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Becoming a Dance Studio Manager – Job Description & Duties

Do you want to know what is required to become a dance studio manager? If YES, here is a detailed job description of a dance studio manager. A good number of Americans are becoming interested in taking dance lessons as a result of the popularity of television dance shows, the need to be physically fit and other factors.

A dance studio may focus on a specific dance genre—such as ballet or tap dance—or they may teach a variety of styles. As a Dance Studio Manager, you will be taking your love of dancing one step further, intertwining physical agility with the mental waltz of running a business.

A dance studio in the United States can be run independently or be part of a larger institution, such as a university, school for the arts, or performing arts centre. If the studio is part of a dance program, the manager will usually be working with more than 100 dancers.

What Does It Take to Become a Dance Studio Manager?

If you’re interested in becoming a Dance Studio Manager, then you need to consider how much education you need. Note that about 50.5% of Dance Studio Managers have a bachelor’s degree. In terms of higher education levels, around 4.3% of Dance Studio Managers have master’s degrees. Even though most Dance Studio Managers have a college degree, it’s quite possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.

However, choosing the right major is always an important step when researching how to become a Dance Studio Manager. In this career line, most dance studio managers commonly earn Business degrees or Dance degrees. Some may even earn Nursing degrees or Psychology degrees.

Also remember that experience in other jobs will help you become a Dance Studio Manager. Many Dance Studio Managers also have previous career experience in roles such as Dance Instructor or Receptionist. According to reports, Dance Studio Managers in America earn an average salary of $69,468 per year or $33 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $126,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $38,000 per year.

To achieve their first priority of managing staff and overseeing the daily tasks of the studio, dance studio managers are expected to be able to manage people and time. Below are the core responsibilities of a Dance Studio Manager.

6 Duties and Job Description of a Dance Studio Manager

1. General Management

Depending on the size of the studio, the Dance Studio Manager may have only a few or a large team of employees to supervise. These experts are responsible for hiring, organizing and training employees. Dance studio managers are known to oversee dance instructors and are tasked with the day-to-day running of dance studios.

These experts serve as the liaison between customers and the dance school owner. Another thing you are expected to do as a dance studio manager is attending leadership meetings and running staff meetings.

2. Scheduling

Scheduling is an important part of a Dance Studio Manager’s job. The studio is in business to provide time, space and equipment for client use. When business affairs are in order, a Dance Studio Manager will switch to Secretary Mode and start planning. Indeed, teachers and dance instructors can’t all hold dance sessions at the same time. Scheduling classes and buying equipment are imperative for success.

3. Invoicing and Tracking

When clients make use of the studio’s resources, they are charged for usage. The Dance Studio Manager is tasked with setting up client accounts, invoicing clients for their time and tracking the invoices to make sure they are paid in full.

4. Staff Training

As a Dance Studio Manager, you will also have to train staff, review the staff to make sure they are performing well, and grow the program so that the program will be more successful. You will also be tasked with initiating, creating, updating, and implementing lesson plans for the program. You will also need to know when to review, change, or delete classes.

5. Technical Tasks

Dance Studio Managers may also be contacted to install, operate, maintain or troubleshoot technical equipment. They may also have to schedule repairs of equipment. Therefore, technical experience may be needed.

6. Marketing and Business Promotion

Also note that as a Dance Studio Manager, you have to put the word out if you want to attract clients. Your creativity flows as you put together an ad to run in the weekly paper, or print colourful brochures to pass out to prospective clients.

3 Skills Required to Become a Dance Studio Manager

Successful Dance Studio Managers are well-organized multi-taskers. They are well-spoken as they often are the first point of contact for visiting clients. In addition to these general skills and personality traits, employers will want to see the following skills in Dance Studio Managers;

1. Core skills

According to reports, employers always prefer Dance Studio Managers with these core skills. So if you are looking to have a career as a Studio Manager, consider the following.

2. Advanced skills

Even though most employers would not specifically require the following skills, some included them as preferred. However, to open up your career options, consider these skills as an added advantage to your career goals.

3. Tools of the trade

Have it in mind that Dance Studio Mangers leverage many  tools in their daily work. If you plan on pursuing a career as a Dance Studio Manager, you should be quite advanced in using the following:

  • Word processing programs, such as Microsoft Word
  • Spreadsheet programs, such as Microsoft Excel
  • Invoicing software
  • Complex production equipment
  • Project and event scheduling applications

Most of the challenges a Dance Studio Manager face are more or less of the client services variety. First, there are many places to be at once – the phone could be ringing while you’re about to settle for lunch and someone is at the door.

Have it in mind that juggling several tasks at once is the biggest challenge. Then there’s handling clients who take their frustrations out on you, plus the stigma of being a Dance Studio Manager often renders you (in the eyes of some clientele) unqualified, non-creative and nonessential to the process.

4 Tips for Owners to Consider Before Hiring a Dance Studio Manager

If the administrative workload at your studio is running you down, it might be ideal to consider hiring a dance studio manager. A lot of studios in the United States are hiring additional staff to help out with the day-to-day responsibilities that more or less fall to the owner. Here are critical considerations you are expected to make if you’re thinking about  hiring a dance studio manager.

1. Consider Automating or Outsourcing

The very first thing you are expected to do when you’re feeling overwhelmed with administrative tasks is to make a list of all the things you’re behind on. Once you have a list with you, it makes it easier to determine if you need a new employee or if you could simply invest in some automation software.

If your worries or stress are related to accounting and bookkeeping, you might need to invest in a new accounting software. You should also consider outsourcing to an accounting firm.

But if you think you spend too much time wiping down the mirrors in your classrooms; it might be ideal to hire a cleaning service to come in once a week. Once you understand the distribution of your workload, you can make an informed decision if you need a manager or a new kind of staff.

2. Analyze the Costs and Benefits

Have it in mind that a dance studio manager will indeed help to reduce your workload, but you’re going to have to write another pay check each week. According to reports, most studio managers expect to receive between $10 and $20 per hour, depending on the size of the office and the responsibilities involved.

That is why it’s imperative to analyze the time and stress you’ll save against the cost of another salary. However, if the cost is within your budget, a studio manager might be the way to go. But if the money would put a strain on your finances, it’s preferable you consider other options.

3. Go for Candidates with Experience

After making the informed decision to hire a studio manager, it would do you well to thoroughly review candidates for the position, and also keep that list of responsibilities you made handy. Always remember to choose a manager whose experience lines up with your needs.

If you’re behind on filing and paperwork, a candidate who has worked in an office setting would be the main priority. Individuals with customer service experience will do a good job answering phones and emails. But if you require help with more hands-on tasks like ordering costumes and creating rehearsal schedule, you might have to consider a candidate who’s familiar with the basics of dance.

4. Establish a Training Plan

Anyone you hire will need to be trained before they can be a part of your studio. Even if the candidate has worked in a studio before, no two businesses are the same, and there will be tasks he or she needs to be walked through. Always make time to create a training plan before your new hire starts. Note that the more specific your plan is, the quicker your manager will understand things.

Also note that both you and the employee will benefit from written policies, procedures and schedules. If you want to be the point of contact for parent complaints or be the only one posting to social media, explain that to your staff member. Sometimes he or she might try to be helpful and take on tasks that you really want for yourself.

Conclusion

Even though you don’t have to be a dancer to become a Dance Studio Manager, it certainly helps to have the knowledge of the field so that you can efficiently assist the studio’s customers. Also note that most studio owners will want someone who has been in charge of an office and staff so that they can trust that you know what you’re doing. However, being a manager at a dance studio can be a fulfilling and enjoyable career choice.