OB,

"Regardless of style treat what you do as high art." That is a wonderful and inspirational thing to say. That is my goal as long as I have the $ to maintain it.

Wanda (dancing in NY)

Wanda,



Unfortunately there are lots of situations out there where they'll try and make as much money off you as possible rather than focus on your needs.

OB

I am sure you are right, OB. I will try and take it as far or not as I can. I will get a better idea where I am heading after the ten private lessons. I do enjoy but like I said $70/45 min it quite a bit. Do you have any other suggestions?

Wanda

Wanda,

Try your local Universities/Community Colleges to see if they have ballroom dance clubs or societies.

Here we have a non-profit ballroom dance society:

http://www.vbds.org

I think membership is $42/year, includes access to up to 4 practice sessions (2 general open to all, 1 beginners only and a silver & above). Membership also gets discounts at dances and access to our video library of about 100 videos.

The Club provides instruction at all levels. I think it's $88 for eleven 1 hour and 20 minute classes. Only ISTD or CDTA certified teachers (or students studying with a certified teacher) are allowed to teach for the Club. Teachers give the club a break as they don't have to deal with scheduling/registration, etc. There are no ballroom dance studios here. It's mostly church & community halls rented by the society.

Teachers cannot solicit privates (nor private group classes) but students are not discouraged from soliciting their teachers for privates. As it is a club structure word spreads quickly to new people about which teachers best meet their private needs: competition/performance oriented vs. social.

This works very well as it helps keep people from falling prey to less ethical teachers.

OB

Oh wow. I almost wish I lived in Canada. What a great society. Thanks for this fantastic tip, OB. I am definitely going to check out the universities/colleges around here. Hopefully I will find something.

Thanks again.

Wanda