TOP TEN GIFTS FOR A DANCE TEACHER

With Christmas almost upon us I thought it timely to do a top ten list of gifts for a dance teacher. Feel free to add any items you may have in your wishlist in the comments.

1. A subscription to a dance magazine such as Dance Teacher available at www.dance-teacher.com, Dance Studio Life at www.rheegold.com, Dancing Times at www.dancing-times.co.uk or Dance Train at www.dancetrain.com.au
2. A book to curl up and read with. Mao’s Last Dancer by Li Cunxin, Steps in Time: An Autobiography by Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly: A Life of Dance and Dreams by Alvin Yudkoff all found at amazon.com
3.  An IPOD. Need I say more?
4.  An iTunes gift voucher. Definitely need this if you have an IPOD.
5. A gift voucher for a dancewear store such as Bloch’s, Capezio, Sansha or one of the many stores that sell dance goods.
6. Tickets to a live show. There’s nothing better than watching a Broadway show or your favourite dance company.
7. Dance classes – Broadway Dance Centre (www.broadwaydancecenter.com) in New York, Pineapple Dance Studios (www.pineapple.uk.com) in London and Dance 101 (www.dance101.com.au) in Melbourne all have gift vouchers available for purchase. Check with your local dance centre for information.
8. A massage for those aching legs and feet!
9. A photobook. These are created easily online and make a thoughtful personal gift. A photobook makes a great gift from a class of students.
10. A beautiful dance poster can really transform a workspace of home. Available from the many poster websites that can be found online.

What do you think?

Merry Christmas and I hope Santa is kind to you this year.

TDT

DANCE ASSISTANTS

My first two years of teaching I taught completely by myself. Although this is a perfectly reasonable thing to do, once you have had an assistant in class you will never want to go back.

Assistant teachers are usually, but not always, students at the dance studio. Assistants typically help with supervising bathroom visits, handing out newsletters, props and stickers, demonstrating exercises and choreography, assist in changing student’s shoes, taking the roll, starting & stopping music and lining up dancers. During recitals or concerts assistants can line up the dancers and give a little TLC to anxious dancers.

How do you choose your assistants?
Some teachers recruit straight out of class based on the student’s qualities and skills. I have heard of prospective candidates being asked to write an essay on why they would make a good assistant. Students may be chosen based on their attendance and dedication to dance. The best dancers don’t necessarily make the best assistants. Do try to choose someone with a liberal dose of common sense – it goes a long way in the classroom. A love of being with young children also helps. A few requirements that will assist in making the best choice are asking the students to sign an assistant’s contract, completing a trial period and undertaking training by the studio.

Training
Assistants should attend a meeting at which duties and responsibilities are discussed. A group meeting before every class, explaining what will happen in the lesson and what will be required of the assistants is useful. That way, you're not expecting them to jump in and guess what's going on. Make an effort to explain what you expect the assistant to do as each lesson progresses. New assistants can be very apprehensive and things an experienced teacher does automatically must be explained-for example, standing at the front of the room and mirroring the students' movements. When I leave the room, I always say, 'The following things must be done...,'. With time, good assistants should be able to offer assistance to a struggling child without being prompted by the teacher. But until then, training is an ongoing process.

At the studio, requirements can include conforming to the school's dress code, helping with vacuuming and other chores and following rules of proper etiquette: smiling, keeping a positive attitude, being polite and respectful to parents, and never arguing with an instructor.

To pay or not to pay
Many studios do not pay their assistants but reward them in some other manner. This may be in the form of lessons, costume deductions or free merchandise. Payment in monetary terms is usually minimal or even as much as a McDonalds pay scheme. I have used a monetary pay system and the alternative system of discounting their dance fees. Both systems have worked well. There are, of course, other benefits to assisting: it looks good on a resume, they learn the discipline of holding down a job and they learn first hand the trials and tribulations of dance teaching.

A good dance assistant is really worth the investment in training them well. The benefit for the studio is that they will understand the aims of not only the studio but the senior teacher as well. Hopefully the outcome will be that you get through more material in class and therefore the benefits roll over to the younger students.

Good Luck!

