The problem isn't with chains - the problem is with the idea that dance training is something you purchase from a studio, rather than from a teacher. A good teacher can do well by both their students and themselves, but its much harder to set up a relationship between owner, employee, and student which is to the financial- and dance- benefit of all three. What all long-term students eventually discover is that their individual teacher matters far more than the building in which their lessons are held. Don't shop for a studio - instead, shop for the specific teacher who meets your needs, and beware of a hosting business which inserts itself too heavily into that relationship, considers you their "property", claims the right to replace your teacher with another, etc. Ultimately it is no surprise that the best teachers are in business for themselves. And since they provide fair rates without packages, their students don't run any risk of paying for future lessons they might not be able to use, either if their needs change or if their teacher eventually proves unsatisfactory. Find the best teacher for your needs today, and if your needs change, look at your other options.

I too experienced the chain dance studio climate a few years ago. You can dance anywhere you want as long as it's at any of their locations. Go anywhere else and you will get scolded. After about a year of that I tried an independant studio. Wished I had gone sooner. You get more personalized instruction and do the dances you want to do, not what the book tells you. I say check both out so you'll know the difference but I bet you'll end up at an independant.

The Chain is a good place to start because it forces you to check out dances you might not think you will enjoy. It also get your in shape for dancing. Once you get the basics down independent studios are the best for advance instruction and they are more cost effective.

Independant studios teach you to dance and franchise "chain" studios will also teach you to dance. The difference between the two is chain studios have taught millions of satisfied students from all walks of life and, well, actually so have independant studios. Having been an instructor for both I would say the real difference is with Chains you usually pay for a private lesson with unlimited groups and parties included and independant studios charge for all lessons, classes and parties seperately. In the end it usually amounts to the same cost

Either have potential if they will support what YOU want and not what THEY want you to want. A good sale technique but really, why do YOU want to dance, what would it benefit you and what can THEY really give you that anyone else in the same business or what online instruction cannot? It is "good" business to give you what you want and "better" business to show you the difference.

I wanted to compete at a local comp and was told WE DO NOT DANCE OUTSIDE THE FAMILY. YOU WILL GO TO X INSTEAD.

Um no, as the customer I will go where I please. I was at the end of my contact. I meet the goal I need to move forward. They all fell off their rockers when I didn't reup. When asked why I told the they didn't bother to hear ME. I want to go to THIS comp not one YOU tell me to go to. I'm OUT.

I now know WHY they don't compete out side the family!!! They don't teach so one CAN compete outside the faimly. - Unless you are the kids of the studio owners. Mom and Dad go outside the family to emoplyee teachers for these kids.