Sounds about right.

Next comes silver. You could probably learn some of that material already, but it often takes a while to fully master the bronze figures.

That's a good question and I am intrigued by other responses. I have been dancing about 3 years and am at full bronze level. In terms of ability I am naturally athletic, have good technique, and catch on quick to new moves, but we only do testing once a year. Note that I'm at an Arthur Murray studio.

Is this generally too slow ( i.e., is the studio trying to sell more lessons rather than advance students at a good rate?). We have no students above a full bronze level!

My teacher has a strong focus on technique and getting it right, but we do spend a lot of time (and money) doing pro-am's, showcases.

Comments/Suggestions.

I am in the Toronto area (Canada). Can anyone recommend a good studio?

If the studio has no students at a higher level than you, that is generally a bad sign.

No like 7 year olds who were dancing like 1.5 yrs- 2 years are at full bronze too... Uhm... a 14 and 15 year old are silver so i guess this is a good sign?

dancing canuk, I can relate as another dancer at Arthur Murray.

I was just told that I cannot move up to the next level until I buy more lessons (I have 30 left in my contract). The owner said my instructor needs to plan where the lessons are going, so in order for him to do anything new, he needs to know that I am committed to 100 lessons.

This is serious. From a business standpoint they are really losing out. Most dancers are switching studios. I cannot wait to get out of my contract!

I'm sorry, but that's just crazy. Read all the fine print on your contract and see what it will take for you to get out of it as soon as possible. You will probably have to pay some kind of cancellation penalty -- but maybe it will be worth it for you to get out of that situation. Your own achievement should be what determines when you move to the next level, not how much money you're willing to pony up in advance.

Personally I think you should just find some plausible argument and sue them; chances are they will refund your money rather than take the time to show up in court.

Better yet, got a friend who is a journalist? Or a friend who can pretend to be a journalist? Have them call up the studio and say they are writing an article on dance studio business practices. Ask if it's true that they refused to teach anything in a student's remaining 30 lessons until they bought a new 100 lesson package. The risk of an article like that ought to get them running scared!

yep, that is true, I just started my lessons at Arthur Murray, so far is very expensive but I have very good private instructor, will see what next..

Anyone who is planning what they will teach you more than a lesson or two in advance is rationing knowledge and not responding to your progress. A teacher who was responding to your progress would barely be able to plan through to the end of the lesson from the start, because how far you will get depends entirely on how quickly you master what they start the session with.

If they are going to teach you according to a fixed schedule, you might as well take only group classes - the whole point of private lessons is that they move at your pace.