Dance Instructor Resume Guide
Dance instructors teach students the technique and artistry of various dance styles. They create choreography, provide feedback to their students on how to improve, and ensure that safety protocols are followed. Additionally, they may also be responsible for developing lesson plans or organizing recitals for their classes.
Your dance moves are mesmerizing, and you know just how to teach them. But if potential employers don’t have a glimpse of your abilities, they won’t be able to hire you. Writing an effective resume is the key to getting noticed by recruiters and hiring managers in the industry.
This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.
Table of Contents
The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.
Dance Instructor Resume Sample
Thomas Cormier
Dance Instructor
[email protected]
500-873-4714
linkedin.com/in/thomas-cormier
Summary
Reliable, creative dance instructor with 8+ years of experience teaching students from ages 5-18. Skilled in leading classes in hip hop and jazz genres while providing a safe and productive learning environment. At ABC School, successfully developed choreography for five recitals which improved the overall energy level of performances by 30%. Adept at using positive reinforcement to create an inviting atmosphere that encourages student participation and growth.
Experience
Dance Instructor, Employer A
Aurora, Jan 2018 – Present
- Critiqued over 100 students’ dance performances, offering constructive feedback and helping them develop their technique by 10% on average.
- Collaborated with music directors and choreographers to create innovative routines for an impressive total of 15 recitals over the last 4 years.
- Improved the overall ratings of student performances during competitions by 40%, resulting in a higher rate of trophies won than all competing schools combined.
- Supervised 8-12 instructors as Head Dance Instructor, delegating tasks according to individual strengths & abilities; increased team morale & productivity by 30%.
- Competently taught ballet, jazz, contemporary dance styles/techniques and acrobatics to classes up to 25 participants per session; raised enrollment numbers from 200+ students annually to 350+.
Dance Instructor, Employer B
Houston, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017
- Formulated creative and engaging lesson plans for a diverse range of dance classes, including ballet, modern jazz, hip hop and tap dancing; increased student attendance in all classes by 10%.
- Coached over 50 students per week on correct technique and form to help them master a variety of moves while increasing flexibility and balance through the use of physical exercises.
- Streamlined administrative processes related to class scheduling, payment tracking & customer service management which saved up to 8 hours weekly in labor costs.
- Assessed each student’s progress regularly using an objective scoring system that enabled instructors to adjust instruction based on individual needs; improved performance ratings among 90%+ participants within 3 months time frame.
- Diligently maintained accurate records for all students via online databases as well as traditional paper files which ensured no important information was ever forgotten or misplaced during instructors’ absences from the studio.
Skills
- Dance
- Teaching
- Choreography
- Performing Arts
- Ballet
- Dance Education
- Contemporary Dance
- Theatre
- Dance Instruction
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
Certifications
Certified Dance Instructor
National Dance Teachers Association of America
May 2017
1. Summary / Objective
A resume summary for a dance instructor should be an attention-grabbing statement that highlights your unique skills and experience. You can use this section to mention the various styles of dance you specialize in, any awards or certifications you have earned, and how many years of teaching experience you possess. You could also include information about any special classes or workshops you have taught in the past.
Below are some resume summary examples:
Amicable and patient dance instructor with 6+ years of experience teaching different styles to all ages. Proven ability to motivate and inspire students while creating an enjoyable learning environment. Attended numerous workshops and seminars on the latest techniques in studio instruction, curriculum development, and injury prevention. At XYZ Dance Studio, created a dynamic program that helped increase student enrollment by 30%.
Detail-oriented dance instructor with 8+ years of experience teaching dance classes to children and adults. Passionate about sharing the joy of movement, fostering a positive learning environment, and helping students reach their goals. Skilled in adapting instruction for different skill levels and tailoring choreography to individual needs. Looking forward to bringing these skills as the next Dance Instructor at ABC Studio.
