Hi! I'm on the board of a neighborhood club in Newton and would like to offer a night of ballroom dancing. I envision it as having a variety of music for seasoned dancers and 1 - 2 instructors for those who'd like to learn some steps. Is this something that appeals to any instructors and if so, how much would it cost. Our club has a very nice ballroom and lots of interest.

Please contact me at talvitie@comcast.net

Where is Newton ?? ( Mass. ?)

Hey, my name is Ivan Gromyko and I'm a professional dancer from Russia. I'm moving to the States in autumn that's why I want to find a place where I could give dance sport lessoins. Please help me!) Lookind forward to hearing from you)

Ivan,

Many Eastern European dancers get sponsored by one of the chain companies to come over and teach. Try Fred Astaire, I know a lot of teachers from Romania, Bulgaria, and Slovenia who work for them until they get established. Then they find outside sponsors so they don't have trouble with immigration.

Good luck!

Thank you very much!
I am very glad that you offered me Fred Astaire. Can I ask one more question? Is there a real opportunity to work as a dance instructor and own pretty much money to live in the States?

Ivan,

I would say yes. You won't be fabulously wealthy to begin with but you will be fine. As your reputation builds and you get more students you will have more money. I dance with someone who did this and many of his friends have come to the US in this way.

If you are a good dancer you can have enough money for a good life. Make sure the send you to a larger city like CHicago, New York, Los Angeles or Phoenix.

Ivan---I am with Fred Astaire Dance Studios. Have you contacted anyone yet? Please reply to me at mdill@fredastaire.com. Mike Dill

Ivan,
As a former Fred Astaire teacher and studio owner, I would tell you to take advantage the opportunity offered by Mike. Fred Astaire can offer many avenues for you to make money. You can develop your dancing goals as a teacher, choreographer, or even a judge one day. If you decide to change course and go after business goals, having an organization behind you like Fred Astaire can be very helpful to your success. Good Luck!
P.S. Having worked with many peolple from other countries, work on your english before you come. It will be very helpful in teaching.

Getting your visa through a studio that requires exclusivity is not necessarily going to be healthy for your own competitive career. The reason they are hiring from overseas is that those already in the country don't want to work there

Anymouse,

I don't disagree but it only takes a few years and then they can work where they please. In my independent studio we have at least seven people who used Fred Astaire to get here and then left the second their contracts were up. It's like working your way through college. No one wants to work fast food....it's just that its better than starving...