We have taken lessons at a FADs studio for 5 years and have seen the techniques, numerous people mentioned. We made it clear, we came to learn to dance together and were not interest in exhibitions, over priced cruises etc.. They have been very good to us, even though we are on low end of their revenue spectrum.

They have been very good at meeting our objectives, even though we are different than most of their clients. The teachers really seem to enjoy working with us and always have positive comments about the fact we practise on our own. We take a set of lessons every 3 weeks and they started teaching us silver smooth after 1 year.

We have never felt they were holding us back, they seemed be very welling to really challenge us and help us advance as fast as we could. Managers have been very positive, when they would see us working on advanced techniques or moves.

Even though we are not spending the big bucks, like most of their clients. They have treated us very well and seemed to enjoy seeing us make progress. Manager has told us numerous times, she was really happy, we were making so much progress and having so much fun dancing.

Loved you reply anonymouse. Its funny, I am in Bronze 4 at AM, but when I dance with some of the 50+ yr old "silver level" women, they can be pretty darn terrible. They just got enamored with their young male instructor and stayed with it for years and tens of thoursands of $s. But, that is what they want and are willing to pay for. They want to dance with that male instructor forever because its enjoyable and worth it to them. I can't blame them, because when I am 70 I want to be going to Hawaii with a pretty 30 yr old female instructor to pay complete attention to me the entire trip! Hope I can afford it then!

>They just got enamored with their
>young male instructor and stayed with
>it for years and tens of thoursands of $s.

In this case he should not be called "an instructor". This is called "a gigolo" And I feel that this kind of attitude makes very significant part of the dance industry in general, not just franchizes. I, personally, hate this "personal attention for money" idea but it is only my very humble opinion.

Rita, I couldn't agree with you more. This flip side of this is that students who are not in it for the "personal attention" may be stereotyped as one of the students that are. Coversely, I feel for the instructor who has to resort to this line of sales. It must be difficult to have to "put it out there" every week to the mercy of the clients. Especially, if he/she is talented in dance and teaching.

Do not think that just because someone judges another, they are nesecarily any better. I was asked to judge a competetion that is advertized as a US Championship by the organizer. I told him I was only a lowly teacher, but he didn't care.