More than one teacher?

[wonderwoman]

The teacher I am planning to start competing pro/am with is a few hours away so I only see him twice a month, which is fine.. but then I obviously can't just drive to the studio and practice. I take group classes at a studio closer, where I used to take lessons. If I take lessons with one of their instructors I can use the studio any time to practice. Would it be wrong to take a lesson a week with a teacher I don't want to perform or compete with just to get the extra practice time? Or does anybody else do something similar?

 

[fascination]

not wrong, imo, b/c you are still pying them and learning...however, since money is tight, I would think it wiser to save for lessons w/the main pro...and look into practice space at local gyms or something similar...for two years I practiced in my garage...not ideal but it worked with jazz sneakers

 

[wonderwoman]

True.. I am just wondering if I'd be more comfortable practicing in a studio. I just need to get up the balls to go to the JCC gym or something.

ETA: balls because I am nervous people will stare. yeah i said it.

 

[fascination]

okay...this may sound harsh but don't take it that way b/c I actually know what I am talking about on this one thing...dancing is all about staring down your fears and getting over looking stupid...you can be average without getting over it...but you can't be good...fake it...get over it...do it

 

[wonderwoman]

Not harsh, needed.... Trust me, more than you know...

 

[fascination]

listen...the only difference between a coward and a brave person is sufficient love to overcome the fear...I could talk for months on the various aspects of dancing that terrified me and which I have dreaded...now it's just like; here is your next hurdle toward being better...how much do you want it?

 

[wonderwoman]

Yup...

 

[wooh]

okay...this may sound harsh but don't take it that way b/c I actually know what I am talking about on this one thing...dancing is all about staring down your fears and getting over looking stupid...you can be average without getting over it...but you can't be good...fake it...get over it...do it

This is brilliant advice. I've made it to what is probably my version of average. Getting to what will be my version of good, I've won the occasional battle over my fears, but I'm still losing the war.

 

[fascination]

wooh...if I know anything about you at all it is that you can win if you want to

 

[wooh]

Fasc, you're the best. The wanting to get over the fear is what gets me. Do I want to conquer my fears more than live in the safe comfort that is what I have? Putting on my big girl panties just seems so hard, when the Pampers Pull-ups slide on so easily. I've got some changes in my dance life coming up soon, maybe the change will be an incentive to knock some "suck it up" into myself.

 

[anniep]

The teacher I am planning to start competing pro/am with is a few hours away so I only see him twice a month, which is fine.. but then I obviously can't just drive to the studio and practice. I take group classes at a studio closer, where I used to take lessons. If I take lessons with one of their instructors I can use the studio any time to practice. Would it be wrong to take a lesson a week with a teacher I don't want to perform or compete with just to get the extra practice time? Or does anybody else do something similar?

I know a few people in this situation. It seems to work when both pros understand exactly what your situation is and what their role is in it. For example, the nearby pro is not trying to change your routines... the far away pro doesn't give you attitude about taking lessons with someone else...etc. For one girl I know, the 2 pros in question actually recommend eachother and have worked together in the past, so everyone is on board and all of her lessons are geared toward the same goals.

 

[TangoRocks]

The teacher I am planning to start competing pro/am with is a few hours away so I only see him twice a month, which is fine.. but then I obviously can't just drive to the studio and practice. I take group classes at a studio closer, where I used to take lessons. If I take lessons with one of their instructors I can use the studio any time to practice. Would it be wrong to take a lesson a week with a teacher I don't want to perform or compete with just to get the extra practice time? Or does anybody else do something similar?

Well, do you think there is anything you can learn from one of their instructors? Even though you are not going to compete/perform with someone doesn't mean he/she will not be able to help improve your dancing. Using "lessons" as a way to get practice time on the studio floor sounds like the wrong motivation to me. Maybe pick something you don't want to spend too much time on with your regular pro that can still benefit your dancing? (I dunno, a less favourite dance you nevertheless want to learn to dance socially, if not competitively? Take lessons from a female instructor whose styling you like for female arm/head/whatever styling?)

Also, as anniep said, be open about it and let both pros know what your expectations from them are. They are professionals, and they would understand that you expect different things from them, or at least they should.

 

[Leonid Turetsky]

I also know someone at a high level that does pro/am with a teacher in a different state and she takes lessons with a local pro who had learned her routines... that way, between the two of them, she gets enough practice!

 

[Gorme]

WW,

I do something like your situation. I have leftover lessons from a package that I purchased a long time ago. I use them at a rate of 1 lesson every 2 weeks. In the studio's books, I'm a private student so I can use the floor for free whenever I want.

I pick something that I do not normally do, like Latin. The instructor knows I have other pros that I work with and that I'm taking these lessons more for fun.

 

[soplo]

I do the gym thing. I will go in there with my ipod and shoe bag. Change shoes and start practicing my shines or whatever for about an hour. Sometimes longer. Lately I've been doing nothing but spinning for over an hour everyday. People must think I am crazy but I try not to let it bother me. It does make me a bit self conscious at the very beginning and I'm not the type to get self conscious. After the 10 minutes it usually ok. I don't let loose crazy stuff though or dance full out so I don't make too much of a scene. If it's empty I'll work on flashy stuff. Most times, I just find an open spot somewhere in front of the mirror and work there. Nothing crazy- foot work, isolations, spins. Seems to work and I've seen other people practice dance and random stuff there. I would probably suggest not wearing something too attention drawing cause guys will stare. I'm a guy so i don't have that problem. It's the best place for me to practice so I buckle down and just do it. Done it probably 100 times now and never had a problem so it's mostly just getting over the psychological barrier. At the end of the day, the people in there will never see you again so their opinion doesn't matter and the only way to get good is to drill technique. The floor and mirrors are great. Go for it.

p.s. I gotta admit that when I was a beginner, getting over the psychological barrier was tougher cause I knew I was terrible and my dancing stunk. Especially when there were hot girls working out near me. Now that I'm better and it looks like I know what I'm doing, it's much easier. It gets easier with time. Now I'm try triples and complex spins versus falling over on a single and making people laugh... I try to intermingle technique that I know well with stuff that I stink at so at least I look cooler and people can see that I'm not a total hack. I know it's totally in my head and stupid to think like this but this self deception and self aggrandizing allows me to push through and do my dance practice in public.

p.p.s. One final mental tool I use is to think about how much I admire people who really are passionate about something and are willing to work hard and do whatever it takes to achieve their goal. I'd like to think that most people feel the same way and will give me the benefit of the doubt and not judge me. If they admire my work ethic a bit, even better (Disclaimer: I'm not as ego centric as this sounds )