Beginner: What would you do?

S

Skittl1321

New Member
So, I signed up for 2 group classes in May, but got a call last night that both are canceled. I assume due to low enrollment (the classes were at 9 PM!!) but they didn't say why. The studio is only offering one group class, which I was told I could attend, but since it was Wedding dances, I declined.

I'm trying to decide if I should put off dance until June or take a private lesson or two- just to get started with something. The problem is private lessons are $85+ tax for 45 minutes (how did I manage to pick something even more expensive than ice skating? I thought $35 for 30 minutes was crazy there...) and I'm not really sure that is worth it at the beginner stage. (By contrast, group lessons were $43 + tax for 4 weeks.)

I have dance experience in other forms, and have taken a basic social dance class before, so I am not a rank beginner, but still definitely a beginner.

I'd appreciate any comments about whether a private is worth it, or if I should just wait... I was so sad when I got the call yesterday that they had canceled the classes. I'd really been looking forward to them.
 
Eastern Iowa- and I don't think so. This school has another branch 30 minutes away, but they don't have any beginner classes on their schedule in May. I'm trying to see if I can go into the second level class for salsa/cha-cha/swing, since I have some swing and salsa experience, but I'm not sure if they'll let me.

The community college offers classes, which is what I took years ago- but I was really unimpressed. They were super crowded, and basically anti-technique. They literally put down ballroom (as "pompous" and "boastful") over their style of 'relaxed ballroom' social dancing which I thought was really uncomfortable, since I actually want to learn to dance well.
 
I am a beginner too. I had about 2+ years of group lessons before taking private lessons. It started as once a week group lesson, my wife forced me into it. But shockingly to myself, I started to like dancing. At the beginning of last summer, I realized I was taking about 4 group lessons in 4 different studios, and then I told myself it is probably the right time to commit to private lessons. So now I have about 2-3 private lessons a week and 2-3 group lessons a week.
 
Plus tax? I've never heard of that.

I would say to try a couple privates if you don't find any group classes in the meantime - can't hurt anything.
 
IndyLady said:
Plus tax? I've never heard of that.
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Maybe other places build tax into their pricing? I really don't know what tax laws for dance studios are. I paid tax on my ballet classes.


I guess a private lesson is going to be the only way to get started, I'm just wondering if there is value at the "don't know what I'm doing" level.
 
Skittl1321 said:
Maybe other places build tax into their pricing? I really don't know what tax laws for dance studios are. I paid tax on my ballet classes.
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idk. I have never paid an explicit tax on any dance class I have taken (ballroom, ballet, hip hop, etc etc). Maybe it varies by state.

I guess a private lesson is going to be the only way to get started, I'm just wondering if there is value at the "don't know what I'm doing" level.
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I think there is. You will get more personalized attention right off the bat - extinguish bad habits from the start, chance to ask more questions, move at your pace, etc.

One thing I would advise against at the very beginning - do not agree to an expensive coaching with an outside world champion (etc) - the kind that run $150+ - that does not have much value until you have been dancing for long enough to benefit from that sort of advanced instruction.
 
IndyLady said:
One thing I would advise against at the very beginning - do not agree to an expensive coaching with an outside world champion (etc) - the kind that run $150+ - that does not have much value until you have been dancing for long enough to benefit from that sort of advanced instruction.
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I don't think that's even available here :)
I was kind of shocked by how high the privates are, after reading a few pricing threads here. I thought Iowa would run on the low end, but it doesn't seem to at all.
 
Can you look into finding a partner to split the cost of lessons with? Maybe the studio knows another beginner who had registered for the group lessons who would be willing. Or see if there's a way to contact everyone who registered for the beginner class and see if they'd be interesting in registering for a private small group lesson, if your studio offers that as an option. It would probably be more expensive than the group classes, but less than the traditional private lessons.
 
Skittl1321 said:
I guess a private lesson is going to be the only way to get started, I'm just wondering if there is value at the "don't know what I'm doing" level.
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It really depends on the instructor. Dance teachers vary a lot. With a good one, the private lessons will be valuable regardless of your level, since they can work with you on your goals and take your background and whatnot into account. Plus you get to dance with an experienced dancer (the teacher). With a great one, they are worth every penny. With a so-so teacher, it will just depend. If there are multiple teachers in the studio you are looking at, you might try a lesson with more than one over time to see who you like working with. Avoid making any long term commitments - they should let you pay for one lesson at a time if you want to.

Are there social dances held in your area? Either at the studio, or community dances of some sort? If so, you could attend, look for people dancing the way you hope to dance, and ask people there where they take lessons. Sometimes there are more options in the community than what you find in the phone book.
 
If you are seriously considering private lessons, then negotiate for a FREE first lesson. It will only be 20-30 minutes. But it will give you a strong indication about whether or not that teacher is "right" for you.
 
If I'd started skating in adult group classes I'd have quit. I started with privates at 26 and passed (at standard-level scoring) the first two MITF and the first six compulsory dances in less than two years. I've never found group classes good for learning new skills, only reinforcing things I've already learned.
 
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