Thread: Best Way to respond to this?

Hello everyone!
Just received a message from one of my students regarding bellydance classes that are being offered at a local community centre for much less than what I charge: I charge between $13 to $15 per class, depending on package. This class is charging less than $5.50 per class.

Here's a snippet of what she wrote:
There is a Beginner Bellydance being offered at the community centre…The price is $76/14 weeks @ 1hr sessions with a note that says traditional and modern Arabic music used…What are the differences between our classes and these ones?

I know community centre classes are generally cheaper than dance schools, but of course, I know nothing about the type or quality of instruction that one gets in a community centre based bellydance class. How would bhuzzers respond to this? ..c::

Community center classes could have stellar instruction, or could have, um, not-so-stellar. You can't really make any assumptions.

I think I'd reply something like this:

"Since I'm not familiar with the instructor who is teaching that class, I'm not in a position to make a comparison. All I can tell you is that in my classes you get a professional, experienced teacher who is devoted to offering her students a quality classroom experience. My prices reflect that, and are similar to what I know other teachers of a similar skill level to be charging. Again, I'm not meaning to imply anything negative about the community center - I just don't know anything about their teacher and her skills."

Hi,

I teach at both the community college and on my own, and the prices are WILDLY different. I use the community college course to provide more historical/cultural information, and I also explain that the college pays me, and I don't have to pay rent. For my regular classes, which are more expensive, I explain that I am on my own and pay studio rental. Hope that helps!

It's worth noting that the community center's classes are subsidized by the city or county and yours are not. In my area there are rec center classes taught by a very experienced and perfectly fine teacher. Her students pay less than half what students at most local dance studios pay, but I am told that her per-class take-home is roughly equal to the teachers at those places. The city makes up the difference. There's no rent to pay, either, since it's a city-sponsored class in a city-owned facility.

Originally Posted by *Shira*

Community center classes could have stellar instruction, or could have, um, not-so-stellar. You can't really make any assumptions.

I think I'd reply something like this:

"Since I'm not familiar with the instructor who is teaching that class, I'm not in a position to make a comparison. All I can tell you is that in my classes you get a professional, experienced teacher who is devoted to offering her students a quality classroom experience. My prices reflect that, and are similar to what I know other teachers of a similar skill level to be charging. Again, I'm not meaning to imply anything negative about the community center - I just don't know anything about their teacher and her skills."

Yup, I like this. You can't possibly tell her how the classes compare since you don't know anything about the other class.

Originally Posted by Zana

It's worth noting that the community center's classes are subsidized by the city or county and yours are not. In my area there are rec center classes taught by a very experienced and perfectly fine teacher. Her students pay less than half what students at most local dance studios pay, but I am told that her per-class take-home is roughly equal to the teachers at those places. The city makes up the difference. There's no rent to pay, either, since it's a city-sponsored class in a city-owned facility.

Exactly. I have this same issue in my area - one studio has cornered the market on the Continuing Ed classes and are heavily subsidized. Teachers get paid the same but students pay less. If the teacher is good, its a great deal for the students. If the teacher is not so good...well, you get what you pay for. Even if you KNOW the quality of instruction is not great, it is never a good idea to say so. Shira's response, as always, is bang on.

On a side note - I've noticed that in my area, even at the community centers, BD classes are substantially less expensive than Cuban, Hip Hop, or other kinds of dance. Why is that?? Its infuriating!

Originally Posted by elljay

I've noticed that in my area, even at the community centers, BD classes are substantially less expensive than Cuban, Hip Hop, or other kinds of dance. Why is that?? Its infuriating!

Wow, I don't know!!! I hadn't noticed that in my area - yet!!!

One advantage that dance studio classes generally have over community center classes is higher levels of instruction. Because the schedule at a community center is spread so thin (ballroom dance, martial arts, scrapbooking, yoga, whatever) they rarely offer anything beyond an intro-level class in any subject. So -- one can hope -- people may come into the community center, get hooked, and then crave higher levels of instruction.

What Shira said,
and I have one other observation. I, as a student, on learning that there are different class options in my area, would do my own research to decide where I wanted to be. I would talk with other students if I could find them, and would ask teachers to describe what they're offering (not to comment on what other teachers are doing). Something I would NOT do is challenge a teacher with this question that was put to you, ie, lookie-here, they charge less for their class than you charge for your class, so what's the difference. . .? Frankly, I think it's a rude question.
Rosette

My Park & Rec classes are less expensive than at private studios, but as mentioned, they are heavily subsidized by the towns. Non-residents pay twice as much for my classes as residents do, because residents have already "paid into" the class with their tax dollars. I do make sure that my classes are in line with the other dance classes cost though the same Park & Rec, though.

