Why Leadership Training Matters When Choosing a Dance School

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1 Jul

Great Dance Teachers Need Much More Than Technique To Be Successful

Not every brilliant dancer makes a great teacher. And not every teacher is ready to lead. In the dance world, it’s pretty common to see someone with incredible technical skills suddenly put in charge of a class without any prep. Their pirouettes might be flawless, but managing a group of seven-year-olds? That’s a totally different performance.

Dance is an emotional experience. Dancers don’t just show up to learn steps. They also show up to be seen, encouraged, challenged, and sometimes, comforted. Leadership training helps teachers do more than demonstrate technique. It helps them build trust, manage group dynamics, and handle the highs and lows of a season with professionalism and heart.

This stuff matters more than ever. Dancers are showing up with diverse identities, learning styles, goals, and needs. Studios are facing more pressure to retain students, deliver results, and manage their reputation online. If the person in front of the room hasn’t been taught how to lead, it’s the dancers who pay the price.

Why Great Dancers Don’t Always Make Great Leaders

Have you ever taken a class where the combos were mind-blowing but the vibe was totally off? Maybe the teacher was distracted, gave vague corrections, or worse, humiliated someone. That’s not just a “bad class.” That’s what happens when someone with technical skill is handed a leadership role without support.

This same thing happens in the business world all the time. The best coder gets promoted to team lead, but no one teaches them how to manage people. So instead of leading, they micromanage or freeze up in conflict. Sound familiar? The same thing happens in dance when studios confuse technical ability with leadership readiness.

If you’ve got someone amazing on stage but not in the studio, it might be time to think about what kind of training they’ve received outside of dance technique.

Have they learned how to motivate?
How to de-escalate tough moments?
How to build community in a class of wildly different personalities and ability levels?

If not, it's not entirely their fault. The system itself is seriously flawed.

The good news is this creates an incredible opportunity for studio owners who are ready to improve the experience at their studio by investing in real leadership training for their team.

According to the Dance Leadership Institute, dance leadership training is good for business. it creates a more consistent, professional experience for both staff and students.

When your team communicates clearly, handles challenges with confidence, and leads with intention, it strengthens your studio’s reputation. Parents trust you more, dancers stay longer, and word-of-mouth referrals grow. A well-led team also reduces turnover, improves class quality, and creates a positive culture that people want to be part of. All of this leads to better retention, stronger community support, and long-term growth.

Founder, Tamara Thompson Levi says “Studios with clear values have better student and staff retention rates, while teachers whose classes are strongly aligned with values have better outcomes for students and a higher satisfaction rate among teachers who feel fulfilled and ‘on purpose’ in their work.”

What Leadership Training Brings to Dance Education

Strong leadership doesn’t mean controlling the room or having all the answers. It means guiding dancers with clarity, fairness, and emotional intelligence. Leadership training helps teachers learn how to lead in a way that supports growth and avoids harm. And yes, dancers at most any age can tell the difference.

For example, leadership training includes understanding basic child and teen development. It’s not just about knowing how to teach pliés. It’s about knowing what a seven-year-old is capable of emotionally and how a 13-year-old responds to feedback. Teachers who learn this stuff can better connect with their dancers and avoid the “why won’t they just listen” trap.

Conflict happens. Even in sparkly studios. Leadership training teaches how to deal with it without making it worse. Teachers learn how to set boundaries, hold accountability, and still be kind. A teacher who knows how to resolve tension can turn a potentially negative situation into a moment of learning and growth for everyone involved.

Communication is another big one. Some teachers have amazing vision, but they struggle to explain it in a way that dancers can absorb. Leadership training helps break down communication styles so teachers can give direction that’s clear, kind, and effective. No more “read my mind” corrections or tone that feels too harsh.

It also shows teachers how to model core studio values. Whether it’s inclusivity, creativity, or teamwork, leadership training helps instructors live those values out loud. That way, students don’t just hear what matters, they see it in action every class.

And perhaps most importantly, it builds trust. Teachers who understand leadership create an environment where dancers feel safe to try, fail, and try again. That trust is the foundation for every great leap and every moment of growth.

Untrained Leadership Is the Real Weak Spot in the Studio

Some studios treat leadership training like a luxury or an afterthought. But skipping this step can cause some serious problems and limit the success of your studio in the long run.

