Dance teachers work with individuals and groups of all ages, and in a range of settings, including private dance schools, community centres, state and independent schools, and colleges.

In primary schools, dance is usually taught by the class teacher. In secondary schools dance teachers usually teach other subjects such as drama, performing arts or physical education as well as dance.

Outside the state school system, dance teaching may involve:

• training prospective performers
• teaching those who wish to become specialist dance teachers
• teaching dance as a form of recreation.

Dance teachers teach many different forms of dance, such as ballet, contemporary dance, tap, modern and ballroom. They need to be able to choreograph dances for their pupils, and, depending on the job, may also need to know about aspects such as the history of dance, dance notation, and anatomy and physiology.

Hours and Environment

As a teacher in private dance schools, you are likely to have classes during the day and in the evening. You will work school hours if you are employed in a state school. However, you are also likely to have some evening commitments. In both types of setting you may work weekends when taking classes or putting on performances. 

Your working environment can vary and may include classrooms, halls and dance studios. Facilities can be basic in some venues.

Skills and Interests

As a dance teacher, you need:

• good practical ability in dance and music
• an understanding of health and safety to prevent injury
• patience and good communication skills
• the ability to support and encourage others to succeed
• the ability to control groups of pupils
• business skills, if self-employed.

Entry

To become a dance teacher the qualifications you need depend on the type of teaching you want to do.

State Schools 
To teach in a state school you must have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), or in Scotland be registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS). For more information see the Teacher profiles and Training and Development Agency for Schools,  Scottish Executive Education Department and Department of Education Northern Ireland.

You do not need a teaching qualification to teach in an independent school, but your career prospects will be limited if you do not have QTS, as you will not be able to apply for jobs in state schools.

Private Teaching
Most dance teachers in the private sector are qualified to teach a particular kind of dance, such as ballet or modern dance. To qualify, you will need a high standard of personal performance and a teaching qualification from one of the recognised associations, such as the Royal Academy of Dance or the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. This will mean that you can be registered with the association and enter students for the examinations they offer.

Recognised associations are members of the Council for Dance Education and Training (CDET). If you are registered with one of these associations your details can be listed in the CDET UK Directory of Registered Dance Teachers and the online UK Database of Dance Teachers.

The Royal Academy of Dance runs a range of dance teaching diplomas and degrees by distance learning, and also a Postgraduate Certificate in Education in Dance Teaching (PGCE DT) that leads to QTS. See Further Information for contact details.

Some private dance teachers move into teaching after a career in performance.

See the Dancer profile and the websites of CDET and the National Dance Teachers' Association for information on careers, qualifications and training in dance.

Training

As a dance teacher in a primary or secondary school or a college you can join the National Dance Teachers Association (NDTA), which provides:

• in-service training
• continuing professional development opportunities (CPD)
• networking opportunities
• teaching resources.

See Further Information below for contact details for the NDTA.

If you are interested in making the arts more accessible to people with disabilities you could become involved in leading or assisting in workshops run by Shape UK. You can do this either freelance or as a volunteer, depending on your experience. Visit the Shape UK website (in Further Information) for details.

Opportunities

Dance teachers are employed in state schools across the country, as well as independent dance schools and studios. Most private dance teachers are self-employed, either teaching classes in places like leisure or community centres, or running small dance schools. There are opportunities in the specialist areas of disability dance and multicultural dance, such as Caribbean.

You could move from teaching into a related area such as choreography or dance therapy. See Choreographer and Dance Movement Therapist profiles for information on these careers.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guide only.

Dance teachers' salaries vary according to the size and type of the dance school. Many dance teachers are self-employed, running their own business or working freelance for several different schools.

Full-time teachers in state schools earn between £19,641 and £28,707 (£23,577 to £32,820 in inner London).

Further information

LVS Resource Centre
356 Holloway Road
London
N7 6PA
Tel: 020 7619 6160
Minicom: 020 7619 6161 36 Battersea Square
London
SW11 3RA
Tel: 020 7326 8000 PO Box 4099
Lichfield
WS13 6WX
Tel: 01543 308618 Old Brewer's Yard
17-19 Neal Street
Covent Garden
London
WC2H 9UY
Tel: 020 7240 5703