I'm just curious about this. With this stubborn recession we are enduring here in the States, I was wondering if instructors are noticing fewer people coming to the studio for lessons.
I ask this because my income has gone off the cliff, so my wife and I naturally had to stop going to our studio on a regular basis, and just stop in once in a while now. The last few times we went, there was only one other couple there.
It's not the end of the world for us not to go as often, as we are experienced and know a lot of dances/steps/variations, etc. But it is great for a brush-up and to pick up something new each time, whether it is actual steps or just a technique.
I also moonlight as an instructor at night, doing it at the homes of students or at my home. Usually just friends and acquaintances I am helping for weddings or other events; or people who are intimidated by the studio, and I am trying to alleviate those fears and get them "brave" enough to go, But that has fallen off rather dramatically as well. Not sure if it is the economy, or a fading interest after the big boosts from "Shall We Dance" and "Dancing with the Stars" etc.
I know this has been discussed before on the message board, but we're going on two years now of an economy in the cesspool, and I was wondering how it is affecting those out there who are trying to help people forget their troubles by hitting the dance floor!

I didn't get any responses to this post last month, but I can add this: I went to our studio for the first time in a couple of months this past weekend, and went to a Friday night lesson. There were only two other couples, and in the past, there used to be about 15. My instructor said his business is down about 3/4 of what it was just a few years ago. We also went to an open dancing event on Sunday, and there were about 7 couples there. It was only $5 a person, so the price was right, in terms of people watching their dollars very closely now. But in the past, the open dance events could draw as many as 20 couples.

dhuen,

I am seeing a drop in people for sure. In the last little while some of the pros are starting to come back but for awhile it was pretty sparse.

I see fewer wedding people and I know my pro has several students who have 'disappeared'.'

I know in the next month or so I'm going to be cutting back because whereas I have taken a salary blow my instructor has pushed up his prices.

Belle