How would you go about opening a dance school? What qualifications would you need? Does anyone here own one?

[KatyMac]

Do you go down the medal/teacher training/qualified route or do a degree in dance or qualify as a high school dance teacher?

Are most schools an amalgam of village/church halls or dedicated studios?

Any information would be great thanks

DD's teacher has been running her school for just over five years. She started off in rented halls/community centres etc but recently took out a lease on her own dedicated studio.

She is a PT secondary school teacher during the week (English, not dance) but I think she also has qualifications in teaching dance as well. She does all of the dance teaching in the evenings & at weekends, though I imagine she may eventually give up the day job.

She is amazing - went from a handful of pupils when she started to a really busy dance school - I'd guess she has at least 150 pupils now. Most of them have come to the school via word of mouth - it was recommended to us by a friend & we have since recommended it to several other people. I think the best thing about her is that she is really organised & conscientious, and she obviously takes it all really seriously, but she remembers too that it is supposed to be fun!

Good luck - hope it goes well.

Thanks H&H but it's not for me; how old is she (sorry to be rude)

DD's dance teacher went through RAD and competed and danced herself, before opening her own school when she was about 22. She adjudicates for high level festivals and is qualified to enter pupils for a range of exams, including RAD and ISTD. She is also an examiner. She has a combination of studios and halls for lessons and loads of teachers. I think she has about 500 pupils.

Oh ... she's 46 now

Thanks HSMM - DD has had a change of plan

She isn't sure she wants to do that whole auditioning thing & she says she wants to be a teacher

So (as normal) I am researching to see the best way to go

Not sure how old she is - I would guess late twenties/early thirties.

Thanks

So it is achievable reasonably young

Yes. It's worth mentioning that dd's teacher has had a huge amount of family support in getting her business off the ground, and I think this has made a great difference. Sounds like your dd will have good support from you too - good luck to her!

Support/interference.....who knows?

The commonest route in is to become an assistant teacher for somebody nearing retirement age .....