Building a Mission-Based Dance Studio

Learn Online Courses Course Catalog OPDI-M40

OPDI-M40

Building a Mission-Based Dance Studio

Dance teacher writing on board in studio with students in street clothes standing behind

Early Access Registration NOW OPEN for NDEO Members

General Registration Opens Friday, March 20

May 18 - July 12, 2026

Professor: Jessie Levey

Tuition: $365 member / $440 non-member

8 Weeks; 2 NDEO-Endorsed PDC

Register Here

**Optional add-on** College Credits through Oakland University: 2

Dance Studio Owners and Teachers: Take a deep dive into what, how, and why you teach in this transformative mini-course!

Through active online discussion groups, readings, and journaling, you will examine, compare, and reflect upon different leadership styles, studio options, and student-centered education practices. This course is designed to help you acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to become the most authentic teacher, leader, or director you can be.

You will engage in research and develop tools that will empower you to lead effectively, whether you are forming, directing, or teaching in a dance studio. As part of your journey, you will craft both a teaching philosophy and mission statement, honing in on your personal and professional goals. Additionally, you will collaborate with fellow course participants to create a business resource guide that consolidates ideas, tools, and best practices for leading a dance program. By the end of the course, you will have the tools necessary to move forward confidently in your leadership role.

Optional Live Virtual Meetings:

Wed, May 20th, 6:30-7:30 PM EST
- Agenda for the meeting:
  - Review of Liz Lerman’s Critical Response Process, which is used for all feedback
  - Students will discuss and choose topics for the final research project
Thurs., June 9th, 6:30-7:30 PM EST
- Agenda for the meeting:
  - Final project check-in
  - Share: How will you use the information gained from this course to move forward with your career?
  - Last questions

Book Required: Dance and Belonging: Implicit Bias and Inclusion in Dance Education by Crystal U. Davis. It can be purchased .

To receive college credit for this course in addition to PDCs, you must register through Oakland University by and finalizing your registration through OU before the April 15 deadline.

Questions about this Course? Email opdi@ndeo.org

Past Student Testimonials

"This course helped me write a mission statement and teaching philosophy for my studio that I can use for many years to come. They sound professional, applicable, and were easy to do through the guidance of the instructor."

"Having assignments and guided questions that prompt you to think about specifics of your teaching and studio, helped to clarify your thoughts and vision."

"Getting the chance to sit down and write out a year long overall curriculum was super helpful for me. I was able to think on some ideas I had and see how they fit together, and I'm walking away with plans that are concrete and realistic with feedback from other instructors."

"This course gave me additional confidence on the nonteaching side of a owning a studio and really helped show all the ins and outs of what studio ownership can be. Even the final project of each student analyzing a different aspect of owning a studio and creating a guidebook was really nice. This gave all students all necessary information without creating a workload that was impossible to complete."

"I liked being able to take a step back and evaluate what I find important in a dance studio so when I open my own, I have a clear vision to act on."

Professor Bio

Jessie Levey (she/her) is the founding director of Barefoot Dance Center in New York’s Hudson Valley where she teaches toddlers to adults and directs a teen dance company. She creates curriculum to educate the whole person through somatics, creativity, and identity, which guides her students to become both dancers and dance-makers. She has a range of experience teaching dance educators, and her research on the sexualization of girls in dance education has been shared in NDEO’s journal, Dance Education in Practice and the public radio program 51%. Originally a contemporary modern dancer and choreographer from NYC, Jessie performed with Dani Nikas, Mel Wong, and Risa Jaroslow among others. Her own work has been presented in New York, Milwaukee, and Lebanon. Jessie is an adjunct professor in the Vassar College Dance Department who holds an MFA in Dance. She is also a Registered Somatic Dance Educator and a Certified Yoga Instructor.

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