Dance Instructor Training Offering

[tangotime]

,

. I still have a lot to think about.

A good approach..

Now, here's something you need to know ; as to "selling " dance, good lessons sell themselves, and most important to remember, dance studios are a Business .

 

[TripDubSki]

terrible assumption and attitude.

I said it seems like it could be that way; not that I've necessarily experienced that first hand. So you 100% disagree with me on that?

You don't think there's anyway that studios could use the proximity of dance in any way, shape, or form to keep the student around? I feel like that's something to be aware of, and it'd be foolish not to even consider it. As s2k said, just because there are instructors like that, that doesn't mean I have to be like that.

 

[TripDubSki]

A studio that asked you to become a teacher in their chain and then lets you only commit to one hour a week of training speaks volumes about how they view their students. I would run like crazy from a studio that would put 'teachers' with this little training in front of the students and charge a price that could be spent on experienced and quality teachers. This is a 'contract mill"...

I said that to give myself some wiggle room, personally. I feel like the manager went along with it because he feels that I'll be putting in more time and effort than that regardless, which I likely would. But you could most certainly be correct on that. The thing is, I felt rather fast advancement from my instructor. I don't have anything to really compare it to, but I was pleased with my progress. And she had only started her instructing roughly 5 years ago, so they told me anyways.

 

[TripDubSki]

Agreed.

But I'd also like to point out the manager of the studio at which OP is investigating says he only needs to be there "at a one year minimum." Which speaks volumes about how they view their teachers and how little they may care about turning said person into an "experienced and quality teacher." Doesn't sound like they're willing to invest in a trainee. /shrugs

I should clarify this a bit better. He told me it would take me 2 years to be a successful dance teacher, and a 6 month minimum to teach beginner classes. The one year minimum is for AFTER I become a certified instructor. He wants me to at least work for the company for one year before I dip out. This leaves me at a 3 year obligation to them.

 

[TripDubSki]

well to be honest... OP really isn't really willing to invest in them... since he's the one negotiating down to the lowest possible amount of commitment.

I would not immediately assume this is a contract mill but rather a studio that hopes that OP will love it enough to commit. And if not... then they haven't wasted really their time on him. Nothing worse than pouring your time, info, and money into someone that's using you for free lessons and doesn't plan on sticking around anyway.

In previous posts on this thread, people seemed to encourage me to make sure I wouldn't be pinned down. Destroyed social life, doing things that I didn't view as a part of becoming an instructor, etc. So, I simply negotiated a good deal for my life style. Does that mean I would follow my bare minimum to a T?Personally, no. I just wanted to be honest and upfront with him just in case he didn't get what he wanted from me. And he made your last point very clear to me. He told me that people have burned him on this before. I wouldn't want to be one of those people, as it would eat me up a good bit on the inside. That's why I talked it through with him and gave him my honest MINIMUMS.

 

[Bailamosdance]

I should clarify this a bit better. He told me it would take me 2 years to be a successful dance teacher, and a 6 month minimum to teach beginner classes. The one year minimum is for AFTER I become a certified instructor. He wants me to at least work for the company for one year before I dip out. This leaves me at a 3 year obligation to them.

What certification are you studying for?

 

[TripDubSki]

What certification are you studying for?

Not sure about the correct answer to this response. But I suppose the title would be something along the lines of being a Professional Instructor for the Arthur Murray Dance Center.

 

[Bailamosdance]

Not sure about the correct answer to this response. But I suppose the title would be something along the lines of being a Professional Instructor for the Arthur Murray Dance Center.

I would suggest that you find out what the 'certification' requires, what it means in your chain studio, and also find out what it means outside of your studio 'bubble'. But first, signing up for years of study for a certification that you know nothing about tells me you need to probe deeper, despite your feeling that you have studied this...

 

[TripDubSki]

I would suggest that you find out what the 'certification' requires, what it means in your chain studio, and also find out what it means outside of your studio 'bubble'. But first, signing up for years of study for a certification that you know nothing about tells me you need to probe deeper, despite your feeling that you have studied this...

