Experience at Arthur Murray and Questions about Indie Studios in DC

MaggieMoves said:
WARNING: Wall of text ahead.

1. Private lessons at independent studios & teachers are typically less expensive. The teachers are also generally vastly more qualified as well...

2. Group classes at franchise studios are run at a very basic level. They really only cater to students that have been there less than a year. If you're a fast learner you may get tired of these very quickly.

3. Social parties at franchises are typically run much different than at independent studios. Most independent studios will charge 15-25 dollars for a 3 hour social... maybe more, maybe even less. I think there's one around me that charges 6 or 8 bucks for it too. While many franchises have socials that are free as long as you are taking lessons - the second you start taking more than one lesson a week that price advantage will drop.


I'll use the NYC area as an example:

Studio 1: Charges 150-175 USD per private lesson, depending on the amount of lessons bought. Each lesson runs every 45 minutes at the studio, so in reality they're 40-42 minutes long. Group classes & parties are free as long as you take one lesson per week or more. They typically run about 2 group classes per night Monday through Friday, and 2 parties throughout the week which run the same duration as private lessons.

Studio 2: Charges 115-135 USD per private lesson, depending on the amount of lessons bought. All private lessons go for 45 minutes. Group classes and parties are 15 dollars per, but they also have "memberships" which I think are about 150 dollars a month.

Studio 3: Charges 75-95 USD per private lesson, depending on the amount bought. All private lessons go for 50 minutes. Group classes are 15 dollars per, but you can buy a package of 10 group classes for 115 dollars which works like a punch card. Parties are 15 to 25 dollars per party, but run for 3 hours, longer in some cases. This studio also allows independent instructors to rent space from them, at a rate of about 15 bucks per 45/50 minutes... but they also have unlimited practice memberships as well.


What do all 3 studios have in common? They're all "chains." As in, they have more than one location.
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I appreciate the thorough breakdown in your explanation. I can definitely see how group classes at franchises could grow stale for a fast learner (though I haven't gone through a full cycle of bronze level classes for a given dance, so I can't say for sure the material gets repetitive).

And the time of the group socials is definitely a factor. I didn't realize they ran that long so that is certainly an advantage.

Now, I plan on doing research based on all this useful information, but I do have a few more questions.

If I wanted to find independent teachers (not just smaller studios), would I usually have to go to a studio to meet them or do independent teachers usually advertise online?

My last question is going to be much more subjective but I'd still love input. If my primary motivation is being a competent social dancer (no particular event coming up so no strict deadlines) and money is a big factor right now, would it be wise to stop taking privates for a while and just do group lessons and socials? I do eventually want to take privates in my dancing "career" but will I plateau quickly if I decide to forgo private lessons for a while after maybe a few more months taking them at AM?
 
PhantomK91 said:
My last question is going to be much more subjective but I'd still love input. If my primary motivation is being a competent social dancer (no particular event coming up so no strict deadlines) and money is a big factor right now, would it be wise to stop taking privates for a while and just do group lessons and socials? I do eventually want to take privates in my dancing "career" but will I plateau quickly if I decide to forgo private lessons for a while after maybe a few more months taking them at AM?
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That's going to be a very personal decision. You'll certainly progress faster with regular private lessons, but I believe that starting with mostly group classes and socials is a perfectly viable route to take. When I was starting, I signed up for my studio's unlimited-group-class-plus-socials package which defined the vast majority of my dancing for a year and I really have no regrets about having done so.

Regarding finding independent teachers, you can sometimes find them online. My advice though would be to become at least a semi-regular at several studios in your area. There's likely a good bit of cross-over between the folks who frequent the socials at the various open studios and before long, you'll be part of the general dance community. Those folks will be your best resource for advice on who to take from.
 
PhantomK91 said:
If I wanted to find independent teachers (not just smaller studios), would I usually have to go to a studio to meet them or do independent teachers usually advertise online?
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That's the problem with independent teachers. It typically is more difficult to find them. What I would suggest the best way to do it is to find a "dancesport" studio near where you live and take group classes. Many independent teachers teach group classes as a foray into getting more private lessons for themselves.

Otherwise, it's just word of mouth... and for some independent teachers that is all they need. With that case you'll just have to go to the independent, or more independent studio, and ask around.


My last question is going to be much more subjective but I'd still love input. If my primary motivation is being a competent social dancer (no particular event coming up so no strict deadlines) and money is a big factor right now, would it be wise to stop taking privates for a while and just do group lessons and socials?
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Group lessons can be great to build a base on, but most groups aren't centered around technique... which is what will drive you to get better and better. If I were pressed for money and I still wanted to have regular lessons, I'd "front load" on group lessons and follow up with private lessons every other week or 3 weeks to make sure I was performing the right technique. There's nothing wrong with practicing by yourself either. Learning how to practice properly by yourself can take some time too... which a private lesson could give you better insight on.


