During Rachel Cantor’s performing career in musical theater, she would often teach dance at a children’s play space in between shows. She realized that teaching was not only something she enjoyed and was good at, it also provided more stability. “I thought, Instead of doing this for someone else, I could do it for myself,” […]
Since the pandemic emerged, your customers have had to adapt over and over again. Here’s what to know about how they’ve changed—and how to meet their new needs. The pandemic has had an outsized impact on dance and business. Through lockdowns, cancellations, vaccinations and transformations, everyone in the dance industry has been affected—including your customers. […]
As August swiftly approaches, you’re likely fine-tuning the details of what your fall schedule will look like. More than ever, much of your decision-making will have to be tailored to studio parents—some of whom may be eager to return to in-person instruction, and some of whom may be understandably scared. “Having three studios across two […]
In 1992 while studying early childhood education at Texas A&M University, Lisa Shed decided to make the bold move of starting her own dance studio, Lisa’s Dance Connection, 90 miles away in her hometown of Temple, Texas. Three days a week she would make the commute to teach her eight young students, then wake up […]
Kim Pelliccia has seen her share of costume-related emergencies during her time working for the recital costume company Dansco. “We’ve had studios flood, trains derail, Lucy’s costume doesn’t fit on Wednesday and the show is on Saturday,” she says. As a studio owner, you’re no stranger to the special set of potential problems that competitions […]
Balagna (in black) teaches her students how to make the most out of the competition experience. Seen and Heard at the Dance Teacher Summit Steppin’ Out—The Studio Lee’s Summit, Missouri 450 students Phyllis Balagna has been taking her students to conventions and competitions for 25 years, as long as her studio has been open. She has […]
Seen & Heard At the Dance Teacher Summit Nancy Giles, fourth from left, with fellow DT Summit ambassadors Nancy Giles Owner Southern Strutt Irmo, South Carolina 600 students During 32 years as a studio owner, Nancy Giles has learned a lot about running a business, including how to handle parent drama and make time for […]
Seen & Heard At the Dance Teacher Summit Carole Royal Royal Dance Works Phoenix, AZ 500 students A studio owner for 33 years, Carole Royal has learned the hard way how to separate her passion for dance from her livelihood as a business owner. The four-time ambassador shares her experience and advice at the annual […]
Seen & Heard At the Dance Teacher Summit Donna Aravena Co-owner, Seven Star School of Performing Arts Brewster, NY 550 students Donna Aravena Seven Star students performing in The Nutcracker Donna Aravena has run the Seven Star School of Performing Arts studio with her daughter Nicole since 2002, and she has learned some important lessons […]
Seen & Heard At the Dance Teacher Summit Phyllis Balagna with a Steppin’ Out student and at the 2012 Dance Teacher Summit Phyllis Balagna Owner, Steppin’ Out—The Studio Lee’s Summit, Missouri 550 students After being a business owner for nearly 25 years, Phyllis Balagna was awarded 2011 Volunteer of the Year and Small Business of […]