What you look for in a studio

As I keep exploring the dance scene here in Los Angeles, I've noticed that everyone has different ways of running their business and each studio has their own approach in regards to teaching, socials, etc.

I was wondering what do you guys think about the studio(s) where you dance? What do you expect out of it, what are your likes and dislikes? What do you guys consider a priority when it comes to choosing a studio? I would appreciate comments not only from the locals (US residents) but also if you're abroad... let me know.

Oh this is easy for me. When I first started out I didn't know anything, but now I know exactly what I want! Anyways, decide what your goal is if you want to social dance or compete etc., because to me the next step is deciding who you want to teach you. For instance, I know that I want qualified instructors, and I mean those that have licenses, and have a proven record, and a long background of teaching (even if I have to travel to get it I will, but thankfully I don't have to). I don't care if they compete and have won prizes. Would you want someone that is just starting out to teach you even if they have said that they have competed, they might have only competed once then what? What happens if they have taught you all that they know? You have to go somewhere else anyways right? Just cause they say that they have won something does not mean that they are qualified to teach you.

I also don't care if they hold socials or not or what the deal is. I just care about the quality of instruction. I have dealt with those that don't have anything, and it's nothing but a disappointment (but it depends on what your goal is in my opinion). And I don't want instructors that have been teaching for years and not have anything to show for it either. I want my instructors to be able to teach me from the get and go what I need to know and to not beat around the bush. (Trust me if you spend over a couple thousand dollars worth of nothing and you have to start all over again (depending on what your goal is), then you will know what I'm talking about.)

However, if I do want something else like socials, I can always attend another studio for fun. I won't take them seriously though, because I'm just there to have a good time. So, it really depends on what you are wanting from a studio. If you want to dance seriously, then look at the quality of instruction. If you want to dance socially, then focus on what they offer instead of how they teach, because from what I have found out... there is a difference.

Oh and I wanted to add too, make sure that once you get your goal figured out, speak up and say that is what you want. If they can't offer you that service (i.e. if they only teach Ballroom and you wanted to learn Latin) then don't waste your time learning from them unless you want to learn from them socially. Go and find another studio that does give you what you want. It is your money first and foremost, and no one can tell you how to spend it, and no one can make you feel guilty for going somewhere else, and it doesn't matter if you've been there a week or a month or a year etc. You decide what you want to do, and don't be shy about doing it either.

SPratt74 said:

because to me the next step is deciding who you want to teach you.

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I agree with this. I think, after having have been taught by a few teachers at different studios, my inclination would be to find the teacher that is right for me rather than the studio that is right for me. The only thing that might steer me away is perhaps pricing, although if I have the *right* teacher, I'll rationalize the price.

ditto

Studios change and I change so I think its normal to do the tour.
I`m presently involved in a showcase so the level of choreography is the main factor. The one before this, it was the level of enthusiasm, at another time it was the social level. Next it might be something I hven`t even thought of.

mamboqueen said:

I agree with this. I think, after having have been taught by a few teachers at different studios, my inclination would be to find the teacher that is right for me rather than the studio that is right for me. The only thing that might steer me away is perhaps pricing, although if I have the *right* teacher, I'll rationalize the price.

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Oh that's true. I forgot to mention pricing. I think that our city is pretty cheap when it comes to pricing even with our high level instructors. The cheapest I have found so far is $25 if you want a private (for a beginning social teacher), while the most expensive is $50 unless you take from a traveling coach that might come to the area (and they have) they certainly cost more. But I think too though it's hard to know this stuff starting out, and who isn't shy about asking questions unless you know exactly what to ask and if you've done the research. Sometimes you have to find stuff out as you go along like what happened in my case. So, the OP in my opinion is smart to ask this stuff in advance.

yea...it really is dependent upon your goals...now that I am studio-less(violins please)...I have a teacher(we are just nomads, with a long-term plan), what I want from a studio would be some men with intermediate skills who will ask me to dance at socials, who will show up at silver classes, and who might want to practice with me...if I could find that...I'd buy a package in a heartbeat

Well, I agree with all the posts above.
I am from Bulgaria, and here, we have very few, real, dance studios. Most of the dancesport clubs practise in school qyms. I am a happy man, because my club possesses a dance studio with good floor and mirrors and everything you need to feel the incredible atmosphere, to feel the magic of dancing.