TDT

SO YOU WANT TO BE A DANCE STUDIO OWNER: 5

MARKETING
You have found your dream location, come up with a great timetable of classes and have all the legal requirements in place. Now you just need those students to walk through the door. But how do you attract customers to your business?
There are several forms of advertising you can undertake to draw students to your studio. Past experience has told me that you should employ a variety of advertising. These need not be expensive but should encompass several types of media. You may like to consider the following:

PRINT MEDIA
Local newspapers – sometimes these run featured advertising features for dance schools and you may get a good deal if you enquire.
Specialised child/parent magazines – such as Sydney’s Child etc
Yellow Pages – can be expensive but is a good resource for any parent looking for a local dance studio.
FLYERS/BROCHURES
Flyers – these can be distributed through schools, pre-schools, at carnivals/festivals (with permission, of course)
Business cards – hand these out to as many people as possible
Community noticeboards – put one of your brochures on a board
INTERNET
Online directories – Yahoo! Local and other business directories
Social networking – MySpace, Facebook, Twitter
Studio website – if you have one designed by a professional, this can be expensive. However, there are free website alternatives that you build yourself from provided templates.
WORD OF MOUTH
This is the best and cheapest form of advertising. You can provide incentives for existing students that bring in new business. Everyone likes a recommendation about a new product or service and recommendation about dance studios are no exception. Mothers talk!
PRESS RELEASES
Learn how to write a press release and include a good picture. If they accept jpeg files, find out how many pixels they need to be.
TV/RADIO ADVERTISING
These are very effective but very expensive. You may want to consider these only when you are well established or have plenty of spare cash.

You will, at some stage, need to develop a logo for your studio and carry this through on all your advertising, letterhead and anywhere you have your name. Other types of advertising are magnetic car signs (these are great because these can be removed and are not too expensive), community involvement – have your students perform at local events and outdoor advertising (a sign on your front fence or other prominent place is a form of free advertising). Whatever type of advertising you decide on just make sure you keep your name out there. Remember, if the public don’t know about you they will not come.

Good luck!

TDT

MAKE A MOVE INTO TEACHING

The Age (Australia)
Saturday January 19, 2008
Yvonne Nicolas
CHANNEL Seven's Dancing with the Stars program has ignited greater interest in careers for dance teachers. According to Bianca Tonizzo, dance instructor from Ooh La La Dance (Cambridge College), Dancing with the Stars has re-educated people about ballroom dancing.
"Most people's perception of ballroom dancing is wrong. They think it is only slow line dancing for the older generation but quite clearly this is not the case. It is very energetic - a great way to lose weight, have fun and meet people."
Located above Melbourne Central, the dance school teaches a range of people from the corporate sector to university students. Ballarat and Clarendon College also incorporates dance in its curriculum. An open-entry school, there is strong demand for places from local, national and overseas applicants. It teaches dance from primary school level up to and including VCE Dance.
Performing arts head Steven Belcher, says the college attracts students who are serious about pursuing pathways in the performing arts, dance, drama, classical or contemporary music.
"We cater to student interests and skill levels and include both contemporary and classical styles. Students develop their understanding and appreciation of dance as an art form that includes training in technical and physical skills.
"They are taught to build a personal movement vocabulary encompassing a diverse range of body actions - perform choreographed dances in a range of styles and employ choreographic and analytical principles to create and perform their own dance works."
To teach dance at schools in Victoria, teachers need to have a Victorian Institute of Teaching registration. "However, there are many fine dance instructors without that classification having completed certificate courses, diplomas or bachelor degrees in dance who have much to pass onto the next generation of dancers," Mr Belcher says.
He says dance instructors need to be good at their craft, know their subject matter and be able to demonstrate, communicate and inspire. "They challenge their students and make learning fun while using appropriate teaching methods that include use of clear learning goals, accurate monitoring and assessment. And, they give continuous feedback."
A dance teacher must have passion for dance as well as knowledge, adds Ms Tonizzo. "They need passion to teach and to be able to make things simple so people can understand - in particular when teaching at an individual level to provide students with the necessary support."
She says once they have qualified to teach dance they can perform for events, open their own dance studio or even work on shows such as Dancing with the Stars. "Or they can choreograph musicals, provide artistic direction, or co-ordinate events in addition to teaching dance," Mr Belcher says.
Mr Belcher says dance has a strong following among all ages and both sexes.
Teachers at Ooh La La Dance provide lessons in ballet, hip-hop, funk, street Latin, tango, dance sport, social ballroom and Latin. Ms Tonizzo says people enrol to learn to dance "but they also attend to improve their confidence".
According to Mr Belcher, earnings depend on the number of years spent teaching. "However, we are in the process of instituting a system whereby professional teachers are recognised beyond the number of years teaching." -- YVONNE NICOLAS

CHOREOGRAPHING A MUSICAL

Teaching is great, but let's face it sometimes it just doesn't pay enough. If you've ever had to earn just a little more to pay the bills or save for that rainy day then consider choreographing a musical for an amateur musical association or semi-professional production. This is a great way to earn a little extra money or get your name known in the community.

