Choosing studio/teachers etc.

[blue]

Currently I am doing exactly this - it seems I will end up having taken lessons at every place there is in town (not that many, actually). I will start taking classes at a new place (new meaning both newly opened & new to me) in a few weeks, and then I am thinking about classes at another place later.

When you choose classes/studio/teachers, what are your main priorities?

* How well the level of classes fits what you need?

* How good dancers the teachers are - do you pick the best dancers in town, or is it unimportant?

* Relative "fame" of the teachers?

* If you like how they teach? (kind of difficult to know on beforehand, though)

* That the classes are held on the weekday that fits you the best?

* Something else?

[Flat Shoes]

* How well the level of classes fits what you need?
You can learn stuff at all levels. When I visit lower level classes (if they need extra guys etc.), I often end up learning something new anyway. But I would not pay for this. So I guess a decent level fitting my abilities would be important.

* How good dancers the teachers are - do you pick the best dancers in town, or is it unimportant?
It's not unimportant. But the most important is how well they can teach you the essence of what they're doing. How well do they understand the dance, and how good are they at teaching this. If the teachers are not very good dancers, chances are they don't understand the dance well enough to teach it well either.

* Relative "fame" of the teachers?
'Fame' as teachers are interesting. 'Fame' as dancers are less interesting. You want those good inspiring teachers who know what they're doing, and know how to teach.

* If you like how they teach? (kind of difficult to know on beforehand, though)
Yes. This is important, because this gives inspiration.

* That the classes are held on the weekday that fits you the best?
It's a matter of personal priorities.


Also I would look at the community. If it's a nice frindly community that encourages people to go social dancing, then I think that's a big plus. Social dancing is a huge part of learning. Classes alone is not enough.

[Flat Shoes]

Remember, going to classes is not only something you do for learning. It's something you do for fun too. It's supposed to be a good time as well.

[Twilight_Elena]

Social dancing is a huge part of learning. Classes alone is not enough.

I can't stress this enough. Whatever dance school you choose (and try to choose well) you should attend its practice parties as often as possible. I started to really improve (and feel it) during the past 7 months of restarting dancing and going once a week to a practice party. Huge difference.
About choosing dance schools, I think asking around is a good tactic. That way you can learn more about the way teachers teach in each studio and about its social life.

Twilight Elena

[dTas]

pick which ever studio makes you feel the best. its not about its noteriety or fame. if the teachers are world champions but can't teach a thing then you don't gain any advantage.

its all about you, you are the customer here. go to the studio that you feel you can learn the most at.

pick a studio where you are comfortable with the instruction and confident that you are receiving quality information. but at the same time be sure that its a studio that you enjoy. you know what will make you happy, either lots of technical instruction, or big group classes, or big parties, or maybe a small studio where you can get a lot of personal attention is what you're after.

what are you dance goals. they will help you figure out what studio is best for you.

you can also ask each studio... "what kind of students do you teach?" or "what kind of lessons do you teach? competative? social?" etc.

[blue]

Social dancing is a huge part of learning. Classes alone is not enough.

I can't stress this enough. Whatever dance school you choose (and try to choose well) you should attend its practice parties as often as possible.

I skipped classes for a while to have time for social dancing... I competely agree.

About choosing dance schools, I think asking around is a good tactic. That way you can learn more about the way teachers teach in each studio and about its social life.

Yes and no. I tend not to have the same taste as "all others" in some respects, and you usually don't find out the bad parts on beforehand anyhow. People won't talk about those unless you know them really well.

[blue]

Personally, I think I would rate how I like the teaching style first - not very helpful in this case though, as I haven't seen all of them teaching.

How the schedule fits - I think I put rather high priority on my dancing, but not higher than anything else... since my weeks are pretty crammed, classes held during weekends have an extra plus.

Fame of the teachers - I am hesitating at this one. As I already said, I tend to not always value the same things as most others do. I really prefer classes taught ordering moves in long patterns, but I know tons of folks who likes this kind of teachers. In aikido, the teacher who put new perspectives on my aikido was not a big name at all. I put my own opinions before "fame".

As I suppose all the people that would be in question are good dancers, I would not rate ability as dancers that high. Teaching ability I think is more important.


I should agree on the community aspect that has been mentioned, but as things have turned out it seems I will build my group of people with folks from different places and I won't really be dependent on that. The local lindy community overall (if I count those who actually social dance, and don't just go to classes) is not that big.


I should say all of the above is for group classes. For an occasional private... I would go by gut feeling, and for teachers whose ways of explaining things work well for me.

[kansas49er]

Important items in picking a studio/instructor

1) Is the place fun?
No fun, after awhile, no attendance
2) How well do the competing students of the instructor(s) do?
Good measure of teaching ability
3) Do the insturctor(s) compete? If so, how well do they do?
Good measure of their dance ability AND how current they stay
4) Is the teaching style compatible with your learning style?
Frustrating if not
5) Lots of social dancing made available?
Builds good lead and follow tecnique
6) For me at least, no upfront, long term, binding contracts
Personal preference until I know instructor well
7) Both privates and group lessons available?
Max learning from utilizing both IMHO
8) For WCS, does the instructor know other dances?
WCS is a living dance, incorporating things from other dances
9) Who are THEIR idea of good dancers
Gives a good indication of the styling they will promote
10) Do you and the instructor connect?
So much easier that way




Just a few that I can think of off the top of my head

[Dancelf]

Other ideas:

Look at the advanced students. Do they look the same, or not (tells you something about the tailoring of the instruction to the students). Do you like the look? Are the advanced students balanced (if all of the advanced students of a particular instructor are followers, that may be an important clue)? Do you like them as people (students are, in many ways, a reflection of their instructor)?

Listen to the music they play - you'll be more effective learning to music that you like.