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Private Dance Lessons Vs Group Lessons: What’s Better

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Private Dance Lessons Vs Group Lessons: What’s Better

Brooke Bowser

June 6 2025

5 min read

Private Dance Lessons Vs Group Lessons: What’s Better

Brooke Bowser

June 6 2025

5 min read

Private Dance Lessons Vs Group Lessons: What’s Better

Brooke Bowser

June 6 2025

5 min read

It’s the big question dance studio owners everywhere are asking: Should we focus more on private dance lessons or group classes?

Well, we’ve got you covered. (And for even more insights into what other studios are doing, check out our State of the Dance Nation survey, where 800 dance studio owners from around the globe shared their thoughts on the big questions just like this one.)

But for now, let’s dive in, shall we?

It’s the big question dance studio owners everywhere are asking: Should we focus more on private dance lessons or group classes?

But for now, let’s dive in, shall we?

It’s the big question dance studio owners everywhere are asking: Should we focus more on private dance lessons or group classes?

But for now, let’s dive in, shall we?

It’s the big question dance studio owners everywhere are asking: Should we focus more on private dance lessons or group classes?

But for now, let’s dive in, shall we?

It’s the big question dance studio owners everywhere are asking: Should we focus more on private dance lessons or group classes?

But for now, let’s dive in, shall we?

What's covered in this blog post: (Click on the section be taken straight to it)

The Pros of Private Dance Lessons

For the Student / Parent

Personalised growth: Especially helpful for students who are struggling or need extra support.
Great for students with additional needs: One-on-one dance lessons can help students who experience anxiety or discomfort in group settings ease into dancing.
Fewer distractions: With no other students around, they can focus 100%.
Flexible scheduling: You and the student can find a time that works best, even outside standard class times.
Faster progress: Individual attention often leads to quicker improvement.
Tailored teaching style: Dance teachers can adapt their methods based on the students’ learning style and goals.
Confidence boost: Students may feel more comfortable asking questions and making mistakes in a private setting.

For the Student / Parent

Personalised growth: Especially helpful for students who are struggling or need extra support.
Great for students with additional needs: One-on-one dance lessons can help students who experience anxiety or discomfort in group settings ease into dancing.
Fewer distractions: With no other students around, they can focus 100%.
Flexible scheduling: You and the student can find a time that works best, even outside standard class times.
Faster progress: Individual attention often leads to quicker improvement.
Tailored teaching style: Dance teachers can adapt their methods based on the students’ learning style and goals.
Confidence boost: Students may feel more comfortable asking questions and making mistakes in a private setting.

For the Student / Parent

Personalised growth: Especially helpful for students who are struggling or need extra support.
Great for students with additional needs: One-on-one dance lessons can help students who experience anxiety or discomfort in group settings ease into dancing.
Fewer distractions: With no other students around, they can focus 100%.
Flexible scheduling: You and the student can find a time that works best, even outside standard class times.
Faster progress: Individual attention often leads to quicker improvement.
Tailored teaching style: Dance teachers can adapt their methods based on the students’ learning style and goals.
Confidence boost: Students may feel more comfortable asking questions and making mistakes in a private setting.

For the Student / Parent

Personalised growth: Especially helpful for students who are struggling or need extra support.
Great for students with additional needs: One-on-one dance lessons can help students who experience anxiety or discomfort in group settings ease into dancing.
Fewer distractions: With no other students around, they can focus 100%.
Flexible scheduling: You and the student can find a time that works best, even outside standard class times.
Faster progress: Individual attention often leads to quicker improvement.
Tailored teaching style: Dance teachers can adapt their methods based on the students’ learning style and goals.
Confidence boost: Students may feel more comfortable asking questions and making mistakes in a private setting.

For the Student / Parent

Personalised growth: Especially helpful for students who are struggling or need extra support.
Great for students with additional needs: One-on-one dance lessons can help students who experience anxiety or discomfort in group settings ease into dancing.
Fewer distractions: With no other students around, they can focus 100%.
Flexible scheduling: You and the student can find a time that works best, even outside standard class times.
Faster progress: Individual attention often leads to quicker improvement.
Tailored teaching style: Dance teachers can adapt their methods based on the students’ learning style and goals.
Confidence boost: Students may feel more comfortable asking questions and making mistakes in a private setting.

