Starting a Studio?!!!

[rebdolan]

I am seriously anticipating starting my own dance studio...although there are a lot of things to consider, I am currently debating whether or not I should be "certified to instruct"? It's not needed, but will parents/students find it valuable? Would anyone recommend any program in particular?

.....and is there any other advice for starting and maintaining a dance studio???

thanks in advance for any suggestions!!! :D :D

[pygmalion]

Hi rebdolan! Welcome to the forums. :D

One question. What kind of studio do you want to start? The answer to your certification question may be different depending on what styles of dance you plan to teach.

[rebdolan]

Sorry about the lack of info......I would want to start a ballet,jazz,tap, lyrical, hip-hop studio. I have much training in all fields, but wonder if I need a piece of paper to prove it.....

[tasche]

If you have the techinque to be able to pass the certification tests then by all means d so. It will help not hinder you. Parents want to know that you wont screw up your kids and are not a "Dolly Dinkle"

[pygmalion]

I'm a ballroom person, so I'm highly in favor of certifications and medals, both for teachers and students. There are other members of this forum from other dance disciplines, such as swing and Argentine tango, where certifications aren't considered to be at all important. I honestly don't know about the jazz/ballet/hip-hop world, although I suspect I'll find out, if I can find it via google.

That said, here's a link for you to check out.

http://www.ndca.org -- National Dance Council of America

NDCA doesn't do certifications itself. It does have several affiliated organizations that certify teachers, and under the information/professional certifications tab is contact information for all these organizations. I chose NDCA to investigate because it covers lots of dance disciplines -- ballet and jazz included. You can at least find information here. And hopefully, another DF member can answer your questions specifically as they apply to your discipline.

[rebdolan]

Thank you for your help. I have checked out ndca.org, and you are right, it is a good source. Thanks again for your time and assistance!!!!!

[pygmalion]

Anytime. :D

I was hoping some people would chime in on tips for starting a studio. There are a couple dance studio owners who are also DF members, I believe. Maybe one of them will pick up this thread and post something. :?

[KevinL]

I was hoping some people would chime in on tips for starting a studio. There are a couple dance studio owners who are also DF members, I believe. Maybe one of them will pick up this thread and post something. :?

I'm not technically a studion owner because (in my opnion), my location wouldn't support a full-time devoted dance studio. Instead I travel to nearby towns and rent space to teach class one night each week. That way each town gets a teacher once a week. Eventually maybe there will be enough interest to support one physical location but I'll have to wait and see.

(Everything I write is my opinion, feel free to disagree.)
The biggest decision when starting any business is if there is a market for your product, or if you can make a market for your product. Where do you live? In a large metropolitan area, or a rural area where you have to travel an hour to the grocery store? The population base of the first location will likely support one or more dance schools/ teachers, while the second will not.

What other dance schools already exist in your area? You list "much training in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical and hip-hop". Are you planning to start a school that will compete with your teachers? How will you "prove" to new clients that you are better than the people who taught you, considering that they will always have more experience?

I would want to start a ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip-hop studio. I have much training in all fields, but wonder if I need a piece of paper to prove it.....

As pygmalion suggested, different people view certifications as either very important or as irrelevant. I lean toward very important, but I don't do the styles you suggest. What do other studios require of their teachers?

(You might want to consider getting a Bachelor's in Dance from a university, there are several with online listings. I've been impressed with what I've seen of the Brigham Young program. Although all I've seen is the online listings, I've never seen one of their students (as far as I know). If I were 17-18 again now and considering college, I would certainly consider attending BYU for the dance program, but when I was that age I had no interest.)

Can you afford to lose money for a few years while your studio is becoming established? If not, start small and build experience so that you can prove your skill and ability before making the huge financial commitment of starting a new business.

Kevin

[rebdolan]

Thanks for the info Kevin. It is greatly appreciated.
I already went to college, although I wasn't a dance major I still kept on dancing. You are right about BYU- we competed against them and they are awesome!!!!
I will definitely look more closely at the "competition" in the area.
Thanks again for your help....
by the way, what type of dance do you instruct???

[KevinL]

Thanks for the info Kevin. It is greatly appreciated. by the way, what type of dance do you instruct???

No problem with the advice, it's why these forums exist.

I teach American Style ballroom, so waltz, foxtrot, tango, rumba and cha cha predominantly. Other local instructors are experts at salsa and lindy, so I don't usually bother with those. I'll teach private lessons if someone asks, but even though I'm a swing dancer at heart I know students would be better served with other instructors and so send them to the local lindy people. I'm a real newbie with salsa and will show basics, but won't teach privates, I know I'm not good enough. (Although new students probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference, I know what I don't know.)

Kevin

[pygmalion]

I don't know if you've decided for or against certification, rebdolan, but, while reading some dance magaines today, I found an organization that does a six-day prep and certification in ballet, jazz, etc. Google Dance Educators of America.

From what I can tell, they don't have a web site (Eeek! :shock: ) But their email is dancedea@aol.com

They do teacher training and certification. There's a workshop in New York in June and one in Las Vegas in July. I'll keep an eye out for other similar organizations. 8)

[pygmalion]

I found these tips for starting a dance studio. Hope this helps.

http://www.dancecorner.com/newclub/index.html