"ISTD has recently opened a US branch."

Actually, to the USISTD website, that branch was founded in 1961 and incorporated in 1967...

"That's a possibility in a lot of cases, but the other side of it is that a lot of the time the studio isn't in a position to train students to gold or even silver level. Or even if someone such as the owner is theoretically able to do it, they discourage students by assigning them early on to teachers who aren't able to help get them there - so the students either give up, or go to another studio were they their progress is taken more seriously."

What? But why would they do that? Wouldn't they lose a lot of money from students like myself who are actually willing to pay to get to the gold level? To me this makes no sense.

The co-owner, was initially my "full time" teacher (I had a lesson every week with him). Then, after about 3 months, they said that they assign the students a "buddy instructor" which is basically a second instructor, to allow you to get used to dancing with others. This instructor was quite young and not nearly as good as my first instructor. I only had that one lesson with him. Then they assigned me to another instructor (without me telling them anything) which I would have a lesson with every second week, and he is very good (of course, not as good as the co-owner, but still quite good).
So it seems to me like they are aiding me in attaining my goal...

"What? But why would they do that? Wouldn't they lose a lot of money from students like myself who are actually willing to pay to get to the gold level? To me this makes no sense."

Two possible reasons:

- If they don't have anyone (available) capable of taking a student through to gold level, then they won't loose money by not doing it, because it's money they couldn't have made in the first place. In the meantime, they will make a lot of money off of bronze students - and using instructors they don't have to pay very much to do most of the work.

Second reason:

"The co-owner, was initially my "full time" teacher (I had a lesson every week with him). Then, after about 3 months, they said that they assign the students a "buddy instructor" which is basically a second instructor, to allow you to get used to dancing with others. This instructor was quite young and not nearly as good as my first instructor. I only had that one lesson with him. Then they assigned me to another instructor (without me telling them anything) which I would have a lesson with every second week, and he is very good (of course, not as good as the co-owner, but still quite good). So it seems to me like they are aiding me in attaining my goal..."

You've just accepted their explanation for not giving you the most helpful teacher. If you are willing to accept something that costs them less to provide, why should they provide you something more expensive?

If you end up going very far, you will sooner or later make arrangements to work with a specific teacher. They might be independent, they might own a chain studio franchise, they might rent space from someone else - it doesn't matter, because you have scheduled a lesson with that specific person and no other. If you have multiple teachers it's because you chose to, not because you got handed off.

I see what you mean.
I'll continue taking lessons with them at the moment because I'm very satisfied with their business. However, if I do get at a higher level and they can't fulfill my needs, then I guess I'll have to go elswhere.

Thanks for the advice

Thanks for the update on USISTD. Perhaps what I read about was the opening of a new branch office in Washington (????) about a year ago.

Further, a lot depends on the aims and personality of your teacher. The more advanced dancers where we live suffer from a lack of a "finisher". As a result we bring in a fellow from about 100 miles away every weekend.

He is really only interested in teaching private lessons. However, teachers can make terric money teaching group classes. The upside for the student is low cost. The downside is the student only learns steps and if the group is too large the teacher has little time to help those "not getting it".

My wife easily makes 4 times an hour with independent groups than she makes contractually elsewhere. However, we know of local teachers that contract for many organizations for group classes (community centres, etc.)and then send an "associate" (someone they've trained to be just ahead of the class) whom they pay minimally. My understanding is this is basically the same as AM or FA, however, I have no direct knowledge of that, so, apologies if in error.

OB

Well, speaking about good teachers, I had one coaching lesson (my first one) at the FA studio that I go to.
I have to admit that I was highly impressed. She was a "teacher of teachers" and she was able to point out every single mistake in my dancing. Even my good teacher appeared "small" in front of her.
It made me think, if one took as many coaching lessons as they could, then that would tremendously improve their dancing. The only problem is that they're really expensive as you are having a lesson with your own teacher and the coach at the same time. Too bad.

"The only problem is that they're really expensive as you are having a lesson with your own teacher and the coach at the same time. Too bad."

Which is why the only affordable way to progress to a high level will be to partner with a fellow amateur. Then you can split the cost of working with that teacher of teachers. Maybe not exclusively (if they aren't in your area all the time) but as frequently as possible.

Yea,
that would be a good idea. However, don't you think it is more beneficial to be partnered with your teacher? Then the focus is put on what you are doing wrong instead of what you and your partner are doing wrong.

But it's definitely something to consider.

I started out in my local area with no dance expericence. I was hired soley on the fact that I have 6 years of Sales background. I trained for 40+ hr./week for about 3 months. I was then put with beginner students while I continued to learn. I since had left and went off on my own. I started off making minimum wage, and after about a year I was making about $11/hr. Mind you, the studio was charging me out at $71/ 40min. lesson. That was one of the biggest reasons I went off on my own.

So, if I may ask, what do you make now that you're on your own?