"Do Not Take Outside Instruction" - Does it bother you ?

D

dancingirldancing

Member
I was looking at a studio website today (not mine) and found it clearly stated that studio 'is expected not not to take outside instruction in the same style they are learning in the studio'.

My first reaction is 'WHY ?'.

I am so used to taking different instruction from different teachers sometimes occasional coaching and also permanent instruction from 2 different teachers from 2 different studios for the same style.

One of my teacher does not mind it at all but the other one kind of does. But he never make a fuss out of it because he knows that if he does I will probably walk away. I am careful not to mention other studio or teacher to this second teacher though because the air will suddenly become uncomfortable once I did that.

It is my money after all and I think I should be free to take lessons from whomever I wish.

I think if you are a good teacher you should be secure enough with your student taking lessons somewhere else.

I found that my two teachers never really conflicts each other on the other hand they compliment each other teaching very well and I have been a much better dancer as a result rather than if I only take lesson from one of them.

Does any of your teacher or studio have this policy ?

Do you mind it at all ?

I truly find it really bizzare !
 
My previous coach was very insistent on us learning from other dance instructors as well. He said it may help us if we listen to the same technique explained in different ways, and we would also figure out how we learn best and what works for us. In fact, he was the coach of our student organization, yet he was the one who told us that we have to constantly try-out and interview other potential coaches to pick the best for the team. Can't say enough how much that has helped me, and I've brought this philosophy over to my new dance team when I moved.
 
My first teacher strongly encouraged me to take lessons from instructors higher up in the same family tree. At my current stage in dancing, I wouldn't feel comfortable trying to integrate information from different families/schools/traditions. If I took lessons from just two different instructors, I'd probably end up absorbing nothing from either. :razz:
 
I would run from a studio which discouraged or "banned" getting instruction from outside teachers.

Either that or, if I had the time/money, I'd see what they were willing to do about it. Take lessons at the studio, take lessons from someone else, not be quiet about the outside instruction...see what they do, go to town. (Like I said, if I had the time and money, which I don't. But I'd still be tempted to flaunt such a stupid, and possibly illegal, policy.)
 
It's called parochialism, i.e. they don't want students going elsewhere and seeing that their instructors aren't very good.
 
It is indeed your money and you *are* free to study wherever and with however many instructors your heart may desire and your pocket can afford.

My pro would never discourage my receiving quality instruction from others...and I would never agree to such a restriction.
 
My pros, past and present, have had no problem with it, with two caveats. One, yes, as Sam said, should be quality instruction, of course. 2, is that at times I've tried to learn from too many different sources at once (including DF). I have had trouble some of htose times integrating all the various sources. Then it was suggested I cut back sources of information/learning. Was nothing about them not wanting me to learn other places though, just trying to make it easier for me to actually learn and use it all.
 
It could be a situation where they don't want their less experienced dancers to waste their money and confuse themselves when the instructor has a specific and delicate plan for their initial development.

If you're experienced enough to question the sign, it may not apply to you.
 
Peaches said:
Either that or, if I had the time/money, I'd see what they were willing to do about it. Take lessons at the studio, take lessons from someone else, not be quiet about the outside instruction...see what they do, go to town. (Like I said, if I had the time and money, which I don't. But I'd still be tempted to flaunt such a stupid, and possibly illegal, policy.)
Click to expand...
That's what I'd be tempted to do also. ;)
 
I had this problem. While it was never explicitly stated at my old studio and it wasn't a big deal to some of the teachers there, it was a very big deal to the owner of the studio (who made that known to me in no uncertain terms when she found out I had taken lessons elsewhere). I went to a couple parties after that and she made me so uncomfortable that I stopped going and haven't been back since.
It's too bad because I made some great friends there, but nobody is going to tell me where I can and can't dance and I had enough of all the inter-studio drama.
I'm much happier now. :-)
 
JohnLL said:
I had this problem. While it was never explicitly stated at my old studio and it wasn't a big deal to some of the teachers there, it was a very big deal to the owner of the studio (who made that known to me in no uncertain terms when she found out I had taken lessons elsewhere). I went to a couple parties after that and she made me so uncomfortable that I stopped going and haven't been back since.
It's too bad because I made some great friends there, but nobody is going to tell me where I can and can't dance and I had enough of all the inter-studio drama.
I'm much happier now. :-)
Click to expand...

I guess the owner must be out of his mind.
 
"Do Not Take Outside Instruction" - Does it bother you?"

I simply refuse to participate in such stupidity.

Let's say you walk into a McDonalds and the person at the register says, "I saw your car parked at Sonic yesterday. You are no longer welcome here."

Crazy, yes?
 
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