{"id":6509,"date":"2024-08-21T09:55:54","date_gmt":"2024-08-21T09:55:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spotlight.com\/?p=6509"},"modified":"2025-06-02T16:26:24","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T16:26:24","slug":"teaching-drama-dance-or-singing-as-a-freelancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spotlight.com\/news-and-advice\/getting-work\/teaching-drama-dance-or-singing-as-a-freelancer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Become a Freelance Drama, Dance or Singing Teacher"},"content":{"rendered":"

Looking for a side job? Start teaching drama, dance or singing as a freelancer now with this helpful guide and teaching tips.<\/span><\/h2>\n

Many actors, singers, and dancers transform their passion for the performing arts into a rewarding teaching career. Teaching drama, dance, or singing as a freelancer offers a decent hourly wage, the opportunity to inspire the next generation of performers, and a chance for creativity and personal development.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Various part-time theatre groups across the UK \u2013 franchises, local youth theatres, after-school clubs, and some primary and secondary schools (especially private and <\/span>SEND<\/span><\/a>) \u2013 are often looking for freelance drama, dance and singing teachers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, finding freelance teaching work can be competitive. To get your foot in the door, you might need to start as a teaching assistant or cover a few lessons first. Here are some tips to get you started:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Become a Freelance Drama, Dance or Singing Teacher?<\/h3>\n

Teaching isn\u2019t for everyone, but if it resonates with you, you might find it even more rewarding than your performing work. I certainly did.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can expect to get paid between about \u00a325-\u00a345 per teaching hour. You\u2019ll have to plan your lessons and perhaps shows outside of teaching hours, which can definitely add up. However, compared to many other jobs, it\u2019s still well paid \u2013 plus the prep can be lots of creative fun.<\/span><\/p>\n

Freelance teaching hours can work well alongside auditioning, as it tends to take place on weekends, school holidays and after school.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s incredibly rewarding to know you\u2019re helping your students with confidence, concentration, creativity, critical thinking, empathy, listening, storytelling and teamwork<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

What You Need for Teaching<\/h3>\n

You won\u2019t need any qualifications, but a diploma, degree and\/or master\u2019s degree in your chosen subject is often desirable. The most important thing you\u2019ll need is a love for what you\u2019re teaching and a desire to help your students learn.<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll also need an <\/span>enhanced DBS check<\/span><\/a> to work with children. It\u2019s likely the person or organisation hiring you will help you apply for one, but they might expect you to pay the fee yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some experience of working with children is also a bonus. If you don\u2019t have experience with children, you could offer to assist as a teaching assistant at a local performing arts school or youth theatre to learn from other teachers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How to Find Teaching Work<\/h3>\n

Put together a CV and<\/span> send it out to local performing arts groups and youth theatres. Some well-known franchises include Stagecoach Theatre Arts, The Pauline Quirke Academy, Razzamatazz Theatre Schools, Preform, Jigsaw, Little Tots, Little Voices, Drama Kids, Petite Performers and Theatretrain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There will also be independent local drama and dance groups (less likely for singing) in your area that you can approach. Sometimes, these places advertise for teachers, but most of the time, they work from a stack of CVs they\u2019ve been sent or through word of mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n

In your CV, include your training, performance credits, any experience working with children and\/or teens, and anything else relevant to a teaching position.<\/span><\/p>\n

In your cover letter\/email, add a sentence or two about what drives you to teach. If you attended a performing arts group or youth theatre when you were younger, you might like to mention which one and how it impacted you.<\/span><\/p>\n

When you write to the directors and heads of each youth theatre or school, take your time to find their name and spell it correctly. Also, name their school in the email so the person reading it doesn\u2019t feel generic.<\/span><\/p>\n

You may not hear back once you\u2019ve sent your CV for a while, but many schools will keep your CV on file. Much of my freelance drama teaching work has sprung from a CV I sent months ago. I\u2019ve had panicked calls saying, \u201cCan you be here in an hour? Our teacher just called in sick!\u201d so always have a lesson plan at the ready. After covering, a job could be offered some months later.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some schools will also hold recruitment days and might invite you in for a group audition or a trial lesson. Others might try you out for a few sessions or even a term before offering you a position.<\/span><\/p>\n

Teaching Tips<\/h3>\n

A school or group is very unlikely to hire you without first seeing you teach. After all, a talented performer does not necessarily equal a talented teacher. If you haven\u2019t taught before, it will likely take a little while to get the hang of it. Here are a few tips from my own experience that might help:<\/span><\/p>\n