I found 4 independent teachers who are all better than my AM teachers from before. I am now 4 times happier. Also, I learn more from 4 different teachers as each has her own expertise (i.e. latin, rhythm, smooth, international). Good luck finding a really good independent teacher. They are around but you have to start going to dance parties at other studios. AM makes it difficult to find other studios because they will not tell you about them. If you are really nice to the receptionist at your AM, I bet you she will tell you where she goes dancing and who the really great instructors are in your area.

I have been a social dance student at our local AM studio. My husband is not a "social" person of any sort. However, for my birthday he made the effort to learn to social dance with me. AM was a comfort and known name to him. Therefore we went. And I watched him almost faint at the cost per lesson. Eventually, due to his health, he stopped going. I continued. As several posts have pointed out, not all AM studios are the same, and more importantly - how the AM studio is managed/operated by the owner/manager has a greater affect on the regulars who come. I watched the demise of a great team of experienced dance instructors, who love the art of dance, due to the management style of the studio. Many of us left, to find and independent studio with experienced-certified instructors i.e., International Standard who also held titles from competition. Competition and social dancing are definately, without question, two different things. My husband and I enjoyed the social aspect of dancing and learning together. We did not anticipate the chaos of the studio practices with their staff and the trickle down affect to those of us pursuing competition seriously. Eventually, it is up to you the consumer, after all, you are the customer.

My dance partner dancing for (6 years)and myself danceing(almost 5 years). He joined AM eleven months ago.

I wouldn't join with him and instead started taking privates at 2 independent studios. After the 5 introductory lessons at AM, I sensed I would not learn and advance in the privates with my partner and I didn't want to start over in bronze levels and do the tests. It also was expensive.

Each independent studio I take privates from has something different to offer me to improve my dancing to help me advance from the point I already had achieved in smooth and latin. After his joining, I had one instructor go over all the bronze levels with me in all dances to make sure I knew them when I danced with my partner. No worry there, for he has some time yet before he gets through Bronze.

I had the other instructor work on body positions and technique in what I was learning.

December,my partner passed BRI level in the Bronze in foxtrot and waltz and just gets to dance what he learned in prior years and to improve his footwork in his private lessons. What he joined for and hoped to learn he really hasn't accomplished yet. I have learnt a lot more in the eleven months in all dances, at a much cheaper rate. I find I have picked up a lot of technique that I can tell my partner is not aware of to be a good dancer even in his bronze level of dancing. I have to dance at his level when we socially dance knowing he hasn't been told techniques or advanced to the silver level that I have and can now apply when I dance with others.

This is causing a strain on our partnership, I must admit, and if I tell him I have been told this is the way just to help us, he will not acknowledge it.

Seeing what the students that started with my partner only know at this time, and what my partner has forgotten in regards to routines, patterns in all dances that we used to do, I find it hard to take.

He likes the social life of the studio and the instructors.

I won't be totally negative here for he is easier to dance with now in waltz and doesn't pull like he used to. I guess his dancing instructor made him aware and he listens to her to not pull. He knows some basic new moves he didn't know before, but as a follower, I have no problem picking them up without AM lessons. AM does teach different then the other studios in town.

He seems just committed to them and I think the instructors are nice, but I wanted to advance at my rate. Lot less time and money for me to accomplish what I wanted.

I need to get up the courage now to showcase for one of my instructors.

It all depends where you are at and want out of dancing.

I would check out independent instructors before committing to packages of lessons.

This is what I have experienced.

I have to say it is quite disheartening to read negative comments on AM an FA. These two organizations have done more great things to the world of dance than one can imagine. Many top level dancers have come from and continue to come from these two companies. Also many top level dancers have joined recently. Not to mention that some of the best instructors in the world have taught or teach currently. If it wasn't for innovators like Arthur Murray and performers like Fred Astaire ballroom dancing would be nowhere near what it is today. That would be devistating to every student, teacher, and studio owner who shares the passion of dance. Imagine how bad it would be if every person who has gained confidence, Lost weight, meet a friend, fell in love, relieved stress, got thru their first dance, rekindled the passion, saved a relationship, thru dance where denied all these gifts because AM or FA decided that they wanted to do something other than help people. We should be grateful to people and organizations that spend there time looking to touch as many people as possible, improving the quality of life rather than sitting around arguing who is the best and who is the cheapest. To add to the long list of benefits that they have provided, people also learn to dance, isn't that just an added perk. You do not need a world champion to teach someone how to improve there life you need a teacher. These two companies have simply refined a ciriculm that improves the quality of peoples lives so there is no one teacher, one champion, or one coach that can even come close to matching what they have given this world. I have been a student and a teacher at a franchise school and i still take lessons and still pay for lessons and as far as i'm concerned if you are happy where and with whom you take lessons then the name above the door and price you pay should only matter to you. Not to someone who may have had a bad experience at that school, or at a school with the same name 500 miles away. we have all had a friend tell us about a fantastic resturant they went to and when we went it was not a great experience. Does that mean that resturant is bad? I do believe you get what you pay for and in the ten years of being part of a chain studio you will pay a bit more for the quality, professionalism you deserve. I hope that this humbles us a bit and allows people looking for insight on dancing look past all the petty arguing and make the most important decission of all........How do i get started.

I am a former student of FA (about 15 years ago) and presently an AM student, better yet an “in limbo” AM student. I have to make a decision, to dance as an AM student or not. I completed my prelim package which cost about $700. During that time I loved it !! You learn great technique. The teachers were stellar. I liked the “cheesy” group classes and the Friday mixer parties. It was great exercise and a way to relieve stress from my work day. The next thing was the big pitch for the Bronze package, which is a little over $5000 by the way. To quote Debra Messing in The Wedding Date, “That's a down payment on a Ford Focus!!!”. Now I remember why I stopped going to FA. I know AM gives you the spiel about not thinking about the amount but what it's worth/value to you is. I love dancing but my goodness!! I've taken those 2 hour dance classes for $10 and it was fun but not AM. I drive past the studio everyday and miss going to dance. I've been going over my finances to see if I can truly afford to do this and trying to figure out the best way to pay. It's just I can't get over the cost. At this point, I'm in a quagmire. My pockets are saying, “keep dreaming twinkle toes” but my heart is saying, “who needs a Ford Focus when you can Samba!”. I think I'm ultimately going to get on that Samba line. Before I do, I'm going to see if AM has a cheaper Bronze package.

I am glad this thread came back up, this follows right in line with my post from last week about the cost of lessons

The wonderful thing about a franchise is that you know you are getting a program that has been worked on and tested by many pros. Also the teachers are supposed to be trained. But I wouldn't pay for more than 10 lessons at a time & write on your contract that you can cancell at any time for any reason! Not all indipendents can offer you certified instruction. Always do research on any studio be fore you pays lots of money.

Contacts. Paying in advance. Some of you guys are really being taken. I believe if you flew to Sydney. Went to one of the high profile Studios. stayed for a few weeks. After having lessons you would return home with money to spare.

I have been dancing for 35yrs and have never paid for more than one lesson at a time, to sign a contract for dance lessons is crazy. There are some good teachers at AM and FA but the majority are young and don't know how to dance let alone know how to teach. I would never sign a contract for something I don't know i am going to get. Look at dancing with the stars did it take them years to learn dance?

cdroge, your wrote the following.

"Look at dancing with the stars did it take them years to learn dance?"

If by "them" you mean the professionals then the answer would obviously be "yes."

If, however, you mean the "stars" then I would raise the question of whether they can actually dance or can simply be led - or back-led - through a routine.

In my opinion, DWTS presents a very warped view of ballroom dancing.

jj