How to Teach Swing Dance

Some people just aren't satisfied with swing dancing once or twice a week at the local social events. These folks live and breathe swing dance and want to make it a major part of their lives. One way to do just that is to become a swing dance teacher. Many people decide to hang on to their day jobs and moonlight as dance instructors. Whatever your goals are, it's not difficult to teach swing dance, especially if you're passionate about the dance and dedicated to helping others learn.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Practice as frequently as possible so you can nail all of the steps. Swing dance has some of the most complicated steps in all of the many dance styles. If you're not able to execute the steps yourself, then you will not be able to teach swing dance very well.

2. Decide whether you would like to teach at a dance studio, a recreation center, a college or some other location. While most dance studios require their instructors to be certified with certain dance schools or organizations, recreation centers (like your local YMCA) and continuing education branches of community colleges and universities will generally only ask for substantial experience in the subject you wish to teach.

3. Join a national swing dance organization, such as the World Swing Dance Council (see Resources below). These types of organizations have specific requirements for membership that will prove to any potential dance studio that you have the chops to teach swing dance.

4. Win dance competitions, such as those offered by the National Association of Swing Dancing Events (see Resources below). Students will come knocking down your door if you win some high-profile swing dance contests. Those shiny trophies will not only look fantastic in the front window where you set up shop, but they will also prove that you know what you're talking about when it comes to swing dancing.

5. Attend a dance teaching school. You may be the best swing dancer in the world, but that doesn't necessarily make you the best teacher. These schools help you develop your in-class presence, as well as provide you with assessment tools, class curriculum and lesson plans. They also help you keep up-to-date with the national dance association requirements for swing dancing and competitions.

6. Build a solid client and referral base with business associates and friends. DJs, wedding planners, club owners, performing artists, other dance teachers and even nutritionists and personal trainers all have excellent networking possibilities. They can refer you to their clients for any number of reasons, and you can reciprocate by posting their business cards on your studio bulletin board.

Tips & Warnings

• When searching for appropriate teacher training schools, try to find one that offers placement assistance to recent graduates. Well-respected schools like the Ballroom Dance Teachers College may be able to help you land your first job after training (see Resources below).

Resources

• The World Swing Dance Council for membership information
• Rules for competitions through the National Association of Swing Dancing Events
• The Ballroom Dance Teacher Training College for enrollment information