Okay, at dance the other day, my teacher said that when I was sixteen I could start working there as a teacher to make cash instead of working at like Burger King or somthing. But isnt it true that if I started teaching, even if I was only 16, I'd have to compete professionally once I found a partner. Because I want to compete, but at age 16 I'd probably want to as an amatuer. I was just wondering, cause I'm pretty curious.

If you are in the USA and you start teaching, then you will officially be ineligible to dance in amateur events. You would have to find a professional partner, and could only compete in Pro/Am events (as the Pro, dancing with one of your students) or Professional events.

There's a way around this -- find an amateur partner first and get good enough to qualify for "world competitor" status in the NDCA or "elite" status" in USABDA. That way you'll be allowed to teach without officially losing your amateur status.

I think teachers should strip while teachoing dancing you idiot!!!!!!!!!

Excuse me, but why are you calling me an idiot? That was incredibly rude and uncalled for.

Let me growl here a bit....

Really, teaching dancing rather than working at Burger King.

I have been a student of dance for a good 15 years. I pay up to 90.00 per hour for our lessons... and we take 3 lessons a week....Ca'mon on guys do the math.

I have a real problem with studio's presenting instuctors to new students who are not more than students themselves. This is common at the Arthur Murray type of studios. It took us a good few years to unlearn what we learned at AM at 10,000 a year to be ready to compete at non franchised competitions. Prior, our scoring was based thier income potential from us.

Lets stick with proper certifiations(sp), and qualified instructors rather than I can pay you more than Burger King.

Thank you both for your words. I would just like Janet to know that I have the exact same problem with unqualified instructors. I hate the fact that at the studio I take lessons from, I can dance better than quite a few of the teachers. I also wanted to let you know that the only reason my teacher offered this peice of information to me was because that, with how quickly I learn, he does believe that by age 16 I'll be atleast gold, if not higher.And also many coaches have apparently told him that they believe I'll be the next big thing at a young age. I'm not saying this to gloat or anything like that, but just to inform you that I probably wouldn't be one of those unqualified instructors. I am barely even considering it as a job, seeing as I'm so young, but I just wanted to know what other people thought. Thank you once more for your opinions.

Tangoteen, if they really truly believe in you, then ask them to help you find a suitable amateur partner and train you both with the goal of becoming strong competitors in the Youth (15-18 year old) division. It would be interesting to know what they think of that. Many teachers would be ecstatic to have a very talented Youth couple to train, a few others unfortunately might see it as a threat to their monopoly on pro/am dancers. If your studio falls into the second category, then it might be a good idea for you to find another studio that understands how to encourange and develop Youth dancers as competitive amateurs rather than trying to suck them into being teachers.

On the other hand, if your personal goal really and truly is to become a teacher rather than a competitor, and if you really enjoy teaching, then why not do it -- so long as you know what the trade-offs are for your competitive career. In my opinion, turning pro now would kill off what could be a satisfying amateur competitive experience, so to me it's not worth it. But if that's not what you're after, then that's a different story....

Thanks Laura! I'll definently look into that. Competing is my main thing, but I'd also like to teach one day. I'm young so I still have plenty of time to decide, but I do like the bit of advice you just gave me! Thanks a ton!

Since you say that you are very interested in competing, let me add this: say you do live up to or surpass your current teacher's expectations and get out there and make a mark as a Youth amateur competitor. When you decide to go into teaching, it will make you that much more attractive to prospective clients, especially other young competitors who need lessons. In my area there is a very strong Youth program, and the kids in that program are taught by successful young adults who also came out of that program -- the teachers are mentors and role models for the younger students, so the students gravitate toward them for lessons rather than going to older teachers who tend to teach adults and Pro/Am dancers. In other words, succeeding as an amateur competitor will give you a lot of "street cred" with other amateur competitors, which will help you a lot when you decide to start teaching.

Wow, Laura! You're just blowin me away today! That's awesome! I never even thought about that! Thank you so much for all your great advice and help; if I live up to my expectations I'll surely give that a try. Thanks so much!