Dance Instructor Resume Examples and Templates for 2023

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Frank Hackett

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Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).

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Entry-level
Dance-Instructor_Entry-level.pdf

Example #1 Entry-level

Mid-career
Dance-Instructor_Mid-career.pdf

Example #2 Mid-career

Senior-level
Dance-Instructor_Senior-level.pdf

Example #3 Senior-level

Dance Instructor Text-Only Resume Examples

Years of Experience
  • Entry-level Entry-level
  • Mid-career Mid-career
  • Senior-level 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.