Community Dance Workers - Making the Art of Dance Accessible to All

Private and group dance lessons can be expensive. Not only do you need to pay for the lessons themselves, but they also require special shoes, practice outfits and costumes for performances. All of that can add up quickly. But what about those who want to learn how to dance, but can't afford all those things? This is where community dance comes into play. These leaders make dance lessons available to everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status, skill level and more. They show society that dancing really is for every person in the community.

Where Do Community Dance Classes Take Place?

Since community dance classes are designed to be accessible by everyone, most take place at city or county community centers. These spaces are often free and open to the public, as well as easy to get to, making it easy for those who wish to take the classes to get to them. Since these classes are usually funded by a series of grants (either from the federal, state, or local governments, or even from specific private grant groups), it's important that they are accessible by all.

Who Teaches Community Dance Classes?

The answer to this question is simple: professional dance instructors typically teach community dance classes. Many of them have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance and have spent years of their lives taking lessons in various forms of dance. Since these community dance classes include a number of different styles (they might have ballet one day, followed by tap, jazz, or modern dance the next), it's important that the instructors know how to teach these different methods. They need to be experts with plenty of experience.

In order to become a dance instructor, you need to have a bachelor's degree in Dance, as well as many years of experience. Dance programs, like the one offered here at Dean College, teach more than just performance skills, allowing students to choose a specialty like teaching, running a studio or doing choreography. This background, combined with many years of experience, internships, and even working alongside a more seasoned instructor, gives students the background to teach community dance programs, as well as run their own studios and teach private lessons.

How Can You Become Involved in Community Dance?

If you're interested in making dance lessons accessible to all, then getting involved in a community dance program is the way to go. If your community already has one of these programs and you have the skills and experience to teach lessons, then contact the people in charge of the program to see if they need any help. If there isn't a program currently in place, then starting one is a noble cause. Contact your community leaders, apply for grants and start offering lessons once everything is approved. Sometimes change needs to come from within, and you need to be the catalyst. After all, someone has to start these programs. Why not you?