There’s no question about it; running a dance studio is, first and foremost, a labor of love. Bringing the gift of dance to any community is a wonderful pursuit, but the work it takes to bring a vision to life and the day-to-day components of administration can be a lot to navigate. But with the right tools and the right plan, overcoming little hiccups and learning curves will seem as smooth as a clean double pirouette.
Once you’ve locked down a physical space, then what? Floors, mirrors, software, uniforms – all these key elements must be functional to ensure successful classes. Few things are more important to dancers than the quality of the floor and the specific “Marley” vinyl flooring placed on top of the subfloor. Marley, as it’s commonly called based on the first company to produce it, is commonly used to support dancers by providing a non-slip and stable surface. Stagestep Flooring Solutions offers a wide array of options, for the studio or the stage, portable or installed, allowing your space to be in great shape for the shapes the dancers will make on the Marley. Visit the website at www.stagestep.com for more information.
With the floors laid, you’re ready to start signing dancers up for class! Keep things simple and easy with Class Manager software. Designed specifically for dance studios, this program allows you to seamlessly integrate all aspects of administration work in one place – and, it’s free with no monthly subscription!
Rebekah Dixon from Class Manager says, “We help dance studio owners worldwide stay organized with our free, easy-to-use class management software. Class Manager offers everything in one place: automated invoicing, online enrollments, attendance tracking, scheduling and a parent portal. Designed to save time and reduce stress, it helps you run your studio more smoothly. Our advice? Don’t wait to get the right tools in place. A reliable system can free you from spreadsheets and help grow your business with confidence.”
For a lot of studios, uniforms of some degree allow for a streamlined approach to dance education. With so many options out there, it can be a lot to decide and communicate to parents about getting the proper attire, which is a big part of dance, especially with parents new to dance. Só Dança Plus is a service that provides all things apparel in a way that makes it easy for source items, via both local stores and the Só Dança inventory. At no cost to studios, you can easily set up a website, ship directly, offer studio branded items and create that professional look for your dancers.
Liza Schnitzer, owner of Dansations Dance Studio, credits Só Dança+ with increased ease for parents and teachers. “Teachers can easily communicate what dance supplies each class needs by forming an online store for each class subject. Parents go right to our studio’s website and can open the online store to view everything they need for class, including shoes, tights, leotards, etc. All items are shipped directly to the client’s home, and all size returns are simple and easy, handled between Só Dança and the client directly.”
Brandy Peters, owner and operator of Noble Dance in Kalispell, Montana, took over from the pervious founder in 2020, and is navigating what it means to take over an existing space. While the studio she took over had many aspects already up and running, she shares the advice that what ultimately makes any studio great is the energy the owners, teachers and dancers bring to the space. While Peters had basic structures in place she says, “Make it your own space and your own business. Otherwise, you’ll be limiting yourself and the studio’s future.” With her studio thriving, she is currently looking for a brand new raw space to build a second studio.
By Emily Sarkissian of Dance Informa.
Share this:
