Dance Principals United: Dance Studio Growth & Marketing Podcast

Amanda Barr & Rebecca Liu-Brennan: Dance Studio Coaches & Growth Experts
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Business
  • Updated Weekly

Do you want to grow your enrolments, make more profit, and find the time in your business to focus on the things that you love? Join hosts Amanda Barr & Rebecca Liu-Brennan as they share the secrets of their Million Dollar Dance Studios. On this weekly podcast, you will get practical, actionable tips how how to grow the BUSINESS of your Dance Studio.

  1. 2d ago

    Why Every Dance Studio Owner Needs to Get Financially Fit

    Most dance studio owners didn't open their business because they love spreadsheets, budgets or profit margins. They opened because they love dance. They love teaching. They love creating opportunities for children and building a community that feels like family. But passion alone doesn't pay the mortgage. In this week's episode of the Dance Principles United Podcast, Nathan sits down with former financial adviser and small business owner Jess Bowles to tackle one of the most important — and often avoided — conversations in studio ownership: financial fitness. Because while your studio might be changing lives every single day, it also needs to be doing something else. It needs to be looking after you. Together, Nathan and Jess unpack what it really means to build a financially healthy studio business, why profitability matters, and how studio owners can start thinking beyond simply surviving month to month. In this episode we discuss: What "financial fitness" actually means for dance studio owners Why many studio owners accidentally build jobs instead of assets The difference between revenue and profit (and why it matters) How to know if your classes are actually profitable Why paying yourself properly isn't selfish — it's essential The dangers of relying on credit cards and debt to fund growth Why building wealth outside your studio matters The power of budgeting and paying yourself first How small financial decisions compound over time Why increasing prices is often the fastest path to a healthier business The role accountants and financial advisers can play in your long-term success Nathan and Jess also explore an uncomfortable but important question: If you decided to stop teaching tomorrow, what would your studio actually be worth? Because the goal isn't simply to build a business you love. It's to build one that loves you back. If you've ever wondered whether your studio is truly working for you financially, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

    Why Every Dance Studio Owner Needs to Get Financially Fit

  2. Sep 2

    3 Numbers Every Successful Dance Studio Owner Should Know

    Do you know the three numbers that tell you how your dance studio is really going? Not roughly. Not "I think we're doing okay." The actual numbers. In this week's episode of the Dance Principles United Podcast, we're talking about the three key numbers every dance studio owner should be tracking: Student numbers Class placements Weekly revenue They're simple numbers, but knowing them can completely change the way you make decisions in your dance business. Because once you can see what's happening week by week, you can spot problems earlier, set clearer goals and make smarter calls around your timetable, pricing, enrolments and team. We also chat about why class placements can tell you more than student numbers alone, why weekly direct debit can make such a difference to cash flow and retention, and what happens when you start looking at which classes are actually making money… and which ones are quietly costing you. And if numbers make you want to stick your head in the sand, this episode is especially for you. You don't need to become a spreadsheet person overnight. You just need to start with the right three numbers. 🎧 Listen to the latest episode of the Dance Principles United Podcast now. https://danceprincipalsunited.com/podcast/ And if you're not currently tracking these numbers, send us a DM. We've got a simple tool to help you get started.

