Dance Lessons with Robert
"I have seen multitudes of DVDs, Online and Social Media dance lessons which are far less costly than taking lessons at a studio, why should I spend a lot of money for personal instruction?”
To the Novice or Beginner dancer this is a valid question. It would seem ludicrous to spend a hundred and twenty five dollars for one lesson at a studio, no matter how nice, when one could get online lessons for cheap or even free on YouTube.
So, let me make my best attempt to answer this question without it sounding like a salesman trying to defend the product!
Yes, I agree. There are lots of inexpensive or even free information and especially online. Some is put there as a genuine way to learn, some is to entice you to "buy" the rest of the lessons and some is "Pirated" in an attempt to erode the dance industry.
There are legitimate "Online Dance Courses" and I would even recommend them but there is only one reason this avenues of learning exist and that is simply to MAKE MONEY! You will NOT learn to dance from Social Media lessons.
DVD, Streamed & Social Media Dance Lessons!
The Dance Industry has ALWAYS suffered in the financial arena.
Unlike a hamburger restaurant which could sell millions of cheap meals (full of saturated fat) to achieve the multi-millions of dollars in profits each year, the Ballroom Dance studios has only one product and caters to a very small percentage of the general public.
Every dance studio, including my own, has looked for that "Low Cost - High Profit" item that would make our cash flow significantly better.
A studio has ALL the overhead cost of any other business. Rent, lights, heating, insurances and so on. To teach dancing requires space. Empty space! But what you "don't see" also costs. The decor package, comfortable seating, reception, sound equipment, party tables & chairs and most expensive of all, a Dance Floor. Oh yes, did I mention MUSIC. CD's by the hundreds and hundreds of dollars! And as the Dance Industry is an ELEGANT business even a studio designed on the most frugal budget can run into the tens of thousands by the time it opens it doors.
So, then along came Social Media.
"Learning in the comfort of your own Front Room" is not a NEW concept.
Arthur Murray supplemented his studio by selling Step Pattern Maps by mail order. These were large sheets of paper one could lay on the floor and follow a set of foot prints. "It worked!" He sold thousands of them and made thousands selling them!
With the advent of Television, again, Arthur Murray established "The Arthur Murray Dance Party." A 30 minute live TV program which aired Friday nights. Of course, during the program was a short lesson demonstration of the latest dance or dance variation.
Actually, I learned to do the Cha Cha just this way!
Both these methods of dancing/dance instruction were to promote his dance studios as he really knew "no one could learn through these medias."
Obviously they worked as, for many years, his studios were the leader in the Dance World.
VHS, DVD and eventually Online became the medias through which to learn but even though the "Paper Step Pattern Sheets" have long since disappeared the results have NOT changed. The reality is: You can NOT learn to DANCE without a competent Dance Instructor.
A dance instructor does more that JUST TEACH YOU PATTERNS:
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You or you and your partner have learning skills which will not be equal. While one may have no problem learning from a Social Media system the other may find it impossible. Your dance instructor will know how to even the playing (dance) field.
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Students are more willing to confide their true reasons for learning to dance such as, regenerating a relationship. Your instructor, as a professional, always keeps this information confidential and uses it to help you achieve your REAL dance goals.
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Social Media is "Non Reactive" so you will not understand how to draw the true feelings and emotions that go into performing a dance. Your dance instructor has experienced these very important emotional parts of dancing and can convey them to you.
Social Media is a great way to suplemant your dancing.
Once you have mastered the Art of Dancing media systems are perfect for adding material to your dancing. Recording your lesson and playing it back can help you remember what you just learned. As well, you get a chance to "see yourself dance." This can very well help you improve your style and look.
There is a lot of positive to be said about Social Media learning. However, the reality of learning as a beginner will almost always end in frustration and before you accomplish anything you WILL QUIT!
It is only by experience you can make the final decision so, my recommendation, "Spend a year with a competent, qualified, professional dance teacher" then you can make an educated decision!
Thanks,
Robert
See you on the dance floor.
