what would you ask? what would you answer?

[Dr Dance]

Great topic, Fasc. I shall offer my corollary: This is how I expect my professional teachers to respond to such questions:

how many times a year do you think it is appropriate to cancel on any individual student?

"As a rule, it's simply inappropriate. Ideally, it should never happen. But occasionally, emergencies occur that would prompt me to cancel suddenly with little or no notice. I shall strive to make this not happen at all. And if I do have to cancel, I shall compensate you with a free lesson for our next private."

do you think it is okay to wait longer than a week to respond to a student's email regarding lessons?

"Generally, no. I usually check my e mails at least every other day. If you haven't received a response from me by the third day, phone me. My computer may not be working or functioning properly. (This sometimes happens with Firefox.)"

how do you handle annoyance or disappointment with a student?

"Why? Are you planning to annoy me? I suppose that I could offer snide remarks or withering glances. Haha! I'm a professional. It's not my prerogative to 'be annoyed.' The customer is always right. Seriously, it's your money. There is little that you could do that I would find to be disappointing. But at the top of my list would be repetitious no-shows at scheduled lessons without notice. The first time, you get a 'free pass' because emergencies happen. For the second time, I would require documentation to validate your absence. And starting with the third time thereafter, I would charge you for the full price of the lesson."

how do you handle situations where two students have goals and preferences that conflict?

"There are almost as may goals and preferences as there are students. I would typically cater my teaching to meet that particular student's goals. Exceptions may include student goals that are really 'out there' such as regular studio sex after our lesson."

how motivated are you to still improve?

"Improve? But I'm already perfect. Just what are you implying? Haha! Seriously like all dancers, I myself am a 'work in progress.' I constantly strive to 'better my game.'"

(if the pro is older) how much longer do you think you will want to teach?

"That depends upon how much you annoy me. Badabing! Seriously, I honestly don't know. Much could happen within years or even months. My loose, long term plan is to teach 'X' number of years. If this should change in any way or for any reason, I'll be sure to let you know."

what are your expectations of me?

"Show up at our lessons fifteen minutes early to spend ten minutes (at no additional charge) to warm up. I expect prompt and timely payments for services rendered. I expect you to be ready to learn, ask questions, and offer feedback. And finally, I expect to have your undying devotion. (Not really.)"

 

[sbrnsmith]

I've never asked any pro these questions, and I think I would feel awkward to ask- not because it is not a good idea, or that one shouldn't...but I wonder, how many real answers will you get....my first pro cancelled all the time, often with little notice...but I doubt if I had asked him, he would have admitted that....my take on this is that I feel I learn more about a pro after I've taken a few lessons....his personality, way of doing things, work ethic, expectations etc all are more evident after a few lessons. Things that are more defined are dance goals, competitions etc....I find it easier to ask such as what comps/how many do you plan to attend?
As far as dance experience, I also find it's subjective- first pro had inflated his accomplishments on his website....turns out he wasn't that accomplished.
In the future, I would probably do some research, and then take a few lessons to find the best fit.

 

[Bailamosdance]

i would. Suggest that you ask his other students about his communication skills and minor things like how he is with missing appointments etc. I would suggest that you ask your potential teacher some dance related questions, such as what he expects from you to achieve your goals, what techniques does he prefer, etc. I would ask specifics about scheduling, payment etc only after you have worked with him In a lesson or two, feel comfortable that he can actually teach (!), and that you feel that you connect so you can interact with him and actually learn how to dance (rather than memorize a routine)...

 

[flightco]

(if the pro is older) how much longer do you think you will want to teach?

I am not sure how to relate this to the ballroom world, but in business, you would never ask a potential candidate how much longer they will be working, do you think you will want children, can you really climb a ladder at your weight, etc. In the business world this would be a lawsuit you would lose. Not sure if there could be a civil suit for discrimination or not but people are very sensitive about these things today. Might be better not to ask and if you are concerned, move on.

 

[rels77]

One thing I would also ask is if I could speak to a couple of students of theirs. granted, they'll probably give me the happiest, but still..

 

[fascination]

(if the pro is older) how much longer do you think you will want to teach?

I am not sure how to relate this to the ballroom world, but in business, you would never ask a potential candidate how much longer they will be working, do you think you will want children, can you really climb a ladder at your weight, etc. In the business world this would be a lawsuit you would lose. Not sure if there could be a civil suit for discrimination or not but people are very sensitive about these things today. Might be better not to ask and if you are concerned, move on.

right...this is one I would want to know but wouldn't really feel like I could ask...and I'd only be curious because I have seen the fire in the belly diminish for some, then there are others who are as fiercely competitive as ever....all of this is hypothetical...but I think sbrn is likely right that there is probably no real way to actually ask and get a completely accurate answer...it is, alas, probably always going to be a trial and succeed or trial and error sort of thing...I honestly never even would have even asked about technique (as important as it is to me) because I have always done enough research to have faith in that...

