How to Be a Ballet Teacher

After dancing for years, many ballet dancers may want to reconnect with dance and become teachers. Even if you’re still on the journey of becoming a professional ballet dancer, you may choose to take on ballet teaching jobs for extra money, and to spend more time dancing. 
If you’re interested in becoming a ballet teacher, here are a few steps that you can take to land your teaching gigs.

How to Be a Ballet Teacher

Getting Your First Ballet Teaching Jobs

1. Tap your network. You’ll never get your first teaching job unless you express some interest. Reach out to your schools and past instructors and teachers you know. Ask if they need subs or if they have entry-level ballet classes that you can teach.
2. Cold Calling. It may seem intimidating at first, but cold-calling local schools can be a great way to learn about any job openings. It will also help you expand your teacher and school network.
3. Leverage Social Media. Use your facebook and Instagram accounts to get the word out that you’re currently teaching, offering private lessons, etc. It’s a great way to showcase your work in dance, and leverage it into teaching gigs.

Teaching Your First Ballet Class

1. Plan ahead. You may feel a bit of pressure planning your first class. We recommend planning out every combination, and then evaluating how the students performed after class. This will help you gauge if your class was too advanced or where the students would need the most work. You can then make adjustments for the next class, or provide your notes to the main teacher.
2. Pace yourself. Remember, classes don’t last forever. You’ll want to make sure that when you plan your class you provide time for you to help your students make corrections, or you limit the feedback you give students.
3. Be Patient. Teaching can be frustrating. Remember to be patient with your students but most of all yourself. If you’re just learning to teach ballet, you’re going to make mistakes and you’ll want to be forgiving and learn.
4. Pass it On. Teaching is an opportunity to provide students with lessons and the experiences you had from your favorite teachers. Take the best moments you had and provide them to your students to create an unforgettable experience.

Many dancers aspire to prolong their engagement with ballet, with some viewing a career as a professional dancer as a stepping stone toward becoming a ballet teacher. If you’re contemplating the path to becoming a ballet teacher, consider incorporating focused movements and barre exercises into your routine. For those looking to enhance their skills and earn certification, you can explore comprehensive programs available at https://www.americansportandfitness.com/products/barre-certification. Don’t forget to share your insights or seek advice in the comments below for fellow dancers aspiring to make the transition to teaching.