SMART Goal Setting For Your Dance Studio
Sophie Boisvert
May 1 2025
5 min read
SMART Goal Setting For Your Dance Studio
Sophie Boisvert
May 1 2025
5 min read
SMART Goal Setting For Your Dance Studio
Sophie Boisvert
May 1 2025
5 min read
As a dance teacher, every week, you’re nurturing your students, teaching them, and training them so that they can achieve whatever they put their minds to.
Imagine there’s a whole generation of children who know the importance of hard work and the thrill of success because you taught them that hard work, resilience, and determination pay off. What a legacy to leave behind.
As a dance teacher, every week, you’re nurturing your students, teaching them, and training them so that they can achieve whatever they put their minds to.
Imagine there’s a whole generation of children who know the importance of hard work and the thrill of success because you taught them that hard work, resilience, and determination pay off. What a legacy to leave behind.
As a dance teacher, every week, you’re nurturing your students, teaching them, and training them so that they can achieve whatever they put their minds to.
Imagine there’s a whole generation of children who know the importance of hard work and the thrill of success because you taught them that hard work, resilience, and determination pay off. What a legacy to leave behind.
As a dance teacher, every week, you’re nurturing your students, teaching them, and training them so that they can achieve whatever they put their minds to.
Imagine there’s a whole generation of children who know the importance of hard work and the thrill of success because you taught them that hard work, resilience, and determination pay off. What a legacy to leave behind.
As a dance teacher, every week, you’re nurturing your students, teaching them, and training them so that they can achieve whatever they put their minds to.
Imagine there’s a whole generation of children who know the importance of hard work and the thrill of success because you taught them that hard work, resilience, and determination pay off. What a legacy to leave behind.
What's covered in this blog post: (Click on the section be taken straight to it)
What's covered in this blog post: (Click on the section be taken straight to it)
What Is A SMART Goal?
Goal setting has long been a successful strategy for encouraging personal, professional, and academic growth. In the dance studio, setting SMART goals can help your students grow and evolve into fabulous dancers, one step (or leap!) at a time.
SMART goals stand for:
Specific – Goals should be clearly defined, not vague or general. For example, saying “I want to get better at ballet” is too broad. What does “better” mean? Does it involve achieving a higher grade, mastering a double pirouette, or improving flexibility for grand battements?
Measurable – Dancers need a way to track their progress and know when they’ve succeeded. For instance:
“I will execute 20 clean single pullbacks in a row with even rhythm and sound.”
“I will rehearse my jazz solo three times a week and film it once a week to review and improve my performance.”
Attainable – Goals should stretch a student’s abilities, but still be realistic. Dreaming of becoming a principal dancer in Swan Lake is inspiring, but it’s a long-term aspiration. An attainable goal for a student at a local dance studio might be: “I will improve my double pirouettes so I can consistently land them during my recital piece within the next eight weeks.”
Relevant – The goal should match the dancer’s current focus. If a tap dancer sets a goal to improve aerial tricks used in acro, that’s not aligned with their core dance style. A more relevant goal might be: “I will master my time step variations to improve speed and accuracy for my upcoming tap exam.”
Time-Bound – Goals need a timeline. This acts as a checkpoint, helping dancers stay accountable. Instead of leaving goals open-ended, add a realistic timeframe, such as: “...over the next four weeks” or “...by the end of the season.”
A Complete SMART Goal Example:
“I will perform a clean double pirouette on my right side with proper spotting and controlled landing, five times in a row, during class by the end of next month.”
This goal is:
Specific (clean double pirouette on the right side)
Measurable (five times in a row)
Attainable (challenging yet realistic for many dancers)
Relevant (pirouettes are foundational in many styles)
Time-Bound (by the end of next month)
What Is A SMART Goal?
Goal setting has long been a successful strategy for encouraging personal, professional, and academic growth. In the dance studio, setting SMART goals can help your students grow and evolve into fabulous dancers, one step (or leap!) at a time.
