Thread: Bad Feeling About Dance Studio Owner

I have been teaching for the past year or so at 2 local dance studios (owned by the same person). When I first got the job, I was quite excited even though it paid less than the park & recs I normally teach through. I justified the low pay by telling myself that it was worth it because a) the facilities are stellar and b) it was an opportunity to introduce MED to an audience that I felt would previously had nothing but hootchie-kootchie misunderstandings about the dance.

I have now come to the conclusion that I am just plain underpaid there, and nothing can really compensate for that. I have also had a few lightbulbs go off lately that the studio owner is not nearly as concerned with having quality instructors as I thought she was. ,m:: I recently told her that unless she offered me a split per student like I get through the park & recs, I wasn't coming back after recital. She said she couldn't swing it financially, so I declined to return for the summer session and beyond. For the most part, this seems to be an amicable separation.

This evening, she was at the studio and we spoke briefly after class. She mentioned that she had recently purchased a few Belly Dance videos "to work on her core at home". She wanted my opinion on the videos that she had purchased featuring Nina & Veena, Jillina, and Rania. I gave her my opinions, but now I am almost certain of a suspicion I had early on - that she herself is going to teach Belly Dance when I am gone. This is a person who in the past has hired a teacher with *zero* Irish Dance instructing experience to teach Irish step-dancing.

I am trying to figure out what, if anything, I should do about my suspicions. I do know that I have three very hard-working classes that are only 6 weeks away from recital, and I would never abandon them at this point. The studio owner is not the most stable individual, and would probably have no issue canning my ass, even this close to recital (she did so just last week with one of the hip-hop teachers that she had a "communications issue" with). I could give a sh$t about the income, but it makes me sick to think of leaving my students hanging out to dry at this stage of the game. Should I just wait until after recital, and try to find out if she is teaching MED personally then? And if I do find out that she is, what then? Do I just suck up and deal with it?

Bhuzzer opinions, as always, are greatly apprecited.

OMG Laura! And here I thought things were looking up there. I dont know what I would do. I think I would finish out the session and then get the hell out of dodge, fast!

The owner is going to dig her on grave more sooner than later.

I would start looking for another teaching location and bring your students with you after the recital.

Down the road people are gonna see her for what she is or unfortunately someone is going to get injured.

Originally Posted by laura 2

And if I do find out that she is, what then?

Exactly. As much as we'd like to take ownership of the dance form & protect it, the truth is we can only take ownership of our own actions.

In this case, you've had good intentions, you've communicated clearly, and you're being honorable. There's really *nothing* you can do about it if she tries to teach the dance. And -- here's the big one -- you're not responsible for it, either. Just because you were nearby when it happened doesn't make it your fault, or something you need to fix.

To be perfectly honest <pulls on asbestos undies> someone who's been a dance instructor for years might -- if she has a good eye & is a good mimic -- be able to pick up enough to teach a few basic moves to beginners & be able to teach a fun beginner class. But those students who fall in love with the dance & do a little googling will find out there's SO much more to it than that, and they'll go looking for a 'real' instructor at some point.

(this happens in yoga all the time, with experienced fitness instructors teaching 'fitness yoga' classes.)

Stay & take care of your students if she'll let you. Then move on & let go of the notion that you're somehow responsible for whatever she does.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Exactly. As much as we'd like to take ownership of the dance form & protect it, the truth is we can only take ownership of our own actions.

In this case, you've had good intentions, you've communicated clearly, and you're being honorable. There's really *nothing* you can do about it if she tries to teach the dance. And -- here's the big one -- you're not responsible for it, either. Just because you were nearby when it happened doesn't make it your fault, or something you need to fix.

Lauren, you have lost your stars, but your wisdom has certainly not gone anywhere. In fact, my hubby said the exact same thing to me whilst I was raving to him about this last night. I guess where the feeling responsible thing comes in is that I feel like I *am* partially responsible, because I'm the one who's leaving the studio. But I know I shouldn't be guilted into working for peanuts just because I'm worried that she's going to teach crappy/unsafe BD in my absence.

