Learning and Teaching

[SwingWaltz]

I was just wondering what everyone's opinion is on learning from one studio and teaching at another.

I am currently learning from a professional from one studio, and competing as well. As time progress, I would like to eventually teach at a lower level. What is your view on me going to a different studio to teach and stay with current studio for learning off my coach.

Also, would it be better if I let my current studio owner know that I'll be teaching else where (or see if I can get a teaching position there, not likely, most teacher there are professional or open amateur standard) or it doesn't matter.

Thanks

 

[Chris Stratton]

I think it's pretty common - studios with top teachers would be packed beyond capacity if all of the students who themselves teach did all of their teaching there. Instead, they do a lot of their work elsewhere - generally going to where their students are to teach, then having their own lessons at the studio where their teacher is based. And practicing some in both places or whichever better fits their space needs and budget.

And pretty much anyone who is competitively active - including those who may own studios - is going to travel some for lessons, or a lot if there are good resources within a few hours to go to. Though bringing a top coach in can be nice too, as it's a resource to both the hosting couple and their students.

 

[jwlinson]

Best let your coach and the owner know beforehand. Generally not good practice to go "behind the back." Chances are your coach/owner will inevitably find out (word spreads fast in the dance world) and may not be so inclined to keep you on as a student.

 

[Easy]

Best to let the current studio know your plans. They just might want you there, if not, it was their choice, and you gave fair warning.

 

[etp777]

Definitely good to learn and teach, the two are comlimentary. And as Chris said, the best dancers/teachers are always continuing to learn. Now the politics of doing it between two studios, I can't comment on, so definitely listten to what others tell you.

 

[chocolatchica]

I think that it depends on what kind of studios the two studios are. If you are taking from a chain to work for a chain that may not work too well. If you are taking from a chain to work for an independent dance studio or vice versa that may sit a little better with the chain. It's usually the chain that has a prob with this issue. In fact, I had a couple of lessons left at one of my old chain studios and they knew that my boyfriend at the time worked for another studio and they tried to refuse me my lessons for fear that I would try to convert some of their students over there. The nerve! It's like, "Just give me my $500 worth of lesson so I can get out of here! I'm obviously leaving this studio for a reason!" They can get pretty nasty when they even remotely suspect that you could be guilty of treason

 

[katen]

To teach while competing you need to have or be working towards your level O certification. Asking your current studio if they would be able to help you achieve this (assuming that you don't have it already) would be one way of raising the subject.

 

[WaltzElf]

I don't know if this is the best forum for that kind of question - the Australian Studio system is very, very different to the American one - American studios tend to be more... clannish and posessive of their students/ teachers than over here, from what I can tell.

The studio I'm at, I highly doubt our teachers would care if we went and taught elsewhere, provided we weren't going elsewhere for lessons. In fact, I'd probably feel much more comfortable teaching somewhere away from my own teachers than in the same studio.

But yes, I don't think the typical studio would care if you were teaching elsewhere in this country. It might even help with networking with comp judges etc to be seen at other studios.

 

[etp777]

Ah, didn't catch the Aussie location. Now I'd say I'm DEFINITELY not qualified to answer.

 

[Chris Stratton]

I don't know if this is the best forum for that kind of question - the Australian Studio system is very, very different to the American one - American studios tend to be more... clannish and posessive of their students/ teachers than over here, from what I can tell.

I don't think it's really a national issue, instead it's a difference between the focus of different types of studios.

The difference is also part of why people may teach and study in different places - study in a studio that is very competition focused, but often work in studios that are structured more to host the social side of things. There isn't a lot of conflict in those cases because it's pretty obvious that the two studios could only substitute for each other to a very limited degree, so their competition for business is limited to a small overlap.

 

[suburbaknght]

Just be honest. I'm a junior instructor at a studio and but take both classes and private lessons from other teachers and coaches because I want to improve my dancing and remove the "junior" part from my title. I do this with my employer and coach's knowledge, and always make sure my other teachers are comfortable teaching a "rival" before signing up for lessons.

The key is don't talk about your outside lessons where you teach and don't talk about teaching where you take lessons.

 

[nucat78]

There are 5 studios within a 10 mile radius of where I live. 3 out of 5 owners worked together at a chain, 2 of the owners were married to each other at one time, 1 of the owners worked for another owner, and one owner was a student of one of the other owners. One is running a teacher training program, although I don't know if it's officially accredited, etc.

I have not observed any sort of territoriality among them - students at least often take lessons at two or more studios.

 

[SwingWaltz]

Thanks guys for your advices.

Yea raising about Level O is a good way to let my studio know that I am interested in teaching. And naturally I'd be doing my training there, if they provide.

I forgotten about the Level O thing. As they only last for about 3 years of so (correct me if I'm wrong) I'd still be a full time uni student and not sure if I'll be able to get my level 1 in any of the styles. Might see what happens.