To dance or not to dance

[bailoca]

I'm new to DF and wanted to say hi everyone. I'm a high school senior and member of the dance team there. A little less than a month ago I started ballroom, but have been dancing (jazz, ballet, lyrical, hip hop) since I was three. I did my studio's introductory special and have been taking group lessons a few times a week. Although I'm new to it I can clearly see why so many people become addicted. I

've only had two private lessons, but I feel very comfortable with my instructor and think he's a good match for me. I enjoy the group classes, but I pick up all the steps very quickly (almost too quickly) and wish that I could be getting more personal attention rather than worrying about if everyone else gets the steps. I wanted to purchase a package which includes 5 private lessons and 9 weeks of unlimited group classes and parties, however, I'm beginning to have second thoughts. My main concern (and concern of my parents) is that I will be wasting my money. Since I currently have no long term goals for ballroom, I don't know if worth putting my money into it. Is it worth paying the money for privates if I'm not sure it will get me anywhere (other than feeling good about myself and having fun)? On the other hand, my intuition is telling me that it is something I need to do because I have a gut feeling telling me that given the chance I could be good at it. Does anyone have any advice on how I should go about this whole thing?

[meow]

Hi Bailoca and welcome. I would start with something small to see if you really want to continue ballroom. Private lessons always improve someone's dancing but it depends on what you want to do. Do you want to compete one day? Do you just want to socialize? Think about it and scout around - there may be options that are more affordable. Not being in the US, we pay as we go. It is easier as a customer not to worry about packages.

[Zhena]

The only way it would be a waste of money is if (a) you don't learn anything, and/or (b) you never do any kind of partner dance again. Otherwise it sounds like it could be a very good introduction to ballroom without signing your life away.

Given your background, I'm not surprised that you seem to pick up steps quickly. What private lessons can give you (and what you should ask for if your instructor doesn't mention it first) is things you need to work on in addition to learning the steps -- things you can do in group lessons while everyone else is struggling with the steps. If you've read very much on this forum, you will have noticed a few mentions of the need to continually go back to the basics and make sure you are using proper technique. Again, with your background in other types of dance, you understand the need to move more than your feet -- you know there are ankles, knees, hips, torso, etc. -- that all have to work together. The movements may be different from those you are used to, but you should be able to understand why good dancers eventually need to think about them too.

Even if you have no long term goals, what's wrong with feeling good and having fun in a way that may give you a basis for longer-term development and enjoyment? The skills and background will be useful if you ever want to do any kind of partnered movement in the future.

[latingal]

Welcome to DF bailoca.

As you seem to have found already, ballroom style dances are indeed a bit addictive. How you approach ballroom is going to be best based upon your goals in what you'd like to do with ballroom.

Would you like to compete? Would you like to just enjoy learning ballroom as a social dance? Would you like to dance ballroom in college? Are you considering a career in teaching dance?

Since you have a dance background, you will indeed pick up ballroom quickly in the beginning. But, and there are always exceptions to the rules(!), most successful national level competitiors seem to have been doing their ballroom styles since early in their childhoood. But don't let that discourage you if you love the dance style.

If you are simply exploring ballroom at this time, I would continue to take some group classes at a good studio to identify what styles you like and pick up steps and/or patterns. Take a few privates or find a good technique group class to get some technique work in the styles you are interested in, and if possible in the privates dance with the instructor to get more of a feeling of what the dance is like when done (more) correctly.

And if you do decide to become serious about this style of dancing, I would also recommend that you find QUALITY instructors. If you indeed have been dancing for a long time in other styles and are good at them, you will pick up the technique pretty quickly, and you want to make sure you are learning SOLID fundamentals from people who know what they are doing.

Since you are a senior in high school, do realize there is also an option of joining a ballroom team in college. You have less control over instruction quality, but it is a relatively less expensive way to learn ballroom. Ballroom, especially done through privates, is an expensive hobby. And depending on the manner you approach it, it can be devastatingly expensive (i.e. learning/competing in pro-am).

I hope this is a good start to information you might need to start navigating your course....please ask more questions etc. I'm sure more members will be along to add their views too!

[bailoca]

Thanks for the advice! I really appreciate anyone's input. I would love to compete (as soon as I'm good enough), but I'm not sure if I will be able to because of other comittments to my dance team. However, at this point I'm not so sure I will be continuing on team due to extreme drama among the members and parents, new coach's and advisor, and leadership confusion. But I am determined to find time in my busy schedule to continue ballroom dancing.

