The Dance of Professionalism: Balancing Relationships in the Studio

Are you a dance teacher or studio owner walking the tightrope between personal friendships and professional decisions? Rhee’ newest blog post, ‘The Dance of Professionalism: Balancing Relationships in the Studio,’ offers guidance on keeping your studio’s atmosphere positive and professional. Learn how clear communication and establishing boundaries can lead to success for you and your studio.

Read More

Dance with Integrity: The Heartbeat of Our Teaching Philosophy

Dive into Rhee’s latest blog, ‘Dance with Integrity,’ where we draw on Brené Brown’s wisdom to shape our teaching philosophy. Discover how choosing courage over comfort and upholding our values can transform our approach to dance education and leave a lasting impact on our students’ lives.

Read More

A Heartfelt Note to Dance Parents Everywhere

As dance parents, you have the power to shape a nurturing and positive community for our young dancers. Let’s focus on their passion, growth, and the joy they find in dance, leaving drama and negativity behind. Encourage their personal best and cherish the memories we’re creating. Together, we’re not just a part of their dance journey; we’re part of their life’s journey.

Read More

Honoring Every Student’s Unique Path

We’re celebrating the diversity of learners and the personalized journey each dancer embarks on. It’s not just about steps; it’s about growth, individuality, and the joy of discovery. Dive in as we discuss the beauty of nurturing each student’s distinct style and voice. Because in our classrooms, every achievement matters, and every dancer’s journey is a story worth telling.

Read More

Dance Teachers and Studio Owners: The Real MVPs

Behind every dance studio is an untold story of resilience, passion, and dedication. It’s not just about teaching dance steps; it’s about inspiring a love for our art, leading with positivity, and overcoming unseen challenges. Can you relate? Check out Rhee’s latest blog for your pat on the back!

Read More

Your 24-Hour Brochure: Selling Dance Classes Around the Clock

Your dance studio’s website is your 24/7 brochure, and it should cater to everyone, including the aspiring 6-year-old ballerina’s busy dad in search of information to enroll his budding dancer. Explore why emphasizing values beyond trophies can draw in more students and parents searching for the transformative power of dance education.

Read More

The True Art of Choreography: Making Every Dancer Shine

Choreography in dance should aim to boost every dancer’s confidence, regardless of skill level. It’s about highlighting strengths and minimizing weaknesses, promoting inclusivity, and nurturing growth. To achieve this, assess each dancer individually, create tailored movements, encourage teamwork, and value student feedback.

Read More

The Price of Gossip: Choose Growth Over Gabs in Dance

In the dance community, time is precious, and gossip can be detrimental. A phone call that turned into a gossip session reminded me of the importance of choosing growth over idle chatter. I realized the negative impact of gossip on my time and stress levels and decided to prioritize personal growth instead.

Read More

From Second Row to Stardom: The Journey of Passionate Dancers

In the world of dance education, it’s often not the naturally gifted but the passionately dedicated dancers who shine. These unassuming individuals, like the one in the second row, may become stars in the future. The lesson for dance educators is to recognize and nurture their passion, even if they lack technical prowess.

Read More

Embracing Change: A Path to Growth and Excitement

Change is an unavoidable aspect of life, and our attitude towards it plays a pivotal role in shaping our experiences and results. Rather than fearing change, embracing it can be a transformative shift in perspective that has the potential to create profound transformations in our lives.

Read More

Dance Competitions and Life Lessons: A Deeper Perspective

After a competition, it’s crucial not to overshadow valuable life lessons. As a dance educator, teach appreciation for the art form and fellow dancers. Encourage post-competition reflections on admired performances, positive feedback sharing, self-assessment, and the essence of dance as an emotional expression.

Read More

Rediscovering My Passion for Writing

In his inaugural blog post, Rhee Gold, a lifelong writing enthusiast, shares the tale of his discovery of a writing passion as an inquisitive 11-year-old beneath a tree. He guides us through his early exploration of the written word, his role as an education columnist for Dance Magazine, and the birth of the Goldrush community.

Read More

Season 2, Episode 6: Are You a Master Delegate-r?

Rhee Gold’s DanceLife Podcast As dance studio owners, we sometimes feel that it’s our job to do everything in our business. But what if we had more spare time to spend creating, innovating and learning in our business? Today Rhee and Stacey talk about the importance of delegation and the ways in which you can…

Read More

Season 2, Episode 5: Sticking up For Yourself

Rhee Gold’s DanceLife Podcast Join Stacey and Rhee today as they talk about the importance of charging what you are worth, especially during these COVID times. Now, more than ever, you should know your own value and not be afraid to have others see that value as well.