    3 Numbers Every Successful Dance Studio Owner Should Know

  3. Aug 26

    The Dance Concert Traditions We Need to Question

    What if some of the things you've always done for your dance studio concert are actually making the experience worse for your families? In this episode of the Dance Principles United podcast, Bec and Nathan are recording from New Zealand, where a conversation with another business owner gave them a fresh reminder of what dance concerts can feel like from the other side of the curtain. This business owner loves that his daughter dances. He's happy to invest in quality training. But sitting through a long concert to see his daughter perform near the very end? Not exactly his idea of a great customer experience. And that raised an important question for dance studio owners: Are the decisions you're making about your concert truly fans-first, or are you doing them because that's how dance studios have always done things? In this episode we discuss... Why a two, three or four-hour dance studio concert can feel very different from the audience than it does backstage. Why a shorter show doesn't automatically mean parents receive less value. How concert length can affect ticket sales and overall dance studio profit. Why splitting one long concert into shorter shows may create a better customer experience while still making financial sense. How simplifying costumes for preschool and recreational dancers can reduce costs for families. Why costume revenue and costume profit are two very different things. How expensive concerts can contribute to students opting out — and potentially leaving your dance studio. Why competition families and recreational families shouldn't always receive the same concert experience. How Bec is testing a "pick your own costume" approach for younger students. Why strong dance studio leadership means being willing to test new ideas, even when your team is uncomfortable with change. Stop assuming more means more value One of the biggest ideas in this conversation is that more isn't automatically better. As dance studio owners, it's easy to believe that a huge concert with hours of routines, costume changes and production elements gives families better value. But your families may see it differently. Nathan shares the experience of sitting through his own daughters' three-hour concert. With three children performing regularly throughout the show, he had plenty to watch — and even he was checking how much longer was left by interval. Bec admits her own concerts used to run for around four hours. At the time, she thought she was creating an incredible experience. Looking back, she sees it very differently. A shorter, well-paced concert could leave families wanting more rather than watching the clock. And there's a business strategy behind that too. If grandma, grandad, aunties and uncles know they're committing to several hours in a theatre, they may decide not to buy a ticket. A shorter experience could make it easier for extended family to say yes. Rethinking dance concert costumes The second big tradition under the microscope is costuming. Instead of giving preschoolers and younger recreational students a different costume for every genre, Bec now uses one main costume and changes smaller elements such as shoes or accessories. For recreational dancers, the studio may start with a quality base leotard and add a skirt for lyrical or cargo pants and a bandana for hip-hop. It's simpler backstage. It's cheaper for parents. And importantly, it may help protect dance studio retention. Nathan breaks down the numbers in the episode. Protecting a small costume profit isn't particularly useful if the total concert cost pushes a student to opt out and the studio then loses hundreds or thousands of dollars in tuition and ticket revenue. That's why dance studio finances need to be looked at as a whole rather than focusing on one revenue line. Make your concert a retention exercise Your end-of-year concert isn't simply a performance. It's one of the biggest customer experience moments in your dance business. Parents and students should leave thinking, That was brilliant. I can't wait to do it again. If instead families leave exhausted, financially stretched or relieved that it's finally over, something needs to change. So before your next concert, audit your decisions. Ask yourself: Is this fans-first? That one question could change the way you approach concert length, costumes, rehearsals, production and even your dance studio systems backstage. If this episode gives you something to think about, subscribe to the Dance Principles United podcast, leave us a review and share the episode with another dance studio owner who might need to rethink a few concert traditions too. https://danceprincipalsunited.com/dpu-tribe/

