patience is crucial when working with children. Younger teachers are usually more strict and set high expectations due to their inexperience. Often, they are not aware of how long it takes to get to the final result while honing the technique. Setting a high bar can motivate kids to achieve more and progress faster, but it is important to strike a balance to prevent burnout and not result in the opposite effect of giving up.

Fostering a supportive community that thrives in collaboration and respect will contribute to a positive environment that nurtures growth and achievement.

7.   Focus on Students Technique and Encourage Self-expression

As a teacher, your role is to enable your students to unlock their full potential. Strong technical foundations are crucial when dancers build their skills. Dedicate time to teach proper technique, alignment, posture and precision.

A solid technical base will help your students not only to progress but also to prevent injuries that will ensure their longevity in dance. Dance is a powerful form of self-expression, and it is vital to encourage your students to cultivate their creativity and uniqueness.

While respecting the fundamentals of the dance styles they are learning or gravitating to, provide them opportunities for personal expression.

Encourage them to infuse individuality into their movements and allow them to develop a sense of ownership over their dance journey. This blend of technique and self-expression is the essence of a dancer’s artistic growth. You are not only shaping the proficient dancers but also nurturing the artists in them where they discover their unique stories and voices as dancers.

8.   The Vital Link: Technique and Injury Prevention in Dance

Emphasizing the profound connection between technique and injury prevention is a significant aspect and your responsibility in your dance teaching. It is your job to instill a deep understanding of how proper technique acts as a protective shield for dancer’s bodies.

React fast when dancers expose themselves to the risk of injury by flawed technique. Improper posture or overexertion can strain muscles, ligaments and tendons leading to chronic injuries. Fractures and injuries are sadly too common in the dance world. Stress fractures, sprains, and strains are all too common in the world of dance when proper technique is neglected.

A big part of teaching should contain communicating how to distribute forces evenly throughout their bodies so they can move efficiently. This minimizes the strains on vulnerable areas, such as ankles, knees, and back. By implementing a workout that is concentrated on muscle balance and strength you will raise healthy and strong dancers. Teach about engaging in proactive self-care routines like stretching, conditioning, and rest to build their resilience. Empower students to dance safely to ensure their long and joyful careers in the art of movement.

By adequate teaching, you’re not only enhancing their ability to progress but also safeguarding their physical well-being.

9.   Install Your Own Flavor

To make potentially “boring” parts of the class, such as exercising and technique drills, more interesting, you can introduce your students to games and goal-oriented activities. Also, a controlled dose of competition is always welcome and can motivate students while making learning fun. Infuse unique teaching styles into your classes to differentiate the classes from other dance schools, especially when teaching more traditional dances like ballet or folk dances. You can still adhere to the traditional ways of teaching while finding innovations to make your classes enjoyable and engaging. Here are some examples:

• Try to integrate a story not only into the choreography but in classes which will be followed by the structure of your training.
• Be updated on trends! The dance world evolves constantly. Stay informed about current dance trends, music, and choreography to keep your teaching fresh and appealing to your students. That is how you can inspire your students effectively.
• Change every few months, or every year, your teaching styles by adding something new that you learned while educating yourself.

10.  Simplify Your Life: Automate and Delegate for a Healthier You

Happy leaders – happy followers, means healthy and unburdened teacher who have grateful and successful students. This one will help prevent you from burnout and preserve your own health. It is very important to rationalize your capacity and responsibilities.

One effective way is by automating various aspects of your dance business. This includes preparing template messages, such as notices for parents regarding costumes, rehearsal schedules, and final performances. Automation relieves the administrative burden, giving you more time to focus on your primary role as a dance teacher and guaranteeing better time management.

Moreover, kids love to work! It is not child labor, and there will be no problems if you give some of your tasks to your children. They can help with tasks like rearranging chairs or preparing the dance studio for the upcoming class. Younger students can even help by maintaining attendance lists. You can have your studio running like a successful company in which everybody participates and are an important part of the studio.

Involving your students in the running of the studio can be both educational and helpful while instilling a sense of responsibility and teamwork.

As we already mentioned, friends and families are often willing to contribute their time and support to take on some of your tasks. Sometimes is hard to delegate but when you master this it will take your coaching to the next level that is beneficial for everyone. This collaborative approach will allow you to focus on what you do best – teaching dance.

In Summary:

Remember that dedication and continuous learning are your most valuable assets. Mastering your craft is an ongoing process and you should never stop improving your skills. Cultivate a unique repertoire that sets you apart as a teacher and brings only benefits to your diverse student’s needs.

As a dance teacher, you have the power to inspire and shape the next generation of dancers.

Embrace this fulfilling journey and stay committed to your growth. Your impact on student’s lives will be immeasurable, and the joy of witnessing their progress will be one of the most rewarding things of your dance teaching.

We hope you enjoyed our tips for new dance teachers. We wish you the very best of luck and would love to hear about your experiences.

• About the Author
• Latest Posts

Vanesa has been immersed in the world of dance since the age of 8. Her journey began with ballet, eventually leading her to explore modern, urban and street dance styles. She infuses contemporary dance with dynamic movement by incorporating capoeira and parkour that she has been practicing for more than 3 years. It’s worth mentioning that salsa dancing for 5 years also contributed to her dance style. Over the last 15 years, she has taken on the roles of dance instructor and educator across various dance studios in Croatia. With an enduring love for merging arts and pushing boundaries, Vanesa continues to experiment and innovate.