Read More

For Granted

The best dancers can take their natural talent for granted and never feel the passion that burns in every committed dancer. ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Swing The Pendulum Back

Swing the Pendulum Back

by Rhee Gold A while ago I held a seminar for teachers and studio owners at a dance convention that included a competition. These awesome people were teachers for all the right reasons—everyone was excited about learning new approaches for the classroom and business. At one point, a conversation started up about dance competitions and…

Read More

My Kids

I call my students my kids because in our time together they aren’t just kids on my class list, they become a part of my heart. ~ Unknown

Read More

Can’t Do

“Please, don’t show me what you can’t do,” said the competition judge. ~Rhee Gold

Read More

That’s OK

Dancers have a passion flowing through their veins that others may not understand. That’s O.K.! ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Perception

IT’S A CHOICE We can spend each day attempting to get back at those who we perceive have done us wrong. Or we can spend it dancing forward; toward the dreams we have not yet realized. Enjoy the journey. ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Episode 29: Competitions: The Right Mindset

Do you love or loath competitions? With the right mindset and attitude, competitions can become one of the most enjoyable parts of our profession. Join Rhee as he shares his love of competitions and the way in which to approach them in order to ensure everyone has a great time.

Read More

Episode 27: Never-ending Registrations

The season has started and you think the hard work is behind you? Think again, it’s time to fill those classes. Today Rhee and Stacey talk about the benefits of keeping registration open throughout the year, not just over the summer.

Read More

Episode 25: Rhee’s Rant #4

It’s time for another Rhee’s Rant. Today we are talking about keeping your student’s development at top of mind when choosing their choreography and costumes. Enjoy!

Read More

She Just Can’t Stop Herself

Rhee Gold On My Mind

“You’re an artistic genius! How do you come up with an idea like that?” “Motivated to be different” is the motto of the teacher who choreographed the piece that everyone is raving about. She’s the one who doesn’t want to be like anyone else or follow the current trends in choreography. Tricks like grabbing a…

Read More

A Point to Preach

I make it a point to preach to school owners and teachers that success isn’t about concerning yourself with what others are doing. Success comes to those who have passion for what they are trying to accomplish. ~Rhee Gold

Read More

No Regrets

NO REGRETS As a kid I had a lot of dreams. First, I had my heart set on becoming a farmer; then, after a field trip to Boston’s historic Freedom Trail, a historian; and in high school, my passion for dance won out! ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Small Dance World

SUCCESS in our small dance world is to show, through our actions, words, and deeds, our passion for what we do. If we do that, then we don’t need to toot our own horn. Instead, those who witness our passion will toot our horn for us! ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Turn Off Dance

I meet so many dedicated dance people who are workaholics. They never make the time to simply stop, to “turn off dance.” Some feel guilty just thinking about it and others think they’ll fall behind. Let it go – you deserve time to reinvigorate your dance (and personal) spirit. ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Episode 18: When Dancers Leave

No matter how great your studio is or how hard you work, there will always be students who want to try something new. Coping with the loss of a student is a big part of owning a dance studio. Listen as Rhee gives his perspective on this part of our business.

Read More

I Know for Sure

Something I know for sure! I understand the difference that my art makes in life – my own and others’ – because we have all lived it. I AM A DANCE TEACHER ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Her Goal

Her goal is to constantly place herself in the category of “unique” in the pool of dance schools in her area. She knows that being different is her way of staying on top, and her enrollment numbers reflect her philosophy. ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Smart and Courageous

No, they are not the same as kids in previous generations, but perhaps they are what they need to be for the times they are living in. They are smart and courageous, and they deserve our best. ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Two Different Dancers

IT’S PASSION! The one who wins the trophies or the one that everyone remembers long after the competition ends are often two different dancers. ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Dance Class Number

Our kids finish rehearsal at 11:00 p.m. and still pass an exam at 8:00 a.m. That’s because the concept of discipline was instilled in them from dance class number one. ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Tap Into That Instinct

I believe that each of us follows a life path that is embedded in our instinct. Having the ability to tap into that instinct can be the difference between success and failure. ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Episode 17: Rhee’s Rant #3

Rhee loves a good rant! This is #3 of our Rhee’s Rant series. Listen as Rhee reminds you, as a studio owner, to take care of yourself and how to avoid burnout.

