Best Software for Small Dance Studios
Smaller studios juggle tuition, recital prep, and endless parent messages—often without admin staff. Here’s how to choose management software that saves hours without adding big-company complexity.
What makes dance studios different?
- Multiple billing types: monthly tuition, term fees, costume/recital fees—all need clear tracking.
- Busy schedules: classes by age and level across afternoons and weekends require easy reschedules and caps.
- Parent-heavy communication: reminders for rehearsals, costume fittings, and show day details can’t be ad-hoc texts.
- No spare staff: owners often do admin themselves, so the platform must be simple and forgiving.
Must-have dance studio features
Billing & payments
Recurring tuition, add-on recital/costume fees, and family balances—without chasing bank transfers.
- Auto tuition runs
- Fee add-ons
- Payment reminders
- Family-level balances
Attendance & make-ups
Fast roll call or kiosk check-in with clear makeup options so coaches aren’t digging through chats.
- Self check-in
- Coach mobile
- Make-up tracking
- Absence notes
Communication
Bulk email/SMS for schedule changes, costume reminders, and recital logistics from one place.
- Templates
- Audience filters
- Read-friendly mobile
- No-copy/paste threads
Top software options for small dance studios
NNERB
Designed for studios where the owner does it all. Free tier for small rosters, automated tuition runs, family accounts, and kiosk attendance.
- Strengths: quick setup, simple UI, recurring billing, attendance kiosk, class caps, Caribbean-friendly payments.
- Why it fits: you get certificates/progress notes, automated reminders, and reporting without enterprise costs.
Mindbody
Powerful for multi-location studios but starts around $129/month. Feature-rich, yet heavy for many small schools.
- Pros: broad integrations, branded app options.
- Watch for: higher price tiers, steeper learning curve, and features you may never touch.
Jackrabbit Dance
Popular in dance communities; base plans around $49/month for up to 100 students with robust scheduling.
- Pros: online registration, solid tuition management.
- Watch for: add-ons for extras, and heavier setup than many boutique owners want.
Why NNERB is a match for boutique studios
- Owner-first simplicity: enroll classes, set tuition plans, and start billing without consultants.
- Attendance that sticks: kiosk or coach mobile check-ins feed reports and tuition eligibility.
- Progress notes & certificates: track level-ups or exam results and send certificates parents actually read.
- Communication in one tab: email/SMS the right groups—no more copy/paste into personal chats.
- Transparent pricing: free for small rosters, clear tiers as you grow—no surprise modules.
Quick setup checklist for dance studios
- Create tuition plans (monthly, term, recital/costume add-ons) and link them to classes.
- Publish classes with caps, age/level labels, and waitlists so sign-ups stay organized.
- Turn on kiosk or coach check-in and test a full class to ensure attendance flows to reports.
- Draft recital reminders in templates—save them now, send later with the right audience filters.
- Import your roster from spreadsheets and run a $0 test invoice to verify payment settings.
