Thread: Private Lesson Protocol

Hi-

I'm wondering about protocol for private lessons, specifically

1. Price/time
2. Pacing for students
3. What to teach
4. Are there any certain formalities/legalities/general protocol that are required
5. Anything you've really liked about a private lesson
6. Location

I'd love to hear from people who have given them and who have also taken them.

Thanks

1. Price/time

Depends a lot on area/qualification of teacher

2. Pacing for students

You mean "how fast to advance"? This is according to the wishes of the students. That's what privates are for, after all.
I have people who come to me because they learn faster than an average class - but I also have others who are very slow.

3. What to teach

Again, depends on what the student wants.

4. Are there any certain formalities/legalities/general protocol that are required

Hm. Maybe some insurance stuff, depending on where you are? Or a form to sign that you are not responsible for possible health damages? I don't really do such things myself.

Payment is done at the end of the lesson.

5. Anything you've really liked about a private lesson

As a teacher, I like to be able to concentrate on one student and bring out the best in her/him.
I also like the flexibility - it's not like a class that I have to teach each Thursday at 8 PM. If I go on holiday (or the student) we simply choose another date.

Of course it's not a steady income - and I don't rely on my private students to pay my rent! I take it as a nice extra.
I have students who come every few months and other who come nearly every week - and then suddenly they stop for various reasons.

6. Location

My living-room has been made dance friendly, so there is enough space for a person and me to dance around.
But I have also taught private lessons in hotel rooms...

MEISSOUN

Meissoun summed it up nicely, I think. I would only add that if students want a larger space than my living room, they are responsible for studio rental fees (though I will coordinate with the studio, often). Also, I charge extra if I have to travel to a student.

I've thought a bit about making stricter policies for cancelation and payment. I've gotten bit by the last minute cancel or no show too many times and it's REALLY annoying and a waste of my time. Also, the student that arrives 30 minutes late and still expects an hour of class instruction is annoying -- I've already spent 30 minutes of my time waiting for you so now you costing me an hour and a half of my time but I'm only getting paid for an hour. Just wondering how other teachers have dealt with these issues??

As a student, what I liked the most about my private lessons is how focused the teacher was on me. She asked exactly what I wanted to learn. Being fairly new, I wanted special attention to my posture. I exactly wanted to know how to stand, how to put my head, hands, arms. So we went over basic moves and she paid specific attention to that.

I wish I had more money to take more private lessons from her, I just love her attention!

i've only recently started teaching privates and enjoyed it, more than i thought i would. my problems are location and time, a lot of my evenings are taken up by the normal classes/troupe rehearsals, so students need to be willing to be flexible and i cant guarantee they can have a class every week/same hour same day same location...

1. Price/time. i find that one hard too! depends a bit on the studend/the teacher/etc i think.... i've heard very different prices so far, find it hard to set mine. i have a different prive for long time students and for those who book several hours at once.

2. Pacing for students. not sure what you mean? depends on student. i dont like teaching total beginners for this reason, cause they need the drills a normal class offers i think. i prefer students to have some base to work on, otherwise you might go through a lot and they've forgotten it all by next week. i enjoyed teaching privates more with intermediate/advanced students, because you can go faster/more in depth than a normal class, and the student have the base to deal with that.

3. What to teach
depends on the student, as meissoun said.

4. Are there any certain formalities/legalities/general protocol that are required

insurance/taxes...

5. Anything you've really liked about a private lesson

the ones i took myself: where i had a real "aha" moment! and the teacher volunteered info on stuff they thought would be usefull for me

6. Location

i dont want them at my house, except the occasional troupe practice, so i rent a local studio for this..

I have every new student sign the following document. It lays out what I expect of them and what they should expect of me. And it may sound a bit draconian, but my schedule is VERY tight these days, what with the full time job, the baby, and dancing.

FYI, my rates are at the low end for private lessons in the area...I think private rates are between $40 and $80 or so in my area.

(document in next post, as it's too long for this post apparently.)



***

Rates

I offer private lessons in my home are $40 per hour, and semi private lessons for $30 per person per hour. You may either pay me at the time of your lesson or you may purchase a set of four private lessons in advance of the first lesson for $150. Advance purchases can be made with your credit card through PayPal. This set of four lessons must be used within two months of purchase. Group lessons of three people or more are $20 per person per hour and require a studio rental.

Studio time at Cambridge Dance Complex or Green St. Studios can be arranged, but the studio booking is made in your name and you are required to pay for the studio space. Cancellations at the studio must be made 24 hours in advance, or you risk losing your right to reserve space there. Studio time costs between $9 and $24 per hour, depending on the day and the size of the studio.

