Not necessarily.

Unfortunately there are many out there that charge a fortune and give you nothing.

Then there legitimate teachers.

1. Ask the owner of your studio what the training background is of your personal teacher. Are you being taught by a trained and certified teacher or are you being taught by a relatively new teacher the owner trained themselves.

2. You might also look into private teachers. Again, ask about there certification. I don't know where you live but trained teachers here have either ISTD or CDTA certification. Other certifications should closely match ISTD (for International) criteria.

Hint: ISTD certification requires years of study. You can't whip it off overnight.

Note: Just because a person doesn't have certification doesn't mean they are not a good teacher but it is a sign they have met a minimum standard.

Find out if there are governing bodies for ballroom in your country and their certification system.

OB

i understand what u said and i agree ! but the problem is that here in Greece there are no Standards in American Style !!!
so how am i going to know if someone teaches me right ?
in International Style there is at least a standard in all the world !!!

"i understand what u said and i agree ! but the problem is that here in Greece there are no Standards in American Style !!!"

There are no universal standards in american style in the states either!

"in International Style there is at least a standard in all the world !!! "

But often not followed.

"so how am i going to know if someone teaches me right ?"

You probably won't, until they day when you learn something more and realize that what you were taught previously was wrong, or at least incomplete.

Dude,
I've never heard of anyone who is so narrow-minded like this before.
You're in America now, you have freedom of speach. But,... you don't have the freedom to show us how narrow-minded you are.
I know that some people dance like CRAP no matter how much and how long they have learned how to dance, you may be one of them. (don't you ever once think of that ?) Don't go blaming on other style.
Open your mind and look deep within.

Kato

Hi Peter_Kosmas,

I've watched clips of American Style Ballroom done by 'specialist' American Style dancers at all levels (even professionals) and I have to agree that I did'nt find their dancing appealing. I found it a bit too theatrical, showbizzy and lacking artistic integrity. There's also the technique gap between the American Style vs International but I think that this has more to do with the dance culture in which the American Style florishes vs International rather than it being anything inherent in the styles themselves. On the other hand I've really enjoyed watching some of the top International Style dancers incorporating open and shadow position moves in showdances or exhibitions. Besides the technical superiority, the way that some International style dancers interpret, incorporate and choreographically blend open moves in their dancing can be awesome. I think the reason for this is that International style dancers still express a profound togetherness, partnership and oneness even in open moves that I don't see in specialist American style dances.

Rha

Have you ever seen Ben and Shalene Ermis dance American smooth?

Wow, what anger!!! I think the biggest problem you have with dancing is that it sounds like you've never been taught how to properly lead a woman. For instance, I have all my training in American Smooth and American Rhythm. I can go to any International school and dance with any partner. I can also go to any bar with a dance floor and pick up a woman with no dance experience and lead her through any dance. It's all about your inability to lead, not the dance itself. You may want to find a different school to learn from. One that focuses on leading properly. You also may want to look into doing a little research before you speak.

Peter-Kosmas,

where are you located? You spend a lot of money on american style bronze but english is not your first language...
Judging by the name... Greece?
At least I am not sure which other european countries actually do american style instead of international.

If my assumptions are correct, you might want to share where you are located and I might be able to help you find a good studio.

o.k !!! mail me !
peter_kosmas@yahoo.com
pkosmas@datablue.gr
i found a good one now with international style !!!!
in petroupolis !!!!
i want a good one ! i want to do only international !!!!! i am disapointed with american style !

Peter Kosmas. American Smooth and the International Style, which includes Latin American, are worlds apart.If you dance in the International style you should be able to dance in any studio in any country in the world. If you or anybody else thinks that you can hop off a plane, in for instance Japan, and dance American Smooth they are very much mistaken.
The same applies to Australin New Vogue.
It is danced in of course Australia and New Zealand, in which it is a competition dance. It is a very interesting style to dance. The man does as much shaping and use of the body as the lady does. As somebody else has pointed out. Try that in the Standard style would have a coach tearing their hair out.