Music Licensing for Line Dance Instructors – what, where & how!
Music Licensing for Line Dance Instructors: What Every Teacher Needs to Know
There has been a lot of discussion about music recently on social media, and no, we’re not talking about the debate surrounding AI-generated music.
For line dance instructors, music is at the heart of every class. The right playlist can set the mood, energise a room, inspire confidence in beginners, and keep dancers coming back week after week. Most instructors spend considerable time selecting tracks, building playlists and discovering new music, but many are less certain about the legal requirements surrounding the music they use.
The good news is that understanding the basics of music licensing in the UK is relatively straightforward. With a little knowledge, instructors can ensure they are operating professionally, supporting the artists whose music they enjoy, and staying on the right side of copyright law.
Why Music Licensing Matters
In the United Kingdom, music played in a public setting generally requires permission from the copyright holders. This applies whether the music is being played in a shop, a leisure centre, a village hall, or a dance class.
For most dance classes, this permission is obtained through licences administered by PPL PRS Ltd through TheMusicLicence. These licences ensure that songwriters, composers, performers and record companies receive payment when their music is used publicly.
If you are unsure whether your classes are covered, ELDA can help guide you through the process. For more information about obtaining a music licence, please contact ELDA at contact@eld-association.com.
Does My Venue Already Have a Licence?
In some cases, the answer is yes.
Village halls, community centres, leisure centres, hotels, social clubs and similar venues often already hold the appropriate music licences covering activities that take place on their premises and you are being employed by the venue directly. However, it is important not to assume this is always the case.
As an instructor, it is good practice to ask the venue management whether they hold a current music licence and whether it covers dance classes. A quick conversation can help avoid potential problems later.
However, if you hire a venue independently or operate classes from your own premises, you may be responsible for arranging the necessary licensing yourself.
Where Should Instructors Get Their Music?
One of the most common questions asked by instructors is where they should obtain their music.
The simplest answer is that music should always be obtained from authorised and legitimate sources.
This may include:
- Purchasing digital downloads from Amazon Music or Apple Music/iTunes.
- Buying CDs from reputable retailers.
- Purchasing music directly from artists or record labels.
- Using approved music services specifically designed for commercial environments.
When you purchase music legally, you are helping to support the artists, songwriters, producers and rights holders who created it. You also receive a legitimate copy of the recording that can be used in accordance with the terms under which it was purchased.
Buying Music Does Not Automatically Give Public Performance Rights
A common misunderstanding is that purchasing a song automatically grants permission to play it in a public setting.
In reality, these are two separate rights.
When you purchase a download or a physical CD, you are buying a legitimate copy of the recording. However, public performance rights are managed separately through licensing organisations such as PPL PRS.
This means that even if you legally own a track, the venue or event organiser may still need the appropriate licence to allow that music to be played during a dance class.
Think of it as similar to buying a DVD. Owning the DVD allows you to watch it at home, but it does not automatically allow you to organise a public screening.
The Streaming Service Question
Streaming services have transformed how people access music, but they also create some confusion for instructors.
Many people assume that if they pay for a premium subscription, they can use that service anywhere they like. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
Most consumer streaming subscriptions are intended for personal listening rather than commercial or public use.
Spotify
Spotify is particularly clear on this point. Spotify states that its service is intended for “personal, non-commercial use” and specifically advises that consumer Spotify accounts should not be used to play music publicly in businesses, including dance studios and similar venues. Spotify’s own support documentation states that users cannot broadcast or play Spotify publicly from businesses such as schools, salons, stores, restaurants or dance studios.
Spotify Terms:
Apple Music and iTunes
Apple’s UK Apple Media Services Terms and Conditions similarly state that services and content may be used only for “personal, noncommercial purposes.” This restriction applies to Apple Music subscriptions and content obtained through Apple’s media services.
Apple Terms:
Amazon Music
Amazon Music subscriptions are also designed primarily for personal, non-commercial listening. Instructors using Amazon Music should review the current Amazon Music terms applicable to their subscription and ensure that any use aligns with both Amazon’s conditions and the venue’s music licensing arrangements.
Amazon Terms:
Because terms and conditions can change over time, instructors should always check the latest version directly from the service provider before relying on any streaming platform in a teaching environment.
Downloads Can Be a Reliable Alternative
For many instructors, legally purchased downloads stored on a laptop, tablet or phone can provide a practical and reliable solution.
Downloads offer several advantages:
- No reliance on internet connectivity.
- No interruptions caused by poor Wi-Fi or mobile signals.
- Greater certainty over access to your music library.
- Reduced risk of accidentally breaching streaming subscription terms.
This can be particularly useful in village halls and community venues where internet access may be limited or unreliable.
Professionalism Matters
Using authorised music sources demonstrates professionalism and respect for the music industry. It helps ensure that artists, songwriters and performers are compensated for their work while giving instructors confidence that they are operating responsibly.
Most importantly, it protects instructors and venues from potential copyright issues that could arise from using unauthorised music sources or inappropriate streaming services.
Final Thoughts
Music is one of the most important elements of any line dance class, but choosing great songs is only part of the picture. Instructors should ensure they understand both where their music comes from and how it may legally be used.
Before teaching a class, consider these three simple questions:
- Was the music obtained from a legitimate source?
- Does the venue hold the appropriate music licence?
- Does the service I’m using permit this type of use?
By taking a few simple precautions, instructors can focus on what they do best—creating enjoyable, engaging classes for dancers—while knowing they are supporting the artists and rights holders who make those classes possible.
