r/DanceTeachers

I’m looking for songs for this upcoming season and I’m stuck finding the same songs over and over again. Does anyone have recommendations for a:

Junior/teen lyrical large group
Mini jazz routine with a strong theme

Please let me know if you have any ideas!!!

Hi! I’m a ballet teacher. I currently teach an Intermediate Foundation (RAD) class at my studio. This class is a combination of 12-14yrs who have done the traditional RAD route, late starting adults, and experienced adults.

Because of the varying stages about 6 of 8 of the students have started pointe within the last 2 years. We have one last starting adult in this class whose goal is to get onto pointe soon.

Myself and the studio director have explained that this may be a long process considering she has only been dancing regularly for a little over a year. She lacks a lot of the foundations for ballet (turn out, strength to hold posture, balance etc).

She came to me this week asking what specifically we are looking at to give the go ahead. I told her it was nothing specific but more of a holistic overview of technique, strength, alignment etc. I told her I’ll have a proper think about it and give her a better answer. She said she’s feeling really discouraged being behind everyone else (as in not being on pointe)

I’m struggling to find the words to explain this to her that a lot of foundations come before getting into pointe work, and not being on pointe doesn’t make her behind (for example if she was doing grade 6, which is more or less the equivalent to IF, she wouldn’t be on pointe anyway).

I’d love any advice to help encourage this dancer but also give her meaningful advice and expectation.

TIA!

Hi dance teachers!! I feel like I’m in such a music rut & everything I find on Spotify is just the same songs in every playlist. What’re your go to websites/playlists/apps to find different, non overused music ??? TIA :)

So I have been teaching dance for about two years now. In the past I have mostly taught younger ballet/tap classes that my studio has set lesson plans and playlists for, but now that I have been teaching for a while, I am starting to teach more advanced classes that come with a lot less pre-built structure. I haven't had any trouble coming up with lesson plans, but what has been really hard is finding music to use for my classes. I really need a good warm-up song that I can use so that I can start my classes off strong. I am looking for a song that is really long (5mins+) and easy to count. It can be any genere of music, as long as it fits the other two criteria. I haven't had much luck so far, so any and all suggestions would be appreciated!

I’m looking for some recommendations on perhaps how you organize yourself as a dance teacher. I have several classes this coming year and summer camps. Where do you store/write/brainstorm lesson plans ? I’m looking for an application of some sort because I want to use my iPad for lesson plans so I can edit it, opposed to keeping all my notes in a notebook. Anything helps, thanks!

Hi! I’m starting my list of competition routine choreography ideas (I’m a dance instructor + choreographer) for the fall now that my current season has ended. I really want to do “I Hope I Get It” from A Chorus Line for a large teen group. However my question is, do I have to include the original iconic choreography from the musical, or am I allowed to just have it be completely original choreo that’s mine? I plan on cutting the music myself, not purchasing someone else’s mixes as well for reference.

I know it’s kind of a silly question but I want to make sure I don’t accidentally disrespect the original choreographers, especially if it’s a competition piece that’ll be performed many times! Thank you thank you!

I live in a fairly small but pretty famous town in Mexico called Sayulita. I'm a dancer and took dance for about 3 years of my life. I've always had an appt for dancing and came to me very naturally. Over the years so many people have been telling me to teach classes. And finally after so many years I started. My two dance classes were this week and only two people showed up one day and no one showed the second....... Should I stay consistent or am I doing something wrong?

My friend said the instructor Yvonne is better than Sophia, is it true?

hi fellow teachers! The studio I’m currently working at is having a hard time getting new students in the door for our competition team and just in general for some camps and classes. They actively promote on their socials and local groups but I wanted insight from the people of Reddit what can I do as a teacher to help? I used to work at a huge studio but then they closed down due to the owner conning parents This studio is so different its inclusive of all abilities and it feels like a home and I would hate for them to shut down. We just finished a very successful competition season (my first ever) and i helped transform kids who had never danced before to become overall place holders (I’m very proud of my kiddos🥹) but i dont know what’s missing for us to get people in

I like to dance and I know I am a good dancer. I wouldn’t really want to be part of a group, I would rather be the one in control and choreographing everything and being centre stage.

We are seeking an experienced Rehearsal Director to lead and elevate the artistic vision of our ballet program in a small school in the south. This person should have a strong background in classical ballet, along with exceptional creativity, choreography, and production experience. They will oversee the overall artistic direction of performances, create engaging and inspiring choreography, mentor faculty, develop dancers at every level, and help build a cohesive, high quality ballet program. We are looking for a collaborative leader with excellent communication skills, a passion for teaching, and the ability to create memorable productions while maintaining strong technique and artistic excellence. Most importantly, we want someone who is excited to invest in our students, contribute to our studio culture, and help shape the future of our program for years to come. Please send email and/or resume to Balletteachersearch26@gmail.com for more info

Hello everyone,
The studio I work for receives quite a few children that are on the autism spectrum. I particularly have a student who has level 2 autism (which I have no idea what that entails) in all the summer camps this season which are 3 days a week.

We particularly struggle with getting him to do anything that is not choreography because he says it hurts him or he intentionally falls to the ground. He has melt downs sometimes when something doesn’t go his way. I try to be patient and gentle but firm on what we are doing or what I want him to work on. This is our fourth week of camps and I am feeling like I don’t really know how to help him. He usually has aides with him which helps sometimes when he is having a hard time in class.

I talked to the studio owner to see if we can get some sort of training or support for children on the spectrum. Has anyone done any trainings, workshops or know of any resources that I can pass along to our studio? I really want to be a better teacher and help them through class. I appreciate your input in advance!

Hey Everyone,

Trying to name a new platform for dance teachers and studios.
The idea is simple:
Teachers can find teaching work.
Studios can find teachers.
Teachers can pick up cover classes.
Studios can quickly fill classes when someone pulls out.
Think Barcats, but for dance.
I’m looking for a name that sounds natural in conversation, like:
“I got my class covered on ____.”
“I found a teaching job on ____.”
.
What names come to mind?