Starting to teach - in at the deep end

[azzey]

I'm seriously considering quitting my current career, getting a more flexible job and going into training to teach salsa full time.

I'd really like (am determined) to become a professional dancer and instructor so any tips from the teachers out there on how to make it through the first six months/year? What was the hardest thing in your experience?

The plan would be to start by teaching beginner/improver classes and eventually work my way up. I've approached several of my instructors about mentoring me but even if they're not able to commit enough time I'll be doing lots of privates to cover teaching aspects as well as keep improving my dancing.

Obviously I'm not thinking that I'll be able to support myself from teaching initially (hence taking a flexble job that I can schedule around teaching and dance training opportunities), that will take considerable time to build up a following.

I've been dancing for just over 3 years and thinking and researching this for the last two. It seems there will never be the right time to start as my career is very time consuming. I have no problem with leaving my old career behind and committing to this 120%.

Also, this seems like an opportune time as I have several partners (including a friend who is also training to become a pro) who have more than enough experience to teach with me as my partner.

So... what did you need to survive?

 

[HM]

My deep respect! That's a tough decision.

But everybody who does what he must do, is sure about that and has the determination will suceed (that's my persuasion).

Wish you all the best and good luck! :applause:

 

[Sagitta]

Having another job so that you can support yourself as you build up a client base is a very good idea.

 

[pygmalion]

Azzey. What led to this decision? Just curious, because, from what I've heard, getting started as a dance instructor is very, very difficult. I'd hate to see you quit your current career path cold and then wait a while to biuld a clientele.

Is it possible to hedge your bets a little? :? 8)

 

[africana]

Azzey. What led to this decision? Just curious, because, from what I've heard, getting started as a dance instructor is very, very difficult. I'd hate to see you quit your current career path cold and then wait a while to biuld a clientele.

Is it possible to hedge your bets a little? :? 8)

Was thinking the same thing when I first read this

but just I noticed he's from Scotland (for some reason I thought it was Paris), so now I'm thinking it might be fresh ground, a lot of room for growth with many wanting to learn salsa. Unlike Paris which is probably saturated with real pros (i.e. teachers with background in the classical arts and dances - ballet, modern, jazz, etc)

But I'm curious about what propels people to teach...I don't have that super human patience to fathom doing it full time

 

[pygmalion]

Unlike Paris which is probably saturated with real pros (i.e. teachers with background in the classical arts and dances - ballet, modern, jazz, etc)

An aside (and yes, I'm way too lazy to start a thread :lol: :lol: ) are those backgrounds necessarily an advantage, when it comes to learning or teaching salsa? Or can a classical dance background be a liability? *shrug* Just wondering ... :?

 

[cocodrilo]

I'd really like (am determined) to become a professional dancer and instructor so any tips from the teachers out there on how to make it through the first six months/year? What was the hardest thing in your experience?

I do not teach as a profession(more like assistant) but I would say taking the cut in pay as there is no guarantee what kind of $ you are going to be making to keep you afloat. If you have got a healthy savings then that is a big bonus.

I also agree entirely with what HF says- and I have done it many times in my life(and SUCCEEDED!)- if you are going to do what you feel you must do, be absolutely sure about it, and your determination can help you be a success.

Have you been in the salsa scene long? Do you have enough connections? Do you have a good music collection? Can you lead as well as you can follow? These are questions I would have to answer a definite yes to beforeI would go out on my own as a teacher.

 

[azzey]

Azzey. What led to this decision? Just curious, because, from what I've heard, getting started as a dance instructor is very, very difficult. I'd hate to see you quit your current career path cold and then wait a while to biuld a clientele.

Is it possible to hedge your bets a little? :? 8)

I'm crazy like that. The more and more I think about it the more I want to do it, in some way shape or form. So that doesn't necessarily mean teaching classes right away or even being paid for the teaching that I do. It could mean starting by teaching privates to beginners/friends/girls/guys that have asked me to teach them and charging reduced rates (i.e. £4-£10 instead of £30-£50) and then over time build it up to a class with a venue. I have taught some classes before and I find it quite easy at the beginner/improver level which is what I would be concentrating on. The difficult part is the venue.

With my current career I simply don't have the time or flexibility with schedule to get started.

