I've been taking lessons a little less than a year. When I first started ballroom dancing, I felt that I would only be interested in good social dancing. I find, though, as time goes on and my skill level rapidly increases, that the thought of competing is very appealing to me. My instructors also seem to feel I could do well in competition with additional training. The only sticking point for me is cost. I take a private lesson once a week in addition to advanced group classes and occasional workshops, and already find myself stretched thin financially to keep up with it. I have heard that the costs of competition can be astronomical, taking into consideration the costuming, extra lessons involved, entrance fees and travel expenses. As somebody who is still a relative newcomer on the scene, I'd like to get some feedback on this issue. Is there any realistic way to minimize these costs? I am very much a modest income, middle class person, and while my interest level is huge, my income is average. Thanks for whatever insights anybody can give me.

Jazdiva59. Nothing can be done about the cost of admission into a dance competition. The only way to cut down on other expences would be to find a teacher preferably with International experience and to share the cost of a lesson with two other couples. There are youngsters from Russia winning European Titles who never have private lesson one to one.. So I have been told.

As you said, the cost is very expensive to compete. You could keep your dances to a minimum, and not dance too many times. If you are a seamstress, you could make your own costume, there are a few patterns, and you could definately, rhinestone your own costume. If you don't sew, there are a few inexpensive costume makers in hong kong reached via Ebay. I would recommend not competing until you feel you are ready!! I know I was pushed into competing very early in my dancing career, and felt I wasted that money since I did not feel competent. After stating all that, I am the same financial area as yourself, and I have competed many times since I find it so enjoyable. You certainly can get yourself into debt if you aren't careful!!

Where I live we have competitions designed to cut the addmission plus entering into the competition. We have named them Regional comps. The judges recieve no payment and are on call for two hours only. When they have finished their two hours they can go back to their studios. The competitors are also in 2 hour blocks after which they can go or stay to watch. A competitor or a spectator pay exactly the same amount of money which is about A$8.00. There are no other charges.

I've been dancing for almost a year and have done 2 competitions, but work at the front desk as a receptionist at a studio. It is very expensive, but you can minimize costs in these ways:
-go to a competition where other students of your instructor are going, to split up costs better.
-Minimize your rounds, and do the scholarships. The scholariships give you opportunity to win money.
-Go to the comps in your area opposed to out of town.
-Rent a dress, try to find one in your home town you can try on to avoid having to send a rental back.
-Do your own hair if you can, or pay someone to teach you how...it will pay off!

hope this helps!!!

Thanks everybody for the feedback. I've also been wondering if partnering with another student and dancing as a "couple" would help minimize expenses, as I have been told (maybe erroneously - haven't checked it out at this point) that lesson fees for a private lesson for a couple run the same amount per lesson as they do for an individual. So that would cut the cost of lessons down. As far as entrance fees, I need to find out if each partner would pay a separate fee or if the entrance fee would cover you as a couple, therefore also cutting the expense per person in half. Just thoughts I've come up with, although at the present time I have not found a partner to compete with.

Yes, I was aware one could rent a dress, or buy a previously owned one in good condition from another dancer. I was unaware of scholarships, though. I need to inquire about those.

In normal circumstances it is much cheaper to dance amateur than to dance pro/am. If you can find a partner do. Think of all the practice time you don't have to pay for.

In terms of competing, sigh....It is expensive. It is time consuming and if you aren't careful and get too driven to win you lose the joy of dance. I have competed and I always win. I just can't see how what I get there is worth the cost. Take the basic thousands of dollars it is going to cost you and do something really fun. Go learn Argentine Tango in Buenos Aires. Go to the waltz balls in Vienna in early January. These sorts of things are similar in cost and you get so much more for your money. Go down to Brazil and dance the Samba....etc....etc....etc.

Just my opinion. In the meantime go and actually sit as a spectator in a pro/am comp and see if it is worth it. See if it is going to give you what you seem to be looking for in your dancing experience.

One more thing...don't get hung up on the scholarships. The prizes tend to not top $500. That will probably not even come close to touching your expenses.

Competing with an amateur partner is not that expensive until you get to the highest levels.

Provided that you focus on what you really need to know for beginner to intermediate competitions and don't get distracted by overcomplicated routines, one private lesson a week is enough - especially if both you and your partner can contribute the full cost of a lesson, giving the partnership two per week (couples lessons are the same price as singles, or in a few cases slightly cheaper, since the teacher doesn't have to do as much physical work).

Most beginner to intermediate couples competitions do not permit fancy costumes anyway (in contrast with pro/am competitions which usually permit and expect them at all but the most entry level).

Unlike with pro/am you will not be paying for a teacher's time at the competition, which is a huge savings. Entry fees tend to be $50-100 per person per competition, plus around $60 to register as a dance competitor each year.

If you want to do this, the most important thing besides finding a partner is finding a studio/teacher who already has a few amateur couples - otherwise you are likely to spend a lot of money on help with the wrong things, and turn up to the competition to find out you are in violation of one rule or another.