Seeking advice from those familiar with the dance industry.

[pascalswager654]

Hello all,

My question involves the median hourly rate of dance instructors. I have recently begun taking dance lessons. I live in a rather wealthy town in rural Pennsylvania and am taking lessons at a franchised dance studio. The lessons are offered in bundles that increase in price as you purchase subsequent lesson bundles. The rates for private dance lessons top out at approximately $115 per hour. I make a modest living but am unable to afford these lessons past a certain point.

I would like to ask my instructor if she has ever offered dance lessons during her private time. I have reason to believe that she may be receptive to such an offer but I cannot be certain. I would be willing to meet with her on her terms and at a location of her choosing. What hourly rate should I offer in order to have the highest probability of her accepting my proposition?

I have no basis with which to estimate her current income levels. I know that she is not a manager. She has worked for this firm for several years and I am certain that she is somewhat loyal to her employer.

Do dance franchises generally include a clause in the employment agreement that prohibits this type of behavior? I don't want to make her feel uncomfortable but I believe that this is worth a shot. The studio has shown no interest in negotiating a more suitable price.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Tl;dr What is the median hourly rate for dance instructors who are not managers? Do franchised dance studios prohibit their instructors from accepting clients on their personal time?

 

[sbrnsmith]

Let's open Pandora's box...

 

[twnkltoz]

She probably has a clause preventing this in her contact, so you could get her in trouble. As for me, I never take these offers because I do my teaching at the studio, and if I'm not there it's because it's my day off. So you can ask, but expect a "no."

 

[raindance]

Welcome to dance forums.

It is very likely the franchise teacher has restrictions against teaching at other locations.

If you are looking for lower cost lessons, check other studios in your area to see what they offer. Private lessons tend to be expensive everywhere, but prices do vary somewhat.

Some studios also include groups and parties in their private lesson fees, while others charge for these things separately. So there are differences in prices due to that, as well.

What are your dance goals? How long have you been dancing?

 

[pascalswager654]

Welcome to dance forums.

It is very likely the franchise teacher has restrictions against teaching at other locations.

If you are looking for lower cost lessons, check other studios in your area to see what they offer. Private lessons tend to be expensive everywhere, but prices do vary somewhat.

Some studios also include groups and parties in their private lesson fees, while others charge for these things separately. So there are differences in prices due to that, as well.

What are your dance goals? How long have you been dancing?

I am very interested in learning how to dance and I began taking lessons very recently. I have no prior experience dancing. There are only two or three studios within a 20 mile radius and this is the only one of those studios that caters to adults.

I would be more than willing to take group lessons, as opposed to private, but this firm only offers packages that include a mix of both. The packages must be purchased and completed in a sequential order with substantial increases in price at each level. This instructor is at a relatively early stage in her career. She began dancing less than five years ago and she received all of her training from this studio.

Without the studio overhead costs, I believe that I could pay her well over her normal compensation for private lessons. I have a general idea about her annual compensation. Of course, if this jeopardizes her career she will have no incentive to accept my offer.

I will extend this offer to her when my current lesson package expires. I have 5 lessons left. Is there a best way to go about extending the offer? Also, do you have any suggestions about finding alternatives? Dance clubs perhaps?

 

[PaulBunyon]

re: Also, do you have any suggestions about finding alternatives? Dance clubs perhaps?

• Look into community education in your town. Often a progressive series of Ballroom Dance group classes are available.
  
• Do a search for Ballroom Dance at MeetUp.com with your town in the search radius.
  
• Is there a college in your town? Look to see if they have Ballroom Dance as a PE course. Also check the student clubs, is Ballroom Dance one of them.

 

[DerekWeb]

That price is very high for a teacher with 5 years experience. I live in a highly populated area, and for that price you can get a college degreed or certified Eastern European expert. That said, some people in this area do not look at alternatives and would blindly take the deal to which you refer.

 

[snapdancer]

The OP probably needs to extend his horizon beyond a 20-minute travel. How much further depends on where he lives. There are alternatives to studios which only sell over-priced packages for lessons taught by teachers of dubious qualifications.

There are independent studios which sell lessons tailored to you for which you pay as you go. And sell socials separately. But you may need to travel some distance to find one.

 

[Partner Dancer]

Hello all,

My question involves the median hourly rate of dance instructors. I have recently begun taking dance lessons. I live in a rather wealthy town in rural Pennsylvania and am taking lessons at a franchised dance studio. The lessons are offered in bundles that increase in price as you purchase subsequent lesson bundles. The rates for private dance lessons top out at approximately $115 per hour. I make a modest living but am unable to afford these lessons past a certain point.

I would like to ask my instructor if she has ever offered dance lessons during her private time. I have reason to believe that she may be receptive to such an offer but I cannot be certain. I would be willing to meet with her on her terms and at a location of her choosing. What hourly rate should I offer in order to have the highest probability of her accepting my proposition?

I have no basis with which to estimate her current income levels. I know that she is not a manager. She has worked for this firm for several years and I am certain that she is somewhat loyal to her employer.

Do dance franchises generally include a clause in the employment agreement that prohibits this type of behavior? I don't want to make her feel uncomfortable but I believe that this is worth a shot. The studio has shown no interest in negotiating a more suitable price.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Tl;dr What is the median hourly rate for dance instructors who are not managers? Do franchised dance studios prohibit their instructors from accepting clients on their personal time?

