To answer your question, is an independent instructor less expensive? The answer is it depends on the instructor. One good thing about an independent instructor is (sometimes) you can negociate a price that you can afford because they pay floor fees to the studio where they teach and they can charge what they like or what the market can bear. I doubt you will find anyone much cheaper and if they are, there is a reason and I would stay away. Do not be afraid to talk to your instructor if you find it difficult to pay for lessons. It is an expensive hobby and there is nothing wrong with setting limits. At the studio where I work, there are all sorts of private arrangements. We would rather discount lessons than lose the client forever. Some are students, some are seniors, some want to take more than one hour a week and need a break in price.