SMART goals stand for:
Specific – Goals should be clearly defined, not vague or general. For example, saying “I want to get better at ballet” is too broad. What does “better” mean? Does it involve achieving a higher grade, mastering a double pirouette, or improving flexibility for grand battements?
Measurable – Dancers need a way to track their progress and know when they’ve succeeded. For instance:
“I will execute 20 clean single pullbacks in a row with even rhythm and sound.”
“I will rehearse my jazz solo three times a week and film it once a week to review and improve my performance.”
Attainable – Goals should stretch a student’s abilities, but still be realistic. Dreaming of becoming a principal dancer in Swan Lake is inspiring, but it’s a long-term aspiration. An attainable goal for a student at a local dance studio might be: “I will improve my double pirouettes so I can consistently land them during my recital piece within the next eight weeks.”
Relevant – The goal should match the dancer’s current focus. If a tap dancer sets a goal to improve aerial tricks used in acro, that’s not aligned with their core dance style. A more relevant goal might be: “I will master my time step variations to improve speed and accuracy for my upcoming tap exam.”
Time-Bound – Goals need a timeline. This acts as a checkpoint, helping dancers stay accountable. Instead of leaving goals open-ended, add a realistic timeframe, such as: “...over the next four weeks” or “...by the end of the season.”
A Complete SMART Goal Example:
“I will perform a clean double pirouette on my right side with proper spotting and controlled landing, five times in a row, during class by the end of next month.”
This goal is:
Specific (clean double pirouette on the right side)
Measurable (five times in a row)
Attainable (challenging yet realistic for many dancers)
Relevant (pirouettes are foundational in many styles)
Time-Bound (by the end of next month)
What Is A SMART Goal?
Goal setting has long been a successful strategy for encouraging personal, professional, and academic growth. In the dance studio, setting SMART goals can help your students grow and evolve into fabulous dancers, one step (or leap!) at a time.
SMART goals stand for:
Specific – Goals should be clearly defined, not vague or general. For example, saying “I want to get better at ballet” is too broad. What does “better” mean? Does it involve achieving a higher grade, mastering a double pirouette, or improving flexibility for grand battements?
Measurable – Dancers need a way to track their progress and know when they’ve succeeded. For instance:
“I will execute 20 clean single pullbacks in a row with even rhythm and sound.”
“I will rehearse my jazz solo three times a week and film it once a week to review and improve my performance.”
Attainable – Goals should stretch a student’s abilities, but still be realistic. Dreaming of becoming a principal dancer in Swan Lake is inspiring, but it’s a long-term aspiration. An attainable goal for a student at a local dance studio might be: “I will improve my double pirouettes so I can consistently land them during my recital piece within the next eight weeks.”
Relevant – The goal should match the dancer’s current focus. If a tap dancer sets a goal to improve aerial tricks used in acro, that’s not aligned with their core dance style. A more relevant goal might be: “I will master my time step variations to improve speed and accuracy for my upcoming tap exam.”
Time-Bound – Goals need a timeline. This acts as a checkpoint, helping dancers stay accountable. Instead of leaving goals open-ended, add a realistic timeframe, such as: “...over the next four weeks” or “...by the end of the season.”
A Complete SMART Goal Example:
“I will perform a clean double pirouette on my right side with proper spotting and controlled landing, five times in a row, during class by the end of next month.”
This goal is:
Specific (clean double pirouette on the right side)
Measurable (five times in a row)
Attainable (challenging yet realistic for many dancers)
Relevant (pirouettes are foundational in many styles)
Time-Bound (by the end of next month)
What Is A SMART Goal?
Goal setting has long been a successful strategy for encouraging personal, professional, and academic growth. In the dance studio, setting SMART goals can help your students grow and evolve into fabulous dancers, one step (or leap!) at a time.
