Thread: private classes: what to charge?

I've been getting more and more requests for private classes lately, both from beginning teachers in my area(yay!) and from fellow dancers who have seen me perform.

I have taught privates before, but those were for students of my own who wanted some extra coaching for a competition/specific performance.

So now the question: what do I charge for the 'normal' private classes? What would you guys consider a fair price?

Some of these people are driving more than an hour to see me, so should I maybe offer them a discount if they take more than one hour in a row? And what about the price per hour if 2 students share a private class?

Thanks in advance!
Khalida

it depends on where you are.where we are, it is very easy to price yourself out of a job!

What do other teachers at your level and above charge? While you don't want to undercharge, you also need to be realistic. If you are thinking of charging considerably more per session than the nearest master teachers and you are not at that level yourself, then you should adjust your prices accordingly. You may also want to consider pricing for private lessons based on what you are teaching. Do you want to charge differently for ongoing individualized mentoring (package deal), as opposed to one-time problem solving?

Hmm good things to mull about.. I am putting my feelers out locally to see what other teachers are charging for their privates, but am also interested in hearing what prices are in different areas and here on bhuz.

I was approached by two women after the BDUC competition about private lessons. I quoted them $60/hr, which is slightly more than Zahra's "ongoing student" discount rate of $55/hr but less than her studio standard rate of $75/hr and much less than the "superstar" rate of $100/hr. For reference, a single class is $15 regular price (can go as low as $11 per class if they get a 10-class card).

Also, this doesn't account for studio rental fees, and I'm not sure if I tack that on for the student to pay, or split it, or if that comes out of my pay. How do others deal with that if you don't have your own studio?

I personally would discount slightly for more than one hour in a row and for booking multiple sessions (maybe $50/hr), and also discount a bit more for a semi-private (as low as $40/hr still gets you $80/hr from two students), but I know there are teachers around here that do not.

I charge $50.00 for an hour an half private lesson. Package of four classes for 175.00 Must be used within two months. No Refunds for unused classes.

i own my own studio , so no rental fee.
but this is an agi.valley.we are into another year of drought.we have lost 80,000 jobs so far this year.
i keep my hour at $25.00, or do not work at all
classes are $10.00 an hour, paid on monthly basis.we are packed too. other 3 studios charge an "admin.fee" so at least $40 to $80.00 is tacked on the package.they offer payment plans.

i charge between 35 and 50€ per hour... depending on how many sessions they want and weather it's my own students or not, etc.

in may they are putting in the sprung floor (english?) in my private studio, i'm so looking forward to this! i'll be able to offer private classes more regularly then. no more studio rental and no more shlepping around the boombox. that might effect my price when teaching my own advanced students, as it will be less time consuming for me to teach from my own home.

I charge $30 for an hour lesson, which is at or above the going rate for privates in this area.

My teacher Sabah, who sounds much more in your league as an instructor, lives in Chcago and charges $55/hr. If you pre-pay for 4 hours at a time, it's $180, but you must use the 4 hours within a month. When she's off the road, I usually take 2 2-hour lessons because of the long drive down there.

Thanks! This is good stuff.. I was thinking of charging about 35 Euros/hr (plus studio rental and/ or travel fee if they can't make it to my place) and maybe a reduced rate (30 Euros/hr) for booking more than one hour in a row.

I usually charge $25 or $30 for an hour to an hour and a half, but have charged as much as $50. The students usually come to my house, so there's no rental charge and no drive time to me. It's still not a great rate for my time, but I don't feel that I can charge more than that.

When I used to travel a lot, I tried to take lessons in whatever US city I found myself in. I was always charged between $75 and $125. And I was happy to pay it.

Which *I think* means... if you're a "die hard" dancer, you will think it's worth it. If you're just getting started, you may have to think about whether you really want to spend $30 on dance, or buy those shoes you just saw in the mall. <grin>

In my area, I believe it's around $75-$95per hour. You have to factor in your studio charges, gas, any other relevant expenses, and how much you value your time (and yourself). Also consider that if you're getting an influx of requests, these teachers and students will probably want multiple lessons, making it easier on you for pricing.

BDF/KJ

would like to add, ...over book your days! i book from 8 am to 5...i over book, so when i get cancelations (must be 24 hr or pay ) i still make bank!
i would say 3 times a month, they all show up.
as long as i have a bath tub, and some mindless tv, i can do it!

Around here, teachers usually charge around $50-65 a hour, but I've seen some charge as much as $75.

What ever you charge make sure that it is worth your time. I have some students that are so comitted that they show up every week on time, start on time, and work hard I tend to charge them a bit less. Then there are the "other ones" that make me want to rip my own head off, they show up late, dont practice, pull of bull **** on a regular baisis. (ie. doing free public events that they host, or randomly decide to change the end of a set with a freakin split in a straight skirt that is way too small anyways and instead of sping away from the audience spin toward to get up, thank god it was only a recital, but I felt like I needed to give a freaking refund) anyways back on track, those I make sure I space their lessons out further (skipping weeks here and there for my own sake) and Charge MORE just because they are a freakin train wreck..........I guess my point is, charge what you want, for each individual case, becuse after a few weeks and many head achs later it just isnt worth a few bucks......

Originally Posted by annwyn

What ever you charge make sure that it is worth your time. I have some students that are so comitted that they show up every week on time, start on time, and work hard I tend to charge them a bit less. Then there are the "other ones" that make me want to rip my own head off, they show up late, dont practice, pull of bull **** on a regular baisis. (ie. doing free public events that they host, or randomly decide to change the end of a set with a freakin split in a straight skirt that is way too small anyways and instead of sping away from the audience spin toward to get up, thank god it was only a recital, but I felt like I needed to give a freaking refund) anyways back on track, those I make sure I space their lessons out further (skipping weeks here and there for my own sake) and Charge MORE just because they are a freakin train wreck..........I guess my point is, charge what you want, for each individual case, becuse after a few weeks and many head achs later it just isnt worth a few bucks......

as a student i would hate this kind of seafood market price. if you don't approve some students' behaviour then you should give them warning, tell them what they do wrong and kick them out of your class forever if they don't improve.

Originally Posted by wingaki

as a student i would hate this kind of seafood market price. if you don't approve some students' behaviour then you should give them warning, tell them what they do wrong and kick them out of your class forever if they don't improve.

I don't know. If you (general "you" here) charged most students (including the problematic ones) the advertised rate, of say, $50 or whatever, but gave discounts discreetly to regular/advanced/struggling-financially students, I don't really see the problem.

For example, as a student I wouldn't be annoyed if I were charged slightly more than students who took privates regularly - but then, I suppose that's where package deals come into it.

Originally Posted by Nat242

I don't know. If you (general "you" here) charged most students (including the problematic ones) the advertised rate, of say, $50 or whatever, but gave discounts discreetly to regular/advanced/struggling-financially students, I don't really see the problem.

For example, as a student I wouldn't be annoyed if I were charged slightly more than students who took privates regularly - but then, I suppose that's where package deals come into it.

i agree with you on this, that it's fair to give discount to students who take private regularly discount. it can even be a package deal like buy 5 get 1 free. but to charge students different price depends on whether the teacher like the student or not is not very reasonable. the students who show bad behavior, i think, should be lectured on why and what not to do. charging them more doesn't solve the problem.