We are Recruiting: Join our Teaching Team

MyCharleston runs dance classes, workshops and events all based on 1920s Charleston. This iconic and playful dance is so popular that we have  expanded our teaching team to deliver classes in cities across the South Coast. 

We are now looking to train a new teacher to run classes in Portsmouth. This class was set-up in 2017 and has an established group of attendees. The Portsmouth group are very lively, fun and welcoming.  

By training and teaching with us, you will learn a new dance genre and be part of a team who will support you by providing all the content for your classes. We will manage bookings and marketing so you can focus on delivering a great class.

TRAIN WITH US

This is a robust training programme delivered over 5 weeks commencing 9th November.  The course includes weekly tuition with assignments to complete. It’s delivered via online tuition, video tutorials, teaching manuals and live sessions. The training programme costs £200 and you will soon see a return on your investment when you begin delivering classes. As part of your training you will learn:

  • The MyCharleston syllabus: Learn classic moves, how to stylise them, swivel technique, terminology and the history of early jazz dance.

  • Teaching skills; Lesson planning, vocal instructions, imaginative teaching, classroom management and health and safety.  

  • Discover choreographed dance routines, warm-ups, exercises and drills all set to music from the early jazz era.

  • Learn The Benesh dance notation system so you can read the patterning laid out within the choreography.

FREELANCE TEACHER

MyCharleston will contract you as a freelance teacher once training is complete. You will then run weekly classes in Southsea, these run in blocks of six weeks and follow the academic year. Portsmouth classes have often sold out (we limit numbers to 25) so there is potential to expand classes in this area. Additionally we will occasionally offer you work teaching hen parties and Charleston in a Day workshops. In signing the contract with MyCharleston you will agree not to set-up a rival business. The terms of your contract are:

  • Salary is £30 an hour. The money invested in the training day will be made back within the first 7 hours you teach for us.

  • You will be contracted as a rolling freelance basis

  • Lessons plans will be prepared for you and we will take away the stress of studio hire, marketing and sales.

  • You are responsible for being available to deliver your classes, therefore holidays should be planned around the course timetable. If you cannot teach due to extenuating circumstances you must raise this with the team as soon as possible so we can do our best to provide cover

TEACHING QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Charleston is a vernacular dance style therefore there is no formal path from which to recruit teachers.  We would certainly want you to have a strong background in dance but it is not a pre-request that you have learnt this style or related genres such as Lindy Hop or Solo Jazz. Teaching is a skill and ideally a passion, a great teacher enjoys presenting to a group, nurturing their skills and can read and respond to the energy in the room. In order to apply you must be: 

  • An experienced dancer.

  • Have some experience of teaching or presenting to the public.

  • Have a passion for this genre of dance and jazz music.

  • Have an energy which will inspire others.


Please send your CV and a short statement on why you would like to work for us to hello@mycharlestondance.com by 9pm on 30th October.

MyCharleston has been successful because we offer so much more than your average dance class. The courses are designed to get people talking and more often laughing. It’s a dance class for people to have fun, gain skills and to get fit without noticing.

I absolutely LOVE these classes! Fiona and Elena are so friendly and supportive it really doesn’t matter what level dancer you are. I was a complete beginner and they made me feel so welcome and at ease. I do not stop smiling throughout and as well as loads of fun it’s a good workout too’
— Debbie, Eastbourne