Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Ballet Teacher

🎯 Role Definition

The Ballet Teacher is a skilled dance educator responsible for creating a safe, inspiring and technically sound learning environment for students of all ages and abilities. This role requires in-depth knowledge of classical ballet technique (barre, adage, allegro, pointe), curriculum design, assessment and student development, plus the ability to choreograph performances, prepare students for exams and auditions, and collaborate with studio leadership on seasonal programming and events. The ideal candidate balances artistic excellence, pedagogy, and strong interpersonal skills to foster sustained progress and passion for ballet.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Professional company dancer transitioning to teaching
Recent graduate with BFA or BA in Dance or equivalent vocational ballet qualification
Assistant or associate dance teacher at a studio or community arts program

Advancement To:

Lead Ballet Teacher / Head of Ballet Program
Rehearsal Director or Resident Choreographer
Artistic Director of a dance school or company

Lateral Moves:

Contemporary or Modern Dance Instructor
Pilates, Yoga, or Conditioning Instructor for Dancers
Dance Outreach / Community Arts Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Plan, develop and deliver age-appropriate classical ballet lessons that progressively build technique, alignment, strength and musicality—tailoring instruction for pre-school, children, teens and adult classes while ensuring alignment with examination syllabi (e.g., RAD, Cecchetti, Vaganova) and studio goals.
Teach and demonstrate proper barre technique, center work, adage, petit and grand allegro, turns, and pointe work with clear verbal cueing and hands-on adjustments to improve student form, balance, and coordination.
Create structured lesson plans and sequences for each term that incorporate technique, conditioning, flexibility, musicality, and choreography appropriate to the class level and learning objectives.
Assess and document student progress regularly through written reports, video recordings, grading for examinations, and parent-teacher conferences, providing individual feedback and targeted practice plans.
Prepare choreography, stage directions and cast assignments for seasonal recitals, in-studio performances, community showcases and exam presentations, ensuring smooth integration of costume, staging and partnering needs.
Deliver safe and developmentally appropriate pointe preparation and pointe training, including progression protocols, footwear fitting advice, and ongoing monitoring for foot and ankle health to minimize injury risk.
Implement classroom management strategies that promote discipline, focus, mutual respect and positive rehearsal culture while maintaining an encouraging and inclusive studio environment.
Collaborate with studio leadership to design term calendars, class offerings, masterclass schedules, audition processes and performance timelines to maximize student engagement and retention.
Conduct auditions, placement classes and level evaluations to determine the correct technical stream for each student and recommend individualized training pathways or supplemental private lessons where needed.
Coordinate with accompanists, musicians or recorded music technicians to ensure tempo-appropriate accompaniment for class and performance rehearsals, and provide annotated scores or musical notes for students.
Supervise rehearsals and backstage logistics during performances, coordinating with production staff to manage warm-up schedules, call times, quick changes and onstage safety for dancers.
Mentor and support junior teachers and assistants, offering pedagogical feedback, modeling class delivery, and contributing to teacher training and professional development sessions.
Integrate cross-training, conditioning, injury prevention and rehabilitation strategies into class plans, collaborating with physiotherapists or sports trainers when students present with injuries or special needs.
Ensure compliance with safeguarding policies, first aid procedures and safe studio practices, maintaining accurate attendance, incident records and emergency contact information for all students.
Design and lead supplemental workshops (e.g., pointe technique, variations, partnering, choreography labs) to broaden student skills and provide targeted enrichment opportunities throughout the year.
Promote student well-being by providing constructive, individualized feedback, setting realistic goals and fostering a growth mindset that balances artistic aspiration with healthy technical development.
Develop curriculum materials, syllabi and assessment rubrics aligned to recognized examination frameworks or company audition standards to maintain consistent pedagogical outcomes across teachers and terms.
Advise students and families on auditions, summer intensives, vocational training options and career pathways—preparing portfolios, audition repertoire and interview readiness for pre-professional candidates.
Maintain studio cleanliness, barre and floor inspection routines, and report maintenance needs for sprung floors, mirrors and lighting to ensure a safe learning and performance environment.
Cultivate relationships with parents, guardians and community partners through regular communication, progress updates, informational meetings and outreach to increase retention and studio visibility.
Participate in marketing initiatives by providing teacher bios, class descriptions, demo videos and performance highlights to attract new students and support enrollment campaigns.