    The Dance Concert Traditions We Need to Question

  4. Aug 19

    Why Dance Studio Enquiries Aren't Turning Into Enrolments

    Are you accidentally ghosting people who want to give your dance studio money? Someone fills out your website form. Sends you a DM. Asks about a preschool class. Maybe they even book a trial. You mean to reply. You really do. But then a teacher calls in sick, you've got costumes to organise, a parent needs you, there are 47 unread emails waiting and suddenly that new enquiry has been sitting there for three days. In this episode of the Dance Principles United podcast, Amanda and Rebecca are talking about why dance studio owners ghost enquiries — and why fixing your follow-up process could be one of the simplest ways to increase dance studio enrolment. Because here's the thing: if someone has enquired, they've already taken the first step. They found your dance studio. Something caught their attention. They were interested enough to contact you. You don't necessarily need more leads. You might simply need to do a better job with the ones you've already got. In this episode we discuss... Why busy dance studio owners accidentally ghost new enquiries The difference between being pushy and providing good customer service Why one follow-up message often isn't enough How perfectionism can slow down your enquiry process Why studio owners prioritise comfortable tasks over sales activities How to think about the lifetime value of a dance student Why parents don't always reply, even when they're genuinely interested What to do when a family doesn't show up for a trial class How your dance studio team can take more ownership of enquiries Why making enrolment easy matters just as much as your marketing Stop treating an enquiry like an interruption One of the biggest issues Amanda and Rebecca see is that dance studio enquiries aren't always treated as a priority. It's understandable. Running a dance business means there is always something urgent competing for your attention. But there's an important difference between urgent and important. Choosing a costume might feel urgent. Answering a current parent might feel urgent. Fixing tonight's class problem definitely feels urgent. Following up the mum who asked about your three-year-old class yesterday? Easy to put off. Yet that enquiry could become a family who stays at your dance studio for five years or more. That's why good dance studio management needs a clear enquiry system, rather than relying on the owner remembering to reply when things calm down. Because things rarely calm down. Following up isn't being salesy Many studio owners hesitate to follow up because they don't want to annoy people. But remember: they contacted you first. You're not cold calling a stranger who has never heard of your studio. You're helping someone who has already shown interest make a decision. And sometimes they need more than one reminder. Parents are busy. Dance class might be important to them, but it's competing with school, work, dinner, siblings, sport and everything else happening that week. No reply doesn't automatically mean no. Look beyond the weekly class fee Another important shift is to stop looking at an enquiry as "$20 a week". Think about the value of that family over a year — and potentially over five, eight or even ten years. Add classes, costumes, concert tickets and other studio purchases, and one enquiry can represent thousands of dollars in lifetime value. More importantly, that child could be at the beginning of an incredible dance journey. Suddenly, making another phone call doesn't seem like such a hassle. And don't ghost your no-shows A family books a trial and doesn't arrive. What happens next? Too often, nothing. Instead of assuming they weren't interested, call them. Ask if everything is okay and offer to book another trial. They may have forgotten. Their child may have been sick. Their afternoon may simply have fallen apart. Good dance studio customer experience means making the next step easy — not making people feel awkward because they missed the first one. Your job isn't to chase people aggressively. It's to help interested families move forward. So, after listening to this episode, check your inbox, DMs and dance studio software. Is there someone you've accidentally ghosted? Send the message. Make the call. Follow them up. That one small action could turn into your next long-term dance family. If this episode helped you, subscribe to the Dance Principles United podcast, leave us a review and share it with another dance studio owner who needs the reminder to stop ghosting their enquiries.

    Why Dance Studio Enquiries Aren't Turning Into Enrolments

  5. Aug 12

    Dance Competitions: What Your Students REALLY Remember

    Competition season can bring out a lot in a dance studio owner. You're managing routines, costume changes, warm-ups, teachers, parents, schedules and dozens of excited dancers. You're probably trying to remember when you last ate something too. Then there are the results. When your teams place well, everyone is buzzing. But when they don't? It's easy for a studio owner or dance teacher to feel disappointed and assume the parents and students must feel the same. In this episode of the Dance Principals United Podcast, Amanda and Bec challenge that idea. Because the thing your dance families remember most about competition day probably isn't whether they came first, third or didn't place at all. They remember how your studio made them feel. Amanda shares what she's noticed now that she's experiencing competitions from the other side — as a dance mum. After sitting in an audience for hours and watching her daughters compete, one of the most memorable parts of the entire day happened after the dancing had finished. The teachers brought the students out together. They encouraged the parents to clap. They took team photos. They celebrated what the dancers had done well and told them how proud they were. It took about five minutes. The dancers hadn't won everything. That didn't matter. They walked away feeling like absolute rock stars. That's the opportunity we unpack in this episode: how studio owners can stop making competition days purely about results and intentionally create an experience that builds dance studio culture, student retention and a genuine sense of belonging. In this episode we discuss... Why competition results aren't what most students and parents remember How your teachers can make students feel successful without relying on trophies Why the five minutes after a routine can be one of the most valuable parts of competition day How assigning staff to specific age groups can improve the student experience Why someone should be responsible for looking after your parents too Simple ways to celebrate dancers after they perform How small traditions, gifts and rituals can become part of your dance studio culture Why team names can create a powerful sense of belonging How helping dance parents form friendships can support retention Why studio owners need to separate their own competitive feelings from the student experience One of our favourite ideas from this conversation is incredibly simple: "you don't personally have to be everywhere." If you've got several age groups competing at once, assign teachers or team leaders to specific groups. Their job isn't simply to get the dancers backstage and onto the stage. They're there to create the experience. Warm them up. Play games between routines. High-five them when they come off stage. Take the photo. Celebrate what went well. At Bec's studio, younger dancers receive a medal after they come off stage at their first competition, regardless of the official result. It gives every child a physical reminder of what they achieved. But it doesn't need to be expensive. A little certificate, lolly bag or small collectible can work. What makes it special isn't the price. It's the story and tradition you build around it. The same thinking applies to parents. Competition days can be confusing for a new dance parent. They don't know when their child is dancing, where they're supposed to sit, how long sections take or whether they've got time to grab a coffee without missing the routine. Having a staff member or trusted team parent helping your families can completely change that customer experience. They can gather parents together, explain what's happening, introduce new families and encourage everyone to cheer for the team. Those small moments build relationships. And relationships build retention. A child might forget whether their jazz routine received second or third place. They'll remember laughing backstage with their friends. They'll remember their teacher telling them they smashed the turn they'd been working on. They'll remember the team chant, the silly mascot and everyone cheering when they walked outside. Their parents remember it too. That's dance studio culture in action. If you're heading into competition season, listen to this episode and ask one simple question: **How do we want our students and parents to feel when they go home?** Then build your competition day around that answer. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the Dance Principals United Podcast so you don't miss the next one. We'd also love you to leave a rating or review and share this episode with another dance studio owner who might need the reminder that winning isn't the only measure of a successful competition day.

