Studio vs. private instructors

Jongleur9418

Jongleur9418

Member
We are a couple who have been learning ballroom dancing for about two years. Our goal is to be good social dancers with occational competitions. Which way is more efficient in learning? Studio or private instructors?

Any advices? Thank you in advance!
 
How serious are you about competing? The diehard competitors around here tend to take all private lessons with the best coaches (in their opinion) they can afford. Most am-am and many pro-am couples take lessons from studio pros who teach private lessons and also studio group classes. The people focused on social dancing lean toward group classes with some private lessons to reinforce things or resolve uncertainties; I see very little beyond intermediate Silver level stuff at socials. But each situation is different.

The purists might howl, but IMO, social dancers don't have to focus on perfect frame, perfect footwork, etc. Those are nice to have to dance as competently as you can, but you won't get bad marks at a social if you dance a flat foot here and there. And if there are wannabe judges at socials, well... ;)
 
If by "studio" you mean group lessons, those are good for learning steps and basic technique up through around silver, depending on what is offered and who is teaching. I would mix in private lessons every so often, if you're looking to be competitive.

If by "studio" vs "private" you mean the kind of instructor (like fasc said)... it depends on the person. Take a look at each instructor's students, and pick the one with the best results.

IMO, there is no distinction between social and competitive technique (beyond making things smaller to fit on a crowded floor). "Competitive" technique exists to make movement easier for both partners... the idea that social dancers don't (or don't need to) care about that kind of technique reinforces the idea that social dancers aren't as good...
 
What fasc said, I'm not clear what you mean. If you want to compete at all you are going to need private lessons, whether with a teacher attached to a studio or a teacher who operates independently. Who you go with depends on, like dbk said, the teacher--look at their students, see what they turn out, and go from there.
 
Thank for all your prompt replies! Let me clarify my question first:

By studio vs. private, I meant independent instructors vs. those hired by a studio. We have been learning ballroom dance at a chain studio, basically with 3 private lessons (2 separate and 1 together) each week, plus some group lessons and practice parties. We've also attended a few low-key competitions. But since we never had any private instructors, we would like to have some ideas in comparison. As for the package with the studio, we do like the group lessons for new patterns and the parties to dance with the teachers and more advanced students. But the learning process seems slower or less focused than we would like.

Thanks again for your inputs!
 
we do have a number of threads in which the topic you are asking about is touched upon...in terms of independent vs franchise..if you would like to search those as well
 
Jongleur9418 said:
...have been learning ballroom dance at a chain studio, basically with 3 private lessons (2 separate and 1 together) each week.... But since we never had any private instructors, we would like to have some ideas in comparison..
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It all depends on your character: some cannot bear hearing two concurring views and flee into the moulding hands of a single trainer. Others will need conflicting inputs to improve.
 
I think, particularly when one is new, it is critical to periodically step out and sample other instructors...because when you are new, you think everyone is good and that is when you are picking an instructor...precisely when you have no idea what you are looking for....I remember, a few years into dancing, having a coaching where I actually got to do some dancing with a well known guy, and thinking; holy moley THAT is how it's supposed to feel?...and, I vividly remember, after 3 1/2 years of dancing, walking into my current pro's studio and doing my first basic bronze tango...when we did a corte, I thought my teeth were going to fall out....my first teacher wasn't a bad teacher, I was fortunate...but I also had no idea what I was missing....and I was missing a great deal
 
fascination said:
I think, particularly when one is new, it is critical to periodically step out and sample other instructors...because when you are new, you think everyone is good and that is when you are picking an instructor...precisely when you have no idea what you are looking for....
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I've learned a great deal as going through the threads you recommended. You are right that we never even thought about to try other instructors because we simply had no idea what we were looking for.
I started to sense the difference in teaching was when we had coaches from other studios. I also feel from time to time that the progress is slower than we would like, especially slower than the studio promised. To deal with the problem, the studio would either encourage us to attend in-house comps, or simply add more private lessons. The result, however, has been quite disappointing. This is why I am here to search for better solutions. I am so grad to find DF, a place to learn beyond just dance patterns and technics.

Thanks again to all for your posts!
 
Loki said:
The purists might howl, but IMO, social dancers don't have to focus on perfect frame, perfect footwork, etc.
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Having a big frame isn't really important, but a properly aligned, poised, well-balanced frame has a lot of benefits both for one's self as well as one's social partner. Proper footwork also has a lot of benefits, especially for some of the unique demands of social dancing.
 
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