My wife and I are interested in learning ballroom dancing. Should I go with a studio like Fred Astaire and Authur Murray, or should I go with an individual? Any suggestions would be appreciated. We live in Peoria, AZ.

It depends on the options available and the qaulity of each option relative to your objectives. People have had good and bad experiences with franchises and with independents. Independents would be less costly, since they have less overhead to cover. Whatever you try, I would only commit for a few lessons initially and than decide if they are effective, if not try another option.

There will be people in the area, who will do a good job meeting your objectives. If whatever you try firsat does not do that, go elsewhere.

well i dont know i think that is very stupid

AM is good for late starters. If neither of you have ever danced before, then AM is good. They take things quite slow. Their parties are fun. However, a couple of disclosures you shoould know. This is based on my experience with them, although not all studios are the same. They'd told me that they'll come up with a program that suits me and my learning curve. It's been my experience that they errored on the slower side. They'll try to get you to sign up for more dances than you originally intended and they'll try to get you to sign up for a long term contract like 50 lessons for bronze one level for 5 or 6 dances. It just depends on what your goals are. For me, they got me over my shyness about dancing, but after almost a year I sort of outgrew them.

We're a fairly small city.

All the local ballroom teachers are known to each other and we are all certified by CDTA or ISTD or taking teacher training with ISTD certified examiners (Fellowship level).

With all the popularity of ballroom lately someone has moved into our community with the intention of opening an AM studio. Apparently she is interviewing people who would like to teach in January and they will be teaching in February.

While it is not a guarantee of teaching ability I'd ask for qualifications and which organization certified them. If "in house" I'd ask to see the teacher syllabus (Are they following ISTD for International Style? I'm not sure what it would be for American Style which AM favours)and how long your teacher has been "teacher training". Get them to state that into any contract you sign.


OB

I should add:

She is interviewing people who are interested in teaching. The local established teachers are not taking part.

In other words it will be a case of the teacher being one class ahead of the students.

If you're taking from them insist on having a properly trained and experienced teacher rather than someone who completed a 6 hour course.

OB