Dance
From perfecting form in class to end of year performances, music is there every step of the way.
Given the central role that music plays in dance, it's important that dance schools have the permissions they need to use music. Once you have a licence in place you will have the legal permission you need to use essentially all commercially released music from here and around the world, and support the people that make and own the music you enjoy.
There are different types of music licences for dance to cover the different ways music can be used.
Dance Instruction Licence
The OneMusic Dance Instruction Licence grants dance schools permission to play music as a part of dance classes.
Music Dubbing Licence applies if you copy or supply music to students for practice, create playlists, curate music, or use a digital music service (e.g. Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube). Learn more about Music Dubbing here.
Concerts & Dramatic Context Licences
Concert and Dramatic Context licences grant dance schools permission to play music as a part of end of year (or similar) concerts or theatrical performances. Licences for concerts and theatrical performances are administered through APRA AMCOS and Recorded Music New Zealand.
For more information visit:
Filming Performances
When you record performances you require permission to copy or reproduce the music included in the recording. This is different to the public performance of music, which the Dance Instruction and Concerts and Dramatic Context licences cover. The Domestic Use Video licence covers you for filming performances that include music, and making the recordings available to students, their friends and family for free or at cost.
For more information and to apply for a licence to film performances visit the Domestic Use Video page.
Why does my dance school need a music licence?
Using music in a business, commercial environment, or any other public setting is considered a 'public performance' under the Copyright Act (1994), and owners of music copyrights are entitled to be asked their permission and to charge a fee for the use of their work.
Any use of this music by a business or organisation requires the permission of music creators to use their music. Your OneMusic licence gives you permission to play essentially all commercially released music from here and around the world.
I use music provided with a dance syllabus - do I still need a licence?
In most cases the music included with dance syllabi requires a licence. However if you feel your music is the exception, please contact us.
Is holding a licence to play music a legal requirement?
Yes it is - the Copyright Act (1994) clearly establishes public performance rights, protecting the rights of music creators. You can access the Copyright Act (1994) here.
I use a music digital music service - why do I need a Music Dubbing licence?
When you play music in a business you need the permission to do so. Additional permission is also needed when you download, copy, or use a digital music service in your business.
Learn more about Music Dubbing here.
Who is OneMusic?
OneMusic is a joint licensing initiative between APRA AMCOS and Recorded Music NZ. Many music creators around the world earn an income by granting organisations, like ours, the right to collect and pay their royalties.
OneMusic simplifies the licensing process and allows music users to meet their copyright obligations to play our music in their business.
Where does the money go?
When you hear about music royalties, that’s what we do. Licence fees are distributed to songwriters, composers, publishers, recording artists and record labels, by APRA AMCOS and Recorded Music NZ, who are the companies behind OneMusic. Click here to find out more.
Want to know more? Read the full FAQs here, or call us on 0800 800 663 – we’re here to help