Pro/Am v Keep Looking for a Partner

[dancingirldancing]

Hi,

I am just wondering if anyone can give me some input.

I have been trying to look for a partner unsuccesfully for a few months now.

Thing is, I dont even get people contacting me to arrange try outs despite numerous ads different websites that I put up.

Thing is, I am not registered dancer I think that is one of the problem.

I mean if I put on Level 4 standard won all the comps etc, probably people will be more inclined to do try out.

Now, coach no 2 asked me to do pro-am.

I am confused now as I really do not want to do pro-am unless I can get an am partner from that.

Could it be possible if I do pro-am and do really well then someone might ask me to be their am partner ?

I mean, doing pro-am may put me out there for people to see my dancing and then maybe considering a partnership with me.

Or is it going to backfire as potential partners may see me as incapable to find an am partner.

I am really confused now. Help !

 

[fascination]

dancing girl...a fair question and a common dillema...you may want to do a search of the many similar threads we have...though I am sure folks will chime in with an opinion...and a pre-emptive cautionary note; threads of this nature have previously tended to fostoer a divisive and antagonistic dialoque between dancers who dance pro/am vs am/am, so we are going to be very very careful in the way that we answer the OP....thanks

 

[DanceMentor]

How important is the level?
Are you willing to start with someone that is less experienced and progress over time?

If yes, the number of people available is going to be far more.

 

[syncopationator]

I think that pro/am will keep you active and you will be more visible at competitions. A partnership can arise from someone that sees you dancing with your pro or vice versa (by virtue of you being at a competition to dance pro/am you might meet a partner).

Personally, I think the best way to find a partner is to go as many group lessons and practices as possible. The more people that see you dancing the higher your chances of finding a partner. And just as important, if not more important, let different pros/coaches know that you are seriously looking for a partner and ask if they can suggest some of their students.

 

[dancingirldancing]

Personally, I think the best way to find a partner is to go as many group lessons and practices as possible. The more people that see you dancing the higher your chances of finding a partner. And just as important, if not more important, let different pros/coaches know that you are seriously looking for a partner and ask if they can suggest some of their students.

Been there, done that, still doing it. The only problem is most people that go to group classes are there just for social dancing even the 'advanced' ones.

The only issue I have with Pro-Am around here is that normally there are very little competition and the few that do compete does not normally have very high skill. There is no point competing with people that is twice my age and have been dancing for very short time.

I will dance with people who is in lower level and even who has never competed before. It is the other way around when it come to boys though.

Can you accumulate elevation points dancing pro am in Australia ?

 

[mummsie]

Been there, done that, still doing it. The only problem is most people that go to group classes are there just for social dancing even the 'advanced' ones.

The only issue I have with Pro-Am around here is that normally there are very little competition and the few that do compete does not normally have very high skill. There is no point competing with people that is twice my age and have been dancing for very short time.

I will dance with people who is in lower level and even who has never competed before. It is the other way around when it come to boys though.

Can you accumulate elevation points dancing pro am in Australia ?

No you get no elevation points dancing pro-am in Australia as they are not registered events. - mummsie

 

[Laura]

I have been trying to look for a partner unsuccesfully for a few months now.

To tell you the truth, if you are woman (and you are), a few months is nothing when it comes to partner search. Don't give up, keep looking. It could take years to find a partner.

Thing is, I dont even get people contacting me to arrange try outs despite numerous ads different websites that I put up.

Have you tried contacting people to ask for try outs?

Thing is, I am not registered dancer I think that is one of the problem.

Do you mean not registered with whatever the Australian dancing society is, or not registered with the web sites you are using? In either case, you can fix this problem by getting registered, can't you? Sure, it might cost you a few dollars, but if you see that you need to do it to get attention, then do it.

I am confused now as I really do not want to do pro-am unless I can get an am partner from that.

You don't sound confused -- you sound like you know what you want, which is to not do Pro/Am except as a away to get exposure so you can find an Amateur partner.

Could it be possible if I do pro-am and do really well then someone might ask me to be their am partner ?

Possible, but not necessarily probable. Why be passive -- are you actively asking people for try-outs? Are you reading ads and answering them? Are you going up to people you see at comps and in the studio and asking them what their dance status is and if they'd be interested in trying out? Are you keeping your "ear to the ground" as to who is together and who is broken up and who is looking and pro-actively emailing guys and asking for try-outs? Just dancing around, especially in Pro/Am, and hoping someone will notice you won't get you very far, to tell you the truth. You may very well need to go out there and make things happen.

