Karen berry on maximising your dance school’s potential  

Karen Berry on maximising your dance school’s potential  

Running a dance school is no small feat—it takes creativity, resilience, and a sharp business sense. That’s why we’re thrilled to host our next Enlighten webinar on maximising your dance school’s potential, led by Karen Berry, an educator with nearly four decades of experience. From navigating challenges to seizing new opportunities, Karen will share invaluable advice to help dance teachers build thriving schools. 

Before the webinar, we caught up with Karen to hear about her journey, the inspiration behind this session, and her approach to supporting fellow educators. 

Can you tell us a bit about your background as a dance teacher? 

I’ve been teaching in one form or another since 1987. Initially, I started teaching to fill my time while exploring a career in dance. I did some short-term contracts and began teaching as a side activity. Ironically, within a year, I realized I was often helping company dancers with teaching. That’s when it hit me—I was probably a better teacher than a dancer! My passion for teaching grew, and by 1988 I’d decided to devote myself  to it completely. 

At that time, I didn’t have formal teaching qualifications, but I had a background in psychology and education from university, which gave me some insight into child development. Over the years, my dance school grew organically. Now, 37 years later, it’s a busy and thriving school. I’m incredibly fortunate to have an amazing team of teachers, many of whom were once my students. 

Karen berry on maximising your dance school’s potential  

Why did you want to create this particular webinar on Maximising Your Dance School’s Potential? 

This webinar came from requests from teachers. Through feedback forms, many teachers expressed an interest in business advice. As someone who’s run a dance school for 37 years, I’ve learned a lot about business—sometimes through trial and error. While my primary role at The Royal Ballet School is to focus on teaching and pedagogy, I often wish I could help teachers more with the business side of things. This webinar is a way to share some of the tips and insights I’ve gained over the years. 

Who do you think should attend this webinar? 

It’s primarily for dance teachers who are self-employed or run their own businesses. Many teachers are the face of their school—the ‘Mrs. Teacher’ of their operation. It can be a very isolating role, and this webinar aims to provide them with reassurance, new ideas, and strategies. It’s also for teachers who own larger studios and want to explore different ways of capitalizing on opportunities or overcoming challenges. We’ll cover pitfalls, business acumen, and strategies to help schools thrive. 

How do you go about creating these webinars? 

I start with research and brainstorming, creating a visual spider diagram of key points. From there, I refine the content into concise sections, almost like writing an essay. The next step is creating a PowerPoint presentation, which is a big part of my process. When I first started in 2012, I’d never made a PowerPoint presentation. Now, I’ve probably created hundreds! I try to finish the presentation at least a month before the webinar to allow time for feedback and adjustments. 

Why do you think Enlighten webinars are such a valuable addition to The Royal Ballet School’s offerings? 

Enlighten webinars offer a diverse range of topics, from the technical and artistic aspects of dance training to broader subjects like pedagogy and business management. They complement the Inspire series and provide teachers with invaluable insights, inspiration, and support. The webinars are also an excellent way for teachers worldwide to enhance their CPD portfolios. By drawing on the school’s extensive expertise, we aim to empower teachers to deliver the best possible experience for their students. 

It’s been a wonderful experience to see how the webinars have grown and to hear how they’ve helped teachers. For me, teaching—whether it’s students or teachers—is about nurturing growth and potential. It’s like tending to a garden; you need the right tools and care to help it thrive. That’s what I hope the webinars bring to dance educators worldwide.