EducationTeaching professionalsISCO 2310
performing arts school dance instructor
Performing arts school dance instructors educate students in specific theory and, primarily, practice-based dance courses at a specialised dance school or conservatory at a higher education level. They provide theoretical instruction in service of the practical skills and techniques the students must subsequently master for dance. Performing arts school dance instructors monitor the students' progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate their knowledge and performance on the dance through, often practical, assignments, tests and examinations.
About performing arts school dance instructor
As a performing arts school dance instructor, you will educate aspiring dancers at the conservatory or specialized dance school level, teaching both theoretical knowledge and practical technique. Your role involves designing curriculum that builds students' understanding of dance history, theory, and aesthetics while developing their physical skills and artistic expression. You will conduct regular classes, provide individualized instruction to address each student's unique challenges, and evaluate their progress through practical demonstrations, assignments, and formal examinations. Beyond technical instruction, you serve as a mentor and guide, helping students develop discipline, confidence, and a deep passion for dance as both an art form and potential career path.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a performing arts school dance instructor.
1
Curriculum Design and Course Development
- Design comprehensive dance curricula aligned with conservatory standards
- Develop lesson plans integrating theory and practical technique
- Create learning objectives and performance benchmarks for courses
- Adapt teaching methods to different dance styles and student levels
2
Practical Dance Instruction
- Conduct regular dance technique classes covering classical and contemporary styles
- Demonstrate correct movement techniques and body alignment
- Provide hands-on corrections and personalized feedback during classes
- Create choreography for student performances and artistic projects
3
Student Assessment and Progress Monitoring
- Observe and evaluate student technique and artistic development
- Design and conduct practical examinations and performance assessments
- Provide written feedback on assignments and technique assignments
- Track individual student progress and identify areas for development
4
Mentoring and Professional Guidance
- Mentor students in developing discipline, focus, and artistic maturity
- Provide guidance on career pathways in professional dance
- Foster a supportive learning environment that encourages artistic exploration
- Advise students on injury prevention and healthy dance practices
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (29)
assessment processesassessment processesVarious evaluation techniques, theories, and tools applicable in the assessment of students, participants in a programme, and employees. Different assessment strategies such as initial, formative, sum...instructional strategiesinstructional strategiesThe techniques that instructors use to deliver lessons. The aim of these strategies is to make students become more involved in the learning process.history of dance stylehistory of dance styleThe origins, history and development of the dance styles and forms used, including current manifestations, current practices and methods of delivery in a chosen dance style.human anatomyhuman anatomyThe dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and ...subject of music coachingsubject of music coachingThe techniques used to coach students in different music related fields such as voice, dance or musical instrument.evolution in delivery practices in practiced dance traditionevolution in delivery practices in practiced dance traditionTechnical evolution of dance making, stylistic and aesthetic aspects of a dance tradition or style and its relation to technical evolution of dance making taking into account historic, ethnographic, e...curriculum objectivescurriculum objectivesThe goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.stimulate performers' imaginationstimulate performers' imaginationUse inspirational artifacts and creative methods to stimulate the performers' imagination. Provide the performers with the necessary documentation. Stimulate performers' imagination involved in live p...prepare lesson contentprepare lesson contentPrepare content to be taught in class in accordance with curriculum objectives by drafting exercises, researching up-to-date examples etc.compile course materialcompile course materialWrite, select or recommend a syllabus of learning material for the students enrolled in the course.bring out performers’ artistic potentialbring out performers’ artistic potentialMotivate performers to take on challenges. Encourage peer-learning. Establish an environment for experimentation using various methods, such as improvisation.keep up to date on professional dance practicekeep up to date on professional dance practiceKeep up to date with practice advancements and apply them to your professional dance practice.liaise with educational support staffliaise with educational support staffCommunicate with education management, such as the school principal and board members, and with the education support team such as the teaching assistant, school counsellor or academic advisor on issu...manage student relationshipsmanage student relationshipsManage the relations between students and between student and teacher. Act as a just authority and create an environment of trust and stability.adapt teaching to student's capabilitiesadapt teaching to student's capabilitiesIdentify the learning struggles and successes of students. Select teaching and learning strategies that support students’ individual learning needs and goals.apply teaching