    Dance Competitions: What Your Students REALLY Remember

  6. Aug 5

    The Secret to Memorable Dance Routines

    What makes a dance routine unforgettable? It's not always the routine that wins the competition. Sometimes, it's the one everyone is still talking about ten years later. In this episode of the Dance Principles United Podcast, Amanda and Rebecca dive into the art of creating memorable choreography that stands out from the crowd. From clever prop ideas and themed costumes to audience engagement and preschool concert tips, they share practical strategies that every dance studio owner can implement straight away. The conversation starts with stories about routines that have stood the test of time—an instrument-themed dance featuring giant foam costumes and a simple couch routine that broke the mould and captured attention because it dared to be different. The lesson is clear: originality wins in the long run. The episode explores how dance studio owners can create performances that parents remember, students love and audiences genuinely enjoy watching. Whether you're choreographing for four-year-olds or senior competition teams, small creative choices can completely change the impact of a routine. Amanda shares practical ideas for preschool choreography, including how simple props can help young dancers with spacing and confidence on stage. Rebecca explains why choreography should be created with the audience in mind and why memorable moments often matter more than perfect technique in younger age groups. They also discuss: In this episode, we discuss: Why the routines people remember aren't always the ones that win How props can improve spacing and stage confidence Creative ideas for preschool choreography The importance of themes and storytelling How costumes can elevate a performance Ways to make routines more entertaining for audiences Budget-friendly prop ideas for dance studios Encouraging creativity within your teaching team How memorable routines strengthen studio culture Why originality always beats imitation One of the biggest takeaways is that creating memorable dance routines doesn't have to involve expensive sets or elaborate staging. Often, the best ideas come from simple concepts: reusable boxes, themed backdrops, personalised props and clever choreography choices that make students feel special. The episode also challenges dance studio owners to think differently about preschool performances. Instead of focusing entirely on technical skills, Amanda encourages teachers to create routines filled with laughter, cute moments and emotional connection—because that's what parents truly remember years later. If you've ever wondered how to create routines that audiences talk about long after the competition season ends, this episode is packed with ideas you can use in your dance studio straight away. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with another dance studio owner who wants to create unforgettable performances. https://danceprincipalsunited.com/dpu-tribe/

