Employers
Dance instructors work for private dance studios, community dance programs, recreational facilities, and elementary and secondary schools. Some work as dance professors at colleges and universities, and others are self-employed, operating their own dance studios or purchasing a dance school franchise (from companies such as the Fred Astaire Dance Studios) or working as a freelance dance instructor for several employers.
Starting Out
Most dance instructors enter their careers after many years of experience as a dancer. A dancer who is well known in his or her community may open a dance studio, work as a freelance instructor at a dance school franchise such as Arthur Murray Dance Studios and Fred Astaire Dance Studios, or begin teaching dance at a high school or college.
Job listings can be found at the Web sites of dance companies and schools, school districts, and local governments. Those who are interested in working at the college level should check out job listings in the Chronicle of Higher Education (https://jobs.chronicle.com).
Some people break into this field by working as assistants to experienced dance instructors.