I agree, aside from the dance-teaching aspect there are many obstacles to becoming an instructor:

* Finding a suitable venue.
* Gaining the respect and word of mouth to generate customers (mostly by going out dancing in every venue regularly).
* Having a flexible schedule where you can fit in teaching whenever there is an opportunity and work to earn money the rest of the time.
* Finding teaching partners.
* Learning about the non-dancing side of the business.
* Learning how to DJ (very important once you have a venue for your class).
* Spending time and money taking lessons from a pro on how to improve your teaching.
* Spending time practicing and money on privates to improve your dancing until you look like a pro.
* Making contacts in the salsa community with promoters and venues.
* Building up a good CD collection.
* Teaching a few students well enough so that they become the advertisement for your business (i.e. "you dance so well, where did you learn?".
* Choosing a name.

Probably lots of things I've forgotten?

 

[azzey]

Azzey. What led to this decision? Just curious, because, from what I've heard, getting started as a dance instructor is very, very difficult. I'd hate to see you quit your current career path cold and then wait a while to biuld a clientele.

Is it possible to hedge your bets a little? :? 8)

Was thinking the same thing when I first read this

but just I noticed he's from Scotland (for some reason I thought it was Paris), so now I'm thinking it might be fresh ground, a lot of room for growth with many wanting to learn salsa. Unlike Paris which is probably saturated with real pros (i.e. teachers with background in the classical arts and dances - ballet, modern, jazz, etc)

But I'm curious about what propels people to teach...I don't have that super human patience to fathom doing it full time

For cross-body style there are two pro teachers (who work together) in Glasgow (they're my teachers). With the recent closing of Havana all the weekly classes have been rolled into one night (wed) and all the free classes are now charged for.

Cuban wise there are many good teachers here and that market is indeed saturated.

In Edinburgh there are several pro's and many experienced amateur teachers but there is also a bigger scene and more people interested in improving their dancing.

 

[pygmalion]

Wow, azzey. It sounds like you have thought through the idea very well. And isn't that what they always say? Good planning is the key to success. I'm sure you'll do well. 8)

 

[azzey]

I'm seriously considering quitting my current career, getting a more flexible job and going into training to teach salsa full time.

Perhaps what I should of said was, I'm considering quitting my current stressful job with long hours for something less well paid with more regular hours and flexibility so that I can pursue what I really want to do.

..but the first sounded more dramatic. :wink:

 

[africana]

I'm considering quitting my current stressful job with long hours for something less well paid with more regular hours and flexibility so that I can pursue what I really want to do.

Ok I like this better
best of luck!

 

[Sagitta]

I'm seriously considering quitting my current career, getting a more flexible job and going into training to teach salsa full time.

Perhaps what I should of said was, I'm considering quitting my current stressful job with long hours for something less well paid with more regular hours and flexibility so that I can pursue what I really want to do.

..but the first sounded more dramatic. :wink:

A male drama queen!

8)

 

[salseralon]

I too have thought about teaching in the future. It seems a very scary jump to take to move in to the teaching side, so i wish you the best of luck, if you feel confident and have planned well im sure you will suceed, just remember what u want!

 

[bjp22tango]

I agree, aside from the dance-teaching aspect there are many obstacles to becoming an instructor:

* Finding a suitable venue.
* Gaining the respect and word of mouth to generate customers (mostly by going out dancing in every venue regularly).
* Having a flexible schedule where you can fit in teaching whenever there is an opportunity and work to earn money the rest of the time.
* Finding teaching partners.
* Learning about the non-dancing side of the business.
* Learning how to DJ (very important once you have a venue for your class).
* Spending time and money taking lessons from a pro on how to improve your teaching.
* Spending time practicing and money on privates to improve your dancing until you look like a pro.
* Making contacts in the salsa community with promoters and venues.
* Building up a good CD collection.
* Teaching a few students well enough so that they become the advertisement for your business (i.e. "you dance so well, where did you learn?".
* Choosing a name.

Probably lots of things I've forgotten?

In my personal experience (non salsa) this has been and continues to be the hardest part. Finding a space that is yours, that is 'branded' as yours, that is easy to find, and can be seen in a high traffic area.

I have been actively looking in my small town for the past 3 years, and in the mean time using dance studios and community centers in the area. It is not optimal, but is doable. It means I am paying someone elses rent instead of working on my own mortgage (both are tax deductible). It also means I am limited in what hours I can teach depending on what else is going on.