bronzesusie
Well-Known Member
Yeah I still can’t imagine this!
Dance Doldrums
- Thread starter SwingingAlong
- Start date
ProgressNotPerfection
Forum Master
I can’t afford to DO it, but I can definitely imagine it. My budget is 2-4 lessons per week, 1-2 comps per year, and used dresses. But even so, I’m spending a ton of money ($20-30k) per year.
Dance doldrums are complicated. I think money is often an underlying factor, though it is not always the primary factor. Very commonly, the triggering factors are things like stress/burnout, frustration, politics, cynicism/jadedness. It would be easier to fight through these things if the costs were not so high. But when one considers the costs of it all, the negatives get amplified.
I can't even imagine having the time to do all that.
raindance
Forum Master
Do you and your spouse dance together, and compete (or want to compete) together? If yes, and if you want to try a less expensive option, have an independent instructor prepare you for am/am competition.
If you do USA dance competitions, your entry fees will feel miniscule compared to what you're used to. You'll have lesson costs, costumes, hair/makeup, travel (gas/air fare/hotel, food), and the USA dance membershp and entry fees. And likely a much (much) less posh experience. And you will be somewhat limited in how many dances you can enter per style. But if you are looking to see if paying less makes dancing more enjoyable, it is an option that may really be worth exploring.
There are also NDCA options for competing am/am, that are generally a bit more expensive than USA dance. Depending on your age group, style, and level, you're probably more likely to have other couples to compete against at a USA Dance comp.
Joe
Forum Master
You're either a trust fund baby, or married to a multi-millionaire.
I think you nailed it. After all these years doing this, I recently decided to add up what we spent in 2022. I asked myself if I felt the value was there. My first reaction was a no. But then again, there are two of us. I have to laugh a little at the poster who mentioned a $12,000 NDCA comp all in.....that wouldn't even cover our entry fees for the franchise national comp ($9,000 per person), which I can't justify. I think from here on our we will use more discretion with entries. We have a studio event coming up and my spouse has 71 entries if that gives you an idea how they pile on the entries.
Studio events are usually 1 day. 71 in one day sounds absolutely exhausting. Spread over 3... doable. Pricey and I wouldn't do it. But still do-able.
Been doing this for years. This is actually a few less than usual. My spouse is the low hanging fruit.
ProgressNotPerfection
Forum Master
At my last comp, I registered for 45 dance entries over 2 days. But because of recalls, I danced approx 45 dances EACH day. And yes it was exhausting (but fun and challenging and ultimately doable). Idk if I’d want to dance 70-100 dances in one day, but there are a couple ladies at my studio who do it.
That was me. I’ve competed in pro/am twice at Ohio Star Ball (a large NDCA comp), and each time cost me roughly $13k total - for everything, including airport parking, hair & makeup, etc. (which is why I suggested $12k as the total cost for a large NDCA comp).
But the portion of that $13k that was attributable specifically to my “dance entry fees” was only $3,375. If your dance entry fees ALONE are $9k per person, then it sounds like your intention to use more discretion with dance entries is a good one. It’s ok to say no to the studio’s offers.
bia
Forum Master
Is your spouse feeling the doldrums, too? There are various options for dealing with the money issue, but since it's the two of you, it will be harder if you're not on the same page (or at least somewhere in the same book). A few times you've mentioned that the cost is for the two of you, which for other activities would make sense as a mitigating factor, but in this case, having the luck to have a dancing life partner can allow extreme cost savings, since you can dance, practice, and compete without necessarily having to pay for a pro's time beyond lessons. I think it would be worth each of you trying to figure out exactly what you value about the things you're paying your studio for. Is it just the ability to dance, compete, and improve? Do you each value dancing/competing with a pro instead of/in addition to dancing/competing with each other? Does dancing lots of entries in fact feel more satisfying to you than dancing a few? Is there something about the franchise social life/atmosphere/community that's worth the additional money/the frequent sales pitches? Once you each know specifically what you want out of the dance experience, you can figure out strategies together for getting it in the most effective way.
This is so true, I think the extreme costs really jack up the emotions. I've mellowed out in the last several years, but I've had my share of heated conversations in the back office (and a resulting reputation that I've never been able to shake) that probably wouldn't have reached that level if thousands of dollars weren't at stake.
@Westix4 - so one practical / tactical suggestion is to ask (or insist on, if you have to) the pricing up front, then go home and construct what you are wiling to do. If you let them come up with the plan, i.e how many and which events you're going to do and how many entries, you've already lost negotiation power. I am at a franchise studio similar to yours - I built my event entries and costs in a spreadsheet, then walked in and told them this is what I am going to do and here's what it will cost, write it up. Of course they may want to help you tweak it, but if you don't come in with an anchor, it puts you at a disadvantage. Also, have a number in your head internally for the max amount of money or entries you are willing to do. Does this feel like negotiating the price of a car? Yep. It's a lot of the same stuff.
raindance
Forum Master
If spouse is low hanging fruit because you guys can easily afford it and are happy doing what you're doing, that's actually fine. If you two are unhappy about the spending, there are ways to economize (to varying degrees) and keep dancing.
If you are unhappy about some parts of the dance experience, there are other possible solutions, like working with a different pro, or a different studio, or making other adjustments in how often and what you dance (maybe more rhythm, less smooth, or vice versa, etc) and whatnot.
You need to be aware it's an option. It's also worth knowing that it's a business for them. Does your pro like you? Good chance they do? Are they trying to rip you off? Probably not. But they will present you options to spend the same way a car dealer does. And they know your picking another car may not be personal.
I suspect my brothers-in-law's Ferrari dealer mostly likes them. But he's never going to suggest they could save money by bying a hyundai.
(In case you are worndering about the plural brothers: They are twins. Live together and own two Ferrari's jointly.)
Relationships with dance pros is different from one with a Ferrari dealer. BUT remember: part of it is business. And relationships with a studio is more so.
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scullystwin42
Forum Master
wanted to drop in and say thanks to all who gave me feedback during my dance doldrums. I did spend a lot of time seriously considering just stopping altogether, but i needed to have something that kept my body moving - just not at the previous intensity (at least for now). glad to i took your feedback on maybe i need to take a break from competing.
taking a step back now that i am not sick, i can reflect on the past 10+ years of competing - I danced hard, i improved a lot, and i had some great placements at big competitions. Got to the point where some judges knew me, other competitiors were aware of me, and i'm going to just be happy that i spent the money and danced hard when my body let me.
I have informed all the pros that i am stopping rhythm for the near future, lesson frequency will be a lot less than usual as i heal, and that i'm not thinking about competing at all (not until my body stops being so angry with me and/or college is paid for). all seem to be ok with that for now. also am trying out other pros in the area.
taking a step back now that i am not sick, i can reflect on the past 10+ years of competing - I danced hard, i improved a lot, and i had some great placements at big competitions. Got to the point where some judges knew me, other competitiors were aware of me, and i'm going to just be happy that i spent the money and danced hard when my body let me.
I have informed all the pros that i am stopping rhythm for the near future, lesson frequency will be a lot less than usual as i heal, and that i'm not thinking about competing at all (not until my body stops being so angry with me and/or college is paid for). all seem to be ok with that for now. also am trying out other pros in the area.