strategiesapply teaching strategiesEmploy various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating argument...express yourself physicallyexpress yourself physicallyExpress emotions and ideas through movements, gestures, and actions.inspire dance participants to improveinspire dance participants to improveInspire your group of participants in your sessions through embodied understanding of dance and dance-making. Demonstrate dance movements regarding a correct body alignment, and applied anatomical kno...assess studentsassess studentsEvaluate the students' (academic) progress, achievements, course knowledge and skills through assignments, tests, and examinations. Diagnose their needs and track their progress, strengths, and weakne...define creative componentsdefine creative componentsIdentify sources of inspiration and strong points. Identify the subject of the art production. Identify the content. Identify creative factors such as performers and music.maintain safe working conditions in performing artsmaintain safe working conditions in performing artsVerify the technical aspects of your workspace, costumes, props, etc. Eliminate potential hazards in your work space or performance. Intervene actively in cases of accidents or illness.demonstrate when teachingdemonstrate when teachingPresent to others examples of your experience, skills, and competences that are appropriate to specific learning content to help students in their learning.give constructive feedbackgive constructive feedbackProvide founded feedback through both criticism and praise in a respectful, clear, and consistent manner. Highlight achievements as well as mistakes and set up methods of formative assessment to evalu...teach danceteach danceInstruct students in the theory and practice of dance, recreationally or with the aim of assisting them in pursuing a future career in this field. Deliver correcting instructions that support differen...create a work environment where performers can develop their potentialcreate a work environment where performers can develop their potentialEnsure that performers are well prepared and closely guided in each work session. Ask performers for feedback about the work sessions and take it into account.perform classroom managementperform classroom managementMaintain discipline and engage students during instruction.prepare performance training sessionprepare performance training sessionPrepare a training session for performers. Take into account the training goal, the training space, and performers' health and safety.apply intercultural teaching strategiesapply intercultural teaching strategiesEnsure that the content, methods, materials and the general learning experience is inclusive for all students and takes into account the expectations and experiences of learners from diverse cultural ...develop course outlinedevelop course outlineResearch and establish an outline of the course to be taught and calculate a time frame for the instructional plan in accordance with school regulations and curriculum objectives.
Optional (44)
link between dance and music stylelink between dance and music styleThe relation of a practiced dance style with music structure and musicians.learning difficultieslearning difficultiesThe learning disorders some students face in an academic context, especially Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and concentration deficit disorders.acting techniquesacting techniquesThe different acting techniques for developing lifelike performances, such as method acting, classical acting, and Meisner technique.teamwork principlesteamwork principlesThe cooperation between people characterised by a unified commitment to achieving a given goal, participating equally, maintaining open communication, facilitating effective usage of ideas etc.musical theorymusical theoryThe body of interrelated concepts that constitutes the theoretical background of music.scientific research methodologyscientific research methodologyThe theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.movement techniquesmovement techniquesThe various types of movement and physical postures undertaken for relaxation, body-mind integration, stress reduction, flexibility, core support and rehabilitation purposes, and that are required for...theatre techniquestheatre techniquesThe techniques that facilitate a successful presentation of a play.understand the architecture of a live performanceunderstand the architecture of a live performanceIdentify the choreographic structure of a live performance work. Be aware of sequences, sections, parts and rhythmic structure.be a role model in community artsbe a role model in community artsTake responsibility for your physical and emotional wellbeing as a role model for your group. Care for the wellbeing of your participants while leading them in a dance session.assist in the organisation of school eventsassist in the organisation of school eventsProvide assistance in the planning and organisation of school events, such as the school's open house day, a sports game or a talent show.devise choreographydevise choreographyCompose choreographies for individuals and groups of dancers.match needs of target community with your skillsmatch needs of target community with your skillsMatch the needs of your researched target community to your skills as a dance leader. Practice self-awareness and an honest appraisal of your skills.facilitate teamwork between studentsfacilitate teamwork between studentsEncourage students to cooperate with others in their learning by working in teams, for example through group activities.perform dancesperform dancesPerform in artistic productions of differents disciplines such as classical ballet, modern dance, contemporary dance, early dance, ethnic dance, folk dance, acrobatic dances and street dance.understand the emotional dimension of a performanceunderstand the emotional dimension of a performanceIdentify the specific aspects of a cast