I am willing to pay for a package because it is not too much money for me (to at least learn for sure if I would like to continue long term), but my dad keeps asking what happens after the package is done with. He's afraid I'll end up spending thousand and thousands on it.

I do think learning partner dance will be very useful to me. It can help me improve my other dance styles and I might be able to incorporate it into other dances (last year I found myself doing a lot of choreography for the team). Plus I'm taking a music theory class this year in which i will have to write a long paper on music styles. And yes I do intend to continue with ballroom dancing as well as other styles of dance for hopefully most of my life (just don't think I will have a full time career in dance). Do you think these are good reasons for continuing?

[evanluck]

Thanks for the advice! I really appreciate anyone's input. I would love to compete (as soon as I'm good enough), but I'm not sure if I will be able to because of other comittments to my dance team. However, at this point I'm not so sure I will be continuing on team due to extreme drama among the members and parents, new coach's and advisor, and leadership confusion. But I am determined to find time in my busy schedule to continue ballroom dancing.

I am willing to pay for a package because it is not too much money for me (to at least learn for sure if I would like to continue long term), but my dad keeps asking what happens after the package is done with. He's afraid I'll end up spending thousand and thousands on it.

I do think learning partner dance will be very useful to me. It can help me improve my other dance styles and I might be able to incorporate it into other dances (last year I found myself doing a lot of choreography for the team). Plus I'm taking a music theory class this year in which i will have to write a long paper on music styles. And yes I do intend to continue with ballroom dancing as well as other styles of dance for hopefully most of my life (just don't think I will have a full time career in dance). Do you think these are good reasons for continuing?

Wow this is cool, we are in the same area of the country. For me personally, ballroom dancing has taught me so many life lessons. As a dance genre it is totally unique because of the partnering aspects of the dance. No other form of dance is intimately relational the way ballroom is.

If the investment isn't too much of a strain, I think no matter what happens afterward, it will be worthwhile. I think the bigger decision point will probably be after you are through the package. But by then you should have more information to see whether or not this is something you want to pursue and at what commitment level.

Latingal comments about quality instruction are very wise...if you have any questions about dancing in Orange County in particular, you can send me them to me in a PM and I'll try to answer them.

Happy Dancing!!

-Evan

[bailoca]

Wow this is cool, we are in the same area of the country. For me personally, ballroom dancing has taught me so many life lessons. As a dance genre it is totally unique because of the partnering aspects of the dance. No other form of dance is intimately relational the way ballroom is.

That's exactly what I love so much about it. The connection is unlike any I've found in any other style of dancing. It's like you read my mind!

[fascination]

the day that I walked into a dance studio, I thought it was a bit hokey that they were calling ladies ladies and gentlemen gentlemen...but ballroom stole my heart when I realized that it cultivates so much of what the world is currently lacking; patience , discipline, cooperation, respect, long-suffering, sensitivity, self-respect....it has brought so much grace into my life that if I never do another thing with it I will always be infinately grateful for it...there is no dollar figure for that gift...but only you can decide for your life

[Angel HI]

Welcome to the DF. You have received much great advice here. As an accomplished dancer, you will indeed acquire the steps more easily. Also, as a dancer, you will understand something that I have said on other threads...dance is not the steps; it is what happens in between. We who love the dance, arrive at the steps last after having relshed in the music, muscle movement, synergy and kinesiology of it all. You know what I mean.

But BR is different. As Evanluck led you to, BR offers much more than other dance genres. BR will teach you life and life-lasting lessons, including, but not limited to, 1) how to dance, 2) how to relate mentally and physically to/with others, 3) how to touch and be touched "appropriately", 4) how to dress, 5) proper manners in higher (tuxedo and gown) circles..... I could go on, but I believe that you understand this well.

Re the lessons, of course, be careful; follow the great advice you have received here on the DF; seek other opinions and weigh them against more than one opiton; but, in answer to your question "Are they worth it?", tell your dad, "They are invaluable".

[bailoca]

But BR is different. As Evanluck led you to, BR offers much more than other dance genres. BR will teach you life and life-lasting lessons, including, but not limited to, 1) how to dance, 2) how to relate mentally and physically to/with others, 3) how to touch and be touched "appropriately", 4) how to dress, 5) proper manners in higher (tuxedo and gown) circles..... I could go on, but I believe that you understand this well.

You pretty much said it all. I am getting fed up with the immaturity of teenagers (I consider myself mature for my age) and after my first lesson BR seemed an obvious solution to finding a community with maturity and class.