I mean, doing pro-am may put me out there for people to see my dancing and then maybe considering a partnership with me.

It might.

Or is it going to backfire as potential partners may see me as incapable to find an am partner.

It might, especially since some people have a rather bad attitude about people, particularly women, who do Pro/Am. But don't let that put you off, because not everyone is like that. And the more you put yourself out there, and the harder you work, the more of a reputation you will build for yourself and a good reputation can only help. Do you practice solo? Do you go to practice/rounds sessions for competitors and practice your routines there on your own? Do people see you in the studio a lot, working on your dancing? That can all help too.

 

[katen]

I think that previous competition experience is really important to potential competition partners. So, whether it is medallist competition or pro-am competition it will help your chances.
While most group classes are social, not all are - if you join a higher level medal class then you may have more luck too. Also - look for practise partners too. At worst you will have the opportunity to dance "seriously" with people of your own level, at best it may evolve into a competitive partnership.
There's so many ways to learn and enjoy dancesport without competing too - medal exams, studying for coaching qualifications, and so on. Some of those may be worth pursuing too.

 

[Joe]

Thing is, I dont even get people contacting me to arrange try outs despite numerous ads different websites that I put up.

Sounds like you are being rather passive in your search...

 

[dancingirldancing]

I am not passive, I have contacted a lot of people on partner ads but for some bizzare reasons no one has even call me back ! So far, I normally contacted them through sms or email. I havent gather enough courage to call .

Mind you no one has seen me physically or dancewise so cant really take these things personally.

But I do find it very rude that someone put a partner ads and then ignore me when I respond.

 

[syncopationator]

Been there, done that, still doing it. The only problem is most people that go to group classes are there just for social dancing even the 'advanced' ones.

The only issue I have with Pro-Am around here is that normally there are very little competition and the few that do compete does not normally have very high skill. There is no point competing with people that is twice my age and have been dancing for very short time.

I will dance with people who is in lower level and even who has never competed before. It is the other way around when it come to boys though.

Can you accumulate elevation points dancing pro am in Australia ?

so yo are in Australia... I don't know how big Pro/Am is there but it doesn't seem like it is very big from what you are saying.

Are you willing to travel for a partnership - as long as its not more than a couple of hours drive of course... that may be the only way.

 

[Laura]

But I do find it very rude that someone put a partner ads and then ignore me when I respond.

I agree. That has happened to me too, but what can you do? Some men get so many people responding that they just don't even bother unless the woman sounds like she's already a star.

One of my teachers told me that when she was partner hunting she made sure she answered every single person who contacted her, even if it was just to say "thank you for your interest, but I don't want to try out with you, good luck in your search." It would be nice if everyone did that. Like, I emailed someone about two weeks ago who had told a friend of mine he was looking for a partner. I never heard back. I have no idea if he got my mail and is just ignoring me, or if he didn't get it, or what.

 

[samina]

i've learned there can be a host of reasons why people don't respond. i suggest not taking offense. sometimes people just dont log into those sites very frequently. or who knows what else is going on their lives, or how many emails they have to respond to that night, or week.

bottom line...if it's the right partner for you, he's going to see & notice & respond. if not...my suggestion is not to get distracted by making it about the people you're approaching. just keep moving in the direction you want and a door will open at the right time. there's plenty to work on in the meantime...

 

[NoDayButToday]

Aw, I wouldn't take offense to it ethier. I think a lot of us have been through this situation. I don't respond back to people who I don't think would be a good match. I'm not trying to be rude, I just don't bother. Facebook is a good place to browse for potential partners if you haven't done that already... All different age groups; all different levels.

 

[Standarddancer]

I agree with sam & Nodaybuttoday, do not take offense. People have multiple reasons not to respond emails, just can't afford the time.

Do you also note the date of their ads posted? it is possible people found partner already and forgot to delete old ads but never bother to log in the site to check emails.

also, my suggestion is if the price quoted by pro 2 is reasonable and affortable, just do it for some exposure. The more others see you dancing, the more likely you will find tryouts.

Also do you have photos for your ads? a lot of people don't respond to ads if they have no clue who you are, especially guys busy without many inquiries.