SMART goals stand for:
Specific – Goals should be clearly defined, not vague or general. For example, saying “I want to get better at ballet” is too broad. What does “better” mean? Does it involve achieving a higher grade, mastering a double pirouette, or improving flexibility for grand battements?
Measurable – Dancers need a way to track their progress and know when they’ve succeeded. For instance:
“I will execute 20 clean single pullbacks in a row with even rhythm and sound.”
“I will rehearse my jazz solo three times a week and film it once a week to review and improve my performance.”
Attainable – Goals should stretch a student’s abilities, but still be realistic. Dreaming of becoming a principal dancer in Swan Lake is inspiring, but it’s a long-term aspiration. An attainable goal for a student at a local dance studio might be: “I will improve my double pirouettes so I can consistently land them during my recital piece within the next eight weeks.”
Relevant – The goal should match the dancer’s current focus. If a tap dancer sets a goal to improve aerial tricks used in acro, that’s not aligned with their core dance style. A more relevant goal might be: “I will master my time step variations to improve speed and accuracy for my upcoming tap exam.”
Time-Bound – Goals need a timeline. This acts as a checkpoint, helping dancers stay accountable. Instead of leaving goals open-ended, add a realistic timeframe, such as: “...over the next four weeks” or “...by the end of the season.”
A Complete SMART Goal Example:
“I will perform a clean double pirouette on my right side with proper spotting and controlled landing, five times in a row, during class by the end of next month.”
This goal is:
Specific (clean double pirouette on the right side)
Measurable (five times in a row)
Attainable (challenging yet realistic for many dancers)
Relevant (pirouettes are foundational in many styles)
Time-Bound (by the end of next month)
What Is A SMART Goal?
Goal setting has long been a successful strategy for encouraging personal, professional, and academic growth. In the dance studio, setting SMART goals can help your students grow and evolve into fabulous dancers, one step (or leap!) at a time.
SMART goals stand for:
Specific – Goals should be clearly defined, not vague or general. For example, saying “I want to get better at ballet” is too broad. What does “better” mean? Does it involve achieving a higher grade, mastering a double pirouette, or improving flexibility for grand battements?
Measurable – Dancers need a way to track their progress and know when they’ve succeeded. For instance:
“I will execute 20 clean single pullbacks in a row with even rhythm and sound.”
“I will rehearse my jazz solo three times a week and film it once a week to review and improve my performance.”
Attainable – Goals should stretch a student’s abilities, but still be realistic. Dreaming of becoming a principal dancer in Swan Lake is inspiring, but it’s a long-term aspiration. An attainable goal for a student at a local dance studio might be: “I will improve my double pirouettes so I can consistently land them during my recital piece within the next eight weeks.”
Relevant – The goal should match the dancer’s current focus. If a tap dancer sets a goal to improve aerial tricks used in acro, that’s not aligned with their core dance style. A more relevant goal might be: “I will master my time step variations to improve speed and accuracy for my upcoming tap exam.”
Time-Bound – Goals need a timeline. This acts as a checkpoint, helping dancers stay accountable. Instead of leaving goals open-ended, add a realistic timeframe, such as: “...over the next four weeks” or “...by the end of the season.”
A Complete SMART Goal Example:
“I will perform a clean double pirouette on my right side with proper spotting and controlled landing, five times in a row, during class by the end of next month.”
This goal is:
Specific (clean double pirouette on the right side)
Measurable (five times in a row)
Attainable (challenging yet realistic for many dancers)
Relevant (pirouettes are foundational in many styles)
Time-Bound (by the end of next month)
Why Are SMART Goals Important For Dance Studios?
Dance teaches discipline, focus, and resilience, all of which are reinforced when students set SMART goals. Through this structured goal-setting approach, dancers become more aware of their objectives, how to achieve them, and what it takes to stay committed. It builds accountability and a sense of ownership over their own progress.
