Dance teacher

Dance teachers train and develop their students in all types of dance.


Working Hours

30–37

hours per week

Career Area

Dancers and choreographers

View related courses

Day-to-day tasks

As a dance teacher, you would:

  • plan and teach dance sessions
  •  design dance pieces for individuals and group productions
  •  keep records of students' performance and progress
  •  assess students for dance exams
  •  maintain your own dance skills and techniques

Skills needed

  • knowledge of the fine arts
  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • leadership skills
  • the ability to teach pupils how to do something
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

How to get into this role

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • working towards this role

Career progression

In a school you could become a head of department or headteacher.

You might also move into:

  • choreography
  •  dance production
  •  dance movement psychotherapy
  •  dance fitness training

As a private dance teacher you could develop your own business and run your own dance school.