BECOME A
DANCE TEACHER.

Routes into teaching dance

There's no single path. Most working teachers come from one of three backgrounds: professional or competitive dancers who transition to teaching, graduates of formal dance programmes, or self-taught dancers who built up technique through years of classes.

You don't strictly need a qualification — but having one matters for studio jobs, school positions, and credibility with parents.

Certifications worth considering

Style-specific certifications are the most common starting point. Ballet → RAD or ISTD. Ballroom → IDTA or BATD. For street and contemporary, certification is less standardised but workshops from established teachers carry weight. We've broken down which bodies matter, what they cost and when you can skip them entirely in the certification guide.

General dance education degrees add depth on pedagogy, anatomy and choreography — useful for school-based teaching.

Personal training certifications are useful for dance fitness, barre, or similar formats.

What dance teachers actually earn

Studio teachers in major cities typically earn £25–£50 per class hour or $25–$60 in the US, with experienced teachers commanding more. Private one-to-ones go for £40–£100 per hour. School-based teachers on permanent contracts earn comparable salaries to other arts teachers.

Most teachers piece together income from multiple sources — a few studio classes per week, private students, choreography commissions, workshops, occasional performance.

Finding your first teaching jobs

Most studios fill positions through word of mouth and direct enquiry. Showing up at studios you'd like to teach at, taking their classes, and building relationships is the most reliable route in. Social media presence increasingly leads to enquiries from studios looking for fresh talent.

What to put on your CV

Beyond qualifications and training, studios want to see teaching experience (even assistant work), video of you teaching or dancing, and references. Keep your CV short, your reel under three minutes, your enquiry emails personal.