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Re: how much do competitions cost?
Posted by Anonymous
2/12/2007  6:56:00 AM
"Taking 2 lessons a week at $100 per lesson is $800 per month. 3 lessons a week costs $1200 per month. This comes out to $9,600 or $14,400 per year."

And you get to divide that by two.

"One needs a sponsor, trust fund, or money to pay for all of this."

No - one needs a job and a willingness to sacrifice other things to achieve your goals. For most amateur succesful competitors today, that job is teaching dance... which really doesn't pay very well!

"Still there is no guarantee that you will win anything."

Exactly. Pouring money down the drain won't solve your problems if you do not have the time, determination, and ability. If you do, there seems ample evidence that you can succede while supporting yourself.

Re: how much do competitions cost?
Posted by Anonymous
2/12/2007  7:37:00 AM
You are luckier than me with getting a partner to share costs 50/50. My Amateur partner had some talent, but no disposable income. Usually the Am. guy ends up paying more than his fair share--assuming he makes more income. Or it could be the reverse if the lady makes more income and the guy is more talented.
Re: how much do competitions cost?
Posted by Anon
2/12/2007  7:47:00 AM
Amateurs teaching dance to pay for lessons? In the USA aren't there rules and restrictions on Amateurs earning income. Elighten me. I know a pro that's been unsuccessful doing Pro Am and wants to be an Amateur now, but I think he needs to wait 5 years and quit teaching. Think there are some very strict rules on earning money from dance and Amateurs.
Re: how much do competitions cost?
Posted by Anonymous
2/12/2007  8:06:00 AM
"Amateurs teaching dance to pay for lessons? In the USA aren't there rules and restrictions on Amateurs earning income."

Long ignored and now repealed

"I know a pro that's been unsuccessful doing Pro Am and wants to be an Amateur now, but I think he needs to wait 5 years and quit teaching."

One year of no pro activity, but teaching is no longer pro activity (working proam is)

Re: how much do competitions cost?
Posted by Anon
2/12/2007  8:38:00 AM
Interesting reply. What is the source of your information. Especially the pro
quitting for 1 year and then dancing amateur. USABA rule book--where? I didn't see anything on this.

So, I am an amateur and can teach and earn as much income as possible to pay for my own lessons? But, I can't compete Pro Am or hang out a shingle saying that I am a Pro. But I can call myself an amateur dance teacher and try to make unlimited income?
Re: how much do competitions cost?
Posted by Anonymous
2/12/2007  9:13:00 AM
"Interesting reply. What is the source of your information. Especially the pro
quitting for 1 year and then dancing amateur. USABA rule book--where? I didn't see anything on this."

Read the current (2007) rulebook. If you just look at who is elegible to compete, it would appear to be anyone who hasn't engaged in the (new reduced list of) prohibited activites in the past year. No reinstatement apparently needed.
Re: how much do competitions cost?
Posted by Juice23
2/12/2007  11:09:00 AM
Amateurs (higher level competitors, but still) have been earning money from teaching and doing shows long before the rules changed to help fund their dancing. It's about time! I would prefer having a top competing (even if they didn't reach that world class status) teaching me than someone who just started dancing and just got out of a 6 week teacher training session.
Re: how much do competitions cost?
Posted by Anonymous
2/12/2007  1:10:00 PM
I also did not realize that Amatuars could now teach, earn an income. This must have changed recently, and because at a novice level it does not effect me, I dont keep up with it. BTW, I am in favor of this change.

I do agree with the quoted instructor fees... Here, we will pay about 90.00 an hour, and that is how I came up with my estimate of 12K a year in lesson expense.... I just could not for the life of me figure our how someone could do a comp cheaper than a week-end of lessons.

Many of your AM couples like ourselves are husband and wife teams and I dont consider it sharing the cost.... It comes out of one pocketbook.

What I think though that is missing and have to disagree with is throwing money away.... Not all who both compete and take multiple lessons a week are doing it to rise to the top. The reward is the joy of preparing for the comps and not just the comp.... Sometimes I have to laugh at this thing we call a hobby.. 3 lessons a week and on the off days in the studio working on what we have leared in our lessons. But still it is a hobby, just a very passionate one that makes myself and my husband quite happy regardless of our placements.
Re: how much do competitions cost?
Posted by Anonymous
2/12/2007  1:25:00 PM
"I do agree with the quoted instructor fees... Here, we will pay about 90.00 an hour, and that is how I came up with my estimate of 12K a year in lesson expense.... I just could not for the life of me figure our how someone could do a comp cheaper than a week-end of lessons."

$50 x 2 for competition entry
vs
$90 *2 for pair of lessons


"Many of your AM couples like ourselves are husband and wife teams and I dont consider it sharing the cost.... It comes out of one pocketbook."

It would cost you twice as much to both do Pro/Am as you would be doing it seperately... So you don't exactly save 50%, but you save the 200% increase
Re: how much do competitions cost?
Posted by Anonymous
2/12/2007  2:50:00 PM
I guess I keep getting caught up in the comp prices you are quoting.... Do you mind me asking where in the US you are competing for that price?.. Maybe what it is you are competing?

We do travel to many regionals (am/am), USA Dance and NDCA comps in different parts of the US and have never paid that price. It sounds like maybe one champ entry, with no entry fee to the ballroom?? I dont know. We dance both international standard and smooth, maybe that is where the difference is.

I think there is also a misconception as to what a AM couple learns in lessons. Sure, of course two of us are learning "steps" and we could dance it seperatley. But for the most part we are learning partnership skills, how to compete together and it is (In my mind) just not the same as say two people seperatley taking a priviate lesson from a pro. The focus is on the couple, not the individual. Progress is definetely much slower.... Dont mean to beat a dead horse here.

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