Dance Instructor Text-Only Resume Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Kevin Morrison
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Windermere Rd., Seattle, WA 12345
Profile
A certified Dance Instructor with entry-level experience, specializing in jazz, contemporary dance, hip hop, and tap dance. Adept at building curriculum and tailoring lesson plans according to student strengths and weaknesses to maximize growth.
Professional Experience
Dance Instructor, Martin Dance Studios, Seattle, WA
May 2021 – Present
- Plan lessons for classes of up to 15-20 students in jazz, hip hop, and contemporary dance, develop dance choreographies, and define curriculum to drive student success
- Evaluate student performance, strengths, and weaknesses and provide recommendations and learning strategies to facilitate growth
- Incorporate a variety of dance styles and choreographies to aid students in improving technique, form, posture, and stamina
Part-Time Dance Instructor, YMCA, Seattle, WA
May 2020 – May 2021
- Deliver dance instruction to groups of 30+ students across all ages in jazz and hip hop dance styles, plan engaging lessons according to student interests, and create a positive and inclusive learning environment
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) Dance
University of Washington, Seattle, WA September 2016 – May 2020
Key Skills
- Dance Instruction
- Jazz
- Hip Hop
- Contemporary Dance
- Lesson Planning
Certifications
- Associate Specialized Training Certificate, Dance Educators of America, 2021
Selena Ramirez
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Santa Maria, San Francisco, CA 12345
Profile
A certified Dance Instructor with five years of experience, specializing in Latin dance, Salsa, Mambo, Bolero, and American Rhythm. A proven track record of developing innovative lesson plans for a broad range of dance styles. Adept at balancing constructive criticism with positive reinforcement to drive personal and professional growth.
Professional Experience
Dance Instructor, Latin Arts Studio, San Francisco, CA
May 2018 – Present
- Educate dance students on cultural and historical aspects of Latin dance, develop choreographies for salsa, bolero, mambo, and merengue performances, and coordinate with students to identify ideal music selection for recitals
- Plan dance curriculum for beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes of up to 25 students, pace lessons according to skill sets, and tailor instruction to individual needs
- Provide instruction in a variety of Latin dance styles and deliver constructive criticism with patience and empathy to enhance student learning and engagement
Dance Instructor, NorCal Dance Studios, San Francisco, CA
May 2016 – May 2018
- Taught Latin dance lessons to children and adult students, developed curriculum according to competency levels, analyzed performance and student progress, and delivered feedback in a kind and professional manner
- Defined choreographies for dance recitals and supported students in preparing for performances using a variety of instructional techniques
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) Dance
University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA September 2012 – May 2016
Key Skills
- Dance Instruction
- Classical Ballet
- Latin Dance
- Contemporary Ballet
- Curriculum Development
Certifications
- Advanced Teacher Certificate, Dance Educators of America, 2019
- Associate Specialized Training Certificate, Dance Educators of America, 2016
Melissa Anderson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Bedford Avenue, New York, NY, 12345
Profile
An innovative Dance Instructor with 10+ years of experience teaching engaging lessons in classical, neoclassical, romantic, and contemporary ballet. A strong history of developing and implementing dynamic teaching strategies to aid students in improving form and technique. Adept at creating beginner, intermediate, and advanced recital choreographies.
Professional Experience
Senior Dance Instructor, Brooklyn Ballet Academy, New York, NY
May 2016 – Present
- Create engaging lesson plans, define curriculum, and develop recital choreographies for a variety of ballet styles, including classical, neoclassical, and contemporary
- Deliver advanced instruction to classes of up to 20+ students, evaluate posture and form, provide constructive feedback and positive reinforcement according to individual needs, and prepare students for national ballet competitions
- Improve student understanding of labanotation and utilize RAD teaching techniques to tailor the pace and style of lessons to maximize student growth and performance
Dance Instructor, Redfield Dance Studio, New York, NY
May 2011 – May 2016
- Planned and taught lessons in contemporary ballet, jazz, ballroom dancing, and modern dance to students of various ages and backgrounds
- Coordinated with a team of five dance instructors to improve curriculum, support lesson planning, identify music selection for recitals, and plan choreographies
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) Dance
Columbia University, New York, NY September 2007 – May 2011
Key Skills
- Dance Instruction
- Classical Ballet
- Latin Dance
- Contemporary Ballet
- Curriculum Development
Certifications
- Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies, Royal Academy of Dance, 2014
- Associate Specialized Training Certificate, Dance Educators of America, 2011
Tips for Writing a Better Dance Instructor Resume
To create a strong dance instructor resume, you need to identify aspects of your career that dance studios and schools will find compelling. Those needs will vary according to the type of studio that you’re applying to. For example, if you’re pursuing a position at a ballet academy, it’s important to outline your knowledge of classical and contemporary styles. Another core aspect of being an effective dance instructor is your ability to aid the personal growth of your students, which is why you’ll need to provide insights into how you balance constructive criticism and positive reinforcement. Below, you’ll find some expert tips to help you craft a strong dance instructor resume.
