Recently I wrote a post titled "chains are not expensive!) I got some negative responses and wanted to clarify my message a bit, here goes:
Dear Newbie, I seemed to have stirred some negative feelings in you, and that was not my intention. I should have been more clear when I said, if I am only in my bronze level as an instructor, I would not be trying to pass myself off as a higher level instructor training champions, I would teach beginners, needing to know the basic box, underarms turns and very basic things (there are folks just wanting some confiedence on a dance floor or to dance socially at a wedding). For folks with higher level goals and competition needs, We have Gold/Silver level instructors and instructors who have won 1st place in numerous competitions and are certified through Silver by a coach. I was simply saying that I could open a studio tommorow and start to teach ballroom , and no certifications or dance board or higher power would be required to monitor my teaching skills, however Am is governed by a board of world reknowned coaches and champions as well as the National Board of dance, and if nothing else, that protects the student, should the desired results not be acheived, a refund could be due, and also an isurance that they are being trained by really experienced highly trained professionals, all teaching full time on a 10 hour a day schedule. Not as a hobby, this is our passion and our career.
No doubt there are fabulous independents, many people are so satified and impressed and end up being really good dancers, my point was just that if you decide to go to a chain like AM, I really believe, the prices are worth the quality, and sales come dead last at our studio, we only sell lessons to students who want to continue, and are simply well....out of lessons. Plain and simple. The rpices are high, but they should be high, we work hard to be the best and give 110% to our students as we know our name depends on their performance. Best regards to all dancers, chain or not. We are all in the industry together doing our best. Happy Dancing.