The Realities of a Dance Instructor by Michael Cornell

If you’re a highly trained dancer with professional performance experience—and sometimes even an international reputation—it’s easy to assume that students will naturally gravitate toward you. Many instructors think, “I have so much to share. My technique is solid. I trained with masters, and now I can pass this wisdom on to others. They’ll learn, thrive, and dance like I do.”

But this is often a misconception. The real bottleneck in the student-teacher relationship frequently lies with the student—not the teacher. Students don’t see things the same way. For many, especially beginners, a celebrated instructor can feel intimidating. Instead of being drawn in by the instructor’s credentials, they may think, “This person might be too strict. Maybe I won’t meet their expectations. Maybe I’ll be judged.” In reality, a dance class often confronts the student’s very identity. It challenges their physical confidence, their body image, and their vulnerability.

So when a beginner sees an elite instructor—or even an advanced student—they often think, “That’s too much for me. I don’t need all that.” It’s not unlike someone admiring a professional bodybuilder. They might acknowledge the bodybuilder’s discipline and appearance, but still think, “That’s too much to deal with in real life.”

In my experience (and while I don’t have hard data to prove this), I believe many American dance students approach class selection the same way they’d order off a fast-food menu. “Do they have Bachata? Is there a beginner class? Is the instructor attractive? Are they young? Is it close to my house? Do people like me go there? Do I get to wear a costume? Will there be a performance?” Only at the very bottom of the list comes the question: “Will this make me a better dancer?”

I’ve had conversations with instructors from other countries, and many agree—American students often view dance class more as a casual commodity than a serious, ongoing discipline. They choose studios the way they might choose a mattress: “It’s nearby. It feels okay. I’ll take it.” For seasoned instructors, especially those with high standards and rich experience, this can be demoralizing.

Ironically, advanced and professional dancers can be just as hard to please, but for different reasons. They often ask, “Will there be other advanced dancers? Will I get a workout? Is this place trendy? Will this help my Instagram presence? Will I be allowed to film? Will tagging the studio grow my following?” Missing from their checklist, however, is often the most important question: “Will this instructor push me in a new direction? Will they challenge me in a way that improves my art without destroying my motivation?” That’s the question I wish more dancers—at every level—would ask.

What has often discouraged me most in this field isn’t personal failure, my classes are very popular, and Align the company has been wildly successful. What has often discouraged is witnessing the world pass by some of the most extraordinary instructors I’ve personally known—people with international reputations, people trusted and revered by the greatest dancers alive—struggling to fill a room. I’ve seen them financially strained, their artistry undervalued, and their legacy ignored. As they age, they are often cast aside by younger generations who assume, incorrectly, that they have nothing more to offer. No, often these masters have the most to offer, but no one seems to care.

Why does this happen? I still don’t know.

At Align Ballet Method, we’ve built our success by centering student comfort in everything we do. We serve mostly adult beginners, so we’ve made comfort and emotional support a fundamental part of our process. But what I’m addressing here isn’t about adult beginners—it’s about seasoned dancers or pre pro’s who should know better. Many simply don’t seek growth anymore; they seek mediocre familiarity. And that’s a shame.

It hurts to see brilliant artists stand alone in empty studios. These individuals hold rare knowledge—concepts impossible to learn from books, videos, or influencers. And yet, no one is there to receive it. It’s a classic case of youth being wasted on the young.

So what’s my point?

Don’t judge an instructor by how full their class is. Don’t dismiss a teacher just because their class doesn’t make you feel good. Consider the recommendations of their respected peers.Read their biography. If they’ve danced on the world’s greatest stages, maybe—just maybe—they have something to teach you, even if their style feels unfamiliar or their corrections make you uncomfortable.

In my own career, the moments that propelled me forward rarely felt great in the moment. Growth is uncomfortable.

All I ask is that you keep an open mind. You shouldn’t study with the same instructors all the time. In fact, you shouldn’t study with the same instructors every week. Mix it up. That’s why we rotate multiple teachers at Align.

Dancers improve through adversity. Just because an older teacher doesn’t teach the latest fashionable choreography doesn’t mean they’re irrelevant. It may mean they’re offering something deeper. Something you haven’t yet discovered.

Just something to consider.