Recently, I was speaking to a fellow instructor, and she is having a difficult time motivating her teen and pre-teen students. It seems that they think they are already professional dancers, do not need to practice their routines and can wear whatever they want to class.
Well, unless they change their attitudes, they will never be successful dancers.
 How about you?
Are you having a difficult time with your students? Well, here are a few tips to help you get them focused, motivated and working hard!
1. Make rules and enforce them.
If you want your students to wear certain clothes and shoes to class, arrive at a certain time, avoid chewing gum, etc., let them know what you expect of them.
Have students sign contracts in order to train at your studio, and if they break the rules, let them know the consequences. Yes, you may lose students, but you will also be known for having a well-run studio that produces top-notch performers.
2. Bring in a professional dancer to teach a very strict class.
By having a pro dancer come into your studio, your students will see the world of dance from a different perspective. Perhaps, this person will motivate your students to be the best they can be. And if this isn’t possible, try to raise money to take your students to some top-level classes in a large city nearby.
3. Take them to a professional performance and speak to one of the leading dancers.
If you can’t get a professional dancer to come to your studio, try to take your students to a professional, production. If you can arrange for one of the show’s dancers to meet your students after the performance, this may give them some inspiration to try harder.
If there is a competition coming to your area in the next year, sign your students up to compete. If that’s not an option, have your students take classes from the pros at the event and watch the competitors. Again, they will see the world of dance differently and know that there are many dancers out there with better skills.
This one is my favorite. If it’s possible, send your dancers who have major attitudes to a local audition.
There will be many skilled dancers who can perform circles around your “stars.”It will only take minutes for your bad eggs to have a major, attitude adjustment and realize they are not “all that.
And if your students are the best ones at the audition, the good news is that they will probably get hired:and you won’t have to deal with their big heads any more!
There is Always Someone Better.
When it comes to dancing, there is always someone better out there. That’s why it’s important to constantly be perfecting your technique, practicing and performing. If you have students that have bad attitudes, they probably just need to get some inspiration to work harder. As an instructor, it’s up to you to figure out how you can motivate them to be successful.
By seeing competitions, talking to professional dancers and taking classes in big cities, your students will get a better understanding of what the real dance world is like outside of your studio doors.
And if these activities and positive communications don’t work, it’s time to try some tough love. Set rules and enforce them. If your students do not have respect for you, other students and the art of dance, then you don’t have to work with them.
After all, there are many young people out there who would love to have the opportunity to learn how to dance. Good luck!
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