• Read the script
• Break the dances down into scenes and know what is happening in those scenes
• Does the dance further the storyline? If so, your choreography will need to reflect this.
• Know the music. What does the mood of the music tell you? What are the lyrics suggesting?
• Remember you may have to move large numbers of people around the stage.
• In an amateur production you will be working with many levels of dance ability - be patient!
• Make sure you find out what the set will look like before you start choreographing. Otherwise you may find yourself having to change choreography to accommodate the chorus who are now standing on stairs in this scene.
• Less can be more. Don't make your choreography too busy. This can be really tricky for those who are not used to singing and dancing at the same time.
• Have a good sense of humour. As opening night draws closer at an alarming speed tempers can fray. Smile and don't take anything personally.
• You may need to do research e.g. a period of time, a culture etc and reflect this in the choreography
• I find it helps to work out the structure of the song e.g. verse, chorus, middle eight, chorus etc
• Know the principal roles and keep in mind what they supposed to be doing during the musical number

Give it a go. It can be loads of fun and you'll make new friends.

Break a leg!

TDT

SO YOU WANT TO BE A DANCE STUDIO OWNER: 4

Before you start your business there are some legal requirements that you will need to look at and take action on. I have listed some that immediately came to mind. There will be others so make sure you get some really good legal and financial advice before jumping in.

REGISTER YOUR BUSINESS NAME
Some websites that may help are listed here:
http://www.business.gov/
http://www.start.biz/business_names/how_to_register.php
http://www.business.gov.au/
You will need to also decide if you are going to operate as a sole trader, partnership or if you are going to incorporate it as a company.

DUTY OF CARE
Can be briefly described as an obligation that a sensible person would have in the circumstances when acting toward others and the public. If the actions of a person are not made with care, attention, caution, and prudence, their actions are considered negligent.

BOOKKEEPING AND TAX REQUIREMENTS
It’s very important to keep accurate records.

PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE, PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY INSURANCE, BUSINESS AND PROPERTY INSURANCE
These are really worth looking at. If you get sued it could wipe you and your business out.

LICENCES & ROYALTIES FOR MUSIC
http://www.ascap.com/index.aspx
http://mpa.org/copyright_resource_center/
http://www.prs.co.uk/
http://www.ppca.com.au/

As I mentioned earlier in this post there are more legal issues but the most important thing is to get good legal advice and a good accountant.

Keep dancin’!

TDT

SO YOU WANT TO BE A DANCE STUDIO OWNER: 3

THE DANCE SPACE

To open your own dance studio you are going to need a space to teach in. Whether you are searching for a premises to rent or are planning to buy your own property there are a few common requirements that will be on your list.

• Floors – these need to be sprung floors. If your search has taken you to church halls to rent you just may be in luck in your search for a wooden sprung floor. Warehouse and retail spaces, however, tend to have concrete floors. Quite often a wooden sprung floor will be a requisite for your public liability insurance. Concrete floors are simply unsafe for dance.
• Well ventilated
• Heating and cooling
• Mirrors – these can cost a small fortune to install
• Barres – at some stage you will require these
• Preferably a clearspan building (without supporting pillars and the like) and free of obstructions of any other kind
• Lots of natural light
• Waiting area for parents
• Change area for students
• Storage space for props and costumes
• Pigeon holes or lockers for students’ belongings
• Sound system
• Front desk and/or office space
• Cupboard in dance room for CDs, syllabi etc
• Property insurance (if you are buying)
• Appropriate number of toilets
  

Obviously if you are going to rent a space that is used by other parties you will need to know that it’s available on the days and times you require it.
Once you have found an abode for your dance school don’t forget there are some legal requirements you will need to attend to before commencing your classes. I will discuss these next time.
Until then,

Keep dancin’!

TDT