A dancer's list of resolutions - 2015
- Thread starter s2k
- Start date
Mr 4 styles
Forum Master
Make pro partners happy
Make am partner(spouse ) happy
Get to 7.5% body fat
Make am partner(spouse ) happy
Get to 7.5% body fat
ballroomconvert
New Member
1. Place more emphasis on conditioning workouts outside of dance,
and
2. develop a better overall weight distribution for latin
and
2. develop a better overall weight distribution for latin
novellsk8
New Member
This is great!
Btw - I would like to take a poll from all seasoned dancers (esp pro-am dancers), what's a realistic annual budget (or what have you been incurring)? Now, I know this is going to vary drastically and depends on multitude of factors, such as # of lessons, coaches rate, pro-am vs. am-am, # of competitions, # of dresses, etc.
As all of you know, ballroom dancing especially pro-am can be really expensive. And as most of us know, we can easily derail or blow our budget. For me being a newcomer, I am already sucked in - but I wanted to get a perspective as everything is relative. I consider myself lucky because I have a very good coach who and has been extremely transparent about cost, etc.
Now, I understand budget talk can be sensitive information - and would appreciate anyone willing to share or throw in a range. Thanks in advance.
Actually, your budget shouldn't depend on what you're spending the money on. It depends on your basic financial situation ... how much of your income you have available to spend on "wants" after you take care of your "needs". It is sometimes possible to adjust your perception of whether something falls into either category, and it may be possible to adjust the amount required for "needs" (e.g., moving to a smaller home), but you can't decide how many lessons, competitions, dresses you want and then magically expect the money to appear. What you CAN do is decide how much money is available and then allocate it between the various categories in the way that makes most sense to you. It might be reasonable to ask what is a typical allocation, but it doesn't make sense to me to ask how much money other people have available.
novellsk8
New Member
Thanks for your note Zhena. Yes I totally agree with you - and please, in no way did I ask or intended to ask how much money other people have available.
To clarify, I wanted to understand what is a realistic budget for someone who would like to compete, takes dancing seriously but yet, do not splurge like there is no tomorrow. As I am new in this, I simply don't have the experience to gauge - all i know is that it is costly.
Quite honestly, I am shocked at how much pro-am costs (as I am sure many of you are), but I know it is the reality of the sport. I did some calculation myself - and I estimated it to be around 20K or so. This is based on assumptions that is 4 local comps with not an outrageous # of entries, 2 private lessons a week, some group classes, practice fees, a dress, etc. Again, it may seem like a lot to a newbie, but perhaps others who are more experienced can offer insights. As I have mentioned, it is all relative and I simply do not know.
If anyone is offended by the message, my apologies. If anyone is willing to share insights, I am all ears and welcome your thoughts. This thread was about new year's resolution - and I realized that many folks here #1 resolution was to manage their budget better.
Novellsk8, but even those assumptions are all relative and you can go as crazy or as frugal as you want.
dress - $500 or $5000
private lessons - $70 - $150plus a lesson
comps - depends on where you go and what you do and if you're in a studio or with an independent pro, how many heats, etc.
honestly, you can go about it 2 ways. you can say, "i have x to spend" and then budget out accordingly and prioritize what's important. the other way, depending on who you are and your financial capabilities is to say "here's what I want to do." and then budget forward and either know that you have the money to pay for it, or when it gets out of control, stop.
the one thing i did not anticipate spending so much money on when i started was shoes, make-up, hair, tanning, etc. I swear, I should own stock in Sephora.
dress - $500 or $5000
private lessons - $70 - $150plus a lesson
comps - depends on where you go and what you do and if you're in a studio or with an independent pro, how many heats, etc.
honestly, you can go about it 2 ways. you can say, "i have x to spend" and then budget out accordingly and prioritize what's important. the other way, depending on who you are and your financial capabilities is to say "here's what I want to do." and then budget forward and either know that you have the money to pay for it, or when it gets out of control, stop.
the one thing i did not anticipate spending so much money on when i started was shoes, make-up, hair, tanning, etc. I swear, I should own stock in Sephora.
fascination
Site Moderator
budget depends on number of styles, and what your goals are....dance well? win locally? win at big comps?...budget varies vastly based on those things alone
getting good is about picking a really goodn instructor and taking enough lessons that you aren't constantly having to re-learn what you were taught and about practicing enough to own it and having a pro who can show you how to do that....this is the key factor in getting good...and personally I don't think it's wise to take fewer than two lessons a week per style if you are serious...that is my personal opinion....
number of comps ...again, depends on your goal....you have to be out there a bit and with a reasonably well known pro to get somewhere at the big comps....
dress....one really good one per style is fine ...but make it a good one...used or new, but not junk...
