You can learn what you like and compete in just those dances, but the truth is to be well-rounded and a complete competitor you should learn and compete in all the dances in whatever style(s) you pick.

I live in California and have been dancing and competing for over eight years, so I've had a lot of time to learn a lot of things -- some useful, and others just trivial! I'm always happy to answer questions as best I can.

Also known as 'the rich widow's friend', Pro-Am is an expensive pastime in which the customer hires a pro to dance with her. "Lessons' are given which, in contrast to real dance lessons, often consists of 'dancing around' with the pro, wth the pro complimenting the customer profusely.

Pro-Am competition is as above, but rather than actaully doing partner dancing, the customer simply 'practices' with the pro dancer (usually for an hour or two a week) and then goes to a hotel ballroom and 'competes' against a very narrowed and saegregated group of other pro-ams. Age, and level are two criteria, but don't be surprised if suddenly there are 4 or 5 subdivisions of an age group, as to accomodate pros with multiple partners at the same level.

Due to the very low level of commitment required for Pro-am, this works very well for those folks who have one hour or two a weekk to kill. A knowlegeable pro will, however, counsel you that many more hours than 1 are needed to make any progress at all.

Unfortunately, a number of people view Pro/Am with the kind of disdain that aany shows. Unfortunately, aany's view is negatively biased and only illustrates one portion of the Pro/Am spectrum.

Not all -- not even most these days -- dancers are rich widows. Yes, Pro/Am is expensive, I won't dispute that, but as for the student not receiving real training, not really partner dancing, and the Pro overly complimenting their student, that is a negative stereotype that has been hanging around for far too long. The quality of the training depends on the teacher, and the level of achievement depends on the student.

Laura is absolutely right. I've seen both sides, so I certainly know what aany is talking about. What aany decribes does go on at certain types of studios, but certainly does not represent the whole spectrum of pro/am. There is another side where the student will actually spend a lot of time dancing on their own while the pro critiques their form. Very few compliments are paid out, and the student is given homework to practice on, and the instructor will slam you for not practicing. These students will typically stick around for an hour or two after their lessons and work on what they've just been taught. Believe me, I've seen it.

That's why it's so important to shop around for a good studio, preferably one where the instructors have a lot of training in teaching international style. If an instructor is paying you all sorts of compliments after a few lessons, it's probably best to avoid the place.

One more thing to add. Lesson fees are typically the same whether there are two people taking the lesson together, or just one person with a pro. So, either way, it's expensive.

Pro/am does have the additional cost the student must pay to the instructor for competition heats. However, at most independent studios, this fee is pretty reasonable. (I've even seen it waived for major competitions when the pro was going to be competing in the event anyway.)

Ok so this pro/am sounds like somthing I would want to do. I still haven't found a place to learn to dance though. but how do I get started?

Start by looking for a dance studio. I think if you click on "Dance Directory" on the left (or maybe it's "Classified Ads") you'll eventually find your way to a list of studios. See which ones are in a reasonable drive of where you live. I highly suggest you check them all out before settling on a teacher. (You can also look for studios in the phone book.) Since you're 16 you should have your parents talk to each studio about the "business" ends of things...prices, contracts, sales tactics, etc etc.

It's best to shop around a bit to find a place that you like rather than just settling on the first dance studio you come across. Most studios offer "introductory specials" where you can take a few lessons and go to a few parties or group classes for a low price. Take advantage of these specials while you are shopping around. Shopping around is important because it will give you a chance to compare prices, the credentials of the teachers, the type of clientele, sales pitches, practice policies, etc.

Once you find a studio you like, another good idea is to take one of their beginner group classes. These are an inexpensive way to get started, don't require a partner, and will give you time in the studio during which you can check out the various teachers to see who you might like to work with. Ask other students who they work with and why. Observe the quality of each teacher's dancing and, very importantly, of their students.

When you find a teacher, don't immediately sign up for a huge lesson contract. Personally, I consider lesson contracts to be unnecessary...if a teacher is good their students will keep coming back without them having to pay for 30 or 60 lessons in advance!!!! Take some lessons and see how it goes.

Most importantly, ask a lot of questions. Ask them of other students you meet, and ask them here.