I have never taken group lessons at an AM studio, or any "franchise" studio for that matter. I do take private lessons with a coach from one though. To me it is crazy to think that they want you to pay for 45 private lessons at a time. I took lessons through a college program when I danced bronze, but now really only take private lessons, that I book when I want to take one.

I took private lessons from an "independent" teacher for years. He was highly qualified and had a US title (not restricted to AM, but for all of the US). I never paid for more than 10 lessons at a time. Before him I took at another franchise and was subjected to sales tactics where I'd be asked to buy 30 or 60 lessons at once. This just isn't necessary: a good teacher will take you and plan your dancing future no matter if you buy one lesson at a time or schedule 10 lessons at a time or whatever.

You might have the best teacher around, or you might not. The only way to find out for sure is to talk to other students in your area and find out what you can about other studios, other teachers, etc.

You're still so new to this. Your 'love' for the teacher is probably your 'love' of the process. there are MANY good teachers out there.

Starting out to do real ballroom (rather than social) is a great and fun journey, but you will need to do diligence. Go to all the studios in your area (within say an hour's drive) and sample the teachers. Then, talk money. I'll bet you'll find better teachers and ower prices -

Would you choose a college for your kids by simply going to one school, and not even looking at the brochures of any other? Or buy a car by limiting yourself to one dealership? I think not.

You price shop for clothes - this is the same thing...

Thanks for your input. I wouldn't say I 'love' my instructor, (though I recognize I definitely love the process) I recognize that there are definitely more experienced and reasonably priced instructors out there, I just need to look.
So, I do plan on looking into more studios, I just wanted to get the general consensus about AM because I have seen conflicting posts on their practices. I think they have talented instructors but I sometimes feel as if money is more on their brains. But I do enjoy their sometimes cheesy ways of teaching because it does make learning easy, at least for myself. I'm going to look into my university's ballroom dancing club which I'm sure will lead to many different lessons and instructors but just need to figure out if I want to part ways with AM yet or not!

I take lessons at Fred Astaire, and I am about to renew my contract. I have never read anything critical of FA on this site, but lots about AM. I don't know if that is coincidence or an indication that FA has better business practices. I have never been asked to pay more than 10 lessons, my teachers have been great (I take some other group lessons so I have some basis for a comparison) and while I have been encouraged to consider competing, there has been no pressure. In fact, we have been talking about a small, non-FA competition that I might try.

One thing to keep in mind about both FA and AM is that their quality and sales practices do vary. Some of these studios have great teachers and mellow sales tactics, others do not. You basically won't know for sure how good or not good you have it until you do some comparison shopping.

I agree with Laura...
These are franchises and the quality varies. I live in Canada and have completed the bronze program with AM over the last 3 years. I hate having to sign a contract and commit to so many lessons at once not to mention the high fees for a private 40 minute lesson. However I continue to go because I love my AM studio environment-the teachers, the dance activities and other students. So the value for me is worth the lesson cost and contract.

On the other hand, I'm thinking I'd like to try competition and this is where I draw the line with AM-the costs are insane and it is never revealed what exactly you're paying for (i.e. I think some hidden costs) and the comps are restricted to the AM organization so you don't know how you dance relative to all the other dancers out there.... I want to compete pro/am through an independant studio,where I am exposed to professionals having experience with all kinds of dancers from all kinds of studios and even though the costs of comps are still high at least they are transparent.

I do know becouse I have been on both sides of the table I went in FA as a student and was put into a training class right away!! I had alot of dance befor FA, but what I did not have was SALES training. Remeber FA and AM have to pay francise fees this mean you pay more. I know alot of teachers that now teach Indpendent and their as good or better than any FA or AM. So check out some ind. Alot of the ind studios teach dvida and its great! just make sure your teacher is certifed. Remeber your paying for lessons and studios need to pay there bills. but you should never pay for more than you can aford its very easy to get caught up in the glamer,some studios have mastered this and you pay for 30 or 40 lessons when you could have payed for 10. You should also be able to make payments NO EXTRA CHARGE! Shop around check out some ind if your able.

I can't comment on AM but my wife and I have been taking lessons at a FA franchise for almost two years. What we found is that as confidence grows, the cheesy stuff gets "tired" and it's time to move on. FA was a good introduction to dance however the cost and "business" aspects eventually proved too much. We've attended local ballroom dances for the past year and know of other recommended teachers by word-of-mouth from other dancers. Happy hunting!

Guest - good point. I have only been doing this for about a year, but once I decide which direction I want to go in (competitons, social, focusing on something like tango or swing, etc.), I may or may not need a different teacher. Very, very few teachers can be all things to all students.