Now I wish I never put my foot in AM studio.
My husband and I started the ballroom dancing not so long ago.
We couldn't find a lot of studios near us, so we ended up with AM.
I was shocked with the free lesson. How stupid it was!!! Instead of 40 minutes it was only 15, and then they wasted all tht time opening AM folder and talking about the programs. I was bored and wanted to find different studio, but my husband insisted on that one.
So far we paid $670 for beginners lavel, and of course found out that we have all the "talant" in the world to prepare for competitions. Now they want us to purchase a bronze 1 package.
We like our teacher as a person :), but when I saw her dance.. I was dissapointed a lot. We also have seen their bronzeIII dancers... that wasn't pretty.
I do undersatnd that MANY older people are coming to dance for some reasons, but I think in this case AM should divide groups by age. For example, in group lessons I hate to be touched by older men... I came to spend more time with my husband and depending on "our talant" decide if we cut for this :)
I like private lessons more, but is always seems that we come through the same basic steps over and over and over... We are quick learners and we would like to be given a challenge.
I like the location, the friendly teacher... but there are so many BUTS.
I think we'll look for something better...

LOL!! You've bought into the scam, at $154 per 'lesson'.

PLUS, 'bronze 3' in American in 13 months is nothing to brag about. In fact, it's about what you'd expect from 1 45 min lesson a week and social dancing. But most folks who advance do more than tha. In a word, your progress is not very good.

My AM studio charges $125 per 45 min lesson. A tad bit expensive but mostly worth it.

Our AM charges $140 per lesson...
they also said it takes 7 units to go through one level..
For our 5 dances we have to pay $5400 and this is ust for Bronze 1

At the independent studio where I take lessons (from a teacher who has been dancing for 17 years and was a regular finalist in his field), 4 privates, 15 groups, and 6 parties costs $480.

Two corrections in my text!
annyon, 13 months straight but spending 2 months overseas. So it'd be 11 months of practice. I'll be bronze 4 in 1 month.
Muska "I hate to be touched by older men..." Older man will touch you with more respect than the younger ones.
But if you "hate" older man, come to to Los Angeles area and you'll find out that 70% of students are 30 and younger. IT DEPENDS THE STUDIO YOU'RE ON.
$154 per lesson in Los Angeles or NY is nothinng. Don't compare with other states. Here, 45 minutes of any good professional time is at least $100.
If you don't believe, try to have a good haircut here for less than that.
operabob, you think you're smart by paying for what you have in your association. Here in Los Angeles you can have what you have for FREE at the dance clubs. FREEEEEEE!
I'm talking about 100% undivided attention for a 1st class professional in the LA area.
It all depends what you want for your dance education.
My teacher is awesome! She's a winner of international contests and so on.
Now muska, if you don't like your teacher, just ask for you money back and leave the studio. You don't have to regret. Or ask for another teacher.

annyon and when I say Bronze 3 almot bronze 4, I mean full bronze.
Rumba, Cha Cha, Salsa, Tango, Waltz, Fox Trot and swing.

Correction,



Tell me more.

I'm interested.

Your teacher must be getting paid somehow. Do you buy drinks at the Clubs, etc.?

I might be in LA soon and would like to come to these clubs (only I'm an older man, 56, LOL!).

OB

Yes man!
These night clubs pay the teachers in the same way they pay the music bands.
They do this to attract people to their clubs. They make money by selling drinks, food, etc.
But there is no obligation to drink or eat anything.

Operabob. I believe you wrote that your club doesn't have a permanent home. Have you aproached your local authority to see if there is a Heritage building that you can use and take care of. This is fairly common in Europe where the Amateurs are the club and the teacher is an employee.I would create an image that you are helping the community of all ages. Then hit them with , are you willing to help. This can be a good vote catcher at election time especially if you can show a 1000 membership. Thats a lot of votes. That can be trippled with parents or other relations.
I am told that in Germany the clubs are in charge and teach competition dancers. They never teach Social dancing. The Social teachers never teach competition. There is a hands off understanding between them.I can see that any government is not going to donate a building to a Professional. But an Amatuer group that's different. Just some food for thought. good luck with your club.