Turn Your Love of Dance Into Confidence, Leadership & Real Teaching Skills
Student Information
ASPIRE: Dance Leadership Program
If you’re a teen dancer who wants to do more than “just take class”…
If you love helping younger kids…
If you dream of becoming a teacher one day…
Or if you simply want to grow your confidence and leadership skills…
ASPIRE is your next step. Check with your studio to see if they offer the ASPIRE program.
This program gives you real experience as an assistant dance teacher, plus online lessons that help you learn how to teach, communicate, lead, and grow — all while still doing the dancing you love.
Can’t find it at your studio? Let us know and we’ll check in with them for you.
Is ASPIRE Right for You?
You’ll love ASPIRE if you:
- Are 13–19 years old
- Love dance and want to get more involved
- Enjoy helping younger students
- Want leadership experience
- Want a program that fits around school, dance classes, and life
- Are looking for a way to grow your confidence and skills
No teaching experience needed — just enthusiasm, commitment, and a passion for dance.
What You’ll Get as an ASPIRE Student
You’ll assist in real classes with younger dancers.
This means learning how to give corrections, help with choreography, support the teacher and be a positive role model.
ASPIRE teaches you how to speak clearly, lead groups, problem-solve, and handle real teaching situations — the kind that make you stand out in dance AND in life.
You can complete the Certificate III in Assistant Dance Teaching (CUA30320) — a qualification you can put on your resume, use for future jobs, and be proud of.
Work through fun, easy-to-follow online modules at your own pace.
No Zoom sessions. No strict class times.
Just self-paced learning you can fit around everything else.
Learning how to teach helps you understand your own dancing better — which often means you improve faster too.
Teachers see leadership. Younger dancers look up to you.
You become part of the teaching team — not just a student.
What You’ll Learn Inside ASPIRE
Across the program, you’ll learn how to:
- Assist and support dance teachers
- Help younger dancers feel confident and safe
- Give clear instructions and corrections
- Model safe dance practices
- Lead warm-ups and group activities
- Understand basic anatomy and technique
- Manage behaviour and create positive class vibes
- Communicate like a leader
- Work professionally in a studio environment
- Build responsibility, confidence, and initiative
Everything you learn is practical, simple to understand, and created specifically for teen dancers.
What ASPIRE Looks Like Week-to-Week
ASPIRE combines online learning with in-studio assisting so you can build skills in real time.
Your ASPIRE journey might look like:
- Watch an online lesson
- Learn a new teaching skill
- Assist in a class and practise it
- Reflect on what you did well
- Grow a little more every week
Most students assist just once a week (or whatever your studio decides).
It’s designed to fit around school, dance training, sports and family.
Life as an ASPIRE Student
Imagine walking into the studio and having little dancers run up to you with excitement.
Imagine the teacher trusting you to help with placing kids, giving corrections, or helping with choreography.
Imagine seeing your confidence grow every single week — not just as a dancer, but as a leader.
ASPIRE helps you become someone younger dancers look up to.
Someone your teachers rely on.
Someone who shines in and out of the studio.
Your Pathway After ASPIRE
After completing ASPIRE, you can continue your journey by:
- Becoming an assistant teacher at your studio
- Continuing into higher dance teaching qualifications
- Using your Certificate III on your resume
- Applying your leadership and communication skills to school, jobs, or future careers
You don’t need to know your whole future yet — ASPIRE simply gives you more options.
How to Join ASPIRE
Joining is simple:
- Check if your studio is a DTO Partner Studio
(If you’re not sure, ask your teacher — they’ll know.) - Choose your pathway
- Accredited (Certificate III)
- Non-accredited (experience only)
- Accredited (Certificate III)
- Complete the enrolment form
Super quick — your studio will guide you. - Start your ASPIRE journey!
If your studio isn’t a partner yet, don’t stress — your parent or teacher can contact us and we’ll help set everything up.
Partner Studios
| Dance Studios: |
|---|
| TDA Performing Arts |
| Allstar Dance |
| LSS Dance |
| Stars Talent School |
Ready to Step Into Leadership?
If you love dance and want to grow your confidence, leadership and teaching skills,
ASPIRE is your next big step.
Take the opportunity. Become a leader.
Make an impact in your studio.
Can’t find it at your studio? Let us know and we’ll check in with them for you.