Dance Instructor job description template
If you are hiring for this role, start here. This free template is our detailed definition of the position, with everything you need to find and hire the right person. Copy it, add your own requirements, and post it.
What is a Dance Instructor?
Dance Instructors lead and conduct dance lessons for children and adults and teach various dance styles from beginner to advanced levels.
They help students develop their dancing skills, encourage them to reach their goals and teach proper techniques, posture, and breathing methods.
Dance Instructors collaborate with other professionals to develop and implement dance curriculum and field instructions, monitor students’ progress, provide feedback, and keep track of attendance.
They are also responsible for creating choreographies for performances, competitions, and other events, and developing new dance routines, styles, and steps.
The top Dance Instructor skills.
Five things separate a strong hire from a résumé that reads well. Use these as your scorecard criteria.
The job description, ready to post.
Copy it as written, or edit it until it sounds like your company. Both work.
We are hiring an experienced Dance Instructor to join our team. In this position, your main task will be to lead and conduct dance lessons for students and teach them various dancing styles and techniques. You will help students understand and acquire proper techniques, posture, movements, and breathing methods, encourage them to develop and expand their abilities, monitor their progress, and provide feedback, instructions, and corrections.
Additionally, you will assist in the development and implementation of curriculum and dance activities and plan lessons that meet the specific needs of each student. You will also collaborate with other professionals on creating new routines and steps, as well as choreographies for performances, competitions, and other events.
As a Dance Instructor, you should demonstrate advanced knowledge of various dance techniques and styles, as well as patience, communication, leadership, and creativity.
Duties and responsibilities
- Teach students various dance styles and techniques from beginner to advanced level
- Help students acquire proper technique, posture, movement, and breathing methods
- Assist in the development and implementation of curriculum, classroom coordination, and field instructions
- Develop and execute creative dance activities, skill-building, and discipline
- Monitor students’ progress and provide feedback, instructions, and corrections
- Plan and execute dance lessons that meet the specific needs of each student
- Create and develop choreographies for performances, competitions, and other events
- Develop and implement new dance routines, styles, and steps
- Encourage and motivate students to strengthen their dance skills and reach their goals
- Operate and maintain audio and visual equipment
- Keep track of attendance and maintain accurate records
- Conduct and lead private lessons as required
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in dance or a similar creative field
- Valid certification from an accredited and relevant association or institution
- Previous teaching experience is advantageous
- Advanced knowledge of various dance styles, techniques, and methods
- An energetic, creative, and passionate individual
- Excellent communication skills
- The ability to lead, motivate, and encourage students during lessons
- Good organization
Take the template with you
Copy it straight into your job board or ATS, or have it emailed to you with the interview questions for this role.
Degree first, then the certification.
Many prospective candidates acquire a Bachelor’s degree in dance or a similar creative field.
A Bachelor’s degree provides them with a comprehensive education that includes dance techniques, dance history, choreography, performance, etc.
A Master’s degree in dance is a suitable option for candidates who want to focus on specialized areas of dance, such as dance education or dance therapy.
Also, a Master's degree helps them enhance their overall skills and knowledge and can lead to getting higher-level teaching positions and opportunities in academia.
The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and Dance Masters of America (DMA) provide certifications that can validate candidates’ expertise and teaching abilities.
Registered Teacher Status
Validates expertise in teaching dance and adherence to professional standards.
Royal Academy of DanceCertified Dance Educator
Demonstrates proficiency in dance education and teaching methodologies.
Dance Masters of AmericaSample interview questions for a Dance Instructor.
Once you have gathered the applications, work through these in order. Twelve questions across four areas, enough to tell your shortlist apart.
- Could you tell us about your strongest personality traits?
- When did you become interested in dancing?
- What are your favorite dance styles?
- Have you ever worked as a Dance Instructor before?
- What makes you different and more suitable for this position than other applicants?
- How did you find out we were hiring a Dance Instructor?
- What is your experience with developing dance activities and curricula?
- How do you evaluate students’ progress and performance during lessons?
- How do you approach and motivate struggling students?
- What are the basic techniques and principles of jazz dancing?
- How do you teach correct body alignment and posture to students?
- What are the best methods to help students improve their flexibility?
How much to pay when hiring.
Annual pay by percentile. Where you land depends on the size of the cycle they will own, and the 25th percentile is usually where a first analyst hire sits.
Hourly equivalents run from $11 at the 10th percentile to $34 at the 90th.
Candidates may apply under a different name.
Post the title your industry uses and keep the rest of the description. These three roles overlap enough that the same posting usually reaches all of them.
Three titles, one description.
Search behavior varies by industry, so the same job is advertised under several names. If you are unsure which one your candidates search for, run two titles and see which fills.
Yoga Instructor
A yoga instructor is a licensed yoga teacher who leads meditation and yoga postures workshops for groups of individuals.
$65,060 medianChoreographer
Frequently asked questions.
What do Dance Instructors do?
Dance Instructors are professionals who teach students various dance styles and techniques.
They evaluate their performance, provide feedback and corrections, and motivate them to achieve their goals.
Dance Instructors also develop dance activities and curricula, implement new routines and steps, and create choreographies for performances and competitions.
Where do Dance Instructors work?
Dance Instructors can work in many different environments and settings, such as dance studios, performing art schools, colleges, and universities, fitness and wellness centers, professional dance companies, etc.
What are the essential skills for Dance Instructors?
Dance Instructors must have outstanding technical skills and proficiency in various dance styles and techniques, as well as excellent communication, patience, creativity, and leadership.
Who do Dance Instructors report to?
Depending on their workplace, Dance Instructors may report to different superiors.
For example, they can report to the Studio Owner or Director, Dance Program Coordinator, or Choreographer.
Other job description templates.
Same format, same free, same median pay data. Browse the full library if the role you are hiring for is not here.
Yoga Instructor
A yoga instructor is a licensed yoga teacher who leads meditation and yoga postures workshops for groups of individuals.
$65,060 median