Need help with my guilt over expense

[Statlady]

I didn't say where in the range I was, either, my comments were based on an assumption that Statlady is a beginner and dancing in studio showcases and probably not taking lessons with someone with a nation-wide reputation. The lower end of the range I've seen locally seems to be $65 (previously $60), which is what I've seen some studios charge for "staff teachers" who do not compete in pro-only events and who are good with wedding couples, beginning social dancers, and people who don't know what they're going to do yet who are just getting into dancing and possibly competing.

I'm not exactly a beginner as I took ballroom classes in college. All the teachers at my studio are on staff, so the cost is the same for all of them. I happen to have the teacher with most experience (competition and teaching) of any of the full-time instructors, so I'm happy about that. He doesn't have a nation-wide reputation, by any means, but IMO he's the best I could ask for. I don't think any of the students at my studio compete, as it is mainly a social dance club.

I'm not sure why I felt I needed to add that.

 

[Laura]

Well, based what you said, it seems like $85 is entirely a good value for your lesson + group classes + parties -- and the more classes and parties you attend, the better the value!

 

[star_gazer]

That brings up the other affordable option...college classes. My husband and I took CW at the local college. It was about $200 for twelve weeks and it was great. It included floor time for practice. My kids are involved in the ballroom program at the same college and for next to nothing they get classes, group practice,fitness classes and access to a great floor for practice.

 

[Standarddancer]

Everyone else is charging over $100 and with visiting teachers....its crazy and I'm sure you know that!

yes it is crazy with visiting coaches, the problem with visiting coaches is that you don't book directly with the world master, but to book with the pro who invited them, the pro has to make sure there are enough couples to take lessons to cover the cost such as hotel, airfare, etc to invite the coach; due to weak dollars and all high cost, right now visiting coaches lessons in NYC as high as $250 per lesson

Someone told us the same master charges only like $100 in England or Italy; so some of our local friends pissed off thinking of stop taking lessons in NYC and going Italy to take lessons with those masters.

 

[Laura]

Sure, and with the weak dollar do they think that they will do better there what with lodging and food prices, not to mention the plane ticket? If they can, then go for it, I'm just saying that there's a cost associated with going to Italy to get that discount.

 

[wooh]

Sure, and with the weak dollar do they think that they will do better there what with lodging and food prices, not to mention the plane ticket? If they can, then go for it, I'm just saying that there's a cost associated with going to Italy to get that discount.

But you also get to go to Italy.

 

[Standarddancer]

Sure, and with the weak dollar do they think that they will do better there what with lodging and food prices, not to mention the plane ticket? If they can, then go for it, I'm just saying that there's a cost associated with going to Italy to get that discount.

I'm with you - It's very expensive to go aboard to take lessons; I'm not sure how much our teacher pay those masters to bring them to studio, but with all the weak dollars, it's definitely brave to still do so; Of course we pay more here, It's much more convenient to take lessons in town to save lodging & plane tickets expenses