Secondary Functions

Lead or contribute to the creation of digital learning resources, video tutorials and at-home practice guides to support remote learning or supplemental student practice.
Assist with scheduling, class registration administration and substitute teaching when needed to maintain program continuity.
Support outreach and community engagement programs such as school workshops, studio open days and collaborative arts events to raise the profile of the ballet program.
Track and order teaching supplies, pointe shoe stock, costume materials and studio equipment in coordination with administrative staff to support term programming.
Attend regular staff meetings and professional development sessions to align teaching practices with studio policies, health guidelines and performance standards.
Provide constructive input on studio tuition structures, scholarship allocations and audition criteria to help balance artistic quality and accessibility.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Mastery of classical ballet technique (barre, center work, petit & grand allegro, pointe, turns, adage) with demonstrable training background (RAD, Vaganova, Cecchetti or equivalent).
Curriculum and lesson plan design for progressive skill development across multiple age groups and ability levels.
Choreography and staging for recitals, examinations and auditions, including partner work and ensemble construction.
Experience preparing students for recognized exam systems (e.g., Royal Academy of Dance, Cecchetti, ISTD) and vocational auditions.
Pointe shoe fitting knowledge, pointe progression protocols and safe pointe pedagogy.
Ability to teach choreography to music with strong rhythmic accuracy and use of musical dynamics and phrasing.
Injury prevention, basic kinesiology for dancers and the ability to integrate cross-training and conditioning exercises into class.
Familiarity with stagecraft basics: backstage management, cues, spacing, formations and costume considerations for live performance.
Proficiency using digital tools for lesson planning, video analysis, student progress tracking and remote teaching platforms (Zoom, recorded lessons).
Basic first aid certification and knowledge of safeguarding/child protection policies applicable to dance schools.

Soft Skills

Excellent verbal coaching and clear corrective language that balances technical precision with positive encouragement.
Strong observational skills and the ability to provide concise, actionable feedback to accelerate student improvement.
Patience, empathy and cultural sensitivity when working with children, teens and adult learners from diverse backgrounds.
Leadership and mentorship skills to inspire students and guide less-experienced teachers and assistants.
Organizational skills to manage multiple classes, rehearsal timelines, costume coordination and parent communication.
Creative problem solving for choreography, staging and adapting lessons to varied learning needs or limited studio resources.
Professionalism, dependability and the ability to represent the studio positively in public and community settings.
Time management and the ability to meet performance deadlines, exam schedules and rehearsal milestones.
Conflict resolution skills to manage parent concerns, student disagreements and classroom dynamics.
Motivation and enthusiasm to build a supportive learning culture and sustain student retention and recruitment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent plus vocational ballet training/certification; significant professional training or conservatory-level experience.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's degree (BA/BFA) in Dance, Performing Arts, Dance Education or equivalent plus formal teaching accreditation or RAD/ISTD certification.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Classical Ballet / Dance Performance
Dance Education / Pedagogy
Choreography and Movement Studies
Sports Science, Kinesiology or Dance Therapy (as complementary)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2 – 7 years of progressive teaching experience in a dance school, conservatory, or company setting.

Preferred:

5+ years teaching mixed-age ballet classes with demonstrable success preparing students for examinations, performances and auditions.
Experience as lead teacher or head of department, managing curriculum, assessments and teacher mentorship.
Proven track record of choreographing and staging studio productions, coordinating with production staff and managing rehearsal schedules.
Experience working with children and safeguarding vulnerable populations, plus valid first aid certification.