Proficient dance instructor with 5+ years of experience teaching dance classes for all ages and levels. Skilled in planning, organizing, and leading group lessons as well as individual instruction. Proven track record of success in helping students reach their goals through positive reinforcement and encouragement. Seeking to use my knowledge and enthusiasm to provide a fun learning environment at XYZ Dance Studio.
Seasoned dance instructor with 8+ years of experience in teaching dance classes. Expertise in multiple genres of dance, including hip-hop, jazz and modern. Committed to inspiring students by providing a safe and positive learning environment while encouraging creativity and expression through movement. Seeking to join ABC Dance Company as the next lead dance teacher for their youth program.
Energetic and experienced dance instructor looking to bring a unique approach of creative movement and choreography to ABC Dance Academy. 5+ years of experience teaching students aged 4-17 in the fundamentals of hip hop, jazz, contemporary and ballet styles. Specialized in helping children with special needs find their own rhythm while building confidence through physical activity.
Dependable dance instructor with over 10 years of experience teaching various dance styles to all ages, from toddlers to adults. Highly skilled at helping students reach their full potential by creating a fun, supportive atmosphere in the classroom. At XYZ Dance Studio, increased enrollment rate by 30% and was awarded Teacher of the Year for exceptional performance.
Talented dance instructor with 5+ years of experience teaching contemporary, jazz and hip-hop to students of all ages. Certified in CPR/AED training and possess a strong background in arts administration. Looking to join ABC Dance Academy as an instructor where I can bring my enthusiasm for dance, knowledge of choreography, and commitment to student success.
Accomplished dance instructor with 5+ years of experience teaching ballet, modern dance, and hip hop to students of all ages. Used creative choreography and innovative teaching methods to motivate even the most reluctant learners. Passionate about sharing my knowledge to ABC Dance Academy in order to help others reach their potential as dancers.
2. Experience / Employment
In the experience section, you should provide details on your employment history. List it in reverse chronological order, with the most recent job at the top.
Stick to bullet points when stating what you did; this makes it easier for someone reading quickly to take in information about your experience. You want to think carefully about what you include and make sure that each point is detailed and quantifiable where possible.
For example, instead of saying “Instructed dance classes,” you could say, “Taught beginner-level hip hop classes twice a week for 8 months; saw an average attendance increase of 15% over time.”
To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:
- Instructed
- Choreographed
- Demonstrated
- Motivated
- Evaluated
- Performed
- Collaborated
- Adapted
- Rehearsed
- Coached
- Critiqued
- Directed
- Encouraged
- Scheduled
- Supervised
Other general verbs you can use are:
- Achieved
- Advised
- Assessed
- Compiled
- Coordinated
- Developed
- Expedited
- Facilitated
- Formulated
- Improved
- Introduced
- Mentored
- Optimized
- Participated
- Prepared
- Presented
- Reduced
- Reorganized
- Represented
- Revised
- Spearheaded
- Streamlined
- Structured
- Utilized
Below are some example bullet points:
- Rehearsed and instructed up to 30 students per class in contemporary and classical dance styles, achieving an average performance improvement of 15% over the course of six months.
- Spearheaded the choreographing and staging of two original school-wide showcases annually; contributed to a 75% increase in overall ticket sales for these events compared to previous years.
- Adapted teaching strategies based on individual student needs, helping all levels from beginners through advanced dancers develop essential technique and style with minimal corrections required during each session; decreased time spent correcting mistakes by 25%.
- Demonstrated technical proficiency in multiple genres such as jazz, hip hop, tap & ballet while instructing classes; efficiently conducted warmups, stretches & cool downs within allotted lesson timescales every week.
- Accurately assessed student’s progression using rubrics created by industry professionals; successfully identified areas needing improvement leading to improved performances across all learners at quarterly recitals or competitions held throughout the year.
- Expedited learning progress of 25+ students, increasing their technical execution and performance quality by 20% in less than 6 months.
- Mentored a team of 10 dancers to achieve 3rd place at the regional dance competition; developed unique choreography for each routine which was praised highly by judges.