I do eventually want to take privates in my dancing "career" but will I plateau quickly if I decide to forgo private lessons for a while after maybe a few more months taking them at AM?
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See above... I think a mix is probably the best solution. Heck your AM even may let you take lessons every other week or every 3 weeks (especially if you're a man/leader) and take as many group classes and parties as you want.
 
PhantomK91 said:
If my primary motivation is being a competent social dancer (no particular event coming up so no strict deadlines) and money is a big factor right now, would it be wise to stop taking privates for a while and just do group lessons and socials? I do eventually want to take privates in my dancing "career" but will I plateau quickly if I decide to forgo private lessons for a while after maybe a few more months taking them at AM?
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You have a better picture of your finances and what you can afford. If you really can't afford the privates, then you shouldn't be taking them. As far as being a competent social dancer, that depends on how competent is defined. Over the years of my own social dancing, I have come to realize that oftentimes a new social follow can't tell the difference.

Case in point was a follow who commented that a certain leader had gotten worse -- she started her dance career dancing with him and thought that he was wonderful but after a break of a few years she saw how bad he was. I doubt that he got worse, it's that she got better.

Technique is what makes things work. But technique is not emphasized in group classes. But I take both private lessons and group classes. Group classes I take to add patterns, but add them to my social repertoire only if I can figure out what the lead is. Group classes are also a means to drill technique in the presence of another human being. I think you may have already paid for a package of privates. If that's the case then get as much technique as you can and take notes so you remember and then apply them if you have to drop back to privates.
 
Joe said:
OP, in your specific situation I would consider taking the introductory and then intermediate International Style ballroom classes at the University of Maryland Arts and Learning Center. If you can handle all the college kids. ;)

Dan Calloway is one of the best.
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Thanks for the suggestion! I'm an alumni of UMD and I think I'd like to check out that program next semester. I think the next step for me is to start getting out there to local social dances.

All the input is greatly appreciated!
 
I don't mean to come off as bitter. I like Arthur Murray. They treat me well. I love dancing and I'm so glad I discovered it.

However, I feel like I'm treated differently from the other students. Let me explain.

The students at my dance school are usually older. By older, I mean in their 40s and 50s. And about 60% of the students are female. We all know it takes longer to train a male dancer at leading. A female beginner student will be able to dance pretty well in the hands of a skilled male lead but it takes a lot longer for a male lead to be able to lead effectively.

There's only 2 other younger guys at my school. One of them is married. The other has a girlfriend. I'm the only guy who is single.

I think my dance school knows this and tries to take advantage of it. I notice they periodically ask me how I'm doing and say encouraging words. I'm one of the clients who can potentially stay long-term and thus be one of their long-term customers.

The female dance instructors are all physically attractive and I think it's part of the business model. They know they're attractive and they know single guys are vulnerable. Don't get me wrong. There are older male students who are in their 40s and 50s who are single as well but they tend to be the divorced type who are content being single. I'm not making assumptions here. I know cause I befriended some of the older male students at my school and they told me such.

Also, I'm Asian so even though I'm 34 years old, I look like I'm 27.

Again, I'm not trying to be pretentious or arrogant here. I just want to be treated like everyone else. But I find they pay special attention to the younger men who are single.
 
You might be functioning as an unpaid dance host, which can be a valuable commodity to have on hand, especially if the gender ratio is skewed. Thus you will be treated well so you stick around.
 
SmoothAsian said:
But I find they pay special attention to the younger men who are single.
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Making you feel welcome, special, a praise worthy is somewhat part of the job description. You may find that even the old married guy is made to feel special. Also, I am not knocking the practice. My financial planner makes me feel special, like I am the only one whose money he cares about, he praises me for making sound and practical financial choices. I am not his richest client by any means, but never the less, he seems to put in an extra effort for me. That said, I suspect he doesn't, he treats everyone as special.
 
SmoothAsian said:
I think my dance school knows this and tries to take advantage of it. I notice they periodically ask me how I'm doing and say encouraging words. I'm one of the clients who can potentially stay long-term and thus be one of their long-term customers.
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I think you're overthinking things. I often ask people how they are doing, especially if they're new, and every time I dance with someone I try to say encouraging words. I didn't start that long ago, and still remember clearly how much it helped me to feel welcome at that time.

It's very common to try to encourage new dancers, whether or not there's a monetary benefit. Especially new leads, because it can be particularly daunting, and because there's usually a dearth of leaders. I've also found that teachers like to spend more time with people who catch on more quickly, because it's just more fun and rewarding. This often, but not always, means younger people.
 
Encouragement is better than being outright avoided. I know of one expert lead that goes to a studio social near his house every now and then - and he's stopped going since they don't make him feel welcome. He's only one of about 3 leaders at that studio... making it more than 90 percent women.

A lot of studios have a real shortage of leaders, so there definitely is some extra encouragement there to keep you. Don't let it turn you away... it's just to avoid situations where you have 9 women for every 1 man at the studio. Even with instructors there, it's still a largely unbalanced ratio.
 
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