How to Start a Dance School
If you have a love of music and dancing, you might consider making a career out of it by opening your own dance school. Running a dance school will give you the opportunity to teach either one-on-one or group classes, do something that you love every day, and enjoy a stable income to support your family.
- Complete your training. Most dance studio owners are professionally trained in one or more types of dance or gymnastics. If you have been training in dance all of your life, feel free to skip this step. If you are an aspiring dancer, however, it is prudent to complete some training with an accomplished mentor.
- Learn about any licensing requirements in your state. You will likely need to obtain a business license and a federal tax ID number. Contact your city hall to get started on your licensing applications.
- Find a studio. You will need a spacious, open studio with a lot of light and hardwood floors. Consider the location of any potential studio. It should be located in a community setting to allow both adult and child students easy access to your classes.
- Outfit your studio with the proper equipment, including floor to ceiling mirrors, dance bars and sound equipment. You might consider stocking and selling dancewear and shoes as a means to make some extra income.
- Market yourself. You might consider offering free trial or introductory classes to students of all ages. This can help spread your name throughout the community and get people interested in taking classes at your dance school. Offer referral discounts to any students who refer new students to your school. Run advertisements in your local paper and consider hanging flyers in schools, daycares and recreational clubs.
- Hire assistants and teachers as necessary. If your student body grows so much that you feel the need to offer additional classes, you will need to hire extra teachers and assistants to help lead the classes. Thoroughly screen and interview each candidate, as they will become a representative of your dance school.