How to Become a Certified Dance Instructor?
Want to shift your love for dance into a professional teaching career? If you are looking for answers to how to become a certified dance instructor, from training and certifications to career tips, all in one place. Read this Shiksha article to learn how to become a certified dance instructor in India.
How to become a certified dance instructor in India?
If your first love is dance, and every day you dream of turning that passion into a career? Then, it is high time to explore various certified dance instructor courses in India. With the help of these Dance instructor courses, one can not only pursue their dream career but also get the opportunity to teach others and help them achieve their dreams, along with confidence and joy. Whether a dancer is trained in Indian classical dance forms, such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi or other western dance forms such as ballet, hip hop, contemporary, or Bollywood, getting a dance teaching certification adds credibility and opens up various teaching opportunities in schools, studios, and even online teaching platforms.
How to become a certified dance instructor in India?
Here are the steps to become a certified dance instructor in India.
Sure! Here’s a humanised guide on how to become a certified dance instructor in India, broken down into easy-to-follow steps:
1. Pick Your Dance Style: The first step is to decide what style you wish to teach: Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, Salsa, etc. Being aware of your interest helps to focus more on the right training and certification.
2. Get Proper Training: Before teaching other dancers, it is better to do proper training yourself. You can get admission in a reputed dance school or academy to complete your certification or training program in your preferred dance style before starting as a dance instructor. You can start young as a Dance Instructor in India, but it’s never too late to begin seriously.
3. Pursue Certification: Find out some of the best dance instructor certifications, as mentioned below:
- Government-recognised institutes like Pracheen Kala Kendra or Gandharva Mahavidyalaya for Indian classical dance
- Private institutes like Terence Lewis Academy, Shiamak Davar Institute, or Danceworx for learning and getting training in contemporary and western styles and other online certifications.
4. Join Workshops and Dance Intensives: Participate in Dance workshops, seminars, and masterclasses by renowned dancers and choreographers. This will help dancers to improve their skills and help them build their network in the dance community.
5. Assist or Intern with a Dance Teacher: Hands-on experience is fundamental to become a certified dance instructor in India. Work under an experienced dance instructor and assist them during their classes. This will help dancers learn and develop important skills needed to be a certified dance instructor in India, such as managing students, planning routines, and teaching effectively.
6. Learn Teaching Methodology: Some dance institutes and academies provide "Dance Teacher Training Programs" which focus on how to teach, not just how to dance. These certified courses to become a dance instructor include lesson planning, anatomy, injury prevention, and more.
7. Start Teaching and Build Experience: Start small, it will be difficult initially to offer private lessons or teach at a local community centre, but what is better than following your passion? Slowly build a reputation in the dance community offline and online through performance showcases, student results, online presence and word of mouth.
8. Keep Growing: Dance trends evolve, so do your skills. So, it is better to keep on learning, upgrading your skills, and adding new techniques or styles to better your repertoire. This keeps your teaching fresh and relevant.
Bonus Tip:
If a dance student is planning to open their studio or school, having a business plan and basic knowledge of marketing, branding, and budgeting can help them grow.
Also Read:
- Dance Courses After 12th: Check Out Courses, Colleges, and Fee Structure
- How to become a choreographer?
- Top Dance Colleges in India: Courses Fees, Duration, Scope & Average Income
- Hip-Hop in Dance & Choreography colleges in Delhi/NCR
Scholarship for a certified dance instructor in India
Here is the list of some of the best scholarships available to become a certified dance instructor in India.
| Scholarship Name |
Course / Focus Area |
Duration |
Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIMA – Dance Inc India Scholarship |
9 months (8 months training + 1 month internship) |
Open to all aspiring dancers. Selection based on audition video, financial need (bank statement), and a 250-word statement of purpose. No prior dance experience required. |
|
| Traditional performing arts (e.g., classical dance) |
Up to 5 years |
Students aged 10 to 14 with at least 5 years of training under a recognised guru/institute. Must be enrolled in a recognised school or belong to a Traditional Artist Family (TAF). |
|
| Kalakshetra Foundation Scholarships |
Diploma courses in Bharatanatyam, Carnatic Music, and Visual Arts |
3 to 4 years |
Students demonstrating talent and financial need. Scholarships awarded after the first year based on performance. Additional scholarships available for students from North Eastern states of India. |
| Sanskriti Foundation's Kalakriti Fellowship |
Indian classical dance |
10 months |
Indian nationals aged 25 to 40 with a minimum of 10 years of training in Indian classical dance and at least 2 to 3 solo performances at recognised forums. |
| Ministry of Culture's Young Artistes Scholarship |
Advanced training in Indian classical dance and other cultural fields |
2 years |
Indian nationals aged 18 to 25 with at least 5 years of training under a guru/institute. Must demonstrate proficiency and commitment to pursuing advanced training. |
| Various courses, including dance, acting, and filmmaking |
Varies by course |
Talented students across India. Scholarships up to INR 75000 based on audition and application. |
|
| JNMDA Scholarships – Sangeet Natak Akademi |
Diploma and Post-Diploma courses in Manipuri Dance & Sankirtana |
3 years |
Best-performing students in specific dance forms. Additional stipends for students from outside Manipur. |
The journey to becoming a certified dance instructor is not an easy one, but working on your skills, gaining teaching experience, training, and completing a certification course to become a dance instructor is in your hands. These certification courses or programs consist of essential skills such as learning and teaching choreography and class management to injury prevention, and age-appropriate techniques. These dance courses help dancers to get specialisation in the dance style they are most passionate about. If you are a performing artist who wishes to pursue a performing arts course or any other dance certification course, go through the above points and the step-by-step guide to become a certified dance instructor in India. Let us dive into how you can make your passion for dance a fulfilling and professional career.
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