Formal dance education began in Renaissance Italy, where dancing masters taught students the latest social dances.

Early dance education was primarily intended to teach students how to socialize and interact with others in a formal setting.

Traveling dance masters were the first professional dance teachers, traveling from town to town teaching the latest dance styles.

The Industrial Revolution led to the rise of the middle class, who had more leisure time and disposable income to spend on dance lessons.

The Ballets Russes had a profound impact on the development of modern dance education, introducing new dance techniques and styles, helping to legitimize dance as an art form, and inspiring the creation of new dance schools and companies.

The Great Depression led to the closure of many dance schools, as people could no longer afford to pay for dance lessons.

The NEA has played a significant role in the development of dance education, providing funding for dance education programs, helping to establish dance education standards, and advocating for the inclusion of dance in school curricula.

Current trends in dance education include an emphasis on creativity and self-expression, a focus on interdisciplinary learning, and the use of technology in dance education.

Dance education today faces a number of challenges, including a lack of funding, a shortage of qualified dance teachers, and the perception that dance is not a legitimate academic subject.

The future of dance education is bright, with a growing emphasis on accessibility, integration with other academic subjects, and creativity and self-expression.