For the Dance Studio

Higher revenue: Private dance lessons generally come with a higher price tag. And they run alongside your pre-existing dance class schedule. Which means that your studio is generating additional income.
Stronger loyalty: Parents often stick around longer when they see consistent, personalised progress. (Even more if they feel their child is getting preferential treatment).
Flexible curriculum: Teachers have the freedom to customise the lesson for each student.
Brand reputation: Offering private sessions positions your studio as premium and student-focused

For the Dance Studio

Higher revenue: Private dance lessons generally come with a higher price tag. And they run alongside your pre-existing dance class schedule. Which means that your studio is generating additional income.
Stronger loyalty: Parents often stick around longer when they see consistent, personalised progress. (Even more if they feel their child is getting preferential treatment).
Flexible curriculum: Teachers have the freedom to customise the lesson for each student.
Brand reputation: Offering private sessions positions your studio as premium and student-focused

For the Dance Studio

Higher revenue: Private dance lessons generally come with a higher price tag. And they run alongside your pre-existing dance class schedule. Which means that your studio is generating additional income.
Stronger loyalty: Parents often stick around longer when they see consistent, personalised progress. (Even more if they feel their child is getting preferential treatment).
Flexible curriculum: Teachers have the freedom to customise the lesson for each student.
Brand reputation: Offering private sessions positions your studio as premium and student-focused

For the Dance Studio

Higher revenue: Private dance lessons generally come with a higher price tag. And they run alongside your pre-existing dance class schedule. Which means that your studio is generating additional income.
Stronger loyalty: Parents often stick around longer when they see consistent, personalised progress. (Even more if they feel their child is getting preferential treatment).
Flexible curriculum: Teachers have the freedom to customise the lesson for each student.
Brand reputation: Offering private sessions positions your studio as premium and student-focused

For the Dance Studio

Higher revenue: Private dance lessons generally come with a higher price tag. And they run alongside your pre-existing dance class schedule. Which means that your studio is generating additional income.
Stronger loyalty: Parents often stick around longer when they see consistent, personalised progress. (Even more if they feel their child is getting preferential treatment).
Flexible curriculum: Teachers have the freedom to customise the lesson for each student.
Brand reputation: Offering private sessions positions your studio as premium and student-focused

The Cons of Private Dance Lessons

For the Student / Parent

Limited social interaction: Students miss out on the group energy and learning from their peers.
Can feel intense: One-on-one attention can be overwhelming for some students, especially if they’re new to dance.
Higher cost: Not all families can afford the price tag that comes with private sessions.
Fewer performance opportunities: Students in private lessons may miss out on group competitions, recitals, or team-building experiences.

For the Student / Parent

Limited social interaction: Students miss out on the group energy and learning from their peers.
Can feel intense: One-on-one attention can be overwhelming for some students, especially if they’re new to dance.
Higher cost: Not all families can afford the price tag that comes with private sessions.
Fewer performance opportunities: Students in private lessons may miss out on group competitions, recitals, or team-building experiences.

For the Student / Parent

Limited social interaction: Students miss out on the group energy and learning from their peers.
Can feel intense: One-on-one attention can be overwhelming for some students, especially if they’re new to dance.
Higher cost: Not all families can afford the price tag that comes with private sessions.
Fewer performance opportunities: Students in private lessons may miss out on group competitions, recitals, or team-building experiences.

For the Student / Parent

Limited social interaction: Students miss out on the group energy and learning from their peers.
Can feel intense: One-on-one attention can be overwhelming for some students, especially if they’re new to dance.
Higher cost: Not all families can afford the price tag that comes with private sessions.
Fewer performance opportunities: Students in private lessons may miss out on group competitions, recitals, or team-building experiences.

For the Student / Parent

Limited social interaction: Students miss out on the group energy and learning from their peers.
Can feel intense: One-on-one attention can be overwhelming for some students, especially if they’re new to dance.
Higher cost: Not all families can afford the price tag that comes with private sessions.
Fewer performance opportunities: Students in private lessons may miss out on group competitions, recitals, or team-building experiences.

For the Dance Studio

Limited availability: You can only offer so many private slots — it’s hard to scale. There are, after all, only so many hours in the day that aren’t taken up by pre-existing group classes.
Scheduling headaches: Fitting these around group lessons can be a challenge.
Potential parent disappointment: If demand is high, some families may feel left out if they feel their child isn’t getting preferential treatment.
Additional costs: You might need to rent extra studio space or hire more staff.

For the Dance Studio

Limited availability: You can only offer so many private slots — it’s hard to scale. There are, after all, only so many hours in the day that aren’t taken up by pre-existing group classes.
Scheduling headaches: Fitting these around group lessons can be a challenge.
Potential parent disappointment: If demand is high, some families may feel left out if they feel their child isn’t getting preferential treatment.
Additional costs: You might need to rent extra studio space or hire more staff.

For the Dance Studio

Limited availability: You can only offer so many private slots — it’s hard to scale. There are, after all, only so many hours in the day that aren’t taken up by pre-existing group classes.
Scheduling headaches: Fitting these around group lessons can be a challenge.
Potential parent disappointment: If demand is high, some families may feel left out if they feel their child isn’t getting preferential treatment.
Additional costs: You might need to rent extra studio space or hire more staff.

