Three Years after I wrote this, we are on the back side of Covid but the dance world changed.  I am going to keep this up as a Blog because 1) we never know when it might happen again and 2) The dance industry has never experienced this type of interruption. (This is not taking any political side) I am dead serious when I tell you that this will impact all types of studios. I spent three months playing out the various scenarios to help you survive. Three years later, many studios did not survive as did many of our students. Three years later people desperately want to dance again. On top of that the elections polarized the country and many folks just don’t like each other any more. First though we have to understand how it will affect us before we can attempt to solve the problem. 

There are three facets we have to look at. Regardless of whether you have a private lesson based studio or one that is group class heavy or a strictly rental based studio, I am going to tell you the truth that you are in trouble. Our first problem will be how long everything is shut down. As of June 1 many studios are opening up. The elephant in the room will be apparent in two weeks. If there is no spike in deaths we can proceed. If there is it’s back to the drawing board. I don’t have to tell you how many people not only have burned through any savings, they are now months behind in bills. Even studios with a high percentage of wealthy private only students, you are going to have to deal with those that fear anything with close human contact. So if only 10% of your students are slow to return and 20% take 4-6 months to catch up on bills before they return, you are looking at 30% of your normal income (typically the amount you pay in rent). Can you survive that? Do I have you attention? That said, privates will be the first to return.

Let’s look at group classes. Let’s pretend that people continue to vaccinate and mask in the next 90 days. Everyone who has been locked up for 17 months is going to be dying to have a meal in a restaurant, do some essential shopping, get back to the gym, and yes get back to dancing. Right now we are at the bottom of the totem pole. So unless you can get your big spenders to double up, it is essential that the groups get going. To get the classes going, we need to convince everyone that is safe. To do that we have to change EVERYTHING about how we run classes. 

1) Every class must have TWO teachers. One for leaders, one for followers. Reformat your classes so that they can be taken without touching at first, then minimal contact, then optional contact. Start with a high energy warmup of basic elements. Chasses down the floor like wind sprints, 1/4 turns arms held out keeping safe distance, open reverse turns in a clockwise direction around the floor, etc. I can show you many more. 

2) After a solid 30 minutes of elements, demonstration and solo rehearsal of 2-4 simple skills like the 2-3 hover of a Spin turn. 

3) For the last 10 minutes allow the ones who WANT to partner up but no rotating. This will create a desire by the others to overcome their fear. Do not push them though.   

The third facet of studios is parties. I have heard normally fearless pros say the last thing they would want to do is dance with a stranger. Yet I strongly believe that it is this facet that will get you back to normal the fastest if done right. It will take all hands on deck though. Instead of focusing on the dancing, focus on the experience. 

Place your seating farther apart than normal. Now have every teacher do a spotlight or if they are willing a full rehearsed number. Obviously while they would expect to be paid for a 5 dance show with costumes, it is vital that they understand if parties don’t come back there won’t be a studio for them to teach in. It is necessary that they make the show different, fun, and memorable. Do something different like pairing a latin teacher with a swing teacher and make them dance out of their comfort zone by doing Tango. Pair a ballroom teacher with a country teacher and have them do a salsa. Let the audience applause dictate the winners. Give the teachers a little something of appreciation, even if it’s pizza and beer after the show.

Have a class as described above with something they have never done like LA Hustle, Lindy, Argentine, etc. Make this party all about fun and a minimum of dancing. If you announce in advance that there will only be 50% of your normal seating, They will either prepay or get there early like you are giving away a 12 pack of toilet paper.

First signage for the outside of your studio. Insist that if they have any signs of illness that they would be doing their teachers and everyone else a huge disservice by passing the illness.

Create a Sanitation Station outside. Have a perky staff member outside squirting gel into hands and making the process of cleaning hands funny. Leave at least 45 seconds of dead air between songs to allow people to sanitize after dancing with a stranger. Suggest that they bring handiwipes for their table or sell small bottles. Finally, though this might offend a few at first, announce that admission will require a legitimate vaccination card. A) It shows YOU are taking the recovery serious and the few that choose to put everyone else at risk are not as important as those that care about others. In the long run most of the anti-vaxers will return but you have made a statement.