How to Attract More Boys at Your Dance Studio
Ballet Boys
Last week we touched on teaching when you have boys in your ballet classes. But what if you don’t have any boys in your ballet classes? Or at your studio? Or maybe you just have a few? Here are a few ideas on how to attract more boys at your dance studio.
If you already have ANY boy at your studio, highlight them. In your social media, make sure you show them too. If you don’t have any boys at your studio, you might try offering some free boys dance classes or workshops—in order to get them in the door and have photos to post. Also, post about famous male dancers—past or present. A little history tidbit that highlights boys in the dance world can also help in attracting boys. A lot of people don’t think of dance as an activity for boys. So we need to SHOW them that it is an activity for boys as well. Social media is a great way to do that.
It might be easier to attract boys at a younger age. Try offering a cars or transportation-themed dance class or camp for preschoolers. Or maybe a camping theme or pirate theme. You could even try offering it as an all-boys class or camp.
Try offering dance combined with something else. Perhaps you offer a Peter Pan theatre and dance camp in the summer. Summer camps are a great way to attract new students. A week-long camp is a much smaller commitment than a semester or year-long class.
Think about where boys might already be taking classes that are arts-related. It might be easier to attract a boy to dance who is attending a theatre, music or arts camp than one who is at a sports camp. I know, that sounds like stereotyping. But a boy who is already participating in the arts might be drawn more toward dance, plus his parents may be more supportive. Like I said, I’m generalizing here. But these are the places—music, drama, and art classes—that you’ll want to look to as business partners. Can you partner together on a camp? Can you offer their students a complimentary trial class at your studio? Or a discount on their registration fee or tuition—kind of like you might a sibling discount or a multi-class discount.
Also think about your class names. A boys ballet class might be amazing to have at your studio. But maybe when they’re little, you offer a boys dance class. It can prepare them for ballet if you’re a ballet-based school, but also include some other dance forms. In most cases, it will be easier to attract boys to a dance class than a ballet class, even if it’s essentially the same class being taught.
Happy Dancing!
Ashley Hartford
Founder + Owner, Once Upon a Ballet
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