Dancing Towards Progress: Understanding Success in Dance Education Business

Abstract

This study examines how Rhee Gold's Dance Life Studio Owner Alliance (SOA) programming aligns with the professional needs of dance studio owners. Using a mixed-methods approach including surveys, interviews, and document analysis, the research explored how different stakeholders define success within independent dance studios. Findings reveal that studio owners primarily measure success through achievement metrics, such as financial stability and enrollment growth, while parents prioritize affiliation (community and belonging), and teachers value power through their pedagogical impact. While SOA programming generally aligns with members' values regarding financial success and mental health, recommendations suggest that the organization could more effectively support pedagogical development and community building to better address the varied definitions of success expressed by studio owners, teachers, parents, and alumni.