Teacher Bios vs. Teaching Ability: What Really Matters?
This might be a controversial topic in the dance world, but it’s one worth talking about: teacher bios.
For as long as I’ve been in this industry, there’s been this unspoken belief that what you have on paper is more important than what you bring to the table in a classroom. Long lists of credits—big names, cruise ships, commercial work, TV appearances—can look impressive, but do they really reflect what matters most when it comes to educating dancers?
We’ve all heard the saying:
👉 You can be a great dancer and a not-so-great teacher.
👉 You can be a great teacher and not the strongest dancer.
And honestly? It’s true.
My Experience
I’ve never been a professional dancer. I don’t have a jaw-dropping bio or a list of credits that makes people stop in their tracks. But what I do have is years of investing in my craft, learning how to teach, and pouring myself into helping dancers grow. My career hasn’t been built on accolades—it’s been built on people. On showing up, on trial and error, on listening to dancers, and on figuring out how to connect.
Some of the most incredible educators I know today don’t have flashy bios either. They aren’t the ones who danced behind a pop star or toured the world. They may not have thousands of followers on Instagram (don’t even get me started on why follower count has become a hiring factor—that’s another blog for another day!). But when they step into a room, you can feel the difference.
They speak to kids in a way that makes them feel seen. They break down steps in ways that click. They encourage, inspire, and challenge. And in doing so, they completely change how dancers think—not just about movement, but about themselves.
That’s not something you can put neatly into a resume line. That’s something you learn over time, through consistency, reflection, and practice.
The Flip Side
On the other hand, I’ve met some truly phenomenal dancers—people who can move in ways that leave you speechless—but who aren’t ready to teach yet. They can’t yet command a room, or break things down in digestible ways, or adjust their approach when something isn’t landing. They’re still in dancer mode, not educator mode. And that shift takes time, humility, and a whole different skill set.
Teaching is not about showing how much you know. It’s about helping someone else know it too.
So What’s the Point?
At the end of the day, I don’t see the point of hiring teachers solely based on what their career looks like on paper. A long bio doesn’t guarantee that a teacher can actually educate. What matters is the ability to connect, to explain, to motivate, to adapt.
As a studio owner, a parent, or a dancer, when you’re looking at who you want shaping your growth, I encourage you to look beyond the list of credits. Ask yourself:
Do they see and support dancers as people, not just performers?
Do they know how to communicate ideas in different ways for different learners?
Do they inspire confidence as much as they teach steps?
Do they model professionalism, kindness, and resilience?
Those are the qualities that shape dancers for life—not just for the stage.
Final Thought
Bios are fine. Credits are cool. But what will leave the real mark on your dancer is the teacher who shows up ready to educate, encourage, and empower. And that has nothing to do with a resume.