This year I began social ballroom lessons at an independent studio. They cover eight core dances over 25 lessons. I just "graduated" from the beginner instructor after the first 8 lessons and am onto a new instructor. The first instructor seemed very structured in his approach to learning the steps while the new instructor seems more relaxed and less structured evem asking me what I want to learn. My question is: what is the mark of a good and competent dance instructor regarding experience, credentials and approach and how do I find them?

Also, what is the typical lesson rate in the SF Bay Area?

Thanks.

Typical lesson rate in the SF Bay Area varies, but I'd say it's about $65/lesson.

Karats, I started on 8 core dances in 8 lessons myself too.
I went on to the next stage with the same instructor and she said to me from the beginning that I should realise that the nature of the lessons would change.
And lets look at it, what did we do in the first 8 lessons? Learn the basic boxes and maybe a simple underarm turn or promenade. Basic with Elements they call it at the studio I go to. The bare basics without which they cant even ask you what you want.
Your first instructor took you when you knew nothing and gave you the very basic skills you need to learn to dance. At least what I did during those beginner lessons I don't know if I can call dancing ;)
Hurting for an analogy or metaphor to use let me say your first instructor told you that those squiggly bits on the paper are letters, your new instructor has to teach you how to read and write and there you have a choice you can say I dont want to read this and I hate writing about that - after all you must enjoy what you are doing.

I have no idea how to judge the quality of an instructor. After all just a week ago I posted myself (following the common trent) describing my lessons and asking people to tell me how great my instructor was :) But as I understand in the end you have to decide yourself if you are learning or not.

Thanks for the replies. I had decided to take the suggestion from my "beginner" instructor to take future lessons from two different instructors in order to try them out to see if there is a good fit for me. Big mistake! It is uncomfortable trying to coordinate my lessons and dances between them and I feel that each is displeased that I am taking lessons from the other instructor. My Tuesday instructor is great in teaching technique but appears to be tense and impatient with me and I would like to stop working with him and work strictly with my Thursday instructor who I have good chemistry with.

My question is: how do I gracefully stop working with the Tuesday instructor as he will see me at the studio in the future and I don't want any lingering discomfort here.

What I looked for (and found):
Instructors willing to be friendly and helpful even if they weren't on the clock. No, I don't want to "use" or "abuse" anyone's good nature, but when I speak to someone, I'd like to not worry about phrasing my conversations to avoid asking a question or discussing something that could be considered "stuff for on the clock".

Our private instructor is a most credible, kind, helpful soul. She's actually interested in teaching us to be good dancers, instead of just taking our money, throwing stuff at us, and expecting us to pick it up from there. Our group instructor is a patient man with a good sense of humor- and he HAS to be with people like us in that group!

We lucked up and found a good studio on the first try. I'm SO glad this happened. They take the time to help each student who needs it, and make sure that the group progresses and nobody's left behind. The parties are fun, everyone feels included, and there are no snotty, backbiting gossips allowed. That's one thing they "bounce outta there".

Not much help, I know, but I just wanted to say how proud I am of our studio!

Some excellent responses.

I'll jump in here as a former school teacher and current ballroom teacher at beginner levels.

Some questions to ask yourself:

1. In your beginner group classes does the teacher spend a lot of time talking or does he/she have you doing?

This is a common problem I find with some beginning classes. People come to these classes to learn to dance for fun not to listen to a lecture on technique that won't have much impact at this level.

Too much talking = Bored Class

2. Does the teacher spend too much time teaching to the lowest level in the class?

Generally around half a beginner class will not re-register. Those most likely to re-register are those having the most success. If too much time is spent talking/focusing on the lowest level who are least likely to re-register then the others end up standing around and again the whole class is bored.

3. Personality counts tremendously. Does the teacher use humour? If you like the teacher then you're happy in class. If you don't. Well!

4. This is the single most important aspect of teaching I can think of. Is the teacher positive and encouraging?

At beginning levels rather than say:

"Your spin-turn is wrong"

do they say something like:

"I like what you're doing in the spin-turn but here are some things we can do to make it even better."

If the teacher is always telling the beginning student they are wrong then they're going to quit.

A good teacher finds ways to tell you what you're doing wrong in a positive way.

OB