Dancing is a pastime that the majority of people enjoy; not only does it combine physical activity with music, but it also allows you to express yourself in creative ways. And while you can always improvise and create moves on your own, it helps to have a foundation before you do that.
This is where dance instructors come into play. More specifically, a freestyle dance teacher can give students basic knowledge that’ll take them far in the future.
Are you now interested in dance education? Then, keep reading. Here’s a thorough guide on what you need to do to make that happen.
Master Freestyle Dance Styles
You can’t become an instructor if you aren’t an expert first. Sure, you might have natural talent, but that can only take you so far. You might manage to get a few students, but they’ll quickly realize you don’t know your stuff, and your career as a freestyle dance teacher will be short-lived.
Avoid this scenario by doing your due diligence. Develop a strong foundation in various freestyle dance styles, such as hip hop, breakdance, popping, locking, and house dance.
You can always read up and search video tutorials online to widen your knowledge. In addition, attend workshops and classes and learn from experienced dancers to enhance your skills.
Get a Formal Dance Education
If you don’t already have one, then get a formal dance education. There’s only so much you can learn on your own, and formal dance education programs can further your knowledge and skills.
Enroll in these dance classes and obtain certifications to deepen your understanding of dance techniques, anatomy, and, most importantly, teaching methods. Just because you know how to dance doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll translate well when dealing with students, so getting a dance teacher certification can be invaluable. Not only does it add credibility to your qualifications, but it also demonstrates a commitment to professional development.
Gain Teaching Experience
No one will want to take lessons from a teacher who doesn’t have professional experience, even if they’re a majorly talented dancer. Again, talent doesn’t automatically equal fantastic teaching skills, so students want to take lessons from someone with a proven track record.
Take a look around your local community and make friends with established dance instructors, or speak to dance schools. You can either assist the former or teach beginner classes at the latter.
Either way, you’ll gain much-needed hands-on experience. This will help you understand different learning styles and, therefore, help you develop your own teaching methods. You’ll be much better equipped to handle any situation thrown your way.
Build a Repertoire
To be good at dancing, you’ll need to have a diverse repertoire of choreography. This will showcase your skills in different freestyle dance styles. This is essential, as it’ll attract students and demonstrate your versatility.
On the other hand, you can specialize in a specific style, although it’ll be riskier. You’ll have a niche, but it’ll be tough work building up a reputation as the best teacher in that freestyle dance style.
Create a Portfolio
After you’ve built a repertoire, it’s best if you document these achievements. That way, you can show them off to potential employers and/or clients.
Develop a portfolio showcasing your dance achievements, teaching experience, and choreography. Include videos of your performances and classes to demonstrate your skills.
Do Plenty of Networking
Now that you have a solid foundation for being a dance instructor, you need to get the word out. After all, how are people going to know that there’s a new teacher on the block if you haven’t said so?
Attend dance events and workshops to network with other professional dancers and potential students. You can join online dance communities, too, as these are far-reaching.
All the above methods will help you build your reputation within the community. Even if you’re not quite ready to take on students yet, people will know of your name, and they can come to you when you open your doors.
Learn Business Skills
If you’re not seeking employment from a dance studio, then you’ll probably run your own studio or offer private lessons. Either way, some business skills are key if you want to remain in the green.
Pick up some basic business skills such as marketing, budgeting, and customer service. While these things definitely aren’t as fun as the performing arts, they’ll give you a much better chance at success.
Build an Online Presence
As we’ve mentioned before, it’s vital that you get as large a reach as possible. Both online and offline networking can only go so far, so you need to take it a step further.
Create a website and/or use social media platforms to showcase your dance style, teaching philosophy, and class offerings. Take advantage of these platforms for marketing and connecting with potential students. Respond to interested parties promptly and remember to use an enthusiastic yet professional tone.
Start Offering Classes
Start teaching classes at local dance studios, community centers, or gyms to gain exposure. With time, word of mouth will earn you a stellar reputation. You can then slowly grow your student base, and before you know it, you’ll have a steady stream of income.
Don’t forget to stay updated on current dance trends. Attend workshops and continue developing your skills to offer fresh and engaging content to your students. They’ll appreciate a teacher who’s passionate and curious about the ever-changing dance world.
Back To School: Two Important Factors to Consider(Opens in a new browser tab)
Become an Expert Freestyle Dance Teacher
Being a freestyle dance teacher can be rewarding. Not to mention, there are various opportunities to teach in a studio or private setting.
So if you’ve always loved freestyle dance and want to make money off of it, this is a great path to take. Just make sure you take the time to expand your knowledge, even if you’re an experienced dancer already. If you put in the hard work, it’ll pay off when you can stand out against your competition.
Keep reading our blog page to learn more about career paths and options.
Discussion about this post