Thread: Payment FROM a studio...how much SHOULD I be getting paid?

Hey all~

So...about a year ago, I was asked to audition to teach at a studio. She loved me, but things ended up not working out for me to teach there (scheduling...plus, she was kind of a Nazi, and didn't want me giving my info to my students, no private lessons, etc. )

So...today, a friend of mine calls to let me know that the studio he teaches out of is looking for a Belly Dance teacher, and he thought of me. So, I called, and I have an audition set up for tomorrow night.

Now. Here is my question.

I am currently teaching classes, as a substitute for MY teacher. (She just had her first baby! So cute! ) Since its a troupe, and not an open class, I had been charging $10 for an hour and a half...pretty cheap! lol I also should note that I did have to pay the studio rent out of the money that I made.


This situation however, will be that I am employed BY the studio, and not able to have my students pay me directly. What is fair payment in this case? The studio I auditioned for before was going to pay me $20 per hour...which is ok, unless I have over 4 or 5 students all paying the studio $15 per hour.
My friend said that it would probably start at $35 per hour, and then maybe go up later on.

Is this acceptable? Should I go in with a payment option? Like...I will accept $35 per hour for 7 students or less. If there are 8 or more students, I will accept $5 PER STUDENT per hour?

And don't worry, I'm not going to go in there with my guns a'blazing. I'll go, dance, present my dance resume and a mock-up lesson plan, and DISCUSS payment. :) I just would like to know what YOU all think is a fair payment.


Thanks!!

~Yasmin

I imagine the studio probably already has a payment structure set up for its teachers, so if you work for them (as opposed to renting space and charging students directly), you may not have much room for negotiation. I've worked for established studios before. The pay was $35/class (hour), but there was potential to get more if your class size was large.

40% is pretty standard...
though I did manage to make $50/hour in Cleveland and that doesn't happen too often around here. I say ask high, then work from there. How much is it worth to you? My time is valuable to me- i work full time, go to school at night, take my own dance classes, and teaching on top of all that makes life crazy. I deserve what I want...and if I don't get it I refuse to teach.

Originally Posted by yasmindiab

Hey all~

So...about a year ago, I was asked to audition to teach at a studio. She loved me, but things ended up not working out for me to teach there (scheduling...plus, she was kind of a Nazi, and didn't want me giving my info to my students, no private lessons, etc. )

So...today, a friend of mine calls to let me know that the studio he teaches out of is looking for a Belly Dance teacher, and he thought of me. So, I called, and I have an audition set up for tomorrow night.

Now. Here is my question.

I am currently teaching classes, as a substitute for MY teacher. (She just had her first baby! So cute! ) Since its a troupe, and not an open class, I had been charging $10 for an hour and a half...pretty cheap! lol I also should note that I did have to pay the studio rent out of the money that I made.


This situation however, will be that I am employed BY the studio, and not able to have my students pay me directly. What is fair payment in this case? The studio I auditioned for before was going to pay me $20 per hour...which is ok, unless I have over 4 or 5 students all paying the studio $15 per hour.
My friend said that it would probably start at $35 per hour, and then maybe go up later on.

Is this acceptable? Should I go in with a payment option? Like...I will accept $35 per hour for 7 students or less. If there are 8 or more students, I will accept $5 PER STUDENT per hour?

And don't worry, I'm not going to go in there with my guns a'blazing. I'll go, dance, present my dance resume and a mock-up lesson plan, and DISCUSS payment. :) I just would like to know what YOU all think is a fair payment.


Thanks!!

~Yasmin

i should mention- if you work out a percentage deal I would recommend setting a lower limit of enrollment. You don't want to get 40% of 2 people coming...that would totally suck!

Yasmin, are they going to do marketing for you? I would make sure that you aren't having to supply all your own students. Generally, if you are being paid by the studio, then they should also be taking care of all the marketing details...

Originally Posted by Samira_dncr

Yasmin, are they going to do marketing for you? I would make sure that you aren't having to supply all your own students. Generally, if you are being paid by the studio, then they should also be taking care of all the marketing details...

No, I'm pretty sure that they've had a high volume of people asking, so now they're looking to hire someone. I'll double check to make sure...

$35 an hour sounds like a pretty decent deal...but I'll have to see what the potential is to get more money down the line. :)

NOT that I'm doing this for the money...I really want to teach. Its a matter of paying for the gas to get there though...you all understand, I'm sure. :)

Originally Posted by yasmindiab

NOT that I'm doing this for the money...I really want to teach. Its a matter of paying for the gas to get there though...you all understand, I'm sure. :)

What's wrong with doing it for the money? It's great that you really want to teach, but don't sell yourself short.

You have spent tons of money on classes yourself, etc. Think of it, as your past investment, and now you are cashing in on that investment.