    The Secret to Memorable Dance Routines

  7. Jul 29

    How One Studio Added $60,000 Revenue in Open Week

    Most dance studio owners think enrolment happens in January... and that's it. But what if you could create another wave of excitement in the middle of the year that brings in dozens—even hundreds—of new students? In this episode, Amanda and Rebecca share why Open Week has become one of the most effective dance studio marketing strategies they teach inside Studio Growth Club. They unpack the systems, marketing and mindset behind studios achieving incredible enrolment results, including regional studios adding more than $40,000–$60,000 in annual tuition revenue from just one campaign. The biggest takeaway? It isn't luck. The studios seeing exceptional growth are the ones willing to create excitement, build urgency and consistently market their dance business. Amanda also shares the behind-the-scenes results from her own studio, where a carefully planned Open Week generated 161 new class placements in just seven days, adding approximately $3,500 in recurring weekly tuition revenue. If you've ever thought your location, studio size or budget was holding you back, this episode might change your perspective. In this episode we discuss: Why successful dance studio growth comes from consistent marketing—not luck. What an Open Week is and why it creates so much excitement. How urgency and FOMO encourage families to enrol now instead of "thinking about it". Why regional and smaller dance studios can achieve incredible results. Real examples of studios adding tens of thousands of dollars in annual tuition. The importance of having a strong conversion process after every trial class. Why great marketing still needs a great dance studio experience behind it. How incentives can increase on-the-spot enrolments. Creative ideas that helped generate more than 160 class placements in one week. Why studio owners should stop relying on January as their only enrolment period. One of the biggest themes throughout this conversation is that successful dance studio owners don't simply hope for growth—they create opportunities for it. Amanda and Rebecca discuss how marketing events like Open Week work because they give families a reason to act today instead of someday. Just like Black Friday or end-of-financial-year sales, a limited-time event creates excitement, urgency and momentum. The conversation also explores why so many studio owners underestimate what's possible during the second half of the year. Rather than accepting slower enrolment periods, the most successful studios actively create campaigns that bring new families through the doors while also encouraging current students to add extra classes. Another important reminder is that marketing alone isn't enough. While strong advertising gets families into your dance studio, it's your customer experience, teaching quality and enrolment process that turn enquiries into long-term students. Throughout the episode, Amanda shares practical examples from her own studio, including invitation cards, social media campaigns, school partnerships, referral strategies, follow-up systems and exclusive enrolment bonuses that helped make Open Week such a success. If you're looking for practical dance studio marketing ideas you can implement immediately, this episode is packed with inspiration. Whether your goal is stronger dance studio enrolment, increased recurring revenue or simply building more momentum throughout the year, you'll walk away with ideas you can adapt to your own business. Success isn't reserved for the biggest studios. It's built by the owners willing to consistently show up, market their business and put in the work. If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love it if you subscribed to the Dance Principles United Podcast, left us a review and shared this episode with another dance studio owner who could benefit from these ideas. Every share helps us support more studio owners to build stronger, more profitable dance businesses.

    How One Studio Added $60,000 Revenue in Open Week

  8. Jul 22

    Increase Profit and Simplify Your Dance Studio Pricing

    When was the last time you looked at your pricing... not because you had to, but because you genuinely questioned whether it still made sense? Too many dance studio owners keep doing things simply because "that's how we've always done it." Paper invoices. Sibling discounts. Complicated pricing tables. Term invoicing. They're all systems that made sense years ago—but are they still serving your business today? In this episode, Bec and Nathan unpack some of the biggest pricing mistakes they see dance studio owners making and explain why simplifying your pricing can dramatically improve your cash flow, your parent experience and your profitability. In this episode we cover: Why complicated pricing actually reduces enrolments The psychology behind simple pricing Should you still offer sibling discounts? Why weekly direct debit is changing the game How Payday Super makes cash flow even more important Why paper invoices need to become a thing of the past Common objections studio owners have—and why they rarely happen How simplifying your pricing creates happier parents and a healthier business If your pricing hasn't changed in years, this conversation might be exactly what your business needs. Because sometimes the biggest growth comes from questioning what you've always done.

    Increase Profit and Simplify Your Dance Studio Pricing
See All (100)

About

Do you want to grow your enrolments, make more profit, and find the time in your business to focus on the things that you love? Join hosts Amanda Barr & Rebecca Liu-Brennan as they share the secrets of their Million Dollar Dance Studios. On this weekly podcast, you will get practical, actionable tips how how to grow the BUSINESS of your Dance Studio.

Information

You Might Also Like