Policies

I will be ready to teach each lesson at the scheduled time and expect you to arrive on time as well. Since I often teach lessons back to back I cannot extend any lesson beyond the scheduled end time. If you need time to change clothes or use the bathroom, please alert me so I can end your lesson a few minutes early. If you arrive late you will still need to pay for the full hour. Conversely, if you arrive early please assume there is a lesson before yours and do not ring the doorbell until your lesson is scheduled to start.

If you have to cancel a lesson you must do so at least 24 hours in advance. Students who cancel less than 24 hours in advance are still required to pay the full lesson fee. I will not schedule another lesson with you until you have paid in full for any missed lessons.

During your lesson I will not stop to answer the phone and I expect you to offer me the same courtesy. I will make every effort to accommodate scheduling your lesson during times that you are not expecting a call.



Please sign below to acknowledge that you have read the above and agree to the rates and policies for lessons at BellyDanceBoston.

(and while I posted this, my son just ate four pieces of lint off the floor)

<sigh>

Originally Posted by aazura

Meissoun summed it up nicely, I think. I would only add that if students want a larger space than my living room, they are responsible for studio rental fees (though I will coordinate with the studio, often). Also, I charge extra if I have to travel to a student.

I've thought a bit about making stricter policies for cancelation and payment. I've gotten bit by the last minute cancel or no show too many times and it's REALLY annoying and a waste of my time. Also, the student that arrives 30 minutes late and still expects an hour of class instruction is annoying -- I've already spent 30 minutes of my time waiting for you so now you costing me an hour and a half of my time but I'm only getting paid for an hour. Just wondering how other teachers have dealt with these issues??

The cancellations can be annoying. As for students arriving late.... if this is a good student who was honestly held up, and my schedule is flexible, I still give a full hour lesson. If I feel like it's someone who's not considering my time valuable or I have a tight schedule, they get 30 minutes of instruction and pay for an hour. (Only had to do this once, luckily...)

Thanks for your policies Lilya. I have something similar typed up and I hand it to people but have never made anyone sign it. I like that idea!

The cancelations/no shows/late arrivals were generally the same student -- it was starting to become such a problem but I knew she was dealing with a lot of personal stuff and I didn't have the heart to tell her no more classes. Because she was coming to my house I just sucked it up. In the future I'll be more strict b/c it really got out of hand.

Hey Lilya, that is a really good idea about having the student make the studio rental arrangements.... Saves you a few headaches too, I'll bet!

This is my "private instruction" sheet is in the following post (also too long for one). Note that I require a lot of pre-notice; offer no refunds; do allow substitutions; and will exchange services for lessons. For instance, recently my son underwent a major surgery and needed some counseling as part of his recovery. One of my students is a counselor and we made a very satisfactory deal exchanging services by her for my son for private lessons.

PRIVATE INSTRUCTION (requirements/content/fees)

1) 1-2 hours per session: Limited to 1-2 persons. Available dates must be Friday afternoon, Saturday afternoon and I will sometimes consider a Sunday afternoon. I will coach only a limited number of hours per month.

2) Must be scheduled one month in advance; subject must be communicated at least two weeks in advance.

3) Fee must be paid two weeks in advance.

4) No refunds, but re-scheduling permitted for limited reasons. Sessions, as long as subject material remains the same, may be transferred from dancer to dancer.

SUBJECT MATTER suggestions:

Technique (must be specific, not general)
Some examples:
Perfecting specific movement
Circle, figure 8s, undulations, etc.
Pops and locks
Traveling
Veil
Props in general or in particular (i.e. sword, tray, candle, etc.)
Developing your own dance style
Setting goals and providing drills to help achieve same
Style differentiation
Video analysis
Instruction in dance movement execution relative to style
Combo of above
Choreo (See special choreo costs at bottom of page)
I will choreo for you (choreo cost separate from coaching cost)
I will teach Oasis choreo
I will help you with choreo by another dancer (i.e. seminar, etc.) you provide notes, etc.
I will help you work up your own choreo (see choreo costs in fees section below).
Improvisation
Zilling
Drumming
Rhythms recognition
Drilling
Business of Dance (dancing for pay: shimmy grams, restaurant work, etc.)
Musical choices (what to pick and why and other musical issues)
Ethics of dance (copyright of music, video and choreography)
Cultural relationships – ethnic dos and don’ts
History of the Dance
Lecture and research suggestions
Video analysis
Combo of above

(Still too long, so more in next post)

FEES:

1 hour – 1 student $25.00

1 hour – 2 students $30.00 (or $15. each)

1 hour - 3 students $30.00 (or $10 each)

Choreography Costs:
If I do entire choreography for you, the cost will be:
a. If I retain copyright:
$50 for first minute of music
