Give your teen assistants real skills, real purpose, and a real qualification — while strengthening your team and growing your revenue.
ASPIRE : Assistant Dance Teaching Program
Creating the future leaders of dance education
The best pathway for teens aged 13–19 to gain leadership, teaching skills, and a Certificate III qualification in dance.
Turn Your Students Into Studio Leaders — and Solve the Assistant Dilemma
Do you have students who love helping in class… but you’re not sure how to support or reward them?
Do you struggle with whether to pay them, train them properly, or manage them effectively?
The Aspire Dance Leadership Program base on the Certificate III flips the model — students (and their families) invest in a qualification that trains them to assist.
That means more committed assistants, better retention, and a new income stream for your studio — all while helping your teens grow in leadership, professionalism, and skill.
Your assistant teachers already give their time and energy — but what if you could turn their enthusiasm into real qualifications, leadership skills, and a program parents can’t stop talking about?
The Aspire: Dance Leadership Program isn’t just another training course. It’s a two-year, nationally accredited qualification that transforms young dancers (ages 13–19) into confident leaders — while giving your studio a professional edge.
Key Benefits for Studios
Two Ways to Join the Aspire Program
You can now choose the pathway that suits your goals best:
Leads to the nationally recognised Certificate III in Assistant Dance Teaching (CUA30320). Ideal for students who want formal qualifications for teaching or future pathways in education, dance, or leadership.
Offers the exact same training, studio assisting and workbook activities — without the formal assessment. A great low-cost option for those wanting experience, leadership skills, and a certificate of completion from their studio.
Both options offer full access to the Aspire content and leadership journey — the only difference is who reviews your work (a qualified assessor vs your studio leader) and whether you’re awarded a national qualification or a studio certificate.
You can also choose to complete both pathways simultaneously, gaining leadership skills through your studio while also working toward a nationally recognised qualification.
Which Pathway Should You Choose?
| Feature | Accredited Pathway | Studio Leadership Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Workbook & Lessons | ✅ | ✅ |
| Weekly Studio Assisting | ✅ | ✅ |
| Formal Assessment by Qualified Assessor | ✅ | ❌ |
| CUA30320 National Certificate III Issued | ✅ | ❌ |
| Certificate of Completion | ❌ | ✅ |
| Access to All Content & Activities | ✅ | ✅ |
| Lower Cost Option | ❌ | ✅ |
If you’re unsure, speak with your studio or contact the Aspire team — we’re here to help you decide.
Two Pricing Options
Perfect for students who want a nationally recognised qualification.
Ideal for students who want training, leadership experience, and a studio-issued certificate.
Get in touch with us for full pricing details
A Pathway to Leadership — and a Real Qualification
Students don’t just learn how to “help out” — they learn to lead with confidence, professionalism, and teaching knowledge. By the end of the two years, they’ll walk away with:
The Building Blocks of a Future Dance Leader
The program is delivered over two years (approx. 200 hours per year), with students completing real-world training and assessments while gaining hands-on experience in your studio.
- CHCLEG003 – Manage legal and ethical compliance
- CUAMWB401 – Develop and implement own self-care plan in the creative industries
- CUAIND314 – Plan a career in the creative arts industry
- CUACHR311 – Develop basic dance composition skills
- CUADAN331 – Integrate rhythm into movement activities
- HLTAID011 – Provide first aid
Total: 12 accredited units, 400+ hours of transformative learning.
*RPL available
- BSBWHS211 – Contribute to the health and safety of self and others
- CHCECE006 – Support behaviour of children and young people
- CUAWHS413 – Incorporate anatomy principles into skill development
- CUADLT311 – Develop basic dance analysis skills
- CUADTM311 – Assist with dance teaching
- CUAMLT211 – Develop musical ideas and knowledge
We Do the Heavy Lifting. You Shine as the Mentor.
Here’s what makes Aspire studio-friendly:
- We handle all assessment and accreditation – no extra paperwork for you.
- Turnkey resources – videos, guides, and student workbooks.
- Flexible pricing options – you choose if we bill families directly or you do.
Marketing toolkit included – flyers, templates, and parent communication, ready to go.
A Qualification Parents Are Proud To Pay For
Parents love this program because it’s not just “extra dance classes” — it’s:
- A real, nationally recognised qualification.
- A stepping stone for careers in dance, teaching, or other industries.
- A confidence-building experience that develops leadership, communication, and responsibility.
Are You Ready to Level Up Your Studio Assistants?
Give your teens the gift of accreditation, leadership skills, and purpose — while building a stronger studio team.
Frequently Asked Sections
Aspire gives students real classroom experience while completing the CUA30320 Certificate III in Assistant Dance Teaching. You’ll build teaching confidence, leadership skills and an understanding of safe dance practices within your own studio.
Aspire is completed through a blend of online lessons, mentoring, and in-studio experience under your studio’s supervision, with full support from DTO’s training team.
Aspire suits dancers aged 14 and over who want to begin their journey as assistant teachers or future educators in dance.
Most studios deliver Aspire across one academic year, but pacing can be flexible depending on each student’s training schedule.
Students usually complete Aspire through their local DTO Partner Studio. If your studio isn’t yet partnered, reach out and DTO can help connect you to one nearby.