By setting their own goals, students, especially younger ones, can understand that success is a result of effort. Once they’ve met one goal, they’ll be itching to succeed in another one. Nothing beats the feeling of mastering a technique or bit of choreography that you’ve previously had trouble with.
For dance studios, SMART goals offer benefits far beyond individual student growth:
They foster a culture of progress and perseverance.
They keep students engaged, focused, and motivated over time.
They demonstrate to parents that your studio values intentional training and measurable growth.
They offer powerful stories and statistics to use in marketing, whether showcasing how many students improved specific skills or met their performance goals.
Used consistently, SMART goals help students take control of their own learning journey, one clear, purposeful step at a time. And who knows? That structured, goal-driven approach might just be what helps them move closer to their dreams, like becoming the principal dancer in Swan Lake.
Why Are SMART Goals Important For Dance Studios?
Dance teaches discipline, focus, and resilience, all of which are reinforced when students set SMART goals. Through this structured goal-setting approach, dancers become more aware of their objectives, how to achieve them, and what it takes to stay committed. It builds accountability and a sense of ownership over their own progress.
By setting their own goals, students, especially younger ones, can understand that success is a result of effort. Once they’ve met one goal, they’ll be itching to succeed in another one. Nothing beats the feeling of mastering a technique or bit of choreography that you’ve previously had trouble with.
For dance studios, SMART goals offer benefits far beyond individual student growth:
They foster a culture of progress and perseverance.
They keep students engaged, focused, and motivated over time.
They demonstrate to parents that your studio values intentional training and measurable growth.
They offer powerful stories and statistics to use in marketing, whether showcasing how many students improved specific skills or met their performance goals.
Used consistently, SMART goals help students take control of their own learning journey, one clear, purposeful step at a time. And who knows? That structured, goal-driven approach might just be what helps them move closer to their dreams, like becoming the principal dancer in Swan Lake.
Why Are SMART Goals Important For Dance Studios?
Dance teaches discipline, focus, and resilience, all of which are reinforced when students set SMART goals. Through this structured goal-setting approach, dancers become more aware of their objectives, how to achieve them, and what it takes to stay committed. It builds accountability and a sense of ownership over their own progress.
By setting their own goals, students, especially younger ones, can understand that success is a result of effort. Once they’ve met one goal, they’ll be itching to succeed in another one. Nothing beats the feeling of mastering a technique or bit of choreography that you’ve previously had trouble with.
For dance studios, SMART goals offer benefits far beyond individual student growth:
They foster a culture of progress and perseverance.
They keep students engaged, focused, and motivated over time.
They demonstrate to parents that your studio values intentional training and measurable growth.
They offer powerful stories and statistics to use in marketing, whether showcasing how many students improved specific skills or met their performance goals.
Used consistently, SMART goals help students take control of their own learning journey, one clear, purposeful step at a time. And who knows? That structured, goal-driven approach might just be what helps them move closer to their dreams, like becoming the principal dancer in Swan Lake.
Why Are SMART Goals Important For Dance Studios?
Dance teaches discipline, focus, and resilience, all of which are reinforced when students set SMART goals. Through this structured goal-setting approach, dancers become more aware of their objectives, how to achieve them, and what it takes to stay committed. It builds accountability and a sense of ownership over their own progress.
By setting their own goals, students, especially younger ones, can understand that success is a result of effort. Once they’ve met one goal, they’ll be itching to succeed in another one. Nothing beats the feeling of mastering a technique or bit of choreography that you’ve previously had trouble with.
For dance studios, SMART goals offer benefits far beyond individual student growth:
They foster a culture of progress and perseverance.
They keep students engaged, focused, and motivated over time.
They demonstrate to parents that your studio values intentional training and measurable growth.
They offer powerful stories and statistics to use in marketing, whether showcasing how many students improved specific skills or met their performance goals.
Used consistently, SMART goals help students take control of their own learning journey, one clear, purposeful step at a time. And who knows? That structured, goal-driven approach might just be what helps them move closer to their dreams, like becoming the principal dancer in Swan Lake.
