From Drop-In Classes to Injury Prevention: Innovative Strategies for Dance Studio Owners
a note from the interviewer, Prisha:
I’ve worked with so many of Hailey’s dancers through DanceVibes and danZING, so this episode was a long time coming because I finally got to sit down with Hailey herself! I truly admire everything she’s building at The Space—from giving dancers the freedom to create through student choreography to offering drop-in classes, prioritizing injury prevention, and fostering such a strong creative environment. If you’re looking for ways to bring more of that into your own studio, this episode is definitely worth a listen. And if you’re curious about danZING or want to see the file and correction updates that Hailey’s dancers helped shape, you can check them out at the link right here.
TL;DR:
•Embrace Flexibility: Offering drop-in classes alongside competition requirements helps dancers manage busy schedules.
•Prioritize Cross-Training: Implementing non-dance-specific strength training reduces muscle imbalances and prevents injuries.
•Empower Artistry: Student choreography showcases and teaching opportunities help dancers find their unique artistic voice.
•Leverage Authentic Content: Encourage students to film and share class combos for organic, free social media marketing.
•Protect Your Peace: Taking time away from the studio is essential to avoid burnout and show up as the best version of yourself.
Welcome back to another episode of the Chief Studio Officer podcast! Today, we're diving into the realities of dance studio management with Hailey, the owner of The Space Dance Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Hailey took over her studio just as it was heading into its fifth season, transitioning from company director to full-time owner. Her journey offers incredible insights into running a modern, flexible, and dancer-focused studio.
Whether you're a seasoned studio director or just starting out, Hailey's approach to scheduling, injury prevention, and social media is something every dance studio owner can learn from. Let's break down some of the most impactful strategies she shared.
How Can Drop-In Classes Benefit a Competition Studio?
One of the most unique aspects of The Space Dance Company is its drop-in class model. While they have a dedicated competition team with specific weekly requirements (like ballet, technique, and cross-training), the studio doesn't force dancers into a rigid schedule.
Instead, dancers are placed in specific levels but have the freedom to choose which classes they attend each week. If a dancer has a choir concert or needs to study for an exam, they aren't penalized for missing their usual Tuesday technique class. They can simply drop into another technique class that fits their schedule.
This flexibility is a game-changer during the busy competition season. It allows dancers to meet their training requirements while still managing their lives outside the studio. It reduces stress for both the dancers and their parents, making the studio environment much more supportive and adaptable.
Why is Cross-Training Essential for Injury Prevention in Dancers?
With a double major in dance and exercise science, Hailey brings a crucial perspective to dancer health. She noticed that many dancers focus heavily on cardio, which they already get plenty of during regular classes. What they often lack is targeted strength training.
Dance involves a lot of repetitive movement, which naturally creates muscle imbalances. These imbalances are a primary cause of common dance injuries, particularly in the hips, knees, and ankles. To combat this, Hailey designed a cross-training program specifically for her dancers.
The key? Training dancers like "normal humans." Instead of just doing dance-specific conditioning, her program focuses on traditional strength training exercises to target those weaker, underutilized muscles. By consistently focusing on specific muscle groups over several weeks, dancers can correct imbalances and significantly reduce their risk of injury. If you're a studio owner, consider looking into personal training certifications or partnering with a specialist to bring this kind of targeted strength training to your dancers.
How Do You Help Dancers Find Their Artistic Voice?
At The Space Dance Company, the philosophy is that great dancers are trained, not just born. A huge part of that training is helping dancers discover who they are as artists, beyond just executing impressive tricks.
Hailey's studio offers an "Exploring Artist" class where students can create choreography and teach their own classes weekly. But the real standout is their annual student choreography competition.
During the summer, interested students host auditions, cast their peers, cut music, and develop a complete vision for a piece. At the end of the summer, they present their work to a panel of judges who provide feedback on dynamics, formations, and spatial awareness. The winning piece is selected for the upcoming competition season, and that student gets to act as a rehearsal director. It's an incredible pipeline for developing future choreographers and giving dancers a profound sense of ownership over their art.