Read More

Living Legacy

Forever changing our art form and leaving behind a living legacy is what great artists do! ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Go Out of Your Way

We must all take responsibility to live up to the standards that we claim to live by. Go out of your way to focus on giving your students concepts, choreography, and music appropriate for their age level. It’s time! ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Value the Memories

I value the memories of my time as a competitive dancer; those experiences helped to shape me into the man I am today. The memories I cherish most are my mother’s tears of pride, my long nights alone in the studio, and – most of all – the confidence I gained through the process. I…

Read More

Roller Coaster

Getting knocked down is never a pleasant experience. But, often it’s a gift we didn’t know we needed. Every part of the journey is meant to be. Let us all be grateful that we get to experience the “roller coaster” ride of life! ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Really Good

Do you know that you can be really good, and others can be really good, too? ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Total Bliss

I AM A DANCER I don’t feel my body’s aches or pains. I don’t feel the sweat dripping into my eyes. I do feel total bliss. I AM AN ARTIST! ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Not a Good Idea

Dance teachers are proud people who have achieved through perseverance driven by a passion for their art. It’s probably not a good idea to tell them that dance is a nice hobby. ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Episode 16: Your Customer’s Journey

Do you have your customer’s journey mapped out? Do you know each step of the process? Listen as Rhee and Stacey talk you through your ideal customer journey and the benefits in having this knowledge up your sleeve for decision making in your studio.

Read More

Go Do

Go do what you do best and forget about what anyone else is up to! ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Approve or Disapprove

Approve or disapprove, competition is everywhere; it’s inspiring thousands of young people to enroll in classes. Those who are already training want to take more because they’re seeing what can be accomplished with hard work and dedication. As a result, we have stronger schools, dancers, and choreographers who are striving to be the best they…

Read More

My First Competition

At 10, I did my first competition dance, a duet to “Harrigan,” with my twin brother, Rennie. We loved the stage, the applause and the energy – and the fact that we remembered our choreography was quite a charge for us! ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Episode 15: Competition Teams

Does your studio attend dance competitions? Do you want to? How do you make it work for you and your studio? Listen as Rhee talks about the pros and cons of offering Dance Competitions at your studio.

Read More

An Art Form

I fear that some young people (and teachers) are losing sight of the fact that dance is an art form. ~Rhee Gold

Read More

An Interesting Thing

An interesting thing I have come to learn is that dance teachers are not immune from behaving just like those crazy parents who leave them dumbfounded. ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Human Spirit

Could it be that, as teachers, we become truly great once we realize that the blending of the human spirit with the emotions in the music and the powerful voice of movement is what’s most important? Are those moments of transformation what lead to a great life for the millions of students who dance through…

Read More

Fulfillment

We can be so busy that we confuse success with fulfillment. I wish both for you, but hope you’ll make fulfillment your priority. ~Rhee Gold

Read More

No Regrets

NO REGRETS As a kid I had a lot of dreams. First, I had my heart set on becoming a farmer; then, after a field trip to Boston’s historic Freedom Trail, a historian; and in high school, my passion for dance won out! ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Precious Art

With the certainty that dance enhances the lives of millions of children and adults, it is my goal to encourage ALL teachers who pass on the love for our precious art to future generations. I AM A DANCE TEACHER ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Healthy Body

A healthy body, a roof over our head, family and friends. Kids who look up to us; the movement and the music! What more could we ask for? Let us be grateful. ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Pass on the Love

YES, I AM A PROUD DANCE TEACHER I do my best to pass on the love and the spirit of dance. Very few of my students will become professional dancers, but they all will become better people because they learned what determination and hard work are all about. And they have felt what the music…

Read More

Feeling Fulfilled

When the “I can’t” mantra sets in, the dreaming stops and going with the flow becomes something to resist rather than embrace. Don’t be afraid to take chances or believe that you’re too old to try something new. Feeling fulfilled is better than feeling safe. ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Next Time

The next time you see a smile on a child’s face because she just learned a new step or tried on her first costume, realize that what you do helps change the world and makes the future brighter. ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Pass It Forward

When I am with people whose presence simply brings a smile to my face, I feel good inside. That, in turn, has a positive effect on my attitude, and I find myself bringing a smile to everyone else I come in contact with, It’s sort of the “pass it forward” philosophy – and it works.…