I agree. It's a big decision. That's why I've done the amount of research and mulling over I have so far. Just more things to consider before I make any final commitment. I appreciate your input. Thank you.

 

[Loki]

I feel like the manager went along with it because he feels that I'll be putting in more time and effort than that regardless, which I likely would.

[...]I don't have anything to really compare it to, but I was pleased with my progress. And she had only started her instructing roughly 5 years ago, so they told me anyways.

Three yellow flags here:

The manager is blowing Merry Sunshine and you're playing along.

You might very well be progressing quite well, but you admit having nothing as a comparison.

Does your teacher compete outside AM? Pro-pro? Pro-am? How does she place / how do her students place? She might be quite good, but you said she "only started [...] five years ago". There's nothing wrong with being a social-only teacher, but what are HER credentials?

I get a sense of slightly shady here, but it's your call.

TIAIHTS.

 

[TripDubSki]

Three yellow flags here:

The manager is blowing Merry Sunshine and you're playing along.

You might very well be progressing quite well, but you admit having nothing as a comparison.

Does your teacher compete outside AM? Pro-pro? Pro-am? How does she place / how do her students place? She might be quite good, but you said she "only started [...] five years ago". There's nothing wrong with being a social-only teacher, but what are HER credentials?

I get a sense of slightly shady here, but it's your call.

TIAIHTS.

I decided not to go through with it.

To be put succinctly, I do not know if I'm willing to dedicated the time into dance to make an instruction job worth it for me.

I found a local independent studio around me. They do salsa only, which isn't exactly what I'm after, but I still enjoy the dance. Living in a small city makes it rather tough to find multiple studio options. I'll still keep looking and exploring new venues.

Apologies if I came across as off-putting, or made some unsavory comments. When you have someone who kinda just woke up one day and decided that they wanted to learn how to ballroom dance, with no prior knowledge beforehand, the entire world of dancing can seem rather daunting. I was simply trying to gain some input, and perhaps, some direction from what I imagine are much more experienced dancers.

I thought I might have found a calling of some sort. Something likes this seemed like a rare opportunity. I suppose I was wrong. Perhaps I managed to avoid being manipulated out of my time for the betterment of a studio that didn't have my best interest in mind. Perhaps I missed out on the chance to have a dance studio gain some traction in a local area. Either way, the spirit of dance continues within me and I will find a way to utilize it and to improve on this art. Financial situation barring appropriately of course.

Thank you for your thoughts and time.

 

[newbie]

terrible assumption and attitude.

Well, he was right. Now may you explain why you side with the studio? Thanks for a prompt answer.

 

[IndyLady]

when most prospectives are cming in really just because they think it is a free way to learn to dance. Think they are coming in to bounce around and have "fun and dance" for a job with no inkling that there actually is a business to run.

There is unfortunately way too much truth to this. I've seen this a number of times. People who take a couple lessons, discover how expensive it is, and then have the brilliant idea that they can learn for free/cheap by training to be an instructor instead. Then the shell shock when they discover the dance vs. other duties distribution/expectation of work.

 

[raindance]

In this case the student wasn't even thinking about teaching, it was proposed by the studio as a solution to not having enough money for lessons. So in this case, I thought it especially important that the OP put in the work to figure out if that was what he wanted. From everything he posted, he thought about it carefully, explored options, talked openly with the studio, etc. And it seems like the studio was pretty open with him as well. Through that process he was able to figure out that he didn't want to make that commitment at this time. I actually think all of that reflects well on all involved.

Some of the posters here (including me) did warn him of potential pitfalls based on things they are aware of happening at various studios. I don't think warning of pitfalls to watch out for is really trying to make all the studios sound like bad guys. There are good and bad studios, and there are good and bad parts of every job, and a spectrum along the way for all that. Good to be aware of what you are getting into.

Thanks for all the updates, OP. I hope you are able to continue your dance journey in a way that is right for you. And I hope you will continue to participate here on Dance Forums.