And I especially resent her doing this (if she does indeed) because when she hired me, she was quite condescending about the fact that I was "just a park & rec teacher, and they could care less who they let teach." She made it sound like she was *so* choosy about her instructors, but over the course of my tenure there, I have sussed out that it's pretty much all talk. In fact, it seems like the less she knows about a dance form (BD, Irish, Hip Hop and Hula), the more she thinks it can't be that difficult to teach.

Sumaya, I think you are right that she is going to dig her own grave. I have never seen anyone with less of a head for business than this person. She is selling the studio where she has a lot of students and keeping the one that is failing miserably. The one that is failing is a mystery - it's located in a suburb that has tons of families with high incomes, and there is only ONE other dance studio in town. She should have kids in tutus and tap shoes lined up outside the door, but the students are just not there. My enrollment there is lousy, despite the fact that all the classes I teach elsewhere fill to capacity with a waiting list.

Maybe I can just settle for sending the 3AM Zill Brigade to her house.

I love that zill brigade pic. I copied it to my computer.

Originally Posted by laura 2

Lauren, you have lost your stars

I thought you were gonna say "marbles!" ..l;,

What frustration! You will have to let this play itself out, although I can understand that you must feel terrible about it. It is so hard when people think ANYONE can teach belly dance. I filled in for my teacher ONCE and I felt like such a sham and I had almost 4 years of classes.

Let your students know where they can go to keep taking classes with you.

Her dance studio will not last....
I would leave as fast as I can, make sure you have your students contact info, and take them with you.
Lauren, I for one, cannot stand the yoga fitness classes taught by fitness instructors. I once observed one of them (taught by the head of the department of group fitness! at a supposedly "top" club, and I was amazed at what I saw. It was a - ready for this - ballet, yoga, pilates, fitness combo class. It had a ridiculous name I cannot think of at the moment -
It was a miracle that the entire class did not walk out with torn knees......

Maria- was it called bayotes? ballet-yoga pilates? lmao, sorry :)

Here here to all the advice above - time to move on. But I just thought I'd mention that taking your students with you when you leave is not the done thing in dance studios. Well, at least, from my lurkings on ballet-focused dance studio discussion boards, I gather that this is the Ultimate Sin and you shall be damned for all eternity if you solicit your current employer's students. This is as common a theme amongst studio owners as teaching unqualified is amongst us bellydance teachers. Totally putting aside the appropriateness of your studio owner's actions for a moment, she did put the money and effort into advertising for the students, and they may therefore be considered her 'property'. Asking the students for their contact details or letting them know about your future classes may be considered poaching, and perhaps breaches any contract you may have signed.

This might not be a big deal for you in the end, but it's worth considering how you can part 'nicely', so that you don't incur her wrath and experience negative consequences further down the track. Perhaps you can give out your contact or website details to your students, should they have any future questions, or suggest they keep an eye on local paper ads. It's tricky, because some studio owners would even be upset by this much.

Originally Posted by sumayasaahir

Maria- was it called bayotes? ballet-yoga pilates? lmao, sorry :)

..l;, ..l;,

It should've been called "Orthopedic Surgeon is Getting a New Yacht"

It was scary to watch.

I've been there!!
So many nights without sleeping..anxious and suspicious that something was happening. She was always spying on my classes and making video tapes of my classes/choreography!! I could not hold it anymore!
I basically started the belly dance business for a dance studio onwer, she started selling all sort of belly dance apparel, and she started to making copies of my Cds and selling!!! she was getting more people in her studio but I would continue SO underpaid...it got to a point where she argued that there were lots of people that would teach belly dance for less (my students for instance) so I told her this is my only job, I don't have other thing, that there is in fact people with day jobs that could teach for less but I was the one dedicating 24/7 to this...so I just said BY!! I fired my self...it was the best thing ever, since then I have my own place and I love it!! I still work for others but with a better pay!!
Step up and make some noise she will feel the diference with out!!
Good luck!
Viviane

If I'm thinking of the same thing, the ballet/yoga/pilates/martial arts fusion fitness class is called Nia.