If we speak about the teachers (instructors), I want to say that for me is not very important whether my theacher was a champion or not. But it is important my teacher to be a great teacher. I think so, because I know a lot of great competitors in diferent sports, who aren't good teachers.

I forgot to write that I am a competitor. I started dancing, and competing before 3 years. I have been severeal times to, so called social dances, but dancesport is much more interesting for me.

But it is important my theacher to be a great teacher. I think so, because I know a lot of great competitors in diferent sports, who aren't good teachers.

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Agreed. I was recommended to a champ and although she was a great dancer/follower she wasn't a good teacher. At one point she even said, "Do it like that," as she pointed to another guy doing a completely different step. Even if he was doing the same step, I don't need to pay her to watch others when videos can do that.

Likewise, just because a teacher has a license doesn't mean they're a good teacher.

I do really like a teacher spending a few seconds to help every individual during a group class so even if I already know the steps I hear what I need to focus on the most. I do not like a teacher who slows down the entire class the entire time all for the slowest student... especially in a silver or higher class.

What I tell other people is that(assuming they have no idea which instructor they want) they should take a look at the students at the given studios over a period of several days and choose the studio that seems to have the students that are going in the direction they want to go.

I agree with mamboqueen. Even studios with superb instructors still have some that are a better fit and some that are not as good of a fit. It's really important to find the one or few instructors rather than think of the studio as a whole.

A nice bonus is if they have good group classes. This is, in my experience, extremely rare, but it can happen. This really needs the combination of good instructor and good classmates. Even a great instructor will have trouble teaching a gold syllabus class if most of the class doesn't grasp the silver syllabus.

Sadly, the classes I like seem to happen when the instructor won't hold the class back for the slower students. That's not so great for the slower students(though they seem to keep coming back), but it's good for me...

PyroStock said:

Likewise, just because a teacher has a license doesn't mean they're a good teacher.

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One factor does depend on their teaching ability and if you two will get along. However, a more experienced teacher (with a license etc.) is better worth your money in the long haul than someone that isn't in my opinion. I've been down both roads, and to me I would rather be with someone that knows what they are doing, and to me someone that has taken their time to get that license is really paying attention to what they are doing, and is doing what they can to get to the top.

But you do make a good point. You have to like the teacher as well no matter what level they are at. But I am warning everyone, someone with only a few years of nothing even a lot of years of nothing (even if they have won something and are the most likable person, could be that they are just a good sales person though) won't be worth it in my opinion. I've been down that route, and it's not fun having to start all over again in a new direction, because you do feel as though you have wasted your money.

And to me I'd put up with someone that tells me how it is instead of what I think I want to know than someone that likes to talk a bit of B.S. during our lessons (been there done that). But that's just me though. I take dancing seriously, and I want to know the answers. I want to be told how it is. I'll put up with everything else if I know they can get me to reach my goal, and thankfully I have found that.

Big open space, soundproofing and a good view of the neighbour's bedroom across the street.
Oh, I'm sorry. You meant DANCE studio.

T_E

bullet said:

Well, I agree with all the posts above.
I am from Bulgaria, and here, we have very few, real, dance studios. Most of the dancesport clubs practise in school qyms. I am a happy man, because my clud possesses a dance studio with good floor and mirrors and everything you need to feel the incredible atmosphere, to feel the magic of dancing.

If we speak about the teachers (instructors), I want to say that for me is not very important whether my theacher was a champion or not. But it is important my theacher to be a great teacher. I think so, because I know a lot of great competitors in diferent sports, who aren't good teachers.

I forgot to write that I am a competitor. I started dancing, and competing before 3 years. I have been severeal times to, so called social dances, but dancesport is much more interesting for me.

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welcome to DF...thanks for posting

PyroStock said:

Agreed. I was recommended to a champ and although she was a great dancer/follower she wasn't a good teacher. At one point she even said, "Do it like that," as she pointed to another guy doing a completely different step. Even if he was doing the same step, I don't need to pay her to watch others when videos can do that.

Likewise, just because a teacher has a license doesn't mean they're a good teacher.

I do really like a teacher spending a few seconds to help every individual during a group class so even if I already know the steps I hear what I need to focus on the most. I do not like a teacher who slows down the entire class the entire time all for the slowest student... especially in a silver or higher class.

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welcome also... and I agree....and thanks for posting