For the love of dance

Being a dance teacher is one of those rare careers that often begins in early childhood. Many of us started dancing before we even started school, and that love for movement has shaped our entire lives. But what happens when that passion starts to fade?

As dance teachers, we are natural people pleasers. We bend, adjust, and push through to meet the needs of our students and their families. But in doing so, we sometimes forget ourselves. We lose sight of why we fell in love with dance in the first place.

Over time, the joy that once came naturally can start to feel like something we have to manage. And while teaching dance is a job—so much of what we give goes beyond what’s paid. The extra hours, the unseen effort, the emotional investment—it all comes from passion.

Last year, I was ready to walk away. The passion that once fueled me had dimmed, and I found myself going through the motions without any real joy. In a profession where our energy directly impacts our students, that wasn’t sustainable. So, I made a choice—to reconnect with what I love.

We spend all day dancing, yet rarely do we dance for ourselves.

This year, I decided to step back into the studio. Not as a teacher, but as a student. I’m incredibly fortunate to be able to take class with my best friend, who teaches the most wonderful open adult ballet classes. Adding this simple ritual to my weekly routine reawoke something in me—a part of myself I had forgotten. The pure, simple joy of dancing just for me.

Watching the women in these classes was a gentle reminder of something I’d lost sight of. Here were dancers of all backgrounds, simply enjoying movement. It was refreshing and reminded me—how lucky am I to have turned something I fell in love with as a child into my career? Teaching is incredibly difficult, but it isn’t just about serving my dance community. It has to be for me, too. That balance is what keeps the passion alive.

Sometimes, all it takes is a small shift to reignite that spark. Freshen up your dance wardrobe, buy a new pair of teaching shoes or invest in some professional development. Even the smallest changes can rekindle excitement and remind you why you fell in love with dance in the first place.

And here’s the biggest lesson: You don’t have to teach every class or please every student. If exhaustion creeps in and your once-beloved pre-primary ballet class makes you question your existence? The answer is simple—step away from what doesn’t bring you joy. There’s always someone else who thrives in that space, and your energy is better spent where you shine. A happy teacher is a good teacher.

If you’re feeling stuck, remember why you started. You dance because you love it. And don’t forget to make space for yourself in the art you have dedicated your life to.

Your love for dance is what brought you here—don’t let it be the thing you forget.