Why Are SMART Goals Important For Dance Studios?
Dance teaches discipline, focus, and resilience, all of which are reinforced when students set SMART goals. Through this structured goal-setting approach, dancers become more aware of their objectives, how to achieve them, and what it takes to stay committed. It builds accountability and a sense of ownership over their own progress.
By setting their own goals, students, especially younger ones, can understand that success is a result of effort. Once they’ve met one goal, they’ll be itching to succeed in another one. Nothing beats the feeling of mastering a technique or bit of choreography that you’ve previously had trouble with.
For dance studios, SMART goals offer benefits far beyond individual student growth:
They foster a culture of progress and perseverance.
They keep students engaged, focused, and motivated over time.
They demonstrate to parents that your studio values intentional training and measurable growth.
They offer powerful stories and statistics to use in marketing, whether showcasing how many students improved specific skills or met their performance goals.
Used consistently, SMART goals help students take control of their own learning journey, one clear, purposeful step at a time. And who knows? That structured, goal-driven approach might just be what helps them move closer to their dreams, like becoming the principal dancer in Swan Lake.
SMART Goals For Your Students, Teachers & Studios
Struggling to come up with effective SMART goals? Here are some tailored templates to help you get started for your students, teachers, and your studio as a whole.
SMART Goals For Your Students, Teachers & Studios
Struggling to come up with effective SMART goals? Here are some tailored templates to help you get started for your students, teachers, and your studio as a whole.
SMART Goals For Your Students, Teachers & Studios
Struggling to come up with effective SMART goals? Here are some tailored templates to help you get started for your students, teachers, and your studio as a whole.
SMART Goals For Your Students, Teachers & Studios
Struggling to come up with effective SMART goals? Here are some tailored templates to help you get started for your students, teachers, and your studio as a whole.
SMART Goals For Dance Teachers
“I will enter at least 15 students for their graded ballet and tap exams by the end-of-term registration deadline.”
“I will encourage selected students to choreograph a 1-minute solo using steps learned this season, to be performed during the end-of-term showcase in July.”
“I will provide individual progress feedback to all students in my classes once per month for the next three months to support their personal development.”
SMART Goals For Dance Teachers
“I will enter at least 15 students for their graded ballet and tap exams by the end-of-term registration deadline.”
“I will encourage selected students to choreograph a 1-minute solo using steps learned this season, to be performed during the end-of-term showcase in July.”
“I will provide individual progress feedback to all students in my classes once per month for the next three months to support their personal development.”
SMART Goals For Dance Teachers
“I will enter at least 15 students for their graded ballet and tap exams by the end-of-term registration deadline.”
“I will encourage selected students to choreograph a 1-minute solo using steps learned this season, to be performed during the end-of-term showcase in July.”
“I will provide individual progress feedback to all students in my classes once per month for the next three months to support their personal development.”
SMART Goals For Dance Teachers
“I will enter at least 15 students for their graded ballet and tap exams by the end-of-term registration deadline.”
“I will encourage selected students to choreograph a 1-minute solo using steps learned this season, to be performed during the end-of-term showcase in July.”
“I will provide individual progress feedback to all students in my classes once per month for the next three months to support their personal development.”
SMART Goals For Dance Teachers
“I will enter at least 15 students for their graded ballet and tap exams by the end-of-term registration deadline.”
“I will encourage selected students to choreograph a 1-minute solo using steps learned this season, to be performed during the end-of-term showcase in July.”
“I will provide individual progress feedback to all students in my classes once per month for the next three months to support their personal development.”
SMART Goals For Dance Students
“I will pass my Grade 3 Modern exam with a Merit or higher by the end of the spring term.”
“I will successfully perform a clean double pirouette on my left leg with proper spotting and control by recital day in six weeks.”
“I will stretch for 15 minutes, four times a week, to improve my splits and gain full flexibility by the end of the term.”
