1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Dance teacher

Dance teacher

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

Average salary (a year)

£22,000 Starter

to

£50,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

35 to 37 variable

You could work

evenings / weekends attending events or appointments

How to become a Dance teacher

You can get into this job through:

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

University

You'll need a relevant degree in dance or performing arts. To teach in a state school you'll need qualified teacher status (QTS).

As a primary teacher, you would be trained to teach all subjects, but may develop a subject specialism in physical education, which could include dance or creative movement.

At secondary level you could get the opportunity to teach dance as a single subject or combined with other subjects like physical education, drama or performing arts.

To be a lecturer in a university you'll need a postgraduate qualification or a recognised profile as a professional performer, and teaching experience.

To train as a private dance teacher, you'll need to complete a recognised professional qualification. There are some degrees in dance that include teacher training.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C)
  • 3 A levels or equivalent

More information

College

You'll need at least a level 3 qualification in performing arts (dance) or higher if you want to teach, for example in a further education college.

You would also need a teaching qualification that is relevant to the level of teaching responsibility you'll have in your job.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) for a level 3 course

More information

Apprenticeship

You can get into this role through a teacher higher apprenticeship, if you have a relevant degree and want to teach 3 to 19 year olds in school.

You'll need grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

More information

Work

You could work your way into this role if you've got several years' experience in dance.

You could start as an assistant in a private dance school and do teaching qualifications with a relevant dance organisation.

The Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre has a list of approved awarding organisations.

More information

Registration

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a dance teacher from:

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of the fine arts
  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • knowledge of English language
  • 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
  • being able to use a computer terminal or hand-held device may be beneficial for this job.

Restrictions and requirements

You'll need to:

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day activities will include:

  • showing students how to warm up and move safely
  • demonstrating how to perform dance moves
  • designing dance pieces and performances
  • keeping records of students’ performance and progress
  • providing feedback to students
  • entering students for dance exams
  • maintaining your own dance skills and techniques

Working environment

You could work in the community, in a theatre, in a creative studio or at a school.

Career path and progression

In a school you could become a head of department, a head of faculty or a head teacher.

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

Training opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a Dance teacher right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

ACCESS TO TEACHING

  • Provider: Lancaster & Morecambe College
  • Start date: 01 August 2019
  • Location: Lancaster
Find courses near you

Related careers

Get help using this service

Call 0800 100 900

8am to 10pm, 7 days a week

More ways to contact us

Is this page useful?

Yes No