1. Showcase the dance styles you specialize in
When building your resume, you’ll want to provide deeper insights into the dance styles that best showcase your areas of expertise. For example, rather than simply stating that you have years of experience in Latin dance instruction, you should include specifics regarding the individual types of dances that you teach. In the example below, the candidate demonstrates their cultural knowledge of Latin dance and teaching capabilities by providing key insights into the choreographies they planned:
- Educated dance students on cultural and historical aspects of Latin dance, developed choreographies for salsa, bolero, mambo, and merengue performances, and coordinated with students to identify ideal music selection for recitals
2. Provide insights into your approach to dance instruction
Dance studios will want to see examples from your career that highlight your unique approach to dance instruction. As an instructor, you want to motivate your students and help them improve, but it’s important to find the right balance between critiquing a performance and providing positive feedback. If a student feels discouraged, this can potentially have an adverse impact on their growth as a dancer. At the same time, it’s important to provide honest feedback that can help your student improve their technique. Identifying the right approach for each individual is essential for becoming a successful dance instructor. In the example below, the candidate has provided the hiring manager with valuable insights into their teaching style:
- Deliver advanced instruction to classes of up to 20+ students, evaluate posture and form, provide constructive feedback and positive reinforcement according to individual needs, and prepare students for national ballet competitions
3. Obtain a dance instructor certification
Although a professional certification won’t always be required, obtaining one can help to differentiate you from the competition during your job search. That being said, it’s important to obtain the right certification according to your area of expertise. For a ballet dance instructor, completing a program with the Royal Academy of Dance will give you a strong foundation for your teaching career. If your specialty is Latin dance, jazz, or hip hop, you may prefer to obtain a certification from the Dance Educators of America. In the senior level example, the candidate has completed programs with both of these organizations, which shows that they have a dynamic background and knowledge of various styles:
Certifications
- Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies, Royal Academy of Dance, 2014
- Associate Specialized Training Certificate, Dance Educators of America, 2011
Key Skills Hiring Managers Look for on Dance Instructor Resumes
Although it’s unlikely that every dance studio will be utilizing Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to identify qualified candidates, incorporating keywords that align with the organization’s needs is a foundational principle for resume building. For a dance instructor, you’ll want to include a range of key skills that highlight your curriculum development and lesson planning capabilities, along with the styles of dance that you specialize in. Below, you’ll find a list of potential keywords that you may encounter during your job search:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Ballroom Dancing | Choreography |
| Classical Ballet | Contemporary Ballet |
| Curriculum Development | Dance Instruction |
| Education | Form |
| Hip Hop | Jazz |
| Neoclassical Ballet | Labanotation |
| Latin Dance | Lesson Planning |
| Posture | Rumba |
| Salsa | Student Assessment |
| Student Engagement | Tap Dance |
| Teaching | Technique |
Common Action Verbs for Dance Instructor Resumes
As a dance instructor, you may struggle to diversify the usage of action verbs as you build out the professional experience section of your resume. You may fall into a pattern when writing about your teaching career. To help you keep your content fresh and improve the language of your document, we’ve provided a list of strong action verbs to help you frame your career achievements in a compelling manner:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Assessed |
| Coached | Collaborated |
| Communicated | Conducted |
| Coordinated | Created |
| Delivered | Developed |
| Educated | Evaluated |
| Identified | Implemented |
| Led | Managed |
| Mentored | Oversaw |
| Performed | Planned |
| Provided | Supported |
How to Align Your Dance Instructor Resume With the Job Description
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly rate for dance instructors was $19.11 in 2020. Data also indicates that this field is projected to grow by 31% over the next ten years, much higher than the average rate for other industries. Choreographers are often employed in either professional dance studios or education with a variety of viable career paths available. To build a compelling dance instructor resume, you’ll want to draw attention to the specific styles of dance you specialize in, and your teaching abilities.
To maximize the effectiveness of your resume, you want to build your document with specific job postings in mind. Taking the time to customize your resume according to the needs of an organization speaks to who you are as a professional. It showcases your genuine interest in the role you’re applying for. In addition to incorporating the right skill sets and keywords for the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), you should also research the studio’s culture when detailing your career achievements. For example, if a studio values candidates who can enrich the lives of their students by providing both cultural education and dance instruction, you may want to include a bullet that speaks to this.