i have taken lessons at FADS for almost 3 years. I have not felt that they have tried to sell me anything since the very first few lessons. I consider myself respponsible for my own life decisions. I am a competitive student, sometimes I win, sometimes I don't. I have two teachers, both are excellent. One is a professional competitor, graduate in fine arts, has competed in college ballroom and is also an excellent teacher.

I don not feel that they have held me back. Is it expensive? Yes. Guess what ballroom dancing is an expensive hobby!

I think of myself as a realist--I know there are franchise fees, I know that the teachers have sales goals to meet.
I ALSO know (and I am certain I am not deluding myself) that my teachers care about my dancing and seriously plan WITH ME MY ACHIEVEABLE DANCING GOALS.

One day someone asked me ..all these dancing lessons and competitions for what? My answer? To make me a really good dancer, to achieve 'out of the box' goals. I am happier, kinder and more gentle in this hectic world.

I think I am a better person beacuse of my dancing --

We took lessons at FADS for a little over 5 years. We found the studio worked to move people forward at an effective rate. They taught us sliver foxtrot/waltz after 1 year, even though we were in the bronze program.

They assigned teachers to students, that could effectively help the students. The more advanced teachers were assigned to the more advanced competitors. We had quite a few teachers because of turnover and each teacher assigned to us, defintely was qualified to help us improve. Teachers were very encouraging and seemed to genuinely enjoy seeing us make progress.

They are a busines and are going to try to increase revenue, by selling events, more lessons, specials lessons etc.. They accepted our no's very well. Since we were social dancers they tried to make the lessons enjoyable, which was the case most of the times.

I realize some people had bad experiences with FADS and AM, but like you, our experience was positive.

It is good to hear some positive experiences with FA and AM. Just because there are a few bad teachers or a few bad owners does not mean that the franchised studios are bad themselves.