There's nothing wrong with expecting, asking and getting what you are worth.

I'm not saying not to be a good teacher and share all of yourself with your students, do that!!!

But don't assume that studios are looking out for you and your best interest, only you can make sure of that.

You are worth it! (I sound like a TV ad) lol

Originally Posted by yasmindiab

NOT that I'm doing this for the money...I really want to teach. Its a matter of paying for the gas to get there though...you all understand, I'm sure. :)

Why AREN'T you doing it for the money? It's a job! It's how I make a large chunk of my income! And it's steady income for working dancers who can't rely on unsteady gigs to pay the bills. So, make sure you get paid the going rate for professionals in your area, even if you'd be happy doing it for less.

I make $40 and $50 per hour for my two dance studio gigs where I get paid by the studio. I do not do anything but show up - they handle the promotions and registration. And I get the same pay regardless of the number of students (great when I have two students, sucky when I have 20.....)

Originally Posted by yasmindiab

No, I'm pretty sure that they've had a high volume of people asking, so now they're looking to hire someone. I'll double check to make sure...

$35 an hour sounds like a pretty decent deal...but I'll have to see what the potential is to get more money down the line. :)

NOT that I'm doing this for the money...I really want to teach. Its a matter of paying for the gas to get there though...you all understand, I'm sure. :)

asking & actually signing up i have found is two different things. tinah

Well, I had the audition tonight, and the owner loved me.

I'm going to perform at their party on Saturday night as avertisement.

Payment was TOUCHED on...but I'm going to sit down and get everything down in writing. She said that she's split the cost of class ($15 per hour and a half) 50/50. Sounds good, as long as I have 4 or 5 students. Its all still in discussion.

Its not that I'm willing to take a very little amount JUST so I can teach...I just understand that starting out teaching, I will probably NOT be making enough to quit my day job. I want to make sure I'm getting what I'm worth, and that its close to the same as what other teachers in the area are getting.

:)

Thanks for the opinions, everyone. Tinah, you are SO right...here's hoping that all those girls who inquired will sign up and SHOW up! :)

That sounds fair to me. It's better than what some studios here in Vegas offer. I'm excited to see you start teaching. I think you will be stellar.

Originally Posted by Samira_dncr

That sounds fair to me. It's better than what some studios here in Vegas offer. I'm excited to see you start teaching. I think you will be stellar.

Thanks Samira!

;)

hey,

here in belgium you get paid about 25-30Euro per hour... there's very much no discusion involved, they mostly have a fixed rate they pay all their teachers...

i get loads of requests for these (to teach bellydance at fitness and other dance studio's) and i turn them all down... if the classes are full, you really are just making money for the studio. i can understand it might be a good way if you are just starting out... but generally, i really feel that if you will be working on a freelance/self-employed basis (so paying your own taxes from that E/hour, it's waaaay to low.

on an employee basis, hard to say.

Originally Posted by yasmindiab

Hey all~

So...about a year ago, I was asked to audition to teach at a studio. She loved me, but things ended up not working out for me to teach there (scheduling...plus, she was kind of a Nazi, and didn't want me giving my info to my students, no private lessons, etc. )

So...today, a friend of mine calls to let me know that the studio he teaches out of is looking for a Belly Dance teacher, and he thought of me. So, I called, and I have an audition set up for tomorrow night.

Now. Here is my question.

I am currently teaching classes, as a substitute for MY teacher. (She just had her first baby! So cute! ) Since its a troupe, and not an open class, I had been charging $10 for an hour and a half...pretty cheap! lol I also should note that I did have to pay the studio rent out of the money that I made.


This situation however, will be that I am employed BY the studio, and not able to have my students pay me directly. What is fair payment in this case? The studio I auditioned for before was going to pay me $20 per hour...which is ok, unless I have over 4 or 5 students all paying the studio $15 per hour.
My friend said that it would probably start at $35 per hour, and then maybe go up later on.

Is this acceptable? Should I go in with a payment option? Like...I will accept $35 per hour for 7 students or less. If there are 8 or more students, I will accept $5 PER STUDENT per hour?

And don't worry, I'm not going to go in there with my guns a'blazing. I'll go, dance, present my dance resume and a mock-up lesson plan, and DISCUSS payment. :) I just would like to know what YOU all think is a fair payment.


Thanks!!

~Yasmin

It depends a bit on group size, taxes etc..
The hospital I teach for in Germany pays 30EUR ($43) per hour. Their initial offer was 25EUR but they agreed with 30EUR because there was already a small group that wanted to sign up right away.
To me it's good pay because I keep the max student level at 11 (smallish space) *and* it's tax free up to a certain amount a year (2100EUR) because they are a hospital.