Need some advice on Ballroom Dance Event

[JohnWA]

Hello - I am new to Ballroom dancing and need some advice from folks out there. There is an event in Vegas called Holiday Dance Classics that I wish to attend with my instructor. Now my question: Is it customary for students to pay for their instructor's travel and registration expenses? I have no clue and before I make a committment I wanted to check what the norm is.

I really would appreciate any experience or feedback or advice on this.

Thanks!!

 

[waltzgirl]

Yes, it is the norm. It's pretty typical for instructors to charge all their travel and hotel expenses, as well as a per-dance and/or per diem fee to cover their loss of income while they are away and not able to teach anyone else. If more than one student of an instructor goes to the comp, the travel & hotel expenses are usually split among the students. It does make pro-am competition pricey, but you can't expect your instructor to lose money going to a comp with you and, since it is their job, not a hobby for them, it is fair for them to make something on the deal.

Holiday Classic is a great comp. If you go, you'll definitely enjoy yourself! Welcome to DF!

 

[reb]

Welcome to DF - you'll find some good people helping out on this forum.

Waltzgirl is right on and explained it well.

The Holiday Classic in Las Vegas is a great comp to attend - you're making a good choice with that one.

In the evening you'll be able to also check out the am/am (Amateur) and pro/pro (Professional) events - and the different levels.

 

[tanya_the_dancer]

Hello - I am new to Ballroom dancing and need some advice from folks out there. There is an event in Vegas called Holiday Dance Classics that I wish to attend with my instructor. Now my question: Is it customary for students to pay for their instructor's travel and registration expenses? I have no clue and before I make a committment I wanted to check what the norm is.

I really would appreciate any experience or feedback or advice on this.

Thanks!!

Yes, this is typical. Around here we pay teacher's expenses - hotel + travel, and a flat fee per day.

 

[SPratt74]

How fun! While you guys are correct, there are some instructors that don't charge a thing for competitions (I had an instructor like this). But then again, you kind of have to wonder why a bit though lol. But yeah not all will charge, but I'd say do more research before you commit to them to see if they can take you further into competition. If you have a new instructor just starting out in other words, they may struggle like you before you compete. It might take you longer to reach your goal in other words. So, then you have to think if they are worth your money or not.

 

[SDsalsaguy]

Welcome to the DF JohnWA!

As waltzgirl, reb, and tanya have all noted, what you describe is the norm for pro-am and so nothing to be concerned about (aside from just being pricey) and, as reb has also mentioned, Holiday is a great comp as well.

 

[DancingJools]

.... there are some instructors that don't charge a thing for competitions (I had an instructor like this).....

I am curious. Was this a DanceSport (i.e. ballroom) event? I am asking because I think you also do Country Western, which is a very different environment from DanceSport. The Holiday Dance Classic is one of the biggest and best DanceSport comps out there. And given what I think is a shortage of DanceSport teachers who can handle competitions of that level, I am very skeptical about any teacher who would offer to compete with a student for free. Why on earth would he/she want to do that?

 

[SPratt74]

I am curious. Was this a DanceSport (i.e. ballroom) event? I am asking because I think you also do Country Western, which is a very different environment from DanceSport. The Holiday Dance Classic is one of the biggest and best DanceSport comps out there. And given what I think is a shortage of DanceSport teachers who can handle competitions of that level, I am very skeptical about any teacher who would offer to compete with a student for free. Why on earth would he/she want to do that?

Yeah it was Country Western. I however, have switched instructors and now I only dance Ballroom and Latin. So, yeah it was a different environment completely. I didn't realize this going in lol. I haven't talked a whole lot to my new instructor about competing, but he does compete. I'm not at that level yet though lol. I can't wait until I am, because it sounds like so much fun! But once I do start competing, I'm sure that he'll probably charge me, because he's a higher level of instructor and he knows I expect more from him etc.

 

[alemana]

i know of some competing dancesport pros who will dance pro-am for nothing -at the onset of their pro-am careers. they do it to get experience and exposure. if you are lucky enough to snag one who actually knows what he's doing, despite being new at it, you've struck gold.

 

[kayak]

Yeah it was Country Western. I however, have switched instructors and now I only dance Ballroom and Latin. So, yeah it was a different environment completely. I didn't realize this going in lol. I haven't talked a whole lot to my new instructor about competing, but he does compete. I'm not at that level yet though lol. I can't wait until I am, because it sounds like so much fun! But once I do start competing, I'm sure that he'll probably charge me, because he's a higher level of instructor and he knows I expect more from him etc.

Wow, things are quick in your life. Weren't you training with two instructors and looking for a CW comp outfit just a week or two back? How did that go?

 

[SPratt74]

Wow, things are quick in your life. Weren't you training with two instructors and looking for a CW comp outfit just a week or two back? How did that go?

Well, I realized I was headed in the wrong direction. I decided to put up my C & W gear and head for the big time in Ballroom and Latin lol. Plus... it was getting too expensive to have to pay for two instructors instead of one lol! Even though I have to pay a certain price, it's still so worth it going to a higher level of instructor!

By the way, I'm going to volunteer for a competition event that will be held next year! I decided why not? It's a great way to get to know the scoop, and to get to know people in the dancing world. I'm excited!

 

[kayak]

Cool, sounds like fun

 

[JohnWA]

Thanks to everyone who responded and also sent me messages. This certainly helps clarify the situation for me.

Although I am very nervous about the event, I think I will still go to Vegas with her and see how things go. If I like it and she does take care of me as she claims she will, then she will have validated my trust in her (and I will retain her as my instructor). I do trust her a lot though so it isn't as if I am doubting her, I just wanted to make sure I am doing due diligence in understanding this new world that I am getting into - which is very infatuating!!

 

[waltzgirl]

Good for you, JohnWA! I did my first comp after taking lessons only a few months. It was a bit nerve-wracking, but I'm glad I did it. You'll probably be dancing "newcomer," so the judges will be expecting only what a beginner can reasonably do. If you stand up straight and smile, you'll be fine.

Smart of you to check out the customs of this new world you're entering. But beware, once you become a citizen, there's no going back! As you've discovered, it's entralling.