I've never taken one.

I do take a class called Body Flow which is a mixture of yoga, pilates, and "tai chi" (in quotes, because it most certainly isn't t'ai chi chu'an).

If the instructor is good, good stuff can come from this ... soup.

If the instructor is not, well....

Originally Posted by jewelbellydance

Here here to all the advice above - time to move on. But I just thought I'd mention that taking your students with you when you leave is not the done thing in dance studios. Well, at least, from my lurkings on ballet-focused dance studio discussion boards, I gather that this is the Ultimate Sin and you shall be damned for all eternity if you solicit your current employer's students. This is as common a theme amongst studio owners as teaching unqualified is amongst us bellydance teachers. Totally putting aside the appropriateness of your studio owner's actions for a moment, she did put the money and effort into advertising for the students, and they may therefore be considered her 'property'. Asking the students for their contact details or letting them know about your future classes may be considered poaching, and perhaps breaches any contract you may have signed.

This might not be a big deal for you in the end, but it's worth considering how you can part 'nicely', so that you don't incur her wrath and experience negative consequences further down the track. Perhaps you can give out your contact or website details to your students, should they have any future questions, or suggest they keep an eye on local paper ads. It's tricky, because some studio owners would even be upset by this much.

yeah that might apply for a professional studio but like maria says this one will not last. i would take my students with me. personally, i wouldn't care about her "wrath" considering i don't think she'd have that kind of power. i'd be surprised if there even was a contract...was there?

I am taking the high road as far as the students are concerned. I'm not even telling them that I'm definately not coming back after recital. A couple have asked, and I've just told them that nothing has been decided yet. They all know my dance name, and my website with all my classes is really easy to find with Google. Several of them have already found it, and have showed up at local events I've performed in. I've also mentioned in passing a couple of the park & recs I teach through. So when they find out I'm gone, I'll leave it completely up to them to decide if they want to stay at the studio, or if they want to find and attend my other classes.

I did sign a non-compete contract with the studio owner. In fact, I am not allowed to teach at any other dance studio (park & recs/gyms are excluded) for 1 year after leaving her studio. Not that I'm anxious to do that again any time soon.

I have decided that the best way to deal with this is to let the cream rise to the top. My other classes are quite full with happy students (at least, they tell me they love class and fill out glowing anonymous evaluation forms), so I must be doing something right. I will let karma do it's job on the studio owner, and hope that if she does attempt to teach and do a crappy job of it, that any students will be able to tell she doesn't have a clue.

Originally Posted by *maria*

It was a - ready for this - ballet, yoga, pilates, fitness combo class. It had a ridiculous name I cannot think of at the moment

Yoga Booty Ballet? I've actually heard good things about it, but that was a few years ago. Now it has it's own 3 a.m. informercial and I'm sure it depends on the teacher.

Laura 2 - sounds to me like you're doing the right thing, best to get out now before it gets really bad.

I had a really tough time leaving my students at a studio where I knew they were getting physically hurt (by the owner), mentally pushed and incredibly misinformed.

And sometimes bellydance karma does come around. The studio has basically closed and she's left the country indefinitely...

Originally Posted by eshe

I had a really tough time leaving my students at a studio where I knew they were getting physically hurt (by the owner), mentally pushed and incredibly misinformed.

And sometimes bellydance karma does come around. The studio has basically closed and she's left the country indefinitely...

I wish only the worst for her, 31 Flavors of crazy. We had a really rough time watching you stay as long as you did.

Originally Posted by ozma

I wish only the worst for her, 31 Flavors of crazy. We had a really rough time watching you stay as long as you did.

That's why I love ya!!! Cuz you are lookin out!!!

