Dance Studio 411

Finding ways to stay artistically inspired as a dance teacher and studio owner can be hard especially when most of the day is spent doing all the things that take away from time to be creative. In this episode you'll hear from Lizzie Makenzie who has been dancing, teaching, coaching and choreographing in the Chicagoland area for over 20 years. She's the co-founder of Extensions Dance Company and Extensions Dance Center. Lizzie shares tips on how to stay inspired to choreograph recital routines. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Running a dance studio is hard work, and growing your studio is even more of a challenge. No matter if you're just starting out—or perhaps you're a well-established owner; we understand that it's a uniquely demanding and personal business to own and operate. As studio owners ourselves, we've been there. But, it's also very possible to be a happy owner of a thriving dance business that you love. Learn More About Membership: http://www.DanceStudioOwner.com/joinnow

Extreme flexibility is becoming the new normal. We're inundated with images on social media of dancers sitting in oversplits or contorting themselves into circus-like positions. But is it safe? As a dance studio owner, you want to make a positive impact on the lives of our students and do it safely. So if you're looking for more clarity around what to stretch, when to stretch and how to stretch, this podcast is for you. In this episode, Christine Jones of mUvmethod covers: Flexibility and Mobility: what they are, what limits them and what improves them What overstretching actually is. The three reasons she believes it’s happening And the solutions to avoid overstretching while safely maximizing flexibility and joint range of motion to ensure your dancers meet all flexibility milestones in order to meet the technical side of dance with ease and efficiency all while spending less time each week stretching… Crazy right? Grab your free stretch guide: https://www.DanceStudioOwner.com/public/images/mUvmethod_stre

There are so many details that go into costuming your dancers. Parents don’t see nor do they understand the time you put in receiving, sorting and distributing costumes to your students. In this podcast you’ll hear how to gain back some of your precious time so you can put your focus on the things that matter most. Josh Black, Managing Director for Nimbly, shares how one of the biggest problems studio owners face has inspired a new innovation that promises to reduce your stress and save you loads of time all while you keep control over the ordering process. For more information and to get started, go to: https://experience.revolutiondance.com/nimblydirectnew  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Running a dance studio is hard work, and growing your studio is even more of a challenge. No matter if you're just starting out—or perhaps you're a well-established owner; we understand that it's a uniquely demanding and personal business to own and operate. As studio owners ourselves, we've been there. But, it's also very possible to b

Thinking of starting an Acro Dance program at your studio, but aren’t sure where to begin?  In this episode, Melissa Klassen shares:  What acro dance is and how it differs from gymnastics How to know if acro is right for your studio How to find and retain good acro teachers How to ensure your students' safety  How to make sure your acro program is profitable Grab your free ebook: https://www.acrodanceteachersassociation.com/adtachecklist For more info and to register:https://www.acrodanceteachersassociation.com/waitlist ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Running a dance studio is hard work, and growing your studio is even more of a challenge. No matter if you're just starting out—or perhaps you're a well-established owner; we understand that it's a uniquely demanding and personal business to own and operate. As studio owners ourselves, we've been there. But, it's also very possible to be a happy owner of a thriving dance business that you love.  Learn More About Membership: http://www.DanceStudioOwner.com/joinnow

In this episode, Misty Lown shares her commitment to setting standards that support the goal to keep kids happy, healthy and safe in dance. With the relaunch of Youth Protection Advocates in Dance, she shares how it is more important than ever for studios and teachers to be informed and equipped to create a healthy environment for students. Through the use of online courses, YPAD courses educate dance studios and communities worldwide on the core elements in constructing an environment focused on the well-being of kids and a sustainable, safe future for dance. For More Information, go to: https://www.ypadnow.com/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Running a dance studio is hard work, and growing your studio is even more of a challenge. No matter if you're just starting out—or perhaps you're a well-established owner; we understand that it's a uniquely demanding and personal business to own and operate. As studio owners ourselves, we've been there. But, it's also very possible to be a happy owner of a thriving dance business th

The trouble with owning a dance studio is that students quit. It takes more than passion and hard work to keep students and families engaged in your studio programs. This podcast gets at the heart of the industry trends and issues. You will hear three techniques to help attract students year-round and help grow your enrollment by boosting your retention rate.   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   Running a dance studio is hard work, and growing your studio is even more of a challenge. No matter if you're just starting out—or perhaps you're a well-established owner; we understand that it's a uniquely demanding and personal business to own and operate.   As studio owners ourselves, we've been there. But, it's also very possible to be a happy owner of a thriving dance business that you love.    Learn More About Membership: http://www.DanceStudioOwner.com/joinnow  

Join Kathy Blake as she empowers you to address the topic that seems to be everywhere in dance….drama! There is a normal amount of emotion we can expect from our students, parents and faculty, however, there can be times when real drama starts to tear down the overall culture of your studio. In this podcast, hear tips to help you effectively solve problems in the areas of bullying, gossip or threats. You’ll hear how to set professional and personal boundaries and know when to draw the line and hold people accountable for destructive behaviors that threaten the peace and power of you and your studio. Kathy shares how to create your culture, capture the toxic behavior, confront the issue, and clear the air. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Running a dance studio is hard work, and growing your studio is even more of a challenge. No matter if you're just starting out—or perhaps you're a well-established owner; we understand that it's a uniquely demanding and personal business to own and operate. As studio owners ourselves, we'v

How do you stay healthy, strong, and focused when everyone and everything needs your time, energy and there is so much to do? In this episode Jill Tirone and Suzanne Blake Gerety share different strategies and techniques used by studio owners to manage their time and daily activities to get things done! You'll be inspired to take control and direct your energy and time wisely.   