[bailoca]

If i do decide to compete, about how long would it take to attain the skill level that would be needed?

[latingal]

If i do decide to compete, about how long would it take to attain the skill level that would be needed?

It would depend how you'd like to compete. In amateur competitions you will need to find a parnter. There are levels for amateurs starting with beginners so you can begin competing fairly quickly after you have learned the lower level syllabus in whatever style of ballroom you choose.

If you want to do pro-am, where you dance with your teacer (and I warn you now, it's usually very pricey to go this route), you can compete again after you've learned some of the bronze syllabus. There are categories for newcomers at many comps.

I also have a dance background in modern and ballet. I danced in my first comp four weeks after starting privates with my instructor (and I had two months of group classes before that).

[GeorgiaDancer06]

Bailoca-
I started ballroom a little over a year and a half ago during my senior year. Like you, I have been dancing all different styles since I was two years old and quickly picked up the steps for ballroom in the first few months and got hooked. I started just to add some different styles to my dance background but ended up falling in love with it. I actually had to make a decision about giving up some of my other dancing in order to pursue ballroom because of how expensive it can be. While I started out
with competition and performance in my mind, I often had (and still have) doubts about the amount of money I spend on ballroom. I find myself wondering if a long term ballroom career is something: a- that I really want and b-that I actually have a shot at being successful in. This used to make me wonder if I was just throwing all of my money away. But really you can't focus that much on what is going to happen down the line. For me, there is nothing I enjoy right now more than training, competing, and performing. There may come a time when that changes but the money I've spent won't be wasted. I've learned a lot about the ballroom world, dance in general, working with other people, and myself. I'm spending money on something that makes me happy now and that's really all you can worry about.
I would suggest buying a package (if that's how it works at your studio) and just see how it goes. Then, once the package is done think about what you want at that point. Sure, you may not end up spending the rest of your life as a ballroom dancer... but I think it would be much better to look back and say "i spent a lot of money on something that i really enjoyed at that time" than "i wonder what would have happened if...." And remember- you will get more money to spend on whatever else you may want to do in the future.
Sorry for the novel haha. But this is something I used to really struggle with. So I hope I've helped in some way! Good luck!!

[bailoca]

Bailoca-
I started ballroom a little over a year and a half ago during my senior year. Like you, I have been dancing all different styles since I was two years old and quickly picked up the steps for ballroom in the first few months and got hooked. I started just to add some different styles to my dance background but ended up falling in love with it. I actually had to make a decision about giving up some of my other dancing in order to pursue ballroom because of how expensive it can be. While I started out
with competition and performance in my mind, I often had (and still have) doubts about the amount of money I spend on ballroom. I find myself wondering if a long term ballroom career is something: a- that I really want and b-that I actually have a shot at being successful in. This used to make me wonder if I was just throwing all of my money away. But really you can't focus that much on what is going to happen down the line. For me, there is nothing I enjoy right now more than training, competing, and performing. There may come a time when that changes but the money I've spent won't be wasted. I've learned a lot about the ballroom world, dance in general, working with other people, and myself. I'm spending money on something that makes me happy now and that's really all you can worry about.
I would suggest buying a package (if that's how it works at your studio) and just see how it goes. Then, once the package is done think about what you want at that point. Sure, you may not end up spending the rest of your life as a ballroom dancer... but I think it would be much better to look back and say "i spent a lot of money on something that i really enjoyed at that time" than "i wonder what would have happened if...." And remember- you will get more money to spend on whatever else you may want to do in the future.
Sorry for the novel haha. But this is something I used to really struggle with. So I hope I've helped in some way! Good luck!!

Thank you for putting in words exactly how I feel. It seems that now (after a few rough and difficult years with dance) I'm finally beginning to realize just how important dance is to me and what a large role in my life it plays. The way I see it, I can always get more money in the future, but I would feel stupid for turning my back on something I know will bring me an immense amount of happiness.
Oh and no problem on the "novel". I often do the same thing lol. Just knowing that someone else relates to me helps more than you can imagine!


At this moment, there's nothing I'm looking forward to more than going to my next lesson tomorrow night

[elisedance]

bailoca

Another welcome!! There is clearly a lot of great advice above and you have to make some decisions. Costs in ballroom are high and it can be very frustrating to get to a point where you are hungry to learn more but don't have the means to continue. One thint that was not mentioned though is that the costs really drop when you find an amateur partner - you then get to dance as much as you (both) are comfortable with for very little cost, and you get to split the lesson fees. It also means you can move to an independent instructor and not pay the extra costs for a studio (unless you want to keep the studio plusses, that is, such as parties and social life).

