Looking for a reasonable, reputable studio in Manhattan NYC

[azntwice]

I’m on the collegiate circuit and I’d like a teacher who charges reasonable rates but will also keep pressure on me to succeed. I’m currently a Bronze level dancer but would like to begin competing in Silver International Latin in a couple of months. I know of a few places in NYC (Manhattan specifically) that offer competitive coaches, including Ballroom on 5th, Dance NY and Dancesport, but I am looking into other options. Currently I’m thinking about Dance Studio 101 but have been unable to find any information about it; does anyone know anything about how good the coaches/environment are? When I called the man told me most of their teachers are still competing; is that a good thing or a bad thing? I’d like to spend about $70-80 a lesson; do you recommend a studio that charges per lesson or by a package of lessons?

[GJB]

Dance Studio 101 has a website that should be easy to find. Paul Richardson teaches there. Olga Rodionova was there as well but I'm not sure if she's still there. I had a lesson with her once and would recommend her. Irina Boubnovskaia might teach there too. Not sure what they are charging but the typical rate in NYC is a little above your range.

[IlyZislin]

I’m on the collegiate circuit and I’d like a teacher who charges reasonable rates but will also keep pressure on me to succeed. I’m currently a Bronze level dancer but would like to begin competing in Silver International Latin in a couple of months. I know of a few places in NYC (Manhattan specifically) that offer competitive coaches, including Ballroom on 5th, Dance NY and Dancesport, but I am looking into other options. Currently I’m thinking about Dance Studio 101 but have been unable to find any information about it; does anyone know anything about how good the coaches/environment are? When I called the man told me most of their teachers are still competing; is that a good thing or a bad thing? I’d like to spend about $70-80 a lesson; do you recommend a studio that charges per lesson or by a package of lessons?

welcome to DF

how about Dance Chelsea (Jennifer and Stanley McCalla)? this is where most of NYU Ballroom practices

[azntwice]

welcome to DF

how about Dance Chelsea (Jennifer and Stanley McCalla)? this is where most of NYU Ballroom practices

I take Standard lessons with Stanley McCalla, but it is insanely difficult to schedule with Jennifer for Latin, because she's always judging or away... =/

[Chris Stratton]

In NYC especially, you want to study with a specific teacher and not simply walk into a studio and end up with whoever's schedule they'd like to see more busy. Very often you'll end up meeting the same teacher in different locations from time to time.

If you benefit from a fairly detailed procedural approach to basics, I'd second the recommendation for Jeniffer McCalla, though my experience with her was more in standard than in latin.

I would definitely avoid buying a package until you've had enough experience with someone to know that you want to continue. Most NYC teacher's don't do packages anyway (it's the studios that do), except as a convenience thing if a pro/am student is taking tons of lessons.

[njdancegirl]

Took a group class recently at Dance Studio 101....very good latin technique class on Wednesdays and Fridays, which you should try. Anyway, spoke with owner/manager (?)...private lessons with most of their instructors are $75/45 mins and with Olga was $85/45 mins. I pay that in NJ, so thought that was good for NYC.

[cy_phi]

There's also Stepping Out studios and Dance Times Square in Manhattan. Quite reputable. Prices are about the same compared with other studios.

[dandy]

Craig Shaw teaches out of 101 and also has a number of students from Yale and Princeton.