- Scheduled over 30 classes per month across multiple disciplines including jazz, contemporary and ballet, with full attendance consistently exceeding 80%.
- Reliably achieved high student satisfaction rates as evidenced through feedback surveys; earned an average rating of 4/5 stars from parents & participants alike for providing effective instruction techniques during lessons and performances.
- Advised 15+ adult recreational dancers on proper technique, form and body mechanics to improve posture alignment while executing complex steps safely; helped them master more advanced movement patterns within 2-3 weeks.
- Presented structured and engaging programs in multiple dance styles, such as jazz, hip hop, tap and ballet; instructed over 600 students aged 3-19 on proper technique and performance etiquette.
- Motivated student progress through positive reinforcement while encouraging the development of individual style; increased average class participation by 11%.
- Developed choreography for 15+ performances at various venues across town, resulting in a 25% increase to annual ticket sales revenue from previous years.
- Achieved nationally recognized certification as an accredited Dance Educator via successful completion of all required examinations within 8 months time frame with a 94% score overall.
- Actively promoted classes & events through digital marketing tools such as email campaigns & social media posts which helped generate an additional $7000 worth of registrations annually.
- Substantially increased the enrollment for dance classes by 20% in one year through community outreach and promotional activities.
- Encouraged a safe, supportive learning environment to help students learn ballet, jazz and hip-hop at their own pace while building confidence; saw average student retention rates triple over the course of three years.
- Structured creative lesson plans tailored to meet individual needs and skill levels which included warm-ups, technique drills & choreography rehearsals; developed custom syllabi for 45+ private lessons per week with an emphasis on proper body alignment & articulation techniques.
- Prepared students for upcoming recitals by creating show pieces that were well received across all age groups; managed backstage production logistics such as costume rentals, stage lighting adjustments etc., resulting in successful performances every season!
- Facilitated various workshops including a weekly “Introduction to Dance” class with attendance averaging 250 participants from diverse backgrounds each month – demonstrating an ability to engage learners of various ages/skill levels within a collaborative space effectively.
- Reduced student learning time by 10% through efficient use of targeted instruction and practice methods.
- Evaluated student progress on a regular basis to ensure that all objectives were met within the desired timeline.
- Coordinated with other instructors in order to create innovative choreography for performances, competitions & recitals; increased audience engagement by 20%.
- Efficiently managed class sizes ranging from 8-20 students while motivating them through creative activities and positive reinforcement techniques; improved overall attendance rate by 5%.
- Choreographed over 50 routines across multiple genres such as jazz, hip-hop, contemporary & ballet; successfully led students in showcases at local events & festivals throughout the year.
- Revised dance class syllabus and choreography for over 100 students of varying ages, resulting in improved overall performance amongst the entire student base.
- Directed high school dance team performances at local competitions; managed rehearsals, costumes and logistics to lead the team to a top 10 ranking within their division.
- Instructed private classes for both adults and children on several genres of dance such as jazz, hip-hop, contemporary and ballet; successfully trained 7 advanced dancers who moved onto professional level auditions.
- Meticulously evaluated each student’s progress throughout lessons using standardized assessments; achieved an average score improvement of 15% across all enrolled classes within 6 months time frame.
- Reorganized studio layout according to various age groups’ needs creating a safe learning environment where safety guidelines were strictly adhered to at all times.
- Introduced innovative teaching techniques to engage and motivate 25+ students of all ages in learning complex dance routines; increased class attendance by 20% over a 4 month period.
- Utilized various music genres such as jazz, hip-hop, ballet and contemporary styles when choreographing dances for performance events across the city; represented the school at 3 competitions with high scores from judges.
- Represented local schools at community events showcasing student performances through creative pieces produced by combining different types of music and movement; compiled an average rating score above 90%.
- Compiled detailed lesson plans that incorporated fun activities while instructing students on proper technique and body alignment within their chosen style of dance; successfully trained 16 new instructors in 2 months to fill open positions within the studio’s staff roster.