“I will pass my Grade 3 Modern exam with a Merit or higher by the end of the spring term.”
“I will successfully perform a clean double pirouette on my left leg with proper spotting and control by recital day in six weeks.”
“I will stretch for 15 minutes, four times a week, to improve my splits and gain full flexibility by the end of the term.”
“I will pass my Grade 3 Modern exam with a Merit or higher by the end of the spring term.”
“I will successfully perform a clean double pirouette on my left leg with proper spotting and control by recital day in six weeks.”
“I will stretch for 15 minutes, four times a week, to improve my splits and gain full flexibility by the end of the term.”
“I will pass my Grade 3 Modern exam with a Merit or higher by the end of the spring term.”
“I will successfully perform a clean double pirouette on my left leg with proper spotting and control by recital day in six weeks.”
“I will stretch for 15 minutes, four times a week, to improve my splits and gain full flexibility by the end of the term.”
“I will pass my Grade 3 Modern exam with a Merit or higher by the end of the spring term.”
“I will successfully perform a clean double pirouette on my left leg with proper spotting and control by recital day in six weeks.”
“I will stretch for 15 minutes, four times a week, to improve my splits and gain full flexibility by the end of the term.”
SMART Goals For Dance Studios
“We will gain local recognition by participating in three community events or performances by the end of the year.”
“We will enroll 20 new students for the fall term by August 31st through social media marketing and trial class promotions.”
“We will implement a quarterly goal-setting session with all students and teachers to track and celebrate progress, beginning next term.”
“We will gain local recognition by participating in three community events or performances by the end of the year.”
“We will enroll 20 new students for the fall term by August 31st through social media marketing and trial class promotions.”
“We will implement a quarterly goal-setting session with all students and teachers to track and celebrate progress, beginning next term.”
“We will gain local recognition by participating in three community events or performances by the end of the year.”
“We will enroll 20 new students for the fall term by August 31st through social media marketing and trial class promotions.”
“We will implement a quarterly goal-setting session with all students and teachers to track and celebrate progress, beginning next term.”
“We will gain local recognition by participating in three community events or performances by the end of the year.”
“We will enroll 20 new students for the fall term by August 31st through social media marketing and trial class promotions.”
“We will implement a quarterly goal-setting session with all students and teachers to track and celebrate progress, beginning next term.”
“We will gain local recognition by participating in three community events or performances by the end of the year.”
“We will enroll 20 new students for the fall term by August 31st through social media marketing and trial class promotions.”
“We will implement a quarterly goal-setting session with all students and teachers to track and celebrate progress, beginning next term.”
Want to learn more about planning your lessons and creating a supportive and welcoming space for your students to thrive and grow? See our other blog posts:
Want to learn more about planning your lessons and creating a supportive and welcoming space for your students to thrive and grow? See our other blog posts:
Want to learn more about planning your lessons and creating a supportive and welcoming space for your students to thrive and grow? See our other blog posts:
Want to learn more about planning your lessons and creating a supportive and welcoming space for your students to thrive and grow? See our other blog posts:
Want to learn more about planning your lessons and creating a supportive and welcoming space for your students to thrive and grow? See our other blog posts:
Planning an event or recital?
Visit our sister company, Stage Stubs
for all your ticketing needs.
Free for studios.
© Class Manager 2025, All Rights Reserved
Resources
Planning an event or recital?
Visit our sister company, Stage Stubs
for all your ticketing needs.
Free for studios.
© Class Manager 2025, All Rights Reserved
Email Us
Contact Sales
Planning an event or recital?
Visit our sister company, Stage Stubs
for all your ticketing needs.
Free for studios.
© Class Manager 2025, All Rights Reserved
Email Us
Contact Sales
Planning an event or recital?
Visit our sister company, Stage Stubs
for all your ticketing needs.
Free for studios.
© Class Manager 2025, All Rights Reserved