Children's dance performance & legal aspects: Youth protection & GEMA

Anyone planning a children's dance show or sending their child onto the stage is entering new legal territory. At the heart of all considerations is the Youth Employment Protection Act (JArbSchG). This law strictly regulates how long and at what times children are allowed to be active in the context of performances. For a classic youth protection children's dance show, the following applies: children aged three to six are generally only allowed to participate in rehearsals and performances for up to two hours a day, and exclusively between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. For older children from the age of six, this timeframe shifts to a maximum of three hours per day, with the performance having to end by 10 p.m. at the latest. These times are not recommendations, but legal limits intended to protect the health and well-being of young dancers.

Organizers and clubs must also note that official, commercial events often require official approval. If the show takes place as part of a regular club presentation or a school event, the hurdles are usually lower, but rest periods must still be strictly observed. Parents should inquire with the dance school in advance about what the schedule for the show day looks like. A well-structured process not only ensures legal certainty, but also takes the pressure off the children. You can also find information on preparing for the big day in the guide Trial lesson for children's dance: preparation for parents.

A dance without music is hard to imagine, but the use of songs at public events is subject to strict rules. Copyright protects the creators of musical works, which is why fees must be paid to GEMA (the German society for musical performing and mechanical reproduction rights) for almost every public performance. For music rights during a children's performance, the event organizer is generally responsible, not the individual parents or the children. The organizer must register the planned event with GEMA in advance and submit the list of music used. The fees are usually based on the size of the room and the ticket prices.

However, there are exceptions: if it is a purely school-based, non-public event where no admission is charged and only a limited circle of relatives is watching, the GEMA obligation may not apply. As soon as tickets are sold or the show is accessible to everyone, however, there is no way around registration. Those who use royalty-free music save on fees, but must still prove that the tracks are actually free of third-party rights. For clubs and private dance schools, thorough documentation of the played titles is the best protection against expensive subsequent claims.

In the age of smartphones, a quick photo or video of the stage is ubiquitous. From a legal perspective, however, the topic of photos at children's dance shows and the right to one's own image is highly sensitive. In principle, the following applies: without the express, written consent of the legal guardians, no recordings of children may be made, stored, or even published on the internet. This applies to both the dance club's website and social media channels. A blanket clause in the dance school's membership contract is often not sufficient when it comes to specific event photos. Organizers should therefore obtain separate declarations of consent before the show.

Caution is also advised for parents in the audience. Anyone filming from the audience inevitably records other children as well. Sharing such videos in private messenger groups or on public profiles without the consent of the other parents is a violation of personal rights. Many dance schools therefore set up no-photo zones or hire an official photographer who only captures the children whose parents have given their consent. This way, the memory of the performance remains vivid without violating privacy. For appropriate preparation for everyday course life, the guide on the right clothing for children's dance classes also helps.