For the Dance Studio

Limited availability: You can only offer so many private slots — it’s hard to scale. There are, after all, only so many hours in the day that aren’t taken up by pre-existing group classes.
Scheduling headaches: Fitting these around group lessons can be a challenge.
Potential parent disappointment: If demand is high, some families may feel left out if they feel their child isn’t getting preferential treatment.
Additional costs: You might need to rent extra studio space or hire more staff.

For the Dance Studio

Limited availability: You can only offer so many private slots — it’s hard to scale. There are, after all, only so many hours in the day that aren’t taken up by pre-existing group classes.
Scheduling headaches: Fitting these around group lessons can be a challenge.
Potential parent disappointment: If demand is high, some families may feel left out if they feel their child isn’t getting preferential treatment.
Additional costs: You might need to rent extra studio space or hire more staff.

The Pros of Group Dance Lessons

For the Student / Parent

Social interaction: Students learn, play, and grow alongside their peers. This is great for both dance development and social skill development.
Peer motivation: Seeing others improve can push students to try harder.
More affordable: Group classes are usually cheaper than private ones.
Sense of community: Students build friendships, prep for shows together, and compete as a team - all great bonding moments! (See our blog posts Day in the life of a dance teacher: competition edition and The journey to a dance competition: Teacher’s POV to see this in action)
Exposure to variety: Teachers often mix up techniques and ideas depending on the group dynamic.

For the Student / Parent

Social interaction: Students learn, play, and grow alongside their peers. This is great for both dance development and social skill development.
Peer motivation: Seeing others improve can push students to try harder.
More affordable: Group classes are usually cheaper than private ones.
Sense of community: Students build friendships, prep for shows together, and compete as a team - all great bonding moments! (See our blog posts Day in the life of a dance teacher: competition edition and The journey to a dance competition: Teacher’s POV to see this in action)
Exposure to variety: Teachers often mix up techniques and ideas depending on the group dynamic.

For the Student / Parent

Social interaction: Students learn, play, and grow alongside their peers. This is great for both dance development and social skill development.
Peer motivation: Seeing others improve can push students to try harder.
More affordable: Group classes are usually cheaper than private ones.
Sense of community: Students build friendships, prep for shows together, and compete as a team - all great bonding moments! (See our blog posts Day in the life of a dance teacher: competition edition and The journey to a dance competition: Teacher’s POV to see this in action)
Exposure to variety: Teachers often mix up techniques and ideas depending on the group dynamic.

For the Student / Parent

Social interaction: Students learn, play, and grow alongside their peers. This is great for both dance development and social skill development.
Peer motivation: Seeing others improve can push students to try harder.
More affordable: Group classes are usually cheaper than private ones.
Sense of community: Students build friendships, prep for shows together, and compete as a team - all great bonding moments! (See our blog posts Day in the life of a dance teacher: competition edition and The journey to a dance competition: Teacher’s POV to see this in action)
Exposure to variety: Teachers often mix up techniques and ideas depending on the group dynamic.

For the Student / Parent

Social interaction: Students learn, play, and grow alongside their peers. This is great for both dance development and social skill development.
Peer motivation: Seeing others improve can push students to try harder.
More affordable: Group classes are usually cheaper than private ones.
Sense of community: Students build friendships, prep for shows together, and compete as a team - all great bonding moments! (See our blog posts Day in the life of a dance teacher: competition edition and The journey to a dance competition: Teacher’s POV to see this in action)
Exposure to variety: Teachers often mix up techniques and ideas depending on the group dynamic.

For the Dance Studio

More revenue (yep, really!): With more students per class, your profit margin can actually be higher.
Performance opportunities: You can build teams for recitals, competitions, and showcases that boost your studio’s visibility.
Community building: A buzzing, social environment helps attract and retain both students and parents.
Scalability: Group classes are easier to grow and run more frequently.

For the Dance Studio

More revenue (yep, really!): With more students per class, your profit margin can actually be higher.
Performance opportunities: You can build teams for recitals, competitions, and showcases that boost your studio’s visibility.
Community building: A buzzing, social environment helps attract and retain both students and parents.
Scalability: Group classes are easier to grow and run more frequently.

For the Dance Studio

More revenue (yep, really!): With more students per class, your profit margin can actually be higher.
Performance opportunities: You can build teams for recitals, competitions, and showcases that boost your studio’s visibility.
Community building: A buzzing, social environment helps attract and retain both students and parents.
Scalability: Group classes are easier to grow and run more frequently.

For the Dance Studio

More revenue (yep, really!): With more students per class, your profit margin can actually be higher.
Performance opportunities: You can build teams for recitals, competitions, and showcases that boost your studio’s visibility.
Community building: A buzzing, social environment helps attract and retain both students and parents.
Scalability: Group classes are easier to grow and run more frequently.