We've found the quickest route to success as a dance studio owner isn't traveled alone. Yet it's not always easy to find the answers to what you need because this is a very personal business. Dance studio ownership is not one size fits all. In this episode hear tips on starting a studio from scratch and how you can accelerate your success with Suzanne Blake Gerety and Jill Tirone. Get your free start up mini-course:  http://www.DanceStudioOwner.com/startup

I love my preschool students but it seems like there are a lot of pre-class meltdowns in the waiting room at various points in the year. I'm worried some parents are dropping dance because they don't even want to deal with their young dancer complaining or fussing about going to class. How can I prevent this and help parents see that some of this is normal? Hear tips on how to prepare and educate your preschool parents when it comes to successful class transitions with Andrea Trench of Discover Dance.

Are you wondering if it is it better to have different classes for kids with special needs or include them in your regular classes? In this podcast, Tricia Gomez, Global Director of Rhythm Works Integrative Dance and creator of the popular Hip Hop In a Box shares tips that make a difference if currently have or are exploring a special needs program. Through her Rhythm Works Integrative Dance certification program, Tricia is blazing a new path of opportunity for students who have learning differences and special needs by educating dance teachers on all aspects of becoming an inclusive studio. You’ll hear how all of your classes can benefit from the research and information Tricia teaches world-wide.

You may think producing a holiday show is too much work and you just can’t add a full blown production to your plate during the already busy time of year. In this episode, hear how Lindsay Baker of The Dance Centre in Williamsburg, KY and creator of go•dazzle brings a production to life using creative story-telling at the holidays. She'll share how easy it is to create a lovely show that is low-stress yet full of beauty and magical moments for your families to enjoy.

In this episode we help you make sense of sales tax with Jessica Scheitler of Financial Groove. Where do you begin? What if you know nothing about sales tax and want to better understand what is the right strategic decision for you and your studio? And of course what to expect from the registration process from your state? How do you get a reseller certificate to avoid paying sales tax to vendors at the time of purchase?

I hate tricks, do I have to add Acro to my programming? In this episode, Mandy Yip shares great tips on how to navigate this common challenge for dance studios who see tricks at competition and at events. Mandy manages the staff and delivery of all training programs, and the Acrobatic Arts syllabus in over 4500 dance studios in USA, Canada, UK, Australia and over 25 other countries. She heads the Acrobatic Arts examination program, and trains and certifies adjudicators to administer exams in studios around the world.

In this episode, Jenilee Houghton, Senior Director of Creative Development for Revolution Dancewear shares how you can solve any costume emergency with the help of some easy-to-find items. From blotting out blood to fixing hems with tape, you'll be prepared for anything and send your dancers on stage looking their best. 

What are the results when we don’t create a safe, positive, supportive, inclusive environment, or role model our values or don’t have a plan to deal with conflict in a resilient way? Unhealthy behaviors. Or worse, kids giving up and losing hope. So let’s be proactive. In this episode, Jessica Michaels, Global Program Director of Wingman for Dance shares way to create a positive inclusive studio environment. 

Up until now, we write off or dismiss the physical anxiety symptoms by telling ourselves that somehow this is the price we pay to make the world a better place, one dancer at a time. In this episode Tiffany Henderson, owner of seven dance studios and creator of Twinkle Star Dance explores the impact of continued stress and anxiety on us and what we can do to change for the better and for our health. 

You put all your energy into creating a memorable and fun dance recital. It is very disheartening when you struggle to get many of those dancers back again in the fall. In this episode, hear tips on how to prevent post-show fallout and keep those students engaged all year long with Tiffany Henderson, owner of 7 dance studios and creator of Twinkle Star Dance. 

The longer a balance is left unpaid the harder it is to collect, especially when a student has been allowed to participate in classes or competitions past your stated policy for accounts overdue. Our personal connection to our dance families can make these type of conversations uncomfortable however, learning to run a business and holding people accountable financially is important for the future success of your studio. In this podcast get tips on how to properly charge fees to cover the cost of competition events as well as how to be pro-active in your payment collection with Suzanne Blake Gerety. 

What do you charge for recital tickets? I just had a parent ask me what the money goes towards from the ticket sales and it really took me by surprise that I had to give that information out." That's the tricky topic we're covering in this episode with Joe Naftal from Dance Connection, Long Island, NY and author of "Standby in the Wings: A behind the scenes guide to producing the perfect dance recital". He offers practical tips on how to powerfully answer this question and get back to loving your show!