What's the Best Way to Handle Dance Studio Social Media?
If you've ever stressed about getting enough content for your studio's Instagram, Hailey's approach will be a breath of fresh air. Her strategy is simple: let the dancers do the work.
Because The Space operates on a drop-in basis, Hailey posts the daily schedule on their Instagram story, often using quick clips from classes. But the real magic happens at the end of choreography-based classes. She gives dancers five minutes to grab their phones and film themselves doing the combo in small groups.
This does two things. First, it gives the dancers material for their own reels and auditions. Second, it provides the studio with a constant stream of authentic content. When dancers post these videos on their own accounts, it acts as free advertising. Even without making tags mandatory, the studio's name gets out there organically. It's a brilliant way to build your brand without taking away from valuable class time.
The Hardest Lesson: Avoiding Studio Owner Burnout
When Hailey first took over the studio, she was thrilled to finally make a living doing what she loved, allowing her to quit her restaurant job. But that excitement quickly turned into a grueling schedule. She found herself at the studio seven days a week, often for 12 hours a day.
It took a literal wake-up call—getting kicked in the head and suffering a concussion—to force her to step away. That forced break made her realize she was running herself into the ground.
Her biggest piece of advice for any studio owner? It is okay to take time for yourself. The studio will not burn down if you take a day off. In fact, your students need you to show up as the best version of yourself, not a depleted, exhausted version. Setting aside at least one day a week where you do absolutely nothing dance-related isn't neglecting your job; it's taking care of yourself so you can do your job better.
The Dream Dance Studio Software
As we wrapped up, I asked Hailey what her dream dance studio software would look like. Her answer resonated with so many studio owners I've spoken to.
She envisions a streamlined system that handles class scheduling, payroll, and billing all in one place, without needing 74 different workarounds. Specifically, she wants a feature where dancers are placed in a level on their account, and they only see the classes available to them. If a dancer is in intermediate technique, they shouldn't even see the advanced class as an option. This would eliminate confusion for parents and ensure dancers are only signing up for classes they are truly ready for.
It's a fantastic idea, and it's exactly the kind of problem we're looking to solve here at DanceVibes.
Final Thoughts
Hailey's final piece of advice is something every dance teacher should keep close to their heart: "Be the studio owner, be the dance teacher that a younger version of yourself always needed."
The impact you have on these kids, whether small or large, lasts a lifetime. Never take those smiles and hugs for granted. Let that positive impact drive you through the stressful moments of the year.
If you want to see what Hailey and her dancers are up to, you can find them on Instagram at @thespacedanceco, on their website at thespacedanceco.com, and on Facebook and TikTok as The Space Dance Company.
FAQs
Q: How can drop-in classes benefit a competition dance studio?
A: Drop-in classes provide flexibility for busy dancers, allowing them to meet their weekly training requirements (like ballet and technique) while accommodating other life commitments, reducing burnout and stress.
Q: Why is cross-training important for dancers?
A: Dance involves repetitive movements that create muscle imbalances. Non-dance-specific strength training helps correct these imbalances, strengthening underutilized muscles and significantly reducing the risk of common injuries in the hips, knees, and ankles.
Q: How can I encourage student choreography at my dance studio?
A: You can offer dedicated classes for exploring artistry or host a summer student choreography competition. Allow students to audition peers, create a piece, and present it to judges, with the winning piece featured in the upcoming competition season.
Q: What is an easy social media strategy for dance studios?
A: Allow students 5 minutes at the end of class to film themselves performing combinations. This gives them content for their own reels and provides the studio with authentic, organic content that acts as free advertising when students share it online.
Q: How can dance studio owners prevent burnout?
A: Studio owners must prioritize taking at least one full day off per week away from the studio. Recognizing that taking breaks allows you to show up as the best version of yourself for your students is crucial for long-term success and mental health.
Q: What features should I look for in dance studio management software?
A: Look for software that streamlines scheduling, payroll, and billing into one system. A highly requested feature is the ability to restrict class visibility based on a dancer's assigned level, preventing them from signing up for classes they aren't ready for.