From 100 to 430 Students: How Ready Set Dance Helped Turned a Studio into a Thriving Community!
When it comes to running a successful dance studio, finding the right programs to engage preschoolers and grow your enrollments can make all the difference. For Stephanie Gronning, discovering Ready Set Dance at the Dance Teacher Web Conference in Las Vegas in 2022 was a game-changing moment.
Ready Set Dance helped this studio not only grow its student base but also create a seamless experience for instructors and families alike. In this interview, Stephanie shares her journey—from taking that first leap of commencing a new program - to seeing their little dancers thrive in ways they never imagined.
What initially attracted you to the Ready Set Dance program, and how has it impacted your studio’s growth?
We first met the Ready Set Dance team at the Dance Teacher Web Conference in Las Vegas in 2022. Immediately, their creativity, organization, program formatting, and fun, colorful props caught our attention. The team’s passion and excitement for their program were unparalleled, and after taking a class at the conference, we knew we had to sign up!
Since implementing Ready Set Dance, our studio has experienced incredible growth, increasing from 100 to 430 students. The program hasn’t just boosted our preschool enrollments; it’s also provided our teachers with streamlined preparation and planning tools, ensuring consistency across all classes. Beyond that, many of our preschoolers are now progressing into our competitive program. This shows that Ready Set Dance is not only a joyful introduction to dance but also the foundation for long-term student growth and success. We’re thrilled to see our students thriving and look forward to the bright future this program is helping us build!
What was your biggest challenge before implementing the program, and how has Ready Set Dance helped overcome it?
Our biggest challenge was committing as a team to go ALL IN on the program and tackle the new material. At first, it felt overwhelming for our instructors, but we quickly realized how intuitive and well-structured Ready Set Dance truly is.
The program’s user-friendly features—like its music, app, and set work—made what initially seemed daunting an enjoyable and manageable learning experience. From day one, Ready Set Dance made everything accessible and fun, which allowed our team to deliver consistent, high-quality classes. That initial leap of faith paid off, setting the stage for incredible success!
How do parents and caregivers in your community respond to the program, especially with its focus on school readiness and fun?
The response from parents, caregivers, and students has been phenomenal! After our very first season, we were flooded with excitement, questions, and requests to join. Fast forward three years, and our Ready Set Dance classes are so popular they often have waitlists.
Parents love the program’s perfect mix of fun and education. They’ve seen their children develop crucial motor, social, and cognitive skills, such as listening, teamwork, and following instructions—all while having a blast. Ready Set Dance has become the must-have program for young dancers in our community, and the enthusiasm keeps growing.
In what ways has the program made a difference in your business—revenue, student retention, or reputation?
Ready Set Dance has been transformative for our studio. Not only has it significantly increased revenue through higher enrollments, but it’s also strengthened student retention. Many of our preschool dancers naturally transition into our competitive program, fostering a tight-knit community within our studio.
The program’s focus on education and its unique music have set us apart in the local dance scene. Families now see us as the go-to studio for nurturing their child’s love of dance. Administratively, the streamlined structure has made it much easier to ensure consistent class quality, no matter which instructor is teaching.
Perhaps most importantly, Ready Set Dance helped save our studio during a challenging time. After a year in business, we faced an 18-month closure due to the 2020 pandemic. The program’s growth of our preschool enrollments allowed us to rebuild, and we now have a bright future ahead. For that, we’ll always be grateful to Ready Set Dance—it has truly changed our studio for the better!
Ready Set Dance has proven to be more than just a preschool dance program for this studio; it’s become a game-changer. From dramatic student growth to enhanced retention and a reputation as the go-to studio for early dance education, the program has paved the way for a thriving and resilient business.
If you’re considering introducing Ready Set Dance into your studio, let this story inspire you to take the leap—it might just transform your journey, too!