Read More

Yes, But

Teach yourself to accept compliments instead of responding, “Yes, but…” Change that response to “Thank you-that means a lot to me.” Then take a few seconds (or more) to relish the compliment. And stop believing that others are happier or more successful than you are, because they’re probably in the same boat. ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Compliment Instead

Stop asking negative people how they are because they want to tell you! Instead, offer them a compliment. Tell them that their hair looks nice or what a pleasure it is to see them. Your compliment probably will make them smile for the first time in a long while. How positive is that? ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Something Distinctive

Keep your eyes, ears and mind open to what you see around you – take all that sensory and mental input and craft from it something distinctive. ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Yesterday’s Youth

The kids today are not what they used to be. I am beginning to understand why. Our kids live in a world where they arrive at school or the movie theater looking for emergency exits—just in case. Yesterday’s youth did not experience that. ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Show the World

We need to show the world our passion. That means letting go of insecurities that hold us back from what we want to accomplish. It means not wasting a single moment of our valuable time getting caught up in the negative, because that is a dead-end road that will bring all of our dreams to…

Read More

Dance Button

I’ve learned that I am better at what I do when I have the chance to turn off the dance button for a few days. ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Parents Do the Same

I believe that young people should focus on themselves, give their all, and be satisfied with their own accomplishments, and their parents should do the same. ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Never Crosses Her Mind

She envies others teachers’ successes because she thinks they’re so much happier than she is. It never crosses her mind that those people might be thinking the same thing about her. ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Trading Time

Those who love to gossip attract others who love to gossip. They’re trading the time they need for their own success for the chance to bring others down. That can’t be good! ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Abundance of Life Skills

If we were to strip away all of the movement vocabulary and technique attained by our students, we would discover human beings who possess and abundance of life skills that they learned through the process of their dance education. And more important, they have that passion flowing in their blood. These gifts will lead the…

Read More

Episode 12: Recital is Done, Now What?

Recital season is over and summer break is around the corner. What should you do now?  Rhee has lots of tips for making the most of this time. It’s a great time to reflect, respond and to give yourself an opportunity to breathe.

Read More

Not My Style

Some believe that good choreography is about turning more, jumping higher, and how far a dancer can stretch her leg behind her head. That’s not my style. ~Rhee Gold

Read More

I Have Often Wondered

I Have Often Wondered

by Rhee Gold I have often wondered why we (dance teachers) can be friends with teachers and school owners who teach in another state or quite a distance from where we do, but if the teacher or school happens to be in the same town, then they are often considered the enemy? What is hard…

Read More

Tricks

Real choreography is not a series of tricks strung together. ~Rhee Gold

Read More

It’s About Life Lessons

It's About Life Lessons

Not all children will develop into professional dancers. One of our primary goals is to teach life lessons and skills that offer children the best chance for success. Dance education encompasses far more than technique and the steps the children learn. I believe the discipline of dance training gives young people a better understanding of…

Read More

Games for Preschool Classes

Games for Preschool Classes IG

by Karen White When it comes to teaching preschoolers, you can never have too many tricks up your sleeve. Here are three games to help refocus little ones’ attention. 1. The Fairies and the Sleeping Dolls Split the class in two. Give half the students “magic” wands (you can use substitutes like pencils)—these are the…

Read More

Make Us Stronger

Some days seem like one challenge after the other; I believe that days like this make us stronger and smarter. I’m thinking that today I am so strong I could pick up a house and I’m smarter than I want to be. ~Rhee Gold

Read More

Just Like You

That tiny dancer dreams that she will grow up to be just like you someday. How cool is that?! ~Rhee Gold

Read More

It’s Here to Stay

No matter what your opinion is, dance competition is growing every year. It’s here to stay, and if it is used the right way it can be very motivating for teachers and students alike. I encourage you to participate with the understanding that competition is merely one aspect of dance training. Teach your students to…

Read More

Expected Daughters to Take Over

Expected Daughters to Take Over

I am pooped and feel like quitting this business. It seems the studio is growing faster than I can keep up with, and I am exhausted with trying to keep it organized like my customers are used to. I am seriously considering selling it all and walking away.

Read More

In Spirit

Dance less in motion and more in spirit; awaken the dreamer within. Shah Asad Rizvi

Read More