CAN anyone, Anyone, anyone help me? I neeeed advice!!

[zfazel]

I have a question I am hoping someone can help me with. I am a Persian dance Instructor that have recently started my classes at a Junior College through the community out reach. My problem is that not too many know what Persian dance is and so not too many people are signing up. I don't want the class to fail before it even starts and get cancelled. There is a big Persian community where I have my class but, even thought I have advertised, nothing!! Many the market is saturated in the Persian community. i would like to target the American public anyway...Any Ideas? What can I do to show and promote the class?

[tasche]

Tray and get flyers posted around campus esp near the registration office and many campuses have electronice billboard you make be able to advertise on

[Swing Kitten]

demonstrations outside the bookstore or library etc. Music and dancing draws a crowd and nothing draws a crowd like a crowd.

This way people can see it and know if it is something they'd be interested in.

I don't know what you're academic schedule is but it may be a little late if students are already registered with full schedules-- but it will still increase awareness of Persian dance.

[zfazel]

I have already done so...but I think the problem is that people don't know what the dance is all about. It is unknown to them. Hence, the problem and dilema :?

[Swing Kitten]

:lol: it seems we posted at the same time

[zfazel]

It is agood idea to demonstrate but I don't have a group to this with yet. I can Perform on my own, but it is not the same. What do you mean by Demonstating? Performing, right?

[Swing Kitten]

Yes some sort of performance to let people know what the product of the class is. I have no idea how your programs are set up but could any of the other teachers help you with this? Provide some of their students to quickly learn something they can demonstrate? I know it's asking a lot ... but it can be fun and you must remember to feed the people (especially students) who help-- or otherwise so your great appreciation.

Or perhaps if classes have just barely started (again, I don't know) you may want to talk to some of your collegues about offering a brief demo and mini-lesson after one of their classes to help cultivate interest among students you take dance classes.

I think it's extremely important to educate people on what you're offering... I really cannot think of another way then to have them see it (of course in the context that they too can join in on the fun)

[Sagitta]

A little late, but I had a couple minor crises at work!!! :(

Welcome to the forums zfazel!! :D It seems you have got some good advice so far.

When you did your demonstrations did you have some literature on what the demonstrations were about? And did your demonstrations include stuff that people would be able to learn how to do after having taken your classes?

Also, see what dances are out there. You might be able to get in a demonstration at a dance and get the dj to announce that classes are being offered. That people can speak to you and that you also have literature available. This has been done over here in Ithaca and it has got a few people into doing things they normally wouldn't do otherwise.

Is it possible to open enrollment to any member of the community, if it already isn't? Here at Cornell for some of the dance classes anyone can take them for a small fee. And the fee is a lot less then the normal cost of even registering for a course and not taking it for credit. That way you could increase enrollment so that your classes are not cancelled!!

Hopefully the add/drop periods are not over yet and students can still sign up.

[Vince A]

Welcome zfazel, to the forums . . .

The answer is as described above . . . three easy steps!

1. dance
2. dance
3. dance

Demonstrate what you can do . . . find your target audience . . . go after them. That is where your flyers and demos should be . . . they certainly will not come to you if you do not tell them about what you do!

I just recently did one dance for "kicks", in a place that has little to no dancing around the local area . . . a WCS . . . and we were swamped with requests to give group and private lessons.

Obviously that area was in dire need of dance instruction.

You need to find that area around where you are!

Let us know how you're doing. OK???

[zfazel]

WoW! Thanks for all the responses!!! Well, I am oing this class from community out reach and my classes are on Sunday.....so...getting the help of my fellow teachers is out. First of all they don't see me as a fellow teacher because I am not on their staff and second, we are on the weekends and that makes it difficult to have their students help me out.
I will however, ask if I can talk about our dance in their classes (though I think that may be frowned up on). Part of the problem is that the class is 50 dollars a month...but that is how much it has to be to cover the expenses. I still have to pay for facilities. I am not staff.
I am working on having a performance at the college and some other areas and having the flyers and some info for everone, but first I need a group. Any ideas on how I can get a group together? I was thinking of posting flyers again and teaching the group for free...but again, what if noone shows up?
I do need the group to look like they know wht they are doing and I even have costumes. I can't use anyone off the street because first impressions are important and if people see something cheesy then they might not want to sign up...ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY HAVE TO PAY 50 BUCKS!!
ahhhhh tjis is frustrating me :x :evil:

[zfazel]

By the way....50 bucks may seem like a lot....but all other dance classes and dance studios charge the same price. We are in Clifornia and the Governor just raised all the tuition for higher education so a 1 ubit dance class is now 18 dollars but as of next semester it will be somewhere between 25-30 bucks so...
just wanted to mention that :D

[tasche]

Your in california. Which area is you dont mind me asking. Also ahve you contacted any of the clubs on campus? The JC near me has a very large persian society club.

I haven't heard anything about jc in cali prices going up again but then I nly take odds and ends special intrest classes when I do

[zfazel]

The area the class is at is Irvine. Irvine valley College. I am going to contact UCI for the Persian club. So thank you for that idea. As far as the tuition...Swartzanager is at it. I am a teacher so the news gets to us first. but...come to think of it, maybe it is only the universities.
Where are you, if you don't mind me asking?

[tasche]

I've PM'ed you with my location for obvious reasons.

It may only be the state universities as they only just raised the tutition last semester and I was told by a professor friend of mine that enrollment droppe by 30% across the board jsut from that which is pretty sad bc for many ppl community colleges are their only foot in the door when it comes to post secondary education.

I am always truly gratiful that I grew up in a country where higher education is encouraged and is subsidised for all

[zfazel]

It is pretty sad. I don't even want to know what the tuitions are going to look like next semester...and you are right, many people will have to suffer, especially since they are cutting alot of the financial aid as well. :cry:

[zfazel]

I am depressing myself and everyone else here....LETS DANCE!!!! 8)