So I totally agree, you can't assume that a teacher will necessarily be a poor one because she teaches through community education rather than a dance studio. Alexandra King teaches reasonably priced classes through a rec center, for heaven's sake, and I don't think anyone would consider her a hack!

If you don't know anything about the class, or the teacher, I'd say just that.

I take classes at a rec center (Its actually more of a troupe rehearsal), and it is only $10 per month.

I love my teacher...we're in another troupe together, and she's a beautiful dancer and instructor.

I started by taking classes at a community centre. The instructor was fabulous. And, in fact, the instructor I have now also teaches at a community centre in a different area of the city, besides teaching at her own studio. So, I wouldn't say that the quality of instruction is vastly different.

The reason I eventually switched to going to a studio, and driving halfway across the city to do so, is that I could only go so far with the community centre classes. I took "Basics" there three times and then "Beyond Basics" there three times (9 week sessions each time), and then I felt that I needed something more. The thing is that the students who attend the community centre classes tend to be doing so for fun and/or fitness, and not necessarily out of a serious interest in bellydance. (I'm generalizing a bit, but I found this to be mainly true.) Therefore, with each session, there'd often be a mostly brand-new batch of students, and the class would start from scratch again. Oh, there would be different music and a different mini-choreography, but it would essentially be a repeat of the previous session. This wasn't a bad thing for someone starting out, like me. (Someone who took the class for fun and fitness, too, but fell in love with the dance.) I think it gave me a good grounding, and the repetition didn't hurt me at all. But, eventually I got to the point where I was ready to move on, and I had to look elsewhere in order to do so.

At the studio, there is more continuity among the students in the classes, so there is less repetition. There are classes offered at more advanced levels, and there are performance opportunities.

So, I think community centres can offer a great introduction for someone starting out, but if someone wants to advance beyond a certain level or get involved in performing, then a studio probably offers more opportunities in that regard.

Yeah - I should probably add, I'd never ASSUME the quality of instruction at community centers is sub-par, as I myself teach at a couple of community centers, as do many of the teachers at my studio. I think we're pretty damned fine teachers...g.:

My studio is small, therefore it is MUCH easier to give individual feedback and correction. I can only have 15 students at the most, whereas some of my rec center classes can get upwards of 30. Many students see smaller classes as an advantage.

Originally Posted by Shalimah

. . . the students who attend the community centre classes tend to be doing so for fun and/or fitness, and not necessarily out of a serious interest in bellydance. (I'm generalizing a bit, but I found this to be mainly true.) Therefore, with each session, there'd often be a mostly brand-new batch of students, and the class would start from scratch again. Oh, there would be different music and a different mini-choreography, but it would essentially be a repeat of the previous session. This wasn't a bad thing for someone starting out, like me. (Someone who took the class for fun and fitness, too, but fell in love with the dance.) I think it gave me a good grounding, and the repetition didn't hurt me at all. But, eventually I got to the point where I was ready to move on, and I had to look elsewhere in order to do so.

Yes, I agree with this very much. Although a few folks might stay simply because they enjoy the movement/evening out/whatever, I find very few folks continue past the first session or two. I've learned not to take this lack of continuity too personally because I know that very few people are addicted to BD like Bhuzzers!



As to replying to the inquiry, I agree with posters who suggest simply saying you don't know anything about the teacher or the program, but you are aware that some cities subsidize rec center programs and therefore students are not bearing the full cost of the class directly in class fees.

Deborah

I teach at Community Education classes and they are on par with the dance studios price wise. it may be that in my area, the instructor sets the price per student and recieves that full amount. If it works that way in your area the teacher may simply be under cutting.
I would respond with..... the same as above, state your prices and schedules for you classes, being very professional.

Having taught at a rec center for several years - yes - the classes are way cheap. Understandably so. The whole idea is to make prices affordable to ALL. However, with my classes - regardless of where I teach, I still teach the same format. So my rec center students still get the same, well rounded instruction all of my other students get.

You're always going to lose some students who are sniffing around for bargains. So, you state your price and don't worry about it. I like the point about having a small class with individual attention, too.

Originally Posted by Amaryllis

Having taught at a rec center for several years - yes - the classes are way cheap. Understandably so. The whole idea is to make prices affordable to ALL. However, with my classes - regardless of where I teach, I still teach the same format. So my rec center students still get the same, well rounded instruction all of my other students get.

Making courses accessable was what it used to be here but only certain areas now get subsidized by govt so for example a student here in my town pays £101/200$ for 12 classes but could come to me for £20/40$ for 5 lessons. What I do wish is that these local organisations don't ask how belly dance teachers are actually fit to do that. They never asked me and I am really wondering who is doing the one at our college as it isn't anyone we know can dance and teach around here. Believe me you wouldn't travel for the pay...25$ an hour!

Thank you to everyone for all your help! Much appreciated. : )