Add to that some chains "in house" teach people to become instructors over a few weeks.

I have a friend who was once a manager for a chain. As he puts it:

"We were often teaching the steps to the teachers just before the students were coming through the door."

Find out if your teachers are ISTD or National Body equivalent certified.

Group classes in our area average $8 or less per hour.
Practice sessions through our Club can be had for $1/week for 4 1/2 hours time (or about $0.22/hour).
Private lessons here range from $50 Associate - $65 ISTD Fellow/Examiner.

Do the math.

OB

http://www.vbds.org

http://www.dancingdragon52.com

We took lessons from a chain too. We spent thousands and knew little more than how to do a box step - although it was a technically correct box step.

We felt like the pace was incredibly slow and that the intent was to suck more money out of us. Listening to the pitch about buying the next block of lessons was about like talking to a used car salesman. It was hard to get a straight answer on how much it was really going to cost, or what we would be getting for our money.

Strangely enough, when we first signed up, we asked us what our goals were and we said we wanted to be proficient social dancers. The rony is that only knowing how to do a box step actually handicaps you on the social dance floor.

Finally, we wised up and began taking classes with the local dance group. Classes usually run $7 per person per lesson -usually a 1-2 hour lesson. You can actually take private lessons with some of the instructors (I'm not sure if they are certified).

While we appreciated all the nuances of the box step we were taught by the chain, we have learned more in six months of taking lessons locally than we learned in 18 months with the chain - and we have saved a lot more money.

I guess in the end, it depends on what you want out of your dancing experience.

Thank you all for the response. I think I am going to finish out the lessons that I have and look for other options. Maybe trying to go to Atlanta once a week and then talk to one of the local groups about additional lessosn here once a week. I really enjoy lessons and have been going three times a week here, but do not feel what I am getting is worth the money!

Thank Jacob

Jacob, and any others in this situation.

I am so sorry you are having that situation. People like that give ballroom a bad rep. You should never pay more that $12 n hour. I live in Warner Robins, GA. I take lessons here, in Macon and Perry. They rage from $12/hr on the high end to $10/2hrs. I have all the info for this area. Write me at: UNVCandy@Yahoo.com or call my cell at 478/919-0624
Yours ~ Carl

Hi Carl, I have found a few of the places that offer the $10 to $12 group lessons, but I am really looking for somewhere I can take private lessons as well to speed up the learning curve as much as possible. I will call you later and see what local ideas you may have.

thanks, jacob

I live in Alabama. I take private lessons from a chain. My lessons are $82 for 45 minutes. It sounds like you are paying way too much for what you are getting.

Jacob:
Forgot to add this to my last post. I figured up what it cost me weekly. For $97 per week: I get a 45 minute private lesson, a 45 minute group class, and an hour practice party.
I hope this helps you. It seems you are really being charged too much for what you are getting.

So are you !

Hit the local dance shops and look for info on private independent teachers.

ISTD or similar National Certification vs. In House certification is a good starting point to investigate.

This does not mean they are better teachers. We've taken lessons with a former US National Professional Smooth Champion ($65/hour + hall costs). He's not certified but there's no denying his credentials.

Talk to people in the dance shops and you'll get a good idea where to start looking.

You can also check out universities, community colleges, YM/YWCA and community centres for group classes and ballroom clubs. Talking to people there can be helpful. You usually don't have to be a university student to join the university club.

Avoid the "Cult" followings: Teachers who are popular because they teach a million steps. You want teachers who put you into competition and produce placings and not just teach you steps.

95% of what group classes teach is ankles down.

95% of what you need to know is ankles up.

OB

Where i take lessons, it is only $87 a week for two forty-five min. private lessons, unlimited group lessons and a 2 1/5 hour practice party. but im in Connecticut, so that is far from you.