DanceLife Magazine
2025
The Floor is Yours
Setting a New Standard in Studio Safety Why background checks should be a no-brainer in our industry
BY SUZANNE CITERE
When was the last time a parent registering their child asked if your faculty had undergone background checks? If your experience is like mine, the answer is "never." It’s surprising— because most people assume it’s required, just like it is for school teachers, athletic coaches, or daycare workers. But here’s the truth: as of this writing, Pennsylvania is the only state that requires anyone working with children to undergo a background check. In every other state, at least for dance
studios, it’s not mandatory. Even if we trust our longtime faculty—
some of whom may have grown up in our studios and feel like family— background checks should still be the norm. Here's why: First and foremost, it’s simply good business. Many of us already promote safety features like sprung floors or closed-circuit TV in our marketing materials. Adding "all faculty and staff have undergone background checks" sends a strong message that we take (continued next page)
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