 

[fascination]

just curious guys...thanks all who took the time to chime in

 

[GinaN]

I think this is a great thread and a great service for anyone who may look here for guidance when looking for an instructor. I'm kind of "wired" this way, to think of what I would want to know, and tend to ask questions, but there were definitely a few here that hadn't occurred to me.

 

[fascination]

well, you live and you learn...and I guess part of why I was curious is that I am not one to do a bunch of "investigative reporting" underground inside a studio....I would rather take it to the source... but I never have....and it may not be all that possible...but I think there is some merit in simply knowing what you would in fact ask if you could

 

[GinaN]

Oh just so it's clear the few times I looked for someone I didn't ask not even half these questions...but I did ask a few that were the most important to me...but I think a list of questions is always good to have...helps you compare, too.

And at the same time, sometimes you can get all the answers you want and still the experience won't live up to the answers...whether it's because the answers were misrepresented or because of something just like lack of chemistry.

 

[ocean-daughter]

I started out at a franchised studio where my daughter and her friend were already dancing. I had heard about their policies when I signed her up, and I had no idea at the time of asking the probing questions you suggest!

Some time later, one of my teachers left there and began teaching independently, along with his partner. He has always been very open and forthcoming about his policies, which can pretty much be summed up as treat each other with respect, and I've learned a lot about being in charge of my own dance education from him.

Like fascination, I'm not in the market to find another teacher--I have two who suit me just fine!--but it's interesting to think about what I'd want to ask, or just find out about, if the occasion should arise. But I would probably like to have gotten to know a new teacher and built some rapport before committing to more than a couple of lessons. If there's trust and goodwill, we can work through the details. Being able to continue to ask questions and address things as they come up would be ideal, IMO.

 

[fascination]

well right...this really isn't about me having a gripe with past pros but more about what I have learned about myself by dancing with three very different men and learning through them what does and does not work well for me...

for instance, I am prompt, I like a standing lesson, I like to know what my lesson dates are at all times...I find it really burdensome to have to keep scheduling...currently in my life it can't be helped, but given my druthers I would want that...

I also push myself really really hard....I need to have someone who can balance being tough on me with being affirming because I am rarely able to affirm myself...two negatives do not equal a positive for me...knowing these things now would change how I looked for a pro if I was in the market....would I be able to find that stuff out without just jumping in ? dunno...but I'd like to

 

[ocean-daughter]

I like having a standing lesson too. Last night I talked to my other teacher (the one who's still in a franchise) about going ahead and scheduling for the next few months. I think both of us liked the idea!

In the franchises it seems they are more likely to tell you you're wonderful all the time than push you, unless you ask to be pushed. So I do ask, because I want to progress! I think by now my teachers know this but I do remind them.

Considering how starry-eyed I was when I started dancing, I feel very lucky in the teachers I've worked with and the ones I've chosen to keep working with.

 

[FancyFeet]

It's true that a lot of the questions to ask depend on who you are as a dancer and what you want/need as a teacher. I like to work, and improve, and push... and I love structure and goals and plans and information. Someone who is just in it for a weekly get-out, fun experience would likely be incredibly unhappy with the kind of teacher or lesson I actively seek out, and I would be completely dissatisfied with theirs.

 

[IndyLady]

I like having a standing lesson too. Last night I talked to my other teacher (the one who's still in a franchise) about going ahead and scheduling for the next few months. I think both of us liked the idea!

+1 for standing lessons. Because re-inventing the wheel every week trying to find a time that is open in both a busy teacher's schedule and my schedule is annoying as all get-out.

In the franchises it seems they are more likely to tell you you're wonderful all the time than push you, unless you ask to be pushed. So I do ask, because I want to progress! I think by now my teachers know this but I do remind them.

Agreed. I tell my instructors... I'm not paying you to flatter me, I'm paying you so other people will flatter me. I think sometimes franchise teachers are a little nervous about how students will take criticism but I've managed to get all of mine there eventually. I tell (or remind) them in a very straight-forward manner as needed that their job is to identify what I am doing wrong, tell me I am doing it wrong, and then tell me how to do it correctly.

Considering how starry-eyed I was when I started dancing, I feel very lucky in the teachers I've worked with and the ones I've chosen to keep working with.

Ditto. Given the lack of due diligence I have done over the years, I pretty much hit the jackpot with teachers. Though I think the biggest risk is during the first year or so... afterwards once we reached a certain level it seemed like I/we naturally gravitated to the instructors that were a good fit for us.