Normal Amateur Partner While in College

[BlueBambue]

I'm currently in my Junior year in College and involved in my college's dance club. I am around Gold level technically. I really enjoy my time with the club and want to continue doing all of the classes, parties, and performances it entails. However, I also want to compete. There are not many guys who have much drive and/or ability for standard (my preferred style) and those that do already have very stable partnerships. I want to continue dancing after I graduate (and maybe teach when I've improved).

My question is whether it is possible to compete fairly seriously with an amateur partner while still attending college (assuming I am able to find a partner at all). I would be able to invest more time into the partnership than if I were working full time. I am fairly well off financially for a college student, but am still living within a limited income.

Does anyone have any experiences with people trying to pull this off? Or what obstacles there might be?

Thanks for any and all advice

 

[Chris Stratton]

Happens all the time. It will work if you can both show some awareness of the other's non-dance obligations and schedule. Many collegiate couples compete in regular amateur events too, and a lot of college hosted competitions are open to non students. You might not be able to use ayhletic department on campus practice space, or run into issues like that, but there are alternatives.

 

[tunape]

lots of "collegiate" couples are still students. As chris says, you can use your collegiate status as an advantage(eg. free space). Just remember to account for things like commute time to/from lessons and practices, and constraints due to exams and homeworks. The latter can prevent you from attending and traveling to comps, which the amateur partner might not be too happy about.

also, there might be a big jump in committment between an amateur partner vs. a collegiate partner, esp. an aspiring amateur partner will be very demanding in terms of practice and number of lessons.

 

[kathyt cupcake]

I know of several couples who compete amateur where one or both partners are in college. I think you've already identified the main issues which are similar to the generic "what kinds of things matter for a successful partnership" which include similar goals and resources to achieve those goals (time, money, etc). When you're trying out with potential partners you should probably have a good idea of how much time and money you are willing to put in-- if you have time but no money consider picking up a part time job or working more hours if you already have one.

 

[BlueBambue]

Thanks for the words of advice.

It makes me feel much better that this is somewhat common and feasible.

 

[Quixotic]

I think everyone's giving great advice. It would be ideal if you could find someone at your college with the same drive, but since you can't, do consider how much time you're willing to spend (of course money as well, but time is a huge commitment). I'm a college student as well, and I've re-partnered with an amateur dancer not from my college. I have to spend a lot of time commuting to practice (public transit), most of which I use up by reading class assignments. Chances are you might need to commute as well unless you are lucky enough to find a suitable partner near you (and that too adds up over the long run). I've also had to cut down (if not completely quit) on other hobbies and social activity because of a) money b) time. With that said, my motto has been that if you want it enough, you just need to make it happen.

Looking back, having a college partner was so convenient, and CHEAP (not to objectify them), but I rather like my current situation

 

[latingal]

Welcome to DF Quixotic!

 

[BlueBambue]

Hi Quixotic

Its nice to hear from someone who is making it work.

Commuting is going to be a pain, but at least I have a car so I will be able to get there faster (though I won't be able to read while driving). Hopefully future-partner will sometimes commute to me and my free practice space.

 

[Joe]

As an adult, I danced with someone through four years of med school, if that counts.

 

[kcristiani]

Hi BlueBambue

I danced competitively all the way through college and now dance pro standard so I will definitely tell you it can be done . It was a lot of fun too!

It helped that I wasn't a major party animal as I found myself dancing most evenings at studio practice sessions from 8-10pm. I started off with partners who were college kids like me having a good time. As I progressed I worked with more serious amateur partners.

My tip: pick partners who are as into it as you can. In the early stages how much you match, "the look", and to some extent "the skill" aren't as important. Work hard on yourself and hang around other people practicing. They will notice your effort. At some point you'll find one of those "stable partnerships" will break up and you'll be right there ready to go! :tongue: