Dance teacher/studio owner help??

Question

i want to be a dance teacher and hopefully own a studio when i get out of college. how hard is it to live off of the little money and no benefits or do you make more money than people think. also, is it hard to start off?

Answer 1

Honestly I would start off with a big studio in town for a few years, watching and learning how it is run. I have seen many small hole in the wall dance studios that are fantastic, go under in two months... I think before you make an investment like that work some place, get clients...  not that I am saying take them away from the studio you would be at but word of mouth is how you will get a lot of your business. Not to mention, the big studios that have been around for a while DO offer health insurance, which would be nice right out of college. Plus the pay is really good. So In my opinion work with a big studio, get your name and reputation out there, save money, and then try to venture on your own. Staffing is also much easier especially if you can hire a student from the other studio, for instance I was dancing at a studio and one of the students graduated and opened her own studio. She talked to the owner and hired some of the owner's older students to teach. He was ok with it as long as there was no plagiarism but since she hired from the studio she had dances at, everyone was on the same page dance style wise, so it made it much easier on her. Anyway, I rambled but I hope that helps in your decision making! Good luck!

Answer 2

It is hard to start off - you would be best to maybe "rent" some space in a church or at a studio that didn't use their studio every day in the beginning if possible.  You will more than likely have to have a full-time job during the day to supplement your income as a dance teacher & you could also get health insurance, etc. thru that job.  Good luck!!