Thread: Private Lessons...

Do you ladies have a lot of private lesson students...I have one who have been with me for over a year and I find that trying to get new ones can be a bit difficult and frustrating at times.

I think I'm a good instructor (at least my class and my current and past privates tell me so)...I just wonder if anyone else has as many issues as I do...it just feels like I get a lot of inquiries with no real solid bites...does this make sense?

A lot of people are interested, but when it comes down to it, $40 an hour (or whatever you charge) is a lot of money, especially for something that is a hobby for most people.

I typically only teach private lessons for students who have missed a lot of group lessons or those who are working on solos. I don't have any consistant students. But then I will not teach strangers as my private studio is in my house; only students I have in group classes at public places.

I relate it to private Pilates reformer lessons. I really want to do it, and I occassionally do, but I have to ask myself if I am getting $45 worth out of it. Now if I could just convince her to take private dance lessons from me, we could trade.,r:;

Thanks, Sandra...it's just my general experience that a lot of them have time conflicts come up and there are the prospects who get distance/money shy...just making sure I'm normal. Well, relatively speaking...lol It's funny because I was talking to a very dear friend the other day, who was my first private in the area and she said to me, "I loved taking lessons from you and I'd do it again in a heartbeat, but my schedule is crazy and I don't want you to expect that money only for me to back out of you week in and week out." So, guess I should take that and look at it as more of a respect thing, instead of feeling down every time I lose a private, eh?

i mostly teach private sessions, ..only 4 classes a week. sometimes i wish more could form a class, but the privates are anywhere from 8am to 5pm

I have one regular weekly private student - she's been with me well over a year now. I used to have two others in a semi-private together, but their attendance became badly sketchy so I cut them loose.

The rest are students in my current group classes who want to work on something specific (a solo, or to brush up on technique), or in some cases other dancers who want to learn a prop or style that their own teacher doesn't teach. Those student usually just come intermittently or just for a class or two.

I always figured a big part of the reason is that I only have one night a week that I am available to teach regular ongoing privates, and most people need a weekday evening due to their work schedule. And, as Sandra mentioned, the cost.

40 $ for a private would be a bargain here in Sweden..... Most of the teachers here charge at least the double and sometimes more.

It is a bargain, but unfortunately in the lovely midwest that's our median here...

Originally Posted by katja

40 $ for a private would be a bargain here in Sweden..... Most of the teachers here charge at least the double and sometimes more.

Yes, but I think that the definition of "what a private lesson is" and just general cost of living combined with salaries would explain the difference very easily :)

I know DaVid;) But still, I dream of being able to take privates för just 40 bucks.

Originally Posted by katja

I know DaVid;) But still, I dream of being able to take privates för just 40 bucks.

Ya habibaiti, just fly over here - you will find them lol :)

From a student perspective, I would love, love, love, to take privates regularly! I just don't have the money for it.

Recently I made an inquiry but I never made an actual plan so now after reading this thread I am feeling a little guilty.... lol
I do plan on taking one though as soon as I have the money.

So I wouldn't worry too much!! It's probably just this economy. You sound like a great teacher! :D

Do most teachers cut you a deal if you buy a set of 12 or so sessions in advance?

Originally Posted by vron

Do most teachers cut you a deal if you buy a set of 12 or so sessions in advance?

Other than one-off's, my private sessions run in 6-week increments and I would probably give a price break if someone signed up for 2 sessions at once. But, it would still be applicable to my refund policy, which is no refunds after the first two classes.

My teacher charges $55/hr for privates, but if you sign up for 4 hours in advance it's only $180. But you have to use the 4 hours in a single 4 week period.