Turnover is one of the first warning signs. If dancers keep dropping out or switching studios, it’s worth looking at why. Often it’s not about price or even skill level, it’s about how dancers feel in the room. When leadership is weak or inconsistent, students sense it. They might not be able to name it, but they’ll quietly disappear.

Retention of teachers is another one. A technically strong teacher might get overwhelmed if they aren’t prepared for the emotional labour of teaching. Without leadership support, they burn out fast or become reactive. Studios lose promising instructors not because they aren’t talented, but because they weren’t given tools to succeed.

Drama doesn’t always come from the kids. In studios without clear leadership, cliques can form, communication can break down, and suddenly the vibe gets toxic. Leadership training helps studio staff keep things aligned and handle tension like professionals — not like a high school hallway.

Parents pick up on this stuff, too. When there’s no clear leadership, they start to lose trust. Especially with younger dancers, parents want to know their kids are being taught by someone who is mature, prepared, and professional. They’re not just looking for steps — they’re looking for a role model.

Want to know what kind of energy great studios bring? Start by exploring how to get your studio ready for fall dance classes.

How to Spot a Studio That Trains Leaders

As a parent, if you’re in the market for a new studio, don’t just ask about choreography. Ask about leadership. Studios that take this seriously won’t be shy about it. Choosing the right dance studio is a big decision and can have impacts on a child’s physical and mental health.

Ask how teachers are trained before being assigned classes. A strong studio will have a clear onboarding or mentorship program. They won’t just throw someone into a room because they can do a quadruple pirouette.

Thompson Levi says “Being a great dancer doesn’t automatically make someone a great teacher. What sets a true dance educator apart is the ability to connect—to communicate not just through movement, but through words, presence, and understanding. It’s meeting dancers where they are, and leading them forward with care. Great teachers nurture more than technique and artistry they foster confidence, collaboration, authenticity, and growth-skills that benefit dancers wherever their paths take them. That’s leadership.”

Parents should ask if there are workshops or professional development opportunities for their staff. If the studio talks about sending teachers to conferences or leadership sessions, that’s a great sign. It means they’re investing in more than trophies.

Ask if there’s mentorship. A new teacher shouldn’t be figuring it out alone. Look for places that pair newer staff with seasoned instructors who can help them grow.

And definitely ask how dancer or parent concerns are handled. If the answer is vague or defensive, that’s a red flag. Great studios have clear channels for feedback and a leadership team that listens and adjusts.

Need a place to start? Canada Dances lists dance studios from across the country. You can search by area of other criteria.

Leadership Training Is a Smart Business Move

If you’re running a studio, supporting your staff’s leadership growth isn’t optional , it’s strategic. This is how you keep great teachers, grow your student base, and build a reputation that lasts.

Start by holding short but meaningful check-ins every month. Talk about challenges, give feedback, and invite teachers to reflect on how they lead. These conversations build loyalty and prevent burnout.

Invest in leadership training. There are incredible resources out there, like The Dance Leadership Institute, The Whole Dancer and CLI Studios. Don’t reinvent the wheel, plug into what’s already working.

Create peer mentorship systems within your studio. Let experienced instructors who already have the experience and demonstrate your studio values, support newer teachers. It builds confidence and keeps your culture consistent.

Offer tips on communication and classroom management to your teachers. Include parent communication and conflict resolution in your training. These are make-or-break moments in your brand reputation.

And most importantly, model leadership behaviours yourself. Show your team that leadership isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being thoughtful, fair, and always learning.

The Real Legacy of Dance Is in Its Leaders

A studio’s real legacy isn’t the number of medals in the trophy case. It’s the impact left on dancers’ lives. That impact is shaped by leadership.

Dancers always remember the teacher who believed in them. Even continuing dance later in life, those moments stay with them. The teacher who saw them struggling, corrected with compassion, pushed them to grow, and made them feel like they belonged.

That’s the magic of leadership. And that’s what every dancer deserves.

If you’re building a studio, choose to lead well. If you’re choosing a studio, look for leadership. And if you’re dancing, don’t settle for less.

Let’s raise the barre.

Not just in technique, but in how we teach.