Riot and Frolic

If you going to take private lessons for ballroom dancing, there are two main choices you have to make: studio or independent instructor.   

I took my first lesson at a studio, I taught my first lesson at a studio, I left that place, took many lessons from an independent, danced pro-am with that independent, danced am-am while taking lessons from a studio, taught at that same studio, left that place, currently dance pro, and am an independent.  I get around.  

*cough*

Here's the lowdown:

Yay For Studios!

• Community.  With multiple employees, and the students that come with them, you are guaranteed a community of like-minded individuals.  Granted, your only shared interest might be dancing, but dancing is fun and awesome and you need at least one other person to do it with, so the bigger the pool, the better.  
• Welcoming Committee.  Besides your teacher, when you walk in the door, there's probably a smiling face to say hello.  There might be a receptionist, or manager, or some sort of support staff whose job it is to help you.  Whether it's taking a payment, scheduling a lesson, helping you sign up for a competition, or whatever, you don't have to do that during your lesson time.  And that means more dancing.  
• Extras.  With a higher volume of staff and students, group lessons, free practice space, and parties happen all the time.  Often, they're included in lesson packages and are a great way to meet potential friends and duh, practice dancing.  
• Support.  The instructors?  It's their job to be motivating and inspiring.  While your teacher might be the greatest, having 2-8 other people with a compulsory (don't read "fake", just "required") CAN DO attitude is AMAZING.  And with all these friends you're making, you're building an enthusiastic (and sometimes competitive) group to encourage your progress.  
• Training New Teachers.  This might not be a plus for most students, but almost every instructor alive started at a studio.  Many studios offer great training programs for wannabe teachers.  I think it's fun to watch the newbies grow into accomplished dancers and teachers.  You can always say, "I knew 'em when…"

Boo For Studios

• Cost.  Employees, leases, taxes, benefits, staff certification: all these things cost money.  There are very obvious costs associated with owning a studio and those costs need to be covered.  The more overhead, the more someone has to charge.  
• Insulated.  The aim of studios to keep money in-house.  They're not going to tell you about the awesome $2 swing dance down the street or the huge competition that's nearby because they want your money.  They want you to go to their  swing dance and do their competition.  And you know what?  The dance world is HUGE and full of talented people.  Even outside your studio.
• Kool-Aid.  I have never met a student who said, "My studio sucks."  Everyone thinks their teacher is the best teacher in the world and their studio is the coolest ever and everyone else sucks.  You're drinking the Kool-Aid, man.  (See above.)
• Turnover.  Your teacher is probably going to leave.  Whether it's because they're going to continue grad school, is opening their own franchise, had a job offer from another studio, doesn't have any room for advancement, or
  
  found a pro partner a couple states away, it is going to happen.  
• Atmosphere.  Every studio has a vibe.  If you don't like that vibe, you're not going to change it.  It's a big machine that revved up before you got there and will die after you leave.  

Yay For Independents

• Quality Instruction.  MOST independent instructors are highly-qualified, certified, accomplished dancers and teachers.  Often they are champions, judges, or coaches, and are well-known in the ballroom industry.  
• Focused.  You walk in the studio, get your shoes on, and dance.  You are dancing with this person because you know that they are very good at American Rhythm, Argentine Tango, or Lindy.  You saw them teach a workshop or heard of their stellar reputation and went to them to learn that specific skill.  
• Cost.  Since independents don't have all the overhead that studios do, they are more likely less expensive per lesson.
• Personal.   Back in the days of "land lines", my teacher's S.O. knew my voice when I called.  I still think that is cool.  You probably are friends with them on Facebook.  You might text them to let them know you're running late to your lesson.  It adds a nice dimension to the drill sergeant who controls your lesson time.
• Flexibility.  Independents often teach at more than one location and have flexible schedules.  Want a 6am lesson?  I know people who do that.  (It's not me.)
• Dance World.  You might know and feel comfortable at a lot of different venues and events, since you're recognized as a student of your instructor.  Independent students seem to have a cult-celebrity status at many shindigs.

Boo For Independents

• Self-Motivated.  You have to schedule your lessons, you have to find group classes, you have to seek out dances, you have to put yourself out there to find friends who dance.  Your instructor can help you, but you have to actually do it.
• No Frills.  Group classes and parties are not offered or attended by most independents.  Having "paid their dues" for years before, they leave it to the newer (and often younger, family-free) teachers to take their place.
• Introverts Accepted.  Since there's no weekly group events, taking lessons from independents is often social-free.  You might run into another student on your way out of your lesson, but they're going into their lesson, so there's not much time to talk.  
• Homeless.  Want to hang out and chat with other students?  Only if you're at a bustling studio open to many independents where there's space to chill and not get run over.  Want to spend a couple hours practicing?  You'll have to pay for studio time, just like everyone else.

In summation?  Studios and independents are both great, but you should know what you want and what each one offers.  

Don't like what you're getting at your studio?  Try another studio.  

Don't like your instructor anymore?  Try another instructor.  

Flow chart coming soon.  :)

One year ago: Smooky 2, in which I reveal the costumes.

Two years ago: Crazy Bread, in which I share the stupid recipe.