I am suprised that you thought you were going to get to practice with your AM instructor for a Showcase performance for free. I danced in a showcase performance that took 15 lessons to learn. Those lessons are at the regular AM price. You have to have alot of disposable income to dance a spotlight or full routine at an AM Showcase.
We also had a night out with the instructors the night before the '05 Fall Showcase. Included were dinner at a very nice restaraunt, one night stay at the Hilton downtown, and dance with drinks at a cool dance venue downtown. The cost was $600, which was actually a great deal since the cost also paid for my instructor's meal, drinks, and hilton stay. The studio actually misjudged the cost and lost a little money on the night out. Must have been a first for an AM studio! lol