Honestly, I was worried the students would never get a 'real' education or learn anything but in time they ALL clued in, and I didn't have to get dirty in the process-even though she was telling all kinds of stories about me. The dirt stuck to her. I feel much better now. Although I didn't know how much better until about 6 months later...l;,

Have an after party for your students after recital and be sure they know you'll be moving to a new studio - make sure they have your contact information. If they are bright, they'll see the new teacher is a faux bellydancer.

yikes. Your dignity is in tact! Let her go down in flames alone...if she is indeed about to teach after simply learning something off of a dvd or two. Even if she doesn't and brings in someone of a lesser standing than yourself simply to save money, it's her business loss.
Is there a loop-hole to your non-compete contract?? I mean, if your term there is finishing incomplete, do you really have to hold to that? Are you terminating before your contract? If so, and she agreed, does that not make non-compete null and void? Or would summer session start a new contract for you? And if so, then you are free from non-compete, no? ...I'm sorry if I missed that part.

I agree, soliciting students from the old studio is ethically problematic...and with the non-compete agreement, it's legally problematic, too.

This is why every dancer/teacher should have her own website and/or email, designed to be easily findable on the WWW. She should also stay involved in the local bellydance scene (and let her students know about it early on). That way, even if a teacher is suddenly let go, her students can find her again.

I would definately let your students know how to contact you. You can keep it simple. Just let them know you are leaving the studio after the rectial and if they need anything (instruction) or have any questions about form when they practicing at home to contact you. Make sure you give them each a business card!

Originally Posted by laura 2

I am taking the high road as far as the students are concerned. I'm not even telling them that I'm definately not coming back after recital. A couple have asked, and I've just told them that nothing has been decided yet.

Isn't this the studio that was letting its hiphop students perform the last recital in midriff-baring costumes while banning yours from doing the same until yours protested the hypocracy to the studio owner? If so, they're a smart bunch, and when they compare the quality of instruction they had with you to what she can offer, well...

I'd suggest that at recital time, you do tell them you won't be back. After all, you'll want to say good-bye and tell them you have enjoyed having them as students. But I agree it's better karma-wise to not actively solicit them by asking for contact info. As you said, they can easily find you through google.

ahhhh...guys....last post on this thread was almost a year ago....

Wow, imagine my surprise seeing this thread pop up again! I suppose I should update everyone...

I followed through to the end of the school year and both recitals went fine. The owner sold one of the locations to another dance studio, and they had no interest in offering Belly Dance or even any adult classes. The other location, she did ask me to come back, but I put my foot down on my teaching rate and she couldn't or wouldn't meet my rate so I left. I am now making more money teaching a single park & rec class on that night than I did teaching *three* through her studio. Not to mention the freedom of not walking on eggshells around the owner any more!

She did get another BD instructor (tribal style, this time), and I think they lasted all of a couple of 6-weeks sessions. Last I heard, that location was also sold - I saw an ad in the paper that mentioned "under new management" - and they are no longer offering Belly Dance classes. I believe the owner has left dance behind completely, and is now training to be a life coach. I find this kind of strange career path for her because she was literally one of the most negative people I have ever come across, but what do I know?

As far as my former students, most of them were from the studio that was no longer going to be offering BD, so I did give them my card at the end of the year and told them to contact me if they wanted to continue lessons. A couple of them have done so, and I had inquiries from a few more that ultimately never enrolled in one of my subsequent classes.

So all's well than ends well, at least with that particular soap opera.

Originally Posted by laura 2

I am now making more money teaching a single park & rec class on that night than I did teaching *three* through her studio.

Isn't this sort of thing so often the case? We have to be pushed out of the nest to find out we can fly.

I *try* to remember this during the push, while it just feels like I'm falling, but it's hard.

It was a real learning experience. I added at least 5 things to my "I'll never work under those conditions again!" list over the course of a year and a half.

lmao, i was like, where did this thread come from again? Glad to know your making more money elswhere and with a less toxic person :)