You might be spending hundreds to thousands of dollars with this person and you don’t want to feel like you wasted it, right?
Here are 6 questions to ask your dance instructor before hiring them, AND the responses you want to look for. That way, you can decide if they are the right fit for you.
Dance Instructor interview questions
If a student was lagging behind the rest of the class, how would you handle him/her?
Demonstrates patience, interpersonal skills, and dedication to helping the student improve.
How do you inspire and motivate your students?
Reveals personal character and dedication to helping students succeed.
How long have you been an instructor and what styles of dance do you teach?
Shows work history and job knowledge.
What is your favorite style of dance and why?
Interviewers may ask you this question to know more about you, your interests and your passions as a dancer. It also tests your knowledge of different dance styles and dance in general. When you answer, state your favorite style of dance and clearly explain why you enjoy it the most.
Example: “I grew up taking several ballet and jazz classes, which began my love of classical and traditional styles. These classes eventually led me to love the lyrical dance style the most. The way it blends jazz and ballet in a beautifully expressive way makes it both enjoyable to watch and perform.”
Questions about experience and background
As the interview progresses, the hiring manager may ask questions to get to know your level of expertise as a dancer. These questions typically focus on your training and professional experience. Here are some questions you might receive about your experience and background as a dancer:
General dancer interview questions
At the beginning of an interview, hiring managers often ask general questions to get to know who you are. Once they assess your personality and work ethic, they can determine whether youre a good cultural fit for their company. Here are some basic interview questions you can expect at the start of your interview:
Example: “If a student was struggling to learn a specific dance move, I would first ask them if they understood the instructions I gave them. If they say yes, then I would try to find out why they aren’t able to perform the move correctly. For example, if they were having trouble learning a jump, I might have them demonstrate their current jumping ability and compare it to the one in the lesson. This helps me identify any areas where they may be lacking.”
Example: “I have always been passionate about dance, but I also understand that it’s important for my students to learn other subjects as well. In my last position, I worked closely with the school librarian to create an after-school program where we taught kids basic ballet moves while they learned new vocabulary words. This helped them retain information in both subjects.”
This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your dance background and experience. It also helps them determine if you have any teaching preferences or specialties. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention styles that are similar to those taught at the school. This can show that you’re familiar with their curriculum and would fit in well as an instructor.
Example: “I would first ask the parent what they were specifically concerned about. I would then meet with the child’s teacher to discuss their progress in class. If there was a problem with the student’s progress, I would talk to the student one-on-one to see if they had any concerns or questions. If it was determined that the student was not making enough progress, I would speak with the parents again to let them know we would be working on a solution together.”
In this guide, we will provide you with a list of questions that you may be asked in a dance teacher job interview, as well as sample answers to help you prepare.
Let the music play. Show us what you can do. Dance!
To see something once is better than to hear about it a thousand times. In each good interview they will ask you to dance, or at least to show them some video recording of you dancing. Bring the best video tape you have, or your laptop with your YT channel ready to play.
And do not forget to wear your dancing shoes (or bring them with you to the interview), to be able to perform your best. Then it’s enough being yourself. Do not stress out in the interview. Go with the flow and let your body become one with the music..
6 Questions To Ask Your Dance Instructor BEFORE Hiring Them
You probably want them to teach private lessons.
Group classes are a great way to pick up new steps and meet other dancers once you know how to dance, but you could spend years in group classes and never get a handle on how to connect to your partner.
Learn some basic foundational skills in private lessons first. Then if you want to and have the time, move on to group lessons.
FAQ
What are the 10 most common teacher interview questions and answers?
- What would my goals be for the first year?
- What’s the average classroom size?
- What’s the school’s culture like?
- Do you have an active PTA?
- What are the other teachers like?
- How is the interaction between the school and the parents?
What do they ask in a dance interview?
- What is your training and background in dance? …
- How long have you been an instructor and what styles of dance do you teach? …
- If a student was lagging behind the rest of the class, how would you handle him/her? …
- How do you inspire and motivate your students?
How do you prepare for a dance interview?
- Tell me about yourself.
- Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?
- What’s your greatest strength as a dancer?
- What’s your greatest weakness as a dancer?
- What do you like to do when you’re not dancing?
- When did you decide to make dance your professional career?
