Hi rhythm4ever, I was replying to danz4joy, the message after your one, as my original message was a rely to his previous one also.

I was not talking about just a few lessons, but months of lessons. From the rough age, physical appearance, and spoken intention of a student, it can be ascertained whether he/she is a serious one intending to compete and dance really well. It is unconscionable to assign a teacher who is not capable of teaching such a student properly. I see that happens right under my own eyes.

I think chain studios do serve a purpose and are good for some of their students. Certain chain studios are even good for serious competitive dancers. However, they are more likely than independents to provide unqualified teachers for serious students.

I called four AM studios about taking lessons there. After reading all these bad press I decided I'd asked them questions about their instructors' experience and the certification level, these studios were very evasive with their answer. They're all like come on in and try our lesson for only $20. I was like yeah right. Why can't they just tell me? Do most studios do that so they can sucker you in?

Danz4joy, so which one is it to you? A group class is worth as much as a single private one on one lesson or not? In this later post you said it not of the same value but on a previous post you said it is when you divided $6000 evenly in 35 private lessons and 35 group classes to get $80 per group class and $80 per private lessons???? I'm confused.

Any instructor who is trying to make a living by teaching only cannot do so by charging $15 for a private lesson. any champion dancer would never charge that little because they are worth much more than that. Charging $15 for a group class I can see because you're making hundreds of dollars still. The average PRIVATE lesson rate is $50-$100 an hour for any certified teacher. Not every teacher has a wish to be a champion dancer-that does not mean they do not know what they are talking about. It is completely disrespectful to teachers who have spent years training not only in dancing, but in teaching as well to make a statement that if you work for AM you don't know what you're doing. You don't have to like the way AM does things-I don't agree with everything and I work there-but don't insult all of the teachers. I agree-not all AM's are great. Not all independent studios are great either and there are alot of self-proclaimed 'professionals' who are teaching people out there.But it's unfair to label all of the teachers who bust their ass every day to teach people how to dance at AM as not knowing what they are doing. In my school we only receive training from current and former champions, contrary to what apparantly people believe

Time to become active in your local dance clubs. They also provide excellent instructors & friendly people. You should find group lessons, private lessons, workshops, etc for a mere fraction of the cost. Get online and find your local ballroom or west coast swing club, etc.

I am an AM student and have been for over 6 years. I have also taken lessons at independent studios. I don't understand why it has to be this whole "us or them" thing. AM and FADS offer different things than do the independent studios, but both hold thier place in the dance environment. I personally take lessons at a local independent studio so I get a slightly different perspective on what I am doing and us it as a supplemental experience to my dancing.

As for the cost, the independent studio charges only marginally less than my AM studio. And having said that, you only give up what you allow yourself to give up. I have only on a couple of occaisions paid my whole program in advance and I have NEVER paid more than I wanted to pay for any part of any program. I decide what is valuable and necessary to my dancing. Sales is part of what drives the dance lesson industry, even if it is an independent studio (they have to pay their overhead, too), however, if I am only comfortable buying 5 lessons, then that's what I buy. If I'm feeling more like I want to work on longer-term goals, then I may buy 30 lessons. Usually, I buy my lessons in smaller groups because I'm not in a hurry to get to whatever that ultimate point in dancing is. I believe it's about the journey of the art as it evolves in each person, not some final moment of completion.

Further, in MY experience, you get what you pay for. If you pay someone $50 a lesson, that's what you'll get and it may not take you very far down your path.

Don't pay the $6k. Have them break it down further. Ask what you can do with say 15 lessons instead of 45. If YOU aren't happy with what your teacher delivers, change teachers. If YOU aren't happy with AM, move on. If you are happy with your teacher and the environment, stay. Give it a chance, but be in control of your pocketbook. If you think AM is taking you for all you've got, then go to an independent, but don't think that just because they don't have a big franchise behind them that they can't rob you blind, too. That is for YOU to control, not your teacher or a franchisee.

to boleros2aerosmith,
You are very well spoken.
"I believe it is about the journey of the art as it evolves in each person..." that is just beautiful! I try to remind that to myself when I am doing rounds and can't hit that perfect line.... AAAARGH!

I have no idea what you are talking about! (I'm lying through my teeth!!)

is it not absolutley amazing how long this discussion has been?

If you've been signed off on your bronze one than you should be considered bronze 2. so first haved you had bronze 1 checkout? Next take your concerns to you studio manager and or supervisor that's why they are their. Real teachers know that it takes time to develope a good dancer and they don't see taking your a process as a waist of time just like a college teacher or high school teacher knows they have a certain period of time to teach you the material in that class no one would try to cram a years worth of education into a hour what value is there in that. whether it be for a whole year or a whole semiester Your instructor knows how much information they can cover in that time frame and would not do you the disservice of trying to teach you without enough time.