Taking it to the Streets: How to Become a Hip Hop Instructor

While hip hop has been around for quite some time, it's just recently making it big. Thanks to television programs like “So You Think You Can Dance,” “Step It Up and Dance,” and “Dance Wars,” hip hop is gaining popularity at accelerated speeds. At one point, ballet and tap may have been moving the feet up Americas youth, but not anymore. Today, the upbeat, hybrid moves of hip hop are catching on and in a big way. Those of you who have been moving to the groove way before network television are at an advantage. With the increase in hip hop's popularity comes a slew of individuals, young and old who want to learn the moves that are making television magic. If you have the skills it about time you start thinking about sharing them with the world as a teacher. Sound like something you're game for? Here is everything you need to know about becoming a hip hop instructor.

* Access Your Skills

You may think your the next dancing legend, but are you really? Before you start charging a fee for lessons make sure you have what it takes to teach what you know. Evaluate your own skills realistically and make a list of things you want or need to improve. You may also benefit from giving a brief show of your skills to close friends or family. They should be able to tell you if you seem like a likely candidate for instructor responsibilities.

 

* Get Certified

Whether you like it or not, a lot of individuals who enroll in a hip hop class do so for the aerobic benefits. What does that mean for you? Well, what better way to boost your clientèle and your credibility than getting certified. Certification in aerobics instruction will give you a pretty good background instructional background. Paired with your current hip hop skills, this is a great combination.

* Check Out the Competition

Want to know what your up against? Check out a few hip hop classes offered by local individuals or groups. This is a great way to find out what's in demand and who is generally attending the classes. You can also use these classes to help gage your prices and plan out your own instructions. Checking out the competition can also be a great way to find out what moves are popular among the general public as well as what you have to offer that other instructors don't.

* Make a Lesson Plan scruples

While there is no immediate lead for a syllabus to hand out to your students, you should have some structure to your instruction. Grab a pen and paper and jot down a few key points you would like to touch on during your instructions. Start with basic moves and work your way up to more intense ones. Use this to chart out a course of study over a specific period of time. You can also make a quick plan for each lesson, including warm up and cool down periods.