For the Dance Studio

More revenue (yep, really!): With more students per class, your profit margin can actually be higher.
Performance opportunities: You can build teams for recitals, competitions, and showcases that boost your studio’s visibility.
Community building: A buzzing, social environment helps attract and retain both students and parents.
Scalability: Group classes are easier to grow and run more frequently.

The Cons of Group Dance Lessons

For the Student / Parent

Less personal attention: If a student is struggling or ahead of the class, they may not get the individual support they need.
Pacing issues: Students learn at different speeds, and group lessons often move at an average pace, which can leave some feeling lost and others feeling bored.
Less flexibility: Classes are held at fixed times and locations to accommodate everyone, which might not suit ever family's schedule.

For the Student / Parent

Less personal attention: If a student is struggling or ahead of the class, they may not get the individual support they need.
Pacing issues: Students learn at different speeds, and group lessons often move at an average pace, which can leave some feeling lost and others feeling bored.
Less flexibility: Classes are held at fixed times and locations to accommodate everyone, which might not suit ever family's schedule.

For the Student / Parent

Less personal attention: If a student is struggling or ahead of the class, they may not get the individual support they need.
Pacing issues: Students learn at different speeds, and group lessons often move at an average pace, which can leave some feeling lost and others feeling bored.
Less flexibility: Classes are held at fixed times and locations to accommodate everyone, which might not suit ever family's schedule.

For the Student / Parent

Less personal attention: If a student is struggling or ahead of the class, they may not get the individual support they need.
Pacing issues: Students learn at different speeds, and group lessons often move at an average pace, which can leave some feeling lost and others feeling bored.
Less flexibility: Classes are held at fixed times and locations to accommodate everyone, which might not suit ever family's schedule.

For the Student / Parent

Less personal attention: If a student is struggling or ahead of the class, they may not get the individual support they need.
Pacing issues: Students learn at different speeds, and group lessons often move at an average pace, which can leave some feeling lost and others feeling bored.
Less flexibility: Classes are held at fixed times and locations to accommodate everyone, which might not suit ever family's schedule.

For the Dance Studio

Herd mentality risk: If one student is unhappy or leaves, it can influence others to do the same.
Holding students back: More advanced dancers might not feel challenged enough and may seek more personalised options elsewhere.
Classroom management challenges: Larger groups can lead to distractions, behaviour issues, or difficulties maintaining focus and flow in the lessons.

For the Dance Studio

Herd mentality risk: If one student is unhappy or leaves, it can influence others to do the same.
Holding students back: More advanced dancers might not feel challenged enough and may seek more personalised options elsewhere.
Classroom management challenges: Larger groups can lead to distractions, behaviour issues, or difficulties maintaining focus and flow in the lessons.

For the Dance Studio

Herd mentality risk: If one student is unhappy or leaves, it can influence others to do the same.
Holding students back: More advanced dancers might not feel challenged enough and may seek more personalised options elsewhere.
Classroom management challenges: Larger groups can lead to distractions, behaviour issues, or difficulties maintaining focus and flow in the lessons.

For the Dance Studio

Herd mentality risk: If one student is unhappy or leaves, it can influence others to do the same.
Holding students back: More advanced dancers might not feel challenged enough and may seek more personalised options elsewhere.
Classroom management challenges: Larger groups can lead to distractions, behaviour issues, or difficulties maintaining focus and flow in the lessons.

For the Dance Studio

Herd mentality risk: If one student is unhappy or leaves, it can influence others to do the same.
Holding students back: More advanced dancers might not feel challenged enough and may seek more personalised options elsewhere.
Classroom management challenges: Larger groups can lead to distractions, behaviour issues, or difficulties maintaining focus and flow in the lessons.

So… Which One Should You Offer More?

Honestly? Both have a place in a well-rounded dance studio, especially if you have the resources and capabilities. It’s all about balance. Private lessons are great for individual growth and revenue, while group classes bring energy, community, and scalability.

And whichever route you decide to prioritise, one thing’s for sure…

So… Which One Should You Offer More?

And whichever route you decide to prioritise, one thing’s for sure…

So… Which One Should You Offer More?

And whichever route you decide to prioritise, one thing’s for sure…

So… Which One Should You Offer More?

And whichever route you decide to prioritise, one thing’s for sure…

So… Which One Should You Offer More?

And whichever route you decide to prioritise, one thing’s for sure…

Class Manager Has You Covered Either Way

Whether you’re juggling one-on-one sessions or managing a packed schedule of group classes, Class Manager’s class management software takes the stress out of studio admin.

From:

Setting up classes
Enrolling students
Taking attendance
Automated billing and payments
...and more, we’re here to help you run your studio, not just survive it.