VronskyWasSoVain
Active Member
Just thought I'd share a recent experience I had with a particular dance school which is a lot cheaper and less "formal" than the franchised dance schools.
They specialize in latin dance which I do less of in my regular dance school where I'm focusing more on the smooth dances, swing, etc. I decided to give it a try. I took their group lesson package. The instructors are overall good. Nothing against them at all. But its a couple trying to make ends meet and they're doing the best they can but because of the lower rates they offer, there's only so much they can do.
For one thing, the group lessons take place in this converted old church building. The floors creak when you step on them. The floors are also not regularly maintained so you see rocks and pebbles littered throughout. I'm probably not gonna wear my dance shoes to it anymore because it's gonna ruin my soles.
Biggest problem were the attendees. I don't want to sound like an elitist a-hole but because of the lower rates, it's very popular. I'm happy so many people are interested in learning to dance, especially in my city which is regarded as a bit of a boring city. But one thing that bothered me were the couples that came together. Often, they didn't want to dance with anyone but each other. That's their right. I get it. But it kinda ruins the whole group community experience. This was especially apparent in the practice sessions where the couples would just practice together, leaving the singles to awkwardly look for other singles to dance.
This kinda thing NEVER happens at my dance school. The floors are always cleaned and spotless. And in the group sessions or practice sessions, all the students dance with each other. The couples that come together sometimes even refuse to dance with each other. It's just much better as a community experience.
Originally, being new to the dance world, I wondered at just the need for the higher cost but now I know why. You really DO what you pay for.
They specialize in latin dance which I do less of in my regular dance school where I'm focusing more on the smooth dances, swing, etc. I decided to give it a try. I took their group lesson package. The instructors are overall good. Nothing against them at all. But its a couple trying to make ends meet and they're doing the best they can but because of the lower rates they offer, there's only so much they can do.
For one thing, the group lessons take place in this converted old church building. The floors creak when you step on them. The floors are also not regularly maintained so you see rocks and pebbles littered throughout. I'm probably not gonna wear my dance shoes to it anymore because it's gonna ruin my soles.
Biggest problem were the attendees. I don't want to sound like an elitist a-hole but because of the lower rates, it's very popular. I'm happy so many people are interested in learning to dance, especially in my city which is regarded as a bit of a boring city. But one thing that bothered me were the couples that came together. Often, they didn't want to dance with anyone but each other. That's their right. I get it. But it kinda ruins the whole group community experience. This was especially apparent in the practice sessions where the couples would just practice together, leaving the singles to awkwardly look for other singles to dance.
This kinda thing NEVER happens at my dance school. The floors are always cleaned and spotless. And in the group sessions or practice sessions, all the students dance with each other. The couples that come together sometimes even refuse to dance with each other. It's just much better as a community experience.
Originally, being new to the dance world, I wondered at just the need for the higher cost but now I know why. You really DO what you pay for.
).
