Kashmir
New member
Names as teachers or dancers? Many people see a great dancer and expect s/he will make a great teacher. Often just the opposite is the case as many good dancers started as good dancers many things that ordinary people struggle with they do naturally.I've had some privates with well-known, respected names but honestly been a bit disappointed. Thorough knowledge, good technique to demonstrate and clear instructions are what you expect from a respected name; for a private lesson, you also want an hour of personal attention to attend to specific issues.
But even then sometimes privates go wrong. I heard of someone who did a private with a dancer who was known as a teacher. She got them doing basic drills and looked out the window most of the time, smoking. Problem was she was a good teacher - for advanced dancers - she had no interest in people still struggling with what she thought were basics (and many people on this forum would call intermediate - or even advanced) - other than their money.
Yes, I charge half a term for an hour. It is still way below an hour with other dance forms - the Ceroc teacher here charges double what I do. Then I discovered a friend who is a PT charges 4x my rate!That's why you wanted the private lesson and are prepared to pay half a normal term's fees!
And think about it. That hour includes studio hire, travel, setting up & packing out and possible preparation for the teacher. And in my case, as I'm a independent contractor, I can get double that rate working IT for an hour.