Don't bother asking. The instructor is obligated to teach under the franchise
banner. She was taught (exclusively) by that system, and that system
(deservedly) expect returns. She's not paying tuition to learn a trade
(particularly in the early years).

The $115 package deal (usually includes 1 45-min lesson, 1 (or more) group
class, and 1 party) is not really a bad deal, especially if you're in a wealthy
neighborhood. The group lesson and practice parties are extremely helpful,
especially for beginners. The "cultish" way franchises run provides the
advantage that students always feel "included" and get over timidity quickly.

Independent studios are unlikely to be substantially lower in price from the
franchises, given similar offerings. The real "gain" for studios offering
packages is when a student does more than one "lesson" (package unit)
per week, where the group/party of the additional lessons is forfeited.
Some students who can't afford weekly lessons do once-every-two-weeks,
and some studios will even let them do the group/party on off-paying
weeks (especially if person helps with things like gender imbalance in
group classes). Many studios will also barter service for lessons.

With say 5 years experience, the instructor is probably taking in $15 to $20 per
hour (even when not teaching because studio can't/doesn't fill her calendar),
but may get extra for doing weekend duty (probably once or twice a month).
She doesn't have to deal with a lot of the "business issues" in dance (but
is taught to be a good/pushy salesperson), and gets to concentrate more
on the dancing/teaching. Solo instructors may get much higher hourly
rates (say $30 to $75 for 45-min, with $10 floor fee included or not), but
often can't fill up a 40-hour/week calendar (not enough clients, too much
paperwork/recruiting, etc.).

You probably want to assess what you want out of learning to dance. If
you just want to be somewhat competent in dancing socially, then you might
be able to find a solo instructor in the area that could get you through the
basics. A lot of (ex-?)students teach on the side. The progression in that
path is somewhat limited, obviously because there isn't the "community"
that comes with socially-oriented studios. If you're lucky, you might be
able to join some collegiate dance club, where lessons are much cheaper,
but the quality very decent.

 

[MaggieMoves]

That's actually low for a franchised studio. Then again living near NYC I'm sure there's a huge premium just for that fact. 115 though is still very steep for someone with little experience, but if you like the studio and it satisfies your needs without straining your bank account... stay there.

There's a very slim chance she'd take your offer to give lessons outside of the studio. Most of them work 6 days a week and she'd probably have to offer you her day off... and at a risk that she'd be fired immediately for even just TALKING to you outside of the studio. The only slight chance she may take on this is if she's ready to leave herself to go independent... which is very slim considering you're in a rural area.

If you want cheaper lessons, definitely take the advice of what others posted here.

 

[Cal]

I know of one instance in which a student proposed a moonlighting deal to an instructor. The instructor declined because of a non-compete clause; and when the student's package of lessons expired at the studio, the studio owner also declined to take further business from that student. I doubt whether it always ends up with that kind of result, but the possibility is there.

 

[s2k]

I wouldn't touch asking my instructor to go behind his or her employer's back; it's gauche. You're asking your instructor to be sneaky, and that could cause your instructor to lose his/her job. And because you're causing your instructor to even BE in that position, it's going to jeopardize your relationship with your instructor. But good luck...

I drive 45 minutes one way to the studio where I practice and more than an hour from my coach. Open up your radius and find a studio that is more in line with your budget.

 

[raindance]

You could also consider approaching the studio manager with your dilemma - you like dancing there, you enjoy working with that instructor, but can't afford the rates on an ongoing basis. Is there a compromise of any sort available? Private lessons every other week instead of weekly? Any sort of barter they would be interested in (maybe you have IT skills or have a snowplow on the front of your truck or whatever)? The studio manager may have more leeway in negotiating than the instructor.

Be prepared, though, that the studio manager of a franchise is likely to be skilled in negotiation and skilled in high pressure sales. So go in knowing your limits, and go in knowing that if you can't reach a compromise, you might be parting ways if you can't keep coming up with the price they want you to pay.

I hope you can find a dance environment that you enjoy ad that fits your budget. As other posters have mentioned, you may have to be willing to travel to seek out other options. Also check out local community centers, YMCA, etc. Some have good group classes. There may also be other venues where there are dance parties with a group lesson beforehand that are not part of a studio. USA Dance may run such an event if there is a chapter in your area, or there may be other places, or studios that allow you to come to parties and groups even if you are not currently taking private lessons. You could also look to see if there is an active west coast swing community in your area. West Coast is a bit of a different experience than ballroom (the dance culture is different, neither better nor worse, just different), but it is still social dancing and from what I understand it is often less expensive.

 

[snapdancer]

Get a clear picture of what your other options are, if any, before going into a negotiating session. Know your limits and be prepared to walk if you don't get them.

Suggest holding off this discussion until your "package" is up for renewal.

 

[3wishes]

Welcome to DF. Use the search bar for lessons/costs/teachers etc as there are many thread discussions that may also answer other questions for you as a result of your original post.
I agree with Larinda. My sister was a dance instructor at a franchise chain, in a wealthy yet rural area in your described region. She would have been fired on the spot, and the student would not have been welcomed back through the doors.
Please check other options, even if you have to drive to the best option available, including recreation and parks centers or colleges that offer lessons as well. You may end up finding a dance partner via one of the franchise group lessons that will split the lesson cost with you if you continue at the franchise studio.