Your point of where we choose to fly is a very valid one. Often we could fly much further for less or at least equal.

Taking 2 lessons a week at $100 per lesson is $800 per month. 3 lessons a week costs $1200 per month. This comes out to $9,600 or $14,400 per year.

If you are an amateur this is a major expense, especially if you begin using visiting judges, or you travel to take world class lessons in NY, England, or other locations. If you are really trying to get competitive you could easily spend $25,000 to $35,000 per year or more. Some higher end competitive coachs could charge $200 per hour--depending on if they travel to you or you bear the expense of traveling to them. One needs a sponsor, trust fund, or money to pay for all of this. You need this coaching to even have the judges look at you. Look at how much (millions) the Chinese Pro AM lady was paying for lessons. A guy that was the American Amateur Smooth-Rhythm champion for years had independent money. He would fly in world class coachs from Italy, England or wherever. Bet he spent $75,000 or more a year on coaching.

Still there is no guarantee that you will win anything. Yeah it helps if you have some talent, but you also need lots of money for world class lessons to even throw you hat in the ring. Even someone with some or little talent that has money for years of high quality lessons will eventually become competitive. They will eventually take from all the judges and will become recognized if they are very persistant and hang in there for years. Sometimes it's partner stability, money,hard work and staying power. David and Valentino will probably be the next Am. Smooth champions. They have been competing and paying for these high end lessons for maybe 8 years.

"Taking 2 lessons a week at $100 per lesson is $800 per month. 3 lessons a week costs $1200 per month. This comes out to $9,600 or $14,400 per year."

And you get to divide that by two.

"One needs a sponsor, trust fund, or money to pay for all of this."

No - one needs a job and a willingness to sacrifice other things to achieve your goals. For most amateur succesful competitors today, that job is teaching dance... which really doesn't pay very well!

"Still there is no guarantee that you will win anything."

Exactly. Pouring money down the drain won't solve your problems if you do not have the time, determination, and ability. If you do, there seems ample evidence that you can succede while supporting yourself.

You are luckier than me with getting a partner to share costs 50/50. My Amateur partner had some talent, but no disposable income. Usually the Am. guy ends up paying more than his fair share--assuming he makes more income. Or it could be the reverse if the lady makes more income and the guy is more talented.

Amateurs teaching dance to pay for lessons? In the USA aren't there rules and restrictions on Amateurs earning income. Elighten me. I know a pro that's been unsuccessful doing Pro Am and wants to be an Amateur now, but I think he needs to wait 5 years and quit teaching. Think there are some very strict rules on earning money from dance and Amateurs.

"Amateurs teaching dance to pay for lessons? In the USA aren't there rules and restrictions on Amateurs earning income."

Long ignored and now repealed

"I know a pro that's been unsuccessful doing Pro Am and wants to be an Amateur now, but I think he needs to wait 5 years and quit teaching."

One year of no pro activity, but teaching is no longer pro activity (working proam is)

Interesting reply. What is the source of your information. Especially the pro
quitting for 1 year and then dancing amateur. USABA rule book--where? I didn't see anything on this.

So, I am an amateur and can teach and earn as much income as possible to pay for my own lessons? But, I can't compete Pro Am or hang out a shingle saying that I am a Pro. But I can call myself an amateur dance teacher and try to make unlimited income?

"Interesting reply. What is the source of your information. Especially the pro
quitting for 1 year and then dancing amateur. USABA rule book--where? I didn't see anything on this."

Read the current (2007) rulebook. If you just look at who is elegible to compete, it would appear to be anyone who hasn't engaged in the (new reduced list of) prohibited activites in the past year. No reinstatement apparently needed.

Amateurs (higher level competitors, but still) have been earning money from teaching and doing shows long before the rules changed to help fund their dancing. It's about time! I would prefer having a top competing (even if they didn't reach that world class status) teaching me than someone who just started dancing and just got out of a 6 week teacher training session.

I also did not realize that Amatuars could now teach, earn an income. This must have changed recently, and because at a novice level it does not effect me, I dont keep up with it. BTW, I am in favor of this change.

I do agree with the quoted instructor fees... Here, we will pay about 90.00 an hour, and that is how I came up with my estimate of 12K a year in lesson expense.... I just could not for the life of me figure our how someone could do a comp cheaper than a week-end of lessons.

Many of your AM couples like ourselves are husband and wife teams and I dont consider it sharing the cost.... It comes out of one pocketbook.

What I think though that is missing and have to disagree with is throwing money away.... Not all who both compete and take multiple lessons a week are doing it to rise to the top. The reward is the joy of preparing for the comps and not just the comp.... Sometimes I have to laugh at this thing we call a hobby.. 3 lessons a week and on the off days in the studio working on what we have leared in our lessons. But still it is a hobby, just a very passionate one that makes myself and my husband quite happy regardless of our placements.