I'm dumping a great dance teacher

P

pygmalion

Well-Known Member
Help, guys. My heart is broken. For reasons I can't go into (he and some of his students are members of this forum, too), I feel I have to leave my dance coach -- a great teacher whom I also like. I really feel like it's the best thing for me, but it's breaking my heart. What should I do? Make a clean break? Postpone making a decision? Has any of you ever left a beloved coach? How did you handle it?
 
Yeah, I did have to make that decision about six months ago and it totally broke my heart. I still think about it and miss the great energy and the style of Salsa in the instructor's classes. It was not only the instructors that I liked so much but it was also the dance studio itself. Unfortunately, I had to leave because as a dancer, I was not getting what I needed. So, to make it easier for me, I just made a clean break. I am however on their email list just to keep in touch. I may return one day. :)
 
I think moving on to new inspiration and new input have a better sound.

If you stay with one teacher only,
you risk ending like a clone of this style.
If he is a pro, he will handle it like a pro.
I would prefer to keep the door open, in case you discover
there is more you learn or need advice on later.

But if he reads the forum, the “cut” have already been made.

Best wishes, hugs & cheer ups. :friend:
 
Thanks for the hugs, John. :D And I like your way of looking at things. Of course, I already told him several days ago. I wouldn't break the news via the forum. That would be so mean. In fact, I wouldn't have posted at all, but I need moral support. :cry: :? Thanks. :)
 
Danish Guy said:
...keep the door open, in case you discover
there is more you learn or need advice on later....
Click to expand...

Big hug from me too Jenn! DG is right. Sounds like a good dance relationship so I know you'll always have your door open....
 
Thanks, peachexploration! You've met my (soon to be ex) teacher. So you know I think he's tops. It's just time to move on, at least for now. Yes, I'll keep my door open. But I do have to explore new options. *shrug* What else can I do?
 
Sorry I'm late to the thread Jenn... (I was sleeping off the DF awards)

Your coach knows how you feel about him Jenn. He knows that you like him as a person and think that he's a great coach.

I think what is key is that you need to do what you need to do for you!

Hugs always! —SD
 
This is going to sound weird, but what the heck. I'm among cyber friends. Grief is a funny thing, and grief is what I genuinely think I'm experiencing over this decision. All the stages are there -- awareness, denial, sadness, anger... I'm now getting to the acceptance part. Then I move on, right? Not bad. It's only taken me a week to get through most of the process. I've decided to have a heart to heart with him at our regularly scheduled lesson time on Monday, then as peachexploration suggests, make a clean break. But do it as diplomatically as possible so I don't burn bridges.

You guys are the best. Thanks for all the support.
 
pygmalion said:
Help, guys. My heart is broken. For reasons I can't go into (he and some of his students are members of this forum, too), I feel I have to leave my dance coach -- a great teacher whom I also like. I really feel like it's the best thing for me, but it's breaking my heart. What should I do? Make a clean break? Postpone making a decision? Has any of you ever left a beloved coach? How did you handle it?
Click to expand...

I ditto John. :)
 
I need to say something here. Thanks to all of you -- the many of you --- who have emailed me, PM'd me, or posted supportive things. It is hard leaving a dance coach you love, like, value and respect. It's really hard. But it's made so much easier by my many dance forums friends.


Thank you all so much! :oops: :cry: :D
 
Okay. So I've decided to turn this into something positive, and catalog my dance teacher search here, for people who may go through the same experience later.

So far, here's what I've done.

1. On line research -- google of course, also local USABDA chapter, dancespots.net and instructor listings. More google to find references to performances, reviews, etc.

2. Made a list of what's important to me in a coach.

3. Gotten personal recommendations from a couple dancing friends.

(In the meanwhile, I've also kept dancing -- lots of public dances, practice at home, and group classes to keep me warmed up.)

Not bad. :wink: 8)
 
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