Here's my problem with AM: they sell you units - unit consists of a private/ group/ dance party. It's about $120 for each "unit". I can NEVER attend the party sessions because of my work schedule, so that 1/3 of my "unit" goes completely to waste, but I can't buy them separately. Does that sound fair? In my case it's like I'm actually paying $60 for each 45-minute private and group lesson. I really like the convenience of the location, but I just feel like I could be getting more for my money elsewhere.

Parties bought a la carte at the independent studio near me cost $10 per night. So, you can use that figure to get an idea of how much you are overspending for your AM unit.

Private lesson prices in my area from people who have US National Pro Rising Star titles, or who have been on "Dancing with the Stars," are about $70-$85 per lesson. I'm pretty sure the lessons are 45 minutes each. I'm paying a little less than that, but then my teacher isn't a US finalist.

Thanks, Laura. This is what I am saying. I would gladly pay 75, 80, even 100 dollars for private lessons, and that still would cost me less that what I am paying for this package deal at AM. I cannot wait until my contract runs out.

Yeah! Same thing with me about the party classes!!! I remember when I first signed up at AM, the instructor had me fill out this questionnaire that was supposedly to help him understand my goals. They one section for reason why you want to dance with several different "social" reasons, such as to make new friends or to be involved in a social club atmosphere. I didn't check off anything that had to do with social. I clearly stated my main goals were for personal improvement and competition. Well my cat might as well have filled it out because I know see that every single students contract orplan is exactly the same as mine! An equal # of private to group to party lessons per unit regardless of what your goal or interest is.

You dont have anything nice to say, and you call yourself "frien".

Yes, AM stinks!! I was involved for 2 years at an AM, and wouldn't step foot in that studio again if you paid me. My instructor lied to me about so many things.... There are so many other dance options out there, and I'm glad to see that other people have stopped "drinking the AM kool-aid!"

Oh, I do laugh!

America - just what makes the place tick? Here in the UK the overwhelming majority of dance studios are privately owned, and in my region, the going rate for a class if around £5/hour, and you just turn up and pay. If you don't like the teacher, the studio or the other students, you go where you like and pay about the same.

The price of private lessons can vary widely (as you would expect), but £18-25/hr is typical at beginner/intermediate level. There are no chains: I don't buy crap food at McDonalds, and I don't buy crap coffee at Starbucks - why on earth would I want to buy franchised dancing?

You get what you deserve. If customers didn't flock to such outfits, they would fold.

dancing is much more affordable in the uk....in the us, you can easily spend over $5,000 per year just taking one lesson per week. if you want to compete, it could easily be three times that..... the industry is just different here...it's aimed at fairly well to do people with a fair amount of discretionary income.....it's ridiculous, but that's the way it is....

Arthur murray is money maker but also very smart. As age restrictions apply at international studios for example age 35 is the breaking point between amatuer and masters! Also not everyone is considered competition material so people who want to dance and compete have no choice but to turn to studios as the like. Be very careful when signing contracts and also be strong don't let your emotions/desires run away try other studios like salsa they run comps and look around many social dance studios do allow students to compete and much lower fees. The staff at AM are so under experienced just give the teachers are hard time by throwing technical questions at them constantly eventuelly their true experience or lack of will come through.

Hi, i just wanted to say i am a student at an AM, and i really do love the studio, and you really sound like all of my instructors, i love dance and i do not think i would take it anywhere else. The instructors are great and the friends i have made are awesome!