GEMA price increase hits dance schools hard: dance or go bust?
The dance scene in Hesse is under pressure. What was once a place of joy and togetherness is now threatening to be crushed by a wave of rising costs. Dance schools across Hesse are struggling with a drastic increase in GEMA fees, which is causing many of them financial hardship. What does this mean for the future of these cultural institutions?
GEMA price increases: An unexpected blow for dance schools
Music is the be-all and end-all for dance schools - no dancing without it. But since the beginning of 2025, many dance schools in Hesse have had to pay significantly more to GEMA in order to use their music. This affects both large and small dance schools and creates enormous financial burdens. GEMA has changed its calculation model and is now based on the turnover of the dance schools instead of the size of the dance floor. This means that dance schools no longer pay a flat rate, but have to pay a fee retrospectively that bears no relation to the original costs. The consequences: Dance schools have to charge higher prices for their courses or struggle with high losses.
Dance schools caught between financial hurdles and rising course fees
Many dance schools have tried to pass on the higher GEMA fees to their customers by increasing their prices. But not all dance schools can afford this. Small and rural dance schools in particular now have to pay more - often far more than they can recoup through course fees. In one case, the "Stroh" dance school in Darmstadt had to more than double its fees. Heidis Tanztreff" in Rüsselsheim is also facing similar challenges. The higher costs could mean the end for many dance schools, especially after the pandemic-related closures and the current energy crisis.
GEMA and the legal disputes: Is it all fair?
But it is not only the dance schools themselves that are affected - the GEMA deal is also being criticized. The association of dance schools, the "Deutsche Tanzschulinhaber Vereinigung" (DTIV), has been in a legal dispute with GEMA for years to contest these price increases. GEMA is accused of exploiting its monopoly position and not allowing any real negotiations on the tariff structure. A landmark ruling by the Federal Court of Justice is due in May, but it could be years before a final solution is reached. In the meantime, dance schools are fighting for their existence.
What does this mean for the future of dance schools?
There is a lot at stake. If GEMA does not abandon its new calculation method or the dance schools are unable to cope with the rising costs, we could soon see fewer dance schools in Hesse. This would not only make the cultural landscape poorer, but would also exclude many people from one of the most beautiful leisure activities, dancing.
GEMA endangers dance culture: Are artists' rights really the only yardstick?
In this case, GEMA cannot simply assume that dance schools function like an infinite cash machine. The price increases may theoretically be in line with copyright, but what about the cultural significance of dance schools? Are the interests of artists and dance schools even properly balanced? If GEMA continues to stubbornly stick to its high fees, it will not only jeopardize the existence of these schools, but also the culture they preserve. And that is precisely the biggest problem: GEMA shows little understanding for the fact that these institutions are more than just commercial establishments - they are cultural institutions that provide a home for many people.
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