Apprenticeship Program Details
The apprenticeship Program through ballroom dance chicago, is the Perfect way to start your career (or side hustle!) of a ballroom, Latin, and swing dance Instructor.
Fast-track your journey to becoming a skilled dance instructor with our innovative apprenticeship program at Ballroom Dance Chicago. Our primary focus is on developing the next generation of exceptional dance educators, starting with wedding dance instruction and expanding into ballroom, salsa, and swing group classes.
In our apprenticeship program, you'll gain a deep understanding of both leading and following techniques, the ability to communicate these nuances effectively, and extensive hands-on experience with students of varying abilities and backgrounds. This comprehensive training prepares you to teach wedding dance students first, building a solid foundation before progressing to more advanced dance styles.
What makes our program unique is the opportunity for apprentices to teach under the careful guidance of a Master Instructor. As you advance, you'll have the chance to lead apprentice-level students and earn money as an independent contractor, all while continuing to refine your skills in specific dance genres.
While we are an active dance studio with a diverse clientele, our commitment to your growth as a teacher remains our top priority. Our apprentice-level students are aware of this focus and participate in classes as part of a mutual learning experience, benefiting from reduced rates and contributing to your development.
Discover how our apprenticeship program can transform your passion for dance into a rewarding teaching career.
Program Overview
Our Apprenticeship Program is four phases and lasts anywhere from 18-24+ weeks depending on how far into training you would like to go.
Weekly Commitment:
3 hours per day on Wed, Fri, and Sat.
Program Phases:
Phase 1: Wedding Syllabus
Level: Pre-Apprentice
Duration: 4-6 weeks
Overview: Start by learning to teach wedding dance lessons, combining in-person instruction, self-study, and supervised teaching.
Goal: Master our proprietary wedding dance syllabus to teach semi-private wedding lessons.
Phase 2: Group Class Syllabus 1
Level: 1st Apprentice
Duration: 4-6 weeks (8-12 weeks in the program)
Overview: Continue teaching wedding lessons and start learning one of our group class syllabi (ballroom, swing, or salsa).
Goal: Assist certified instructors in group classes for the chosen syllabus.
Phase 3: Group Class Syllabus 2 & 3
Level: 2nd Apprentice
Duration: 8-12 weeks (16-24 weeks in the program)
Overview: Teach wedding lessons for pay, assist in group classes for pay, and study the remaining two group class syllabi.
Goal: Test out of all three group class syllabi to assist in more group classes.
Phase 4: BDC Social Syllabus
Level: Full Apprentice
Duration: Ongoing
Overview: Teach wedding lessons and assist in group classes for pay, while learning individual dances from the Ballroom Dance Chicago syllabus.
Goal: Expand your dance repertoire and become eligible for hire as a W2 employee at BDC. (Employment is not guaranteed).
Dance Styles:
Ballroom Dance Chicago specializes in 12 partner dance styles, selected for their prevalence in social and competitive settings.
All apprentices will start with general dance styles and as they progress, will begin to study specific styles and dance technique.
General Study: Wedding dance, Ballroom, Salsa, Swing.
Specific Styles: Bachata, Cha-cha, Country Western Two-Step, East Coast Swing & Lindy Hop, Foxtrot, Hustle, Night Club Two-Step, Rumba, Salsa, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Waltz, and West Coast Swing.
Certification
Certification through the Ballroom College is not required in order for you to participate in the program, but it does offer a repetitional benefit for those who are looking to make teaching partner dance a career path.
Should you opt for certification, you'll be eligible to take the certification exam after completing half bronze and/or full bronze of the Ballroom Dance Chicago syllabus. The exam is administered by one of the studio’s Master Instructors. The cost is $400 per exam.
Getting Started
If you are ready to get started, you can apply here.
If you still have some questions you would like to run by someone at the school, please submit a request for more information and someone will get back to you!