To find a partner who really wants to work on it you usually have to 'ante up', that is invest in lessons to the point where you are good enough and demonstrate that youare serious to attract a good prospect.

[swan]

Just enjoy that process. Nothing would be a waste, as whatever you learn is yours to take away for life. And trust me on this one, Dancing is not going to be the only thing you're going to learn when you take up ballroom dancing...Many life lessons here :) Not just happiness (it'd be great if it's only happiness...but no, life is more complicated than that!)

But for sure, you will not have regrets - because if you do not try it now, you'll always have that little voice in you saying that - oh, I could be good. If you try & you're good & develop more, great. If you try & decide this is not your cup of tea, you can say, at least I tried. Whenever you want to quit, just never look back.

But be forewarned like everyone's said on the forum - ballroom dancing is costly no matter which route you take (pro/am or am/am) if you want to be good.

[etp777]

Do it, and you won't regret. As swan said, you're much more likely to look back and regret not having tried it. i've done that too many times in my life, and have resolved not to do it again. That's why I tried this out, and 9 months and more money than i want to think about it later, am busy looking for a new job with main criteria being that a: I make enough to not just continue dancing, but dance more, and B: job is close enough to studio that I can continue lessons and competitions with my pro-am teacher. :)

[bailoca]

Yea, it seems like like lately that with all the things I've just decided to go for rather than think about all the problems that could come up I've ended up having more fun than expected. Plus, if everyone is so willing to put so much money into it, then it must be worth it.

[Zhena]

But be forewarned like everyone's said on the forum - ballroom dancing is costly no matter which route you take (pro/am or am/am) if you want to be good.

ahem .... there's also social ballroom dance! It's not really necessary to compete. If you can find a compatible group, you can dance just for fun and exercise and socializing. You may still find it useful to take private lessons in addition to group classes, but it is still likely to be much less expensive than competing:p.

[bailoca]

ahem .... there's also social ballroom dance! It's not really necessary to compete. If you can find a compatible group, you can dance just for fun and exercise and socializing. You may still find it useful to take private lessons in addition to group classes, but it is still likely to be much less expensive than competing:p.

Good point, especially since I might already be competing in other styles (jazz, lyrical, etc) this year. But just so I know, approximately how much does each competition cost (including all the fees and such) in total?

[Angel HI]

If i do decide to compete, about how long would it take to attain the skill level that would be needed?

Something else that you might want to consider re comps; As others have noted, BR bears an expense often above other forms of dance at certain levels. Also, as you are probably discovering, BR uses an entirely different set of muscles than the other general forms (ballet, jazz, tap).

There are divisions in comps for persons who have only been dancing for 1 month. This is great if it meets the needs/desires of the dancer. However, one way to save money and time while nurturing talent and goals is to begin as what we in the business refer to as a 5 dancer. This is to concentrate in either Smooth (fox, waltz, tango, q-step, viennese), or Latin (rumba, cha, samba, etc). You can study, and compete in, only the selected group. This will allow you to: better direct and focus learning on one area rather than 2; save money by studying a limited number of dances rather than all (incidentally, there are 43 social and BR dances...a lot); and get to compete more quickly and better prepared.

Many of us began that way, and get to the other dances similarly. Continued bonne chance to you.

[swan]

ahem .... there's also social ballroom dance! It's not really necessary to compete. If you can find a compatible group, you can dance just for fun and exercise and socializing. You may still find it useful to take private lessons in addition to group classes, but it is still likely to be much less expensive than competing:p.

Very true...I was a bit one track minded :) Social dancing is way cheaper way to go! Somehow I was getting the impression that you wanted to compete (don't ask me why - as I said, I was one track mind:))

[evanluck]

Good point, especially since I might already be competing in other styles (jazz, lyrical, etc) this year. But just so I know, approximately how much does each competition cost (including all the fees and such) in total?

Well there really isn't a simple answer to that question. If you are dancing with your instructor is it not going to be cheap. If you are dancing with an amateur partner it can be done for a relatively small amount of money. Either way though it you are serious and want to pursue ballroom dancing as a competitive sport it will take a financial commitment equal to your overall commitment.

But I wouldn't get to far ahead of yourself...take one thing at a time. Decide based on your situation whether or not this first package of private lessons will be worthwhile for you and then see how you feel and if you have more information that will help you set some goals with your dancing.