Come aprire una scuola di ballo

Opening a dance school

Many people wonder why they should open a dance school. The answer is simple: because dance is rediscovering a new audience, and the dance school sector is experiencing an unprecedented boom. Starting this business obviously requires a passion for dance and constant commitment. The world of dance today is diverse and in line with current trends, which is why the sector is enjoying such great success.

In addition to teaching various dances, it’s also possible to offer a broader range of programs, such as trips or evenings that attract clients. Not everyone knows that many of the disciplines taught in dance schools are classified as dancesports, recognized by the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI).

As with many other businesses, it’s advisable to draft a business plan to lay out your project in black and white. You can then establish: your expected clientele; revenue; school promotion; customer loyalty; etc.

It’s essential to determine which courses you’ll offer and their schedule. It’s crucial that you’re able to cover all business expenses: dance hall or gym rental and equipment; heating, air conditioning, and telephone costs. It’s essential to have accounting knowledge, or seek the assistance of an accountant.

Starting a dance school requires specific and personal skills that are essential, but these can be incorporated into the school by hiring teachers with the necessary qualifications. Obviously, being a teacher and having the right training means personally guaranteeing professionalism and reliability within your school, and it also means not having to hire anyone else, thus achieving significant savings.

Anyone opening a dance school must have good management skills and be able to introduce and attract clients to the world of dance. Furthermore, a financial investment is undoubtedly required, which varies depending on your expectations and the size of your business.

A dance school can be an excellent source of income, although it’s a demanding business, offering a service that’s in high demand and requires dance skills. Its clients are primarily children and adolescents, but also adults and the elderly.

A dance school can operate full-time and therefore require a lot of staff.

How to become a dance teacher

If you haven’t yet embarked on a teaching career but want to open your own dance school and teach classes yourself, you’ll need to begin a proper training program. First, you’ll need to learn to dance by attending a school for at least two years.

You’ll then need to complete a thorough study of the most common dances you’ll then teach. You’ll then need to work with a dance instructor to obtain the ” Dance Instructor Diploma” for the specific discipline, which you can take through one of the CIDIS Associations . To be eligible, you must be at least 18 years old.

Association or business: costs and differences

The cost of a dance school varies depending on its size. It’s estimated that the investment for the premises and staff to manage and operate the business will be at least fifty thousand euros. The cost of teachers varies greatly depending on the professionalism and reputation of the chosen instructor; it can reach well over fifty thousand euros annually.

Management expenses (electricity, water, gas, telephone, cleaning) are approximately €20,000 annually, depending on the school’s size and activities. If the school is a business, you will also need to consider all expenses related to VAT, Chamber of Commerce, INPS contributions, and accountant’s fees. Alternatively, many schools are incorporated as Sports and Cultural Associations to avoid tax burdens.

These associations are non-profit organizations and incur only the costs of drafting the bylaws. Their income comes from membership fees and fundraising efforts.

In some cases , associations collaborate with public bodies to organize performances and recitals. Payment to SIAE is essential for the distribution of music during courses. Dance schools distribute music and works that may be protected by copyright and organize dance recitals with dances and music. All these activities require authorization from SIAE.

If you’d like to open a dance school as a business, we recommend two different legal forms: a sole proprietorship, or even a family-run business for small schools; and a corporate form for larger schools. You can, of course, choose the legal form you think is best, consulting with expert consultants. Payment of INPS and INAIL (National Institute for Insurance against Accidents and Accidents at Work) is required.

How to open a dance school

• A kit that helps you overcome the challenges of starting a dance school and decide how best to execute this entrepreneurial initiative. An effective and intelligent online solution for designing, evaluating, implementing, and successfully launching your business.

Documents and bureaucracy

You must submit a Notice of Commencement to your local municipality. You will need to obtain a certificate of occupancy for the premises, which must have a C3 designated use. If the premises do not have this designated use, you can change it with the help of a qualified technician, for a not insignificant fee.

For premises larger than 400 square meters, a permit from the fire department is also required. You will need to register for VAT and register with the company register.

Premises and furnishings

Dance encompasses many disciplines, and as such, the school’s facilities must be able to accommodate various types of dance. These are fairly large spaces, typically measuring at least 500 square meters, sometimes as much as 1,000 square meters.

If you’re looking to open a school that’s not too large, a couple of rooms will suffice. Two to four teachers are needed, chosen based on the various disciplines. Furnishings aren’t expensive and include: mirrors; parquet flooring; barres; a stereo system; and heating and/or air conditioning.

In any case, it’s possible to start with a smaller space, even 40 square meters. Obviously, the size of the space will influence the schedule, the type of disciplines taught, and the number of students. Having a dance hall that’s not too large helps keep costs down. A large school, on the other hand, will have higher costs, both for the number of teachers and for furnishings.

Evaluate the competition

It’s a good idea to research the population in the area where you’ll be opening your business to determine how to organize your courses and schedules. Also consider the presence of other schools, trying to understand what kind of competition you’ll face.

If you’ve chosen a town with many dance schools, consider your choice carefully, as it could be difficult to win. Competition also includes all the facilities offering dance lessons.

Courses and rates to offer

The fees a dance school charges depend largely on the region in which it opens. In Southern Italy, fees are usually lower because operating costs are lower. Registration typically costs 20-30 euros.

Two hours a week can cost between €40 and €60 per month; a course with three lessons a week can reach €70. Individual lessons can cost around €20-30 per hour. When starting this type of business, it’s best to focus on the most popular dances to attract a wider clientele.

Young people typically want to learn modern dance, hip hop, and jazz. Older people enjoy Latin American dances, while older people gravitate toward ballroom dancing and waltzes. Dance schools typically operate in the afternoon. In some cases, morning classes are offered to increase customer base. It’s also possible to expand your business by offering specialized gymnastics classes to older clients, such as those with more mature age.

Promote the dance school

Good advertising is the perfect way to outperform your competitors and attract a large number of aspiring dancers. The best methods are traditional: posters, flyers, and ads. Professionalism is essential to creating a strong image for your business.

It can also be beneficial to launch a promotional campaign: discounts and offers will attract many customers to your school. Another really interesting way to promote your school is to host dance recitals. A theater is rented where dancers can perform. Additional services that can enhance the school’s many activities are also excellent, such as dance-related trips.

Funding

Funding for starting or supporting a dance school varies depending on whether it’s a business or an association. Associations can obtain funding through fundraising events, held on special occasions related to their activities.

Income from fundraising is not subject to tax if: there are no more than two events, they are occasional, and the sum raised does not exceed approximately €51,000. The association may also rent its ballroom, provided its members provide the funds.