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Teachers & DSOs
Meet Your Mentors

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​Before we introduce our mentors, we thought it would be helpful for you to hear about the values and intentions which underline the

Teachers VIP Lounge.

Gabby Robinson from Empowerdance Lead Mentor/ Facilitator of the Teachers VIP Lounge is interviewed by Alex Stacey on her Dance Studio Owner journey and what you will get out of the Teachers VIP Lounge this year.

Angela Lau, Founder & CEO of the Australian Dance Festival spills on the history of ADF and what Dance Teachers & Studio Owners will get out of the Teachers VIP Lounge this year

Saturday Workshop 1: Building Healthy Communication in Your Dance Studio & Beyond

  • Feeling drained by student conflicts, demanding parents, and unclear expectations?

  • This workshop will equip you with the tools to break free from unhealthy communication patterns and create a more positive, productive environment for yourself and everyone in your dance studio!

  • Bonus outcome? Key learnings from this workshop will enable you to improve your relationships outside of the dance studio as well!

  • Our Lead Mentor: Justin Cogley (Psychologist and School Counsellor) will cover the Drama Triangle and how to Turn it into the Winners' Triangle.

Key Takeaways:

  • Identify when you are being a Victim, Persecutor or Rescuer

  • Learn how to flip this to being Vulnerable, Assertive and Caring

  • Tips to Deal effectively with Conflict

  • Communicating your Expectations without getting into drama

Saturday Workshop 2: Building a Thriving Dance Studio Culture. Strategies for Fostering Community and Success

  • A positive dance studio culture is like the DNA of an organism: it's the underlying genetic code that shapes its identity, growth, and resilience. Just as a strong DNA structure ensures the health and vitality of an organism, a robust studio culture fosters a supportive, thriving environment for all involved.  In this workshop, we will:

  • Define your studio's DNA: Develop a clear vision, mission, and values that align with your studio's unique identity.

  • Infuse your DNA into your studio: Implement strategies to ensure that your studio's DNA permeates through every aspect of your operations, from staff recruitment to student interactions.

  • Attract the right dancers & families: How to recruit and retain students who resonate with your studio's DNA, creating a harmonious and fulfilling community.

 

Key Takeaways:

  • Clarifying your Vision, Mission and Values

  • Tips & Tools on how to recruit staff and attract students that match up with your Vission, Mission and Values

Jen Dalton tells her story about how she started a studio as a teenager and built her business to over 1,000 kids over 30 years.  All this while also having a career as a Policewoman, and raising her children.

Josephine Lancuba has a unique way of fostering community & success in dance studios by teaching studio owners how to add a Talent Management Agency to their business.  And it's not just the most talented kids that shine and become a customer for life.

Saturday Workshop 3: Unlock Your Potential: Mindset and Resilience Workshop

Unlock Your Potential: Mindset and Resilience Workshop

  • With Special Guest Speakers:  Claudia Dean & Marko Panzic

  • Join us for an empowering session designed to help dance studio owners and teachers overcome limiting beliefs and build resilience.

  • Discover practical mindset hacks for success, learn how to achieve a work/life blend, and get ready for growth with actionable strategies.

  • Our interactive workshop features insights from industry leaders and engaging group activities, ensuring you leave with a clear plan to transform your mindset and drive your studio to new heights. Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and grow with like-minded professionals!

Key Takeaways:

  • Overcome limiting beliefs and build resilience.

  • Practical mindset hacks for personal and professional success.

  • Effective time management and growth planning.

  • Connect with and learn from peers in an interactive setting.

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Sunday Workshop 1: Social Media & Marketing

We are so excited to have Kelly Groves & Sally Prendergast deliver a workshop to help you Master Your Marketing Strategy On Social Media.

  • This workshop focuses on the fundamentals of creating a social media marketing strategy tailored to your dance studio goals. You’ll get practical insights and actionable steps to maximise the impact of your social media platforms and content.

  • Sally & Kelly will cover where to begin when creating a marketing strategy, offer creation, search on social, and paid ads.

Key Takeaways:

  • How to align your social media strategy to your business goals.

  • Techniques for identifying and understanding your ideal audience.

  • Money Making Messaging-Your Marketing Point Of Difference 

  • Understanding your Target Market To Attract Your Ideal Students- and lots of them!

  • Practical tips for using social media to attract new students.

  • Best practices for creating social media content for each level of your marketing funnel.

Kelly Groves on how she helps Dance Studio Owners to clarify their goals and fine tune their strategies to achieve their goals

Sally Prendergast talks about the Biggest Pain Points for Dance Teachers & Studio Owners, and the difference between "Doing" vs "Utilizing" social media

Sunday Workshop 2: Class Management, Behavior Management & Inclusivity:

Are you grappling with an increasingly diverse classroom of young dancers? The rising number of students with autism, ADHD, and other learning differences presents unique challenges for dance teachers. It's time to equip yourself with the tools to create an inclusive and effective learning environment for all students.

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Join behavioral analyst Karen Wong and dance studio owner Miranda Daisy for a transformative workshop that will empower you to:

  • Understand the unique needs of neurodivergent students

  • Implement practical strategies for inclusive classroom management

  • Develop effective discipline techniques that foster respect and growth

  • Create a supportive and engaging learning environment for all

Discover how to turn challenges into opportunities, and unlock the full potential of every dancer in your studio.

Miranda Daisy from Perform-Ability talks about the Importance of Inclusivity, and why she is passionate about Training Teachers on how to teach students with disabilities.

Karen Wong, a Board Certified Behavioural Analyst gives tips on how to manage challenging behaviours in your classroom, and how to adapt your teaching and environment to cater for different needs.

Sunday Workshop 3: The Sophisticated, Profitable Studio: Building a Thriving Dance Business

 

Financial Management:

  • Understanding key financial statements (profit & loss, balance sheet).

  • The importance of budgeting and forecasting.

  • Strategies for optimizing pricing and packages to maximize profitability.

 

Growth Strategies:

  • Expanding revenue streams through additional classes, workshops, or merchandise.

  • Leveraging technology for online scheduling, registration, and payments.

  • Creating referral programs and loyalty initiatives.

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Mike Harrison-Lamond co-owns the Australian Academy of Dance in Melbourne. A thriving studio with over 1,100 students. He is also the Vice-Chair of the Dance Arts Alliance, an independent, not-for-profit organisation which advocates to Government bodies on behalf of Dance Studio Owners.

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