- Successfully conducted classes virtually due to COVID restrictions, adjusting curriculum content & providing feedback via video chat platforms – resulting in no dropouts throughout online sessions.
- Performed over 50 classes of dance instruction per week, teaching various styles such as ballet, jazz and hip hop to groups ranging from 15-30 students.
- Participated in online workshops & seminars with the intent of optimizing lesson plans for a wide variety of age groups; successfully improved student performance by 20% within 4 months.
- Optimized virtual live streaming sessions to make them more interactive and engaging for learners; increased overall engagement levels by 10%.
- Confidently managed classroom dynamics while creating an enjoyable learning environment that encouraged students to reach their fullest potentials through dancing.
3. Skills
Skill requirements will differ from employer to employer – this can easily be determined via the job advert. Organization ABC may be looking for a dance instructor who specializes in hip-hop, while Organization XYZ may require someone with experience teaching ballet.
It is essential to tailor the skills section of your resume to each job that you are applying for because many employers use applicant tracking systems these days. These programs scan resumes for certain keywords before passing them on to a human.
Once listed here, you can further elaborate on your skillset by discussing it in more detail elsewhere within the resume; such as providing examples of classes taught or awards won related to dancing and instruction.
Below is a list of common skills & terms:
- Acting
- Art
- Arts Administration
- Ballet
- Ballroom Dance
- Choreography
- Classical Ballet
- Coaching
- Communication
- Contemporary Dance
- Dance
- Dance Education
- Dance Instruction
- Editing
- Entertainment
- Event Management
- Fitness
- Fundraising
- Improvisation
- Jazz
- Jazz Dance
- Modern Dance
- Music
- Musical Theatre
- Nonprofits
- Performing Arts
- Singing
- Social Media Marketing
- Social Networking
- Stage
- TAP
- Tap Dance
- Teaching
- Team Leadership
- Teamwork
- Theatre
- Time Management
4. Education
Including an education section on your resume will depend on how far along you are in your career. If you just graduated and have no prior experience, mention your education below the resume objective. However, if you have been working as a dance instructor for years with plenty of different accomplishments to showcase, omitting the education section is perfectly fine.
If an education section is included, try to list courses related to dancing or teaching that demonstrate relevant knowledge and skills for this position.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
5. Certifications
Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and proficiency in a specific field. They provide potential employers with evidence that you have been tested by an accredited organization, showing that you are more qualified than other applicants.
Including certifications on your resume is especially important if the job advert emphasizes certain skills or qualifications. If you possess any relevant certifications, make sure to include them in this section of your resume for maximum impact!
Certified Dance Instructor
National Dance Teachers Association of America
May 2017
6. Contact Info
Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.
You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.
Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Thomas Cormier, this would be Thomas-Cormier-resume.pdf or Thomas-Cormier-resume.docx.
7. Cover Letter
A cover letter is a great way to make yourself stand out from the other job applicants. It is usually composed of 2-4 short paragraphs and provides an opportunity for you to explain why you are the ideal candidate for the role.
Cover letters can be used to provide more details about your experience, qualifications, skillset and personality that may not fit on your resume. Although it isn’t always required by employers, writing one will surely increase your chances of being considered for the position.
Below is an example cover letter:
Dear Emiliano,
I am writing to apply for the position of Dance Instructor at your studio. As a professional dancer with 10+ years of experience, I have a deep understanding of various dance techniques that I can share with students. In addition, I have experience teaching both children and adults, so I am confident that I can meet the needs of any type of learner.
As someone who is passionate about dance, I am always looking for ways to help my students improve their skills and reach their potential. For example, last year I created a choreography course that helped my students develop their creativity and expression through movement. The course was very popular and resulted in many positive outcomes for my students.
In addition to being an excellent teacher, I am also highly organized and efficient. This enables me to manage my time well and keep classes on schedule. My goal is always to create a fun and supportive environment where students can learn and grow as dancers.
If you are looking for an experienced and dynamic dance instructor, then please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your time and consideration; I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Sincerely,
Thomas