How to Start a Dance Ministry School

Dance has become a part of many worship service experiences. Music ministries, youth programs and special events teams use dance as an effective means to encourage, motivate and inspire. Akin to ballet, tap and freestyle, with the proper training, inspirational dancers can earn a living traveling and performing at events at churches, religious musical concerts and spiritual retreats around the world. The growing popularity of the art form increases the likelihood that you can achieve success as a dance ministry school owner and operator.

Instructions

Complete Filings and Raise Capital

1. Apply for an Employee Identification Number (EIN) at the Internal Revenue Service official website (see resources). Remember that you can also request an EIN over the telephone by calling the Business & Specialty Tax Line at [phone].

2. Visit your state's Department of Revenue website (see State Links in Resources below). Register to collect sales and use tax. Keep in mind that some states allow you to file and pay your taxes directly through their website.

3. Build a business plan. Define your dance school's mission. For example, you could state that your school's mission is to train children between the ages of 6-10 to combine music with freestyle dancing in order to inspire people to positive action while performing at religious services such as congregational anniversary events and church fellowship services. Review your school's current and future course offerings. Identify strengths and weaknesses at your school including staff skill level, gaps in the enrollment process or lack of financing. Provide specific steps you will take to capitalize on the strengths and eliminate or diminish the weaknesses. Include researched items on other dance ministry schools in your area. Create a marketing plan that includes online and offline resources you will use to announce your school to eligible students, religious and spiritual organizations and their parents. Refer to the Small Business Administration's "Writing a Business Plan" document in the resources section of this article to review sample business plans.

4. Raise capital and get insurance. Apply for government and educational grants through the Department of Education's website (see resources). Review available grants by due date, subject and funding opportunities. Contact your bank manager to submit loan applications to raise additional capital for your school. Reach out to local churches and ministries. Share the details about your school with the pastors and ministry leaders. Ask if they are willing to donate funds to help you raise capital to start your school.

   Meet with your insurance carrier. Review prices, coverage amounts and types offered by your carrier. Purchase property and liability insurance. Ask your insurance provider about employee related insurance such as worker's compensation, disability and unemployment to cover your school's instructors.

5. 

   Design courses for different age or skill levels. For example, you could design praise and worship ministry classes that focus on restoration, God's holiness and victory in Christ at the primary, junior and intermediate levels. Set time limits for daily classes and courses. Keep classes for younger children to a maximum of half an hour to an hour. Include various dance steps such as movement, freestyle, hip hop, ballet, jazz and modern or contemporary that can readily be incorporated with gospel music. Keep in mind that the more types of dance ministry classes you offer, the more interest eligible students and churches may have in attending and supporting your dance ministry school.

6. Contact the National Association of Dance Schools (NASD) to get accredited (see resources). Complete the application and peer review process required by the association.
   Consider getting additional regional accreditations by contacting your regional accrediting agency. Keep in mind that each regional agency has different requirements and some regional accreditation agencies such as the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools do not accredit schools that only offer post-secondary certificates, diplomas or licenses. Complete the regional accreditation process by meeting with regional evaluators to conduct your school's quality assurance review.

7. Hire qualified dance instructors. Work through local churches and places of worship to identify qualified dancers who can teach at your school. Post job openings for professional dancers who value ministry at religious colleges and universities and job boards such as ChristianJobs.com, ChurchStaffing.com and Career Builder.

8. Study dance course fees for nearby schools. Keep your fees competitive. Note that many one hour dance classes cost between $20 to $50 per hour and $80 to $230 for a one week course. Align your course fees with the skill level of the instructors and the students.

9. Help students obtain financial aid. Contact the United States Department of Education. Apply for a Title IV school code. Attend the financial aid administrator's training. Gain your certification so that your school will get a Title IV school code and be eligible to receive federal financial aid from qualified students.

Resources

• Apply for an EIN.
• State Links
• Small Business Administration, Write a Business Plan
• Government Grants
• National Association of Dance Schools