Independent Studios

[pygmalion]

We have spent pages and pages in other threads talking about the advantages and disadvantages of franchise studios. Perhaps this is a good time to discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of independent studios. Disclaimer: I disagree with much of the stuff in this article, and am posting it only to get the conversation started. I'll post my owns views later in this thread.

http://www.friendsofdance.com/advantages_and_disadvantages_of.htm

[peachexploration]

The author of this article seems to be a bit heavy on the "disadvantages." :? The part about teachers having less than creditable credentials is definitely not always true. I've attended only independant schools and as a whole, don't have a negative opinion about them. I always look at whether it's a good school with good instructors. I haven't attending any of the franchises but don't see a problem with them either. I do think however that the franchises tend to be a little more expensive and you are more proned to be asked to sign a contract rather than "pay as you go" but if that's the best thing for the dancer, I say go for it. I guess the same scenario could be used for independant and franchise fitness gyms or restaurants. With anything comes risk or bad experiences. :D

[pygmalion]

Yes, peachexploration. I also disagree with much of what said in the article, if only because of the generalizations. Sure, I know of some independent instructions with inferior credentials. But I know far more franchise-affiliated instructors with inferior backgrounds. Personally, I don't believe an independent instructor can survive without a credible dance resume. The business is too competitive.

[Porfirio Landeros]

As with all generalizations, you'll find exceptions with them. I can only speak to my personal experiences where I indeed find definite examples from that article, since I have found good reasons to use both types of studios.

When I first got serious about taking private lessons, the best place in the town I lived in was a franchise studio, for the very reason mentioned in that article - the instructors were gettting regular training, whereas most of the independents in town were stuck in the rut they had been at when they broke off from a franchise to got independent.

That worked for a while, but eventually, the gap between franchise instructor and student was becoming too small. Luckily, I moved to San Diego, and found an independent studio that allowed me to go right to the source when it came to coaching. I think it's important to recongnize that most competitive champions are independent. If they pop into a franchise studio, they're either an owner or a consultant paid by the franchise. You'll begin to feel that these high level coaches may not make it to a franchise studio often enough, and you may not want to pay the franchise mark-up.

At a high level, independent studios, along with the independent competition circuit (NDCA/USABDA), bring more variety in coaching and a higher quality of dancers due to competition (between isntructors for your business, as well as between dancers trying to be the best).

The closed nature of the franchise studios and competitions has clear benifits to both students and teacers up to a point, but I think it eventually becomes the "big fish in the little pond" complex when it comes to competition. Eventually, anyone that wants to excel should take a dip in the ocean.

[pygmalion]

One clear benefit that the franchise studio had for me was ample performance opportunities -- showcases, formations, etc. Some independent studios just don't have the resources to support that.

[DanceMentor]

One of the reasons most champions are independant teachers is because it pays more. Generally, they pay between $10 and $25 for use of the floor and they pocket the rest. In a franchise, it's the opposite. The instructors get paid between $10 and $25 per hour and the studio pockets the rest. So for a teacher to "move up", they become independant and make more per lesson.

[redhead]

Independent studios tailor to particular student's needs, so one doesn't feel like the rest of the group holds him/her back or moves too fast. For this advantage, I close my eyes on all the disadvantages mentioned.

[Spitfire]

There are some studios which rather then hire their own teaching staff will just rent space out to independant teachers. One example is Seattle's Dancesport studio and the previous owner of the studio I attend here switched to doing this before she went out of business.

In financial terms I wonder if this works out better for the student. :?

[pygmalion]

Overall, I have to admit I prefer independent studios, because I have encountered better instruction and a higher level of ethics there.

[SDsalsaguy]

Well, take Spitfire's comment into the equation and it becomes clear why many independent studios often provide “better instruction and a higher level of ethics”…there’s competition and alternatives for the student right there on the floor.

[LauraB]

I started out teaching at a franchise studio, and was not adequately trained. I had a ballet, jazz and tap background, and "trained" for a month in bronze smooth and rhythm before I started teaching. They gave me business cards that said I was certified, even though I wasn't. The lessons were expensive for the area, and we were the best studio. We participated in the franchise comps, but never got a big group to go. We also participated in independent comps, and had independent and franchise coaches come in to work with us.

I now teach at an independent studio in another state, run by World-class dancers, who take an active role in the training of all the teachers. I never realized how much I didn't know until I started working here and began Learning. We are working towards our tests to be certified, and are also trained in sales, which I never was at the franchise studio. We have top coaches come in, and the studio is very personal at the same time as it is professional and business-like. Lessons here are much more expensive, and we are definitely that highest quality studio in the area. We have a large number of competition students, and frequent the triple crown and other independent comps. My experience puts independent over franchise any day.

-LB

[twodance]

I also started out in a chain school. I have met some of the best professionals and some of the worst people in the world there. Just like everything in the world there are good people and bad people in every ocupation. One chain school I worked in would regularly advertise for teacher traines and have them teaching students after 3 weeks of training and these students would pay over $100.00 per lesson for this. The other school I worked in the teachers had to be certified by an independant source before they where allowed to teach. The contracts the students sign were originally put forth by the F.T.C. to protect the student. The chains however have taken that idea and turned it around. If a student wants to leave a chain the school takes a % of the contract as a management fee. The student does not get all of there money back.
But it is unfair to say this only happens in the chain schools. I believe if someone wants to learn to dance they need to visit a school on a party night. See what level dancers they produce and if that is what you want to look like. Most people who want to learn to dance do not want to stand out on the dance floor, they want to blend in on the floor. If someone wants to compete they need check out the teachers credentials ie is he registered with the NDCA or any member of the NDCA. Visit the NDCA website and see if they are listed. My reason for going independant was it was hard to justify people paying $125.00 for a 45 minute lesson when my wife and I (who compete professionally) pay only $75.00 for an hour from the top coaches in the world. Plus with no insurance, no retirement, no 401k the only one who have a future in the chains are the franchisses. The teachers will always leave if they dont become owners themselves. So like I said there there are good and bad people in every job. Just shop around.