How to Take the Plunge and  Become a Qualified Dance Teacher

by Michael Sandham

I remember a time in my mid 20’s when I had a full-time job, competed in professional competitions and taught three nights a week.

My job was as a Credit Manager in a large American industrial company in Manchester, 4 1/2 day week, six weeks holiday per year and a substantial salary. My wife and dance partner, Marie, made dance dresses for local competitors.

Of course, this sort of lifestyle took its toll on us. We would finish work at lunchtime on Friday’s, perhaps fly to Europe, compete in the competition or demonstrate, return back on Sunday then back to work on Monday. Our weekly schedule would be to practice Monday night, teach Tuesday night, practice Wednesday night, teach Thursday night, practice Friday, lessons on Saturday, and compete on Sunday. All mixed in with a full-time job. At times it could be exhausting even though we loved every minute of our lifestyle.

One Saturday night, we left home and drove to a local dance studio to perform a ballroom demonstration. The studio was owned by one of our friends, Jackie Sanderson, a well-known dance teacher who now has an unbelievable business and is president of the UKA.

We did the show, and at the end, we stayed behind and chatted with Jackie. We talked about what we’ve been doing the previous week, and Jackie said, “why not give up your jobs, you’ll earn much more money, and you will be doing something that you love to do” of course, we answered with our usual excuses. We couldn’t afford to lose income, we need the security of our jobs, we didn’t have our own premises and had a mortgage to pay.

Over the next few weeks, Marie and I thought about what Jackie had said and discussed the options. Could we risk a comfortable lifestyle, sports car, company pension scheme and security of a regular income to dance and teach full-time? Yes, was the answer; it was time to take the plunge.

Jackie was right; we soon replaced the income from our jobs and had more time to practice, have lessons during the day, and prepare more for competitions. Now we had the time to teach every night and gradually built up an excellent social and competitive business. It was the best thing we ever did; it took somebody from outside to give us the push to take the leap and commit fully to becoming professional dancers and teachers.

Your circumstances may not be the same as ours, but my advice is if you have a professional approach to teaching and some business sense, you can make a great success and get great rewards from becoming a full-time teacher. Don’t let the fear of the unknown stop you. Yes, at present, it is not the best time to give up your job during a pandemic, but it will come to an end and what better time to plan and develop your skills.

From my experience, everybody’s dance business is slightly different; you have to use your skills to develop a business that reflects your talents and personality. Premises of your own are not essential as there are many halls to hire at reasonable rates.

I’m not saying tomorrow hand your notice in at work and start teaching full time without the preparation necessary. Build up your business in the evenings, start with one night, then two, then three nights and perhaps Saturday. It is hard going while working, but it’s the only way to start. You need to gain experience in running a business just as much as you need to teach dance.

My strategy has always been to build on pillars, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Have a children’s section, perhaps some adult dance and fitness, develop some private tuition, maybe have a competition team and teach as many dance styles as you can.

The more pillars you build your business on, the more insurance you have against business failure. If the children’s class is not doing well, you can rely on your adults and vice versa. If your private lessons are quiet, your classes may be busy. Another strategy is to teach different days in different areas to increase the number of potential customers.

Continue with your professional development, take exams with a recognised dance association, work your way up to fellowship level and possibly become an Examiner. Take every opportunity to gain more knowledge by having lessons, attending lectures, reading books, and researching the internet. For more information www.IDTA.co.uk.

Yes, it will be hard work as a full-time dance teacher, but I know from my experience working in a “normal” job it’s much more fulfilling doing a job that you love. Plan well, prepare and join the thousands of full-time dance teachers who go to work and come home with a smile on their face.

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