Surviving the Economy in a Private Studio: Embracing an Academic Pedagogy

Abstract

ABSTRACTMany choices I personally made in establishing my private studio allowed the studio business to survive and grow in the recent economic downturn. I embraced a business model that provides economic flexibility for students' parents and made the decision to focus on the art of dance rather than the pressures of competitive dance. Giving students a more academic experience has infiltrated every aspect of my teaching. To create and build the studio business, I focused on excluding expenses and pressures of competitive dance, giving families the freedom to choose the number and genre of classes, and incorporating National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) programs. I encourage owners of private schools of dance to revisit their teaching pedagogy, talk and listen to parents and community members, become involved with the NDEO, and realize an economy that changes for the worse does not need to mean failure to a private school of dance.