hair and make-up is a luxury...smart folks on a budget learn how to do it themselves and only have someone else do it when it really matters if at all....it is possible to get good at it on your own
my opinion
getting good is about picking a really goodn instructor and taking enough lessons that you aren't constantly having to re-learn what you were taught and about practicing enough to own it and having a pro who can show you how to do that....this is the key factor in getting good...and personally I don't think it's wise to take fewer than two lessons a week per style if you are serious...that is my personal opinion....
number of comps ...again, depends on your goal....you have to be out there a bit and with a reasonably well known pro to get somewhere at the big comps....
dress....one really good one per style is fine ...but make it a good one...used or new, but not junk...
hair and make-up is a luxury...smart folks on a budget learn how to do it themselves and only have someone else do it when it really matters if at all....it is possible to get good at it on your own
my opinion
novellsk8
New Member
As always, spoken with much wisdom.
Thanks Fascination and Rels 77.
I think I have gotten a good sense to the answer of my question. Budget is a wide range - and I think it will be too tough to put a range to it. It really is personal preference and depends on how much you can afford, and how much you are willing to pay (even if one can afford it).
Rels 77 - Haha - I know what you mean, I went to Sephora so many times last year that the girl at the counter knows me by name.
And thanks Fascination. You put a few solid points out there. I have been dabbling between 1-2 privates a week, and was aiming to up it to 2 consistently. You just confirmed my plans. Thank you.
Regarding the dress - in total agreement as well.
And lastly, hair and make up - I am aiming to do my own. Probably wont be as great as if it were to be done by pros, but if I were to pick my battles, this is one that I am willing to give up.
As a newbe you should know that many students do 4-8 lessons a week and 6 or more comps a year. As Fasc said, set your goals first, get good, win locally, win big comps.....
If you want to win(or top 3) at the big ones consistently, you must do all of the above and have a well regarded/known teacher, and a very nice dress per style, as well as professional hair and makeup. If you set your sites a little lower then everything else is relative. (keep in mind many of the top ladies can easily spend $100k pro-am per year)
I agree with everything all of you have said- except, I believe hair and make up is not a luxury. For some of us that are challenged in that area, it is a necessity, just like a well fitting flattering dress....having the right look gives confidence...it's worth it IMO. I have tried and I cannot do my own hair and makeup...plus the added time and stress of not knowing how it turns out, even after practice, makes it necessary for me...I've seen my pictures before when I did do my own hair and makeup, and after when I got it done. The difference is amazing. I budget it into my expected expenditure, and I am happy with that decision. I thinks as with everything else, we all find out where we can cut expenses and where we can't...having said that, I give props to all of you who do your own and look amazing...
s2k
Well-Known Member
I don't see hair and makeup as a luxury. I just know I don't have $75-$150 every time I compete to pay someone to do mine. And I know that I'd rather sink that money into lessons.
Just FYI, and it's $.02 you haven't asked for @rels77 (welcome to DF!) - but yes, you could learn to do your face. I paid a makeup artist to teach me how to recreate a series of pros' makeup I like and collected on Pinterest, then showed her what I wanted the result to be. I knew I could learn and that I wasn't going to have $75 every comp to have someone do my face. PLUS I was not about to have a 4 a.m. (or earlier!!) call time for makeup. It takes 30 minutes down from an hour once upon a time.
Hair, though, I'm with you. I've tried to do the archeteural styles I've seen and NOPE NOPE SIR NOPE A LOT. Teased up low chignon at the nape of my neck is easy for rhythm.
fascination
Site Moderator
point is, anyone, if determined enough and if the budget is not there, can in fact learn to do it .... everyone can choose the effort vs money ratio that works for them, but anyone can in fact learn to do hair and make-up if they wish.....therefore, it is in fact a luxury...no harm in that...but it is...in my view...we will agree to disagree...
the same is true by the way, of gowns....
I know many a young serious dancer who have taken to their own sewing machines and made gowns just as beautiful if not moreso, than the big vendors.....it is all about how much time and effort you are willing to expend....
that is not to say there is anything wrong with going with vendors of any sort....but it is ridiculous to say that they are a neccesity.....I have seen too many people win in gowns they have made and in hair and make-up that they have done...so it is absurd to consider it a neccessity.....all depends on how poor you are and how badly you want it
the same is true by the way, of gowns....
I know many a young serious dancer who have taken to their own sewing machines and made gowns just as beautiful if not moreso, than the big vendors.....it is all about how much time and effort you are willing to expend....
that is not to say there is anything wrong with going with vendors of any sort....but it is ridiculous to say that they are a neccesity.....I have seen too many people win in gowns they have made and in hair and make-up that they have done...so it is absurd to consider it a neccessity.....all depends on how poor you are and how badly you want it
fascination
Site Moderator
obviously there is a big difference between a shoddy attempt and the finished product of hours of practice and study...but it's just like dance, if you put in enough time you can look expert.....shrug...