May 26, 2012
I live in Marin county. Most dance schools are just for people looking to learn so they can attend parties and weddings. I want to compete.
I have prior seen a number of John De Witt’s answers in regards to ballroom and feel that he usually has a good grasp of the situation. However, in this particular instance I strongly hold an opposite opinion.
Social dance teaching and competitive dance teaching are two different things. Signing up for lessons at a studio that primarily handles first dances, parties and socials is not the way to competition. He is right however that they will glom onto you – but perhaps not in the best way for the goals that you have stated.
There might be studios in your area that handle both social and competitive couples – but you need to know from the get-go who to approach. Its rare that competitive coaches have social couples and vice-versa. You’ll be seeking out a coach who is all about competition.
Don’t buy packages. Competent competitive coaches are strictly pay as you go. As far as finding a coach I suggest reaching out to your local chapter of "USA Dance". They don’t teach. They are the governing body for amateur competitors. However, they almost always know who’s who and where the local competent coaches are located. Furthermore, they are non-profit.
I don’t know Marin county well so I’m not certain which chapter is closest to you. Here is the national chapters site listing for local chapters of USA Dance
http://usadance.org/chapters-and-regions/find-a-local-chapter/#CA
good question. I want to too, but you can go around and ask the studios in your area.
References :
Ballroom studios are like that. They have a large number of people who learn for social reasons and only a minority compete. But you have to learn to walk before you learn to run, so you should focus on getting an instructor who teaches in a way that you learn well, and the competitive part will take care of itself. That sounds a bit trite, but the studio will also look on you as long-term reliable income, so they’ll glom onto you like you wouldn’t believe.
References :
I have prior seen a number of John De Witt’s answers in regards to ballroom and feel that he usually has a good grasp of the situation. However, in this particular instance I strongly hold an opposite opinion.
Social dance teaching and competitive dance teaching are two different things. Signing up for lessons at a studio that primarily handles first dances, parties and socials is not the way to competition. He is right however that they will glom onto you – but perhaps not in the best way for the goals that you have stated.
There might be studios in your area that handle both social and competitive couples – but you need to know from the get-go who to approach. Its rare that competitive coaches have social couples and vice-versa. You’ll be seeking out a coach who is all about competition.
Don’t buy packages. Competent competitive coaches are strictly pay as you go. As far as finding a coach I suggest reaching out to your local chapter of "USA Dance". They don’t teach. They are the governing body for amateur competitors. However, they almost always know who’s who and where the local competent coaches are located. Furthermore, they are non-profit.
I don’t know Marin county well so I’m not certain which chapter is closest to you. Here is the national chapters site listing for local chapters of USA Dance
http://usadance.org/chapters-and-regions/find-a-local-chapter/#CA
References :