and the emotions elicited by the performers' physical transformations. Sense the emotional charge of choreographic sequences, the arrangement of elements, in th...demonstrate technical expertise of your dance styledemonstrate technical expertise of your dance styleDemonstrate, describe or correct movement with your participants to enable them learn about their body and the dance style one is delivering in the participants. Compose and structure dance with the p...direct movement experiencesdirect movement experiencesAssist clients or patients in moving in a structured or improvisatory manner for expressive purposes.develop the physical languagedevelop the physical languageAnalyse and improve the choreographic movements and physical language, following the directions of the choreographer, scene director, etc.read dance scoresread dance scoresRead and note dance scores (if the choreography is notated or is reconstructed from a historical approach).create choreographic materialcreate choreographic materialCreate movements, choreographic sequences or sections, and links in between them.assist students with equipmentassist students with equipmentProvide assistance to students when working with (technical) equipment used in practice-based lessons and solve operational problems when necessary.maintain dance trainingmaintain dance trainingParticipate in training sessions and classes to ensure the highest possible level of technical proficiency, physical ability, and physical fitness. Identify the requirements of the work that orientate...develop learning curriculumdevelop learning curriculumDevelop and plan the learning goals and outcomes for education institutions, as well as the required teaching methods and potential education resources. Organise content, form, methods and technologie...manage resources for educational purposesmanage resources for educational purposesIdentify the necessary resources needed for learning purposes, such as materials in class or arranged transportation for a field trip. Apply for the corresponding budget and follow up on the orders.help performers internalise choreographic materialhelp performers internalise choreographic materialTeach the choreographic material, using physical demonstration and any relevant documentation (written, visual, audio), conveying the choreographer's intent, the nuances and details of the choreograph...assist students with their dissertationassist students with their dissertationSupport university students with the writing of their paper or theses. Advise on research methods or additions to certain parts of their dissertations. Report different types of errors, such as resear...perform exercises for artistic performanceperform exercises for artistic performancePerform exercises and demonstrate them when required. Aim to reach the training session objectives and the appropriate pace, finding a balance between artistic requirements and risk prevention princip...keep records of attendancekeep records of attendanceKeep track of the pupils who are absent by recording their names on a list of absentees.facilitate compositional structures in dancefacilitate compositional structures in danceRecognise and facilitate dance compositional structures appropriate to a chosen dance style and dance making process, according to the programme design, participant and group needs. Include a group's ...adapt training to labour marketadapt training to labour marketIdentify developments in the labour market and recognise their relevance to the training of students.develop codified movementsdevelop codified movementsIdentify codified movements to be used. Use and demonstrate codified movements to the performers.develop professional networkdevelop professional networkReach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up ...notate different dancesnotate different dancesUse dance noting techniques to notate different forms of dance.provide lesson materialsprovide lesson materialsEnsure that the necessary materials for teaching a class, such as visual aids, are prepared, up-to-date, and present in the instruction space.assist students in their learningassist students in their learningSupport and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.read musical scoreread musical scoreRead the musical score during rehearsal and live performance.develop methods for choreographic integrationdevelop methods for choreographic integrationDevelop methods to pass on your choreographic style or signature to the performers. Define a mode of transmission. Select the necessary tools.analyse your fight discipline expertiseanalyse your fight discipline expertiseDescribe experience in your discipline and within an artistic environment. Identify relevant elements to define an approach of your fight discipline in the artistic field. Describe your training backg...develop proposed choreographic languagedevelop proposed choreographic languageRehearse and develop the artistic, choreographic, dramatic and interactional concepts to embody them in the artistic performance.provide career counsellingprovide career counsellingAdvise beneficiaries on future career options through counselling and, potentially, through career testing and evaluation.intellectual property lawintellectual property lawThe regulations that govern the set of rights protecting products of the intellect from unlawful infringement.promote the conservatorypromote the conservatoryMaintain a positive image of the conservatory and use personal network in the best interest of the conservatory, such as establishing valuable artistic and financial connections.contribute to the choreographer's process of reflectioncontribute to the choreographer's process of reflectionHelp choreographers develop their reflection. Suggest readings. Refer to the work of visual artists, filmmakers, performing artists, composers and sound designers, and suggest potential resource perso...
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