Thread: Starting Out

How does one go about teaching at a recreation center?

When I started teaching, I contacted several Parks and Rec depts. I ultimately chose the one within 5 min from my house. I had been dancing about 3 years when I started teaching beginner classes in this area. There were no other teachers around where I live.

First, prepare your teaching resume if you haven't already, or haven't updated it in years. That will help you feel prepared to answer any questions that may come up on the phone. List all your relevant experience:

- years dancing
- who you study with
- where you perform professionally
- Any other teaching you've done

Also list any relevant certifications
- CPR/first aid
- If you have any group fitness or other teaching certs or qualifications
- If you already have liability insurance definitely mention it.

References from the dance world -- your teacher, past students, etc. who can speak to your knowledge.

I'd probably call the parks department, or send an e-mail and follow up by phone. I'd ask if they were interested in having a bellydance class, talk about the popularity of the dance, etc. I'd ask if I could send the resume. Then I'd send it with a cover letter offering a one-paragraph description of the class as it might appear in their catalogue (based on looking at their previous class catalogues).

Be prepared to answer questions about your rate of pay. In my area, parks departments have been willing to pay a very high percentage (80% and above) because they're subsidized by the city and have low expenses.

I was a sub for a teacher for about 2 years before I stepped into the "teaching" arena.

Along with everyone else - I would first get together a resume. I would also be ready to describe your "style" because students will challenge you on this. For me - I did not start teaching until I had a solid lesson plan to follow from. Teaching takes a lot of planning.

In my area - rec centers pay a standard fee no matter how many students you have in a classroom. You can receive more money based on your training and CPR certification.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by shimmygoddess

When I started teaching, I contacted several Parks and Rec depts. I ultimately chose the one within 5 min from my house. I had been dancing about 3 years when I started teaching beginner classes in this area. There were no other teachers around where I live.

Did you have to rent the facility on an hourly basis or they just added you as one of the local programs? Was pay directly to you or the facility gave an hourly amount?

Dance resume...
What type of things should fall onto a dancer's resume? What type of insurance is needed?

I was taken on as a "contract employee". I started there getting an hourly rate..which wasnt very much. Then I realized I could get paid per participant. I got more money that way, but still they keep a % of it.

When I moved, I just talked to the manager of my rec center and got hired. They didn't want to see any of the stuff I brought in, but I did have a full resume that was geared towards instruction.

You don't need insurance if you work for the center. You'll get an hourly rate that you negotiate up front, regardless of how many students you get (I imagine they are all like that). They advertise, they collect the money, you just teach and get your check. You can usually get paid more if you rent the space or get paid by the student, but that is only if you have a lot of students. Also, you need insurance and you have to deal with the rest of the business end of things.

It tends to be cyclical. You start slow, get super crowded, then get slow again...

But just approach the people who work there, or ask someone else who teaches who you should speak to.

Originally Posted by SandraDances

When I moved, I just talked to the manager of my rec center and got hired. They didn't want to see any of the stuff I brought in, but I did have a full resume that was geared towards instruction.

You don't need insurance if you work for the center. You'll get an hourly rate that you negotiate up front, regardless of how many students you get (I imagine they are all like that). They advertise, they collect the money, you just teach and get your check. You can usually get paid more if you rent the space or get paid by the student, but that is only if you have a lot of students. Also, you need insurance and you have to deal with the rest of the business end of things.

It tends to be cyclical. You start slow, get super crowded, then get slow again...

But just approach the people who work there, or ask someone else who teaches who you should speak to.

What is the normal negotiating range, if anyone doesn't mind sharing?

At the parks department where I taught, I received 80% and they kept 20%. We both advertised the classes, they handled registration and collected all the money, I just showed up to teach (but brought the sound system, music, props, etc). At least half of the students came from my advertising -- if that hadn't been the case, I would have taken a more standard 60-70%.

At the health club, I had to have instructors' liability insurance (see FitnessInsurance.com - 800-881-7130 - Insurance for Health Clubs: Professional Liability, Workers' Comp, Umbrellas and More for an example) and they paid a flat $50/hour. I did most of my own advertising, although I drew a little from their membership and their outdoor marquee sign. They handled the registration. and collections.

At the dance studio where I taught, I paid them $25/hour to rent the space, and did all the advertising, registration and collections myself.

When I started at the Community center they were paying me $15 an hour (I didnt matter how many students were in there)...then when I smartened up we switched to being paid per registrant. I think it was 60%-40%...anyhow, I still dont get that much....even if they are a non Cary resident..they have to pay more, but I get the same rate. However when I started teaching at the college, I told them I wanted $50 an hour..
Most studios or gyms in the area pay ($20-35 an hour)
not very much!!

Originally Posted by shimmygoddess

When I started at the Community center they were paying me $15 an hour (I didnt matter how many students were in there)...then when I smartened up we switched to being paid per registrant. I think it was 60%-40%...anyhow, I still dont get that much....even if they are a non Cary resident..they have to pay more, but I get the same rate. However when I started teaching at the college, I told them I wanted $50 an hour..
Most studios or gyms in the area pay ($20-35 an hour)
not very much!!

Thanks for sharing :). It helps me to brainstorm and prepare myself a little better. Hmm...to get a bella out of community center money would make you shimmy for a year before you could get it.

Originally Posted by RatedTotalPackage

Thanks for sharing :). It helps me to brainstorm and prepare myself a little better. Hmm...to get a bella out of community center money would make you shimmy for a year before you could get it.

LOL...I save up money from photography sessions and dance gigs in order to afford bellas. I had to start off slow though. Once I felt ready to perform professionally I had to keep a budget. The more gigs I got the more money to save towards something nice..

good luck

are you coming to the ncbellydance.org show? if so, look me up..I will be at both the workshop and show

In my area, gym pay starts at $20 if you're an employee -- as an independent contractor who has to pay for my own insurance, benefits, advertising, self-employment taxes, etc. I insist on more than twice what an employee gets. To the employer, NOT having to match your payroll taxes, cover your unemployment and social security and so forth saves them at least that much.

But wait -- let's back up for a minute.

Wasn't there another thread where you were asking about costuming for your first performance?

How long have you been studying? Have you been performing as a soloist, doing your own choreography/improv, but just not professionally? Are you familiar with various styles, rhythms, cultural information, etc to be ready to teach? All that comes long before talking to a parks department, of course.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

But wait -- let's back up for a minute.

Wasn't there another thread where you were asking about costuming for your first performance?

How long have you been studying? Have you been performing as a soloist, doing your own choreography/improv, but just not professionally? Are you familiar with various styles, rhythms, cultural information, etc to be ready to teach? All that comes long before talking to a parks department, of course.

Lauren is trying to beat me up, lol-just teasing. In all seriousness, I understand all the points that you made-just looking out for not only myself, but the students. So to avoid confusions-let me clear this up.

I asked about the centers for teaching things other than belly dance, but I know it would be the same protocol. I have countless forms under my belt and I want to create a class out of them where I relocated to -eventually, I will add belly dance to that (maybe 2010, lol).

Just so no one thinks I’m clueless on the dance form…I know very much about the Middle Eastern culture first-hand. I know the different forms and still learning some of the slight differences in movements. I know the different rhythms, my teacher taught us the names, but for now I’m just happy I can hear the difference and know what’s coming next even if I can’t remember which exactly it was. I can do my own choreography as well as improv-I have also learned my teacher’s and other students choreography. No performances yet! I have, however, advanced at lightening speed-I want to be one of the best!

Originally Posted by shimmygoddess

LOL...I save up money from photography sessions and dance gigs in order to afford bellas. I had to start off slow though. Once I felt ready to perform professionally I had to keep a budget. The more gigs I got the more money to save towards something nice..

good luck

are you coming to the ncbellydance.org show? if so, look me up..I will be at both the workshop and show

No, I am going to miss out. Don't worry-I know our paths will cross.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

In my area, gym pay starts at $20 if you're an employee -- as an independent contractor who has to pay for my own insurance, benefits, advertising, self-employment taxes, etc. I insist on more than twice what an employee gets. To the employer, NOT having to match your payroll taxes, cover your unemployment and social security and so forth saves them at least that much.

That is some very good information right there.

Originally Posted by RatedTotalPackage

Lauren is trying to beat me up, lol-just teasing.

LOL -- not at all. But we spend a lot of time kvetching about Dancers Who Start Teaching Too Soon on this board. When someone is asking what to wear for their first performance in one thread and how to get started teaching in another -- we'd be hypocrites if we didn't ask.

Performance comes first. Years of it. Then teaching. In most dance forms, you don't teach until you've retired from performance.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

LOL -- not at all. But we spend a lot of time kvetching about Dancers Who Start Teaching Too Soon on this board. When someone is asking what to wear for their first performance in one thread and how to get started teaching in another -- we'd be hypocrites if we didn't ask.

Performance comes first. Years of it. Then teaching. In most dance forms, you don't teach until you've retired from performance.

Agreed! There was nothing wrong with what you said, lol.
Yes, got to have performance experience before teaching-impartial about the years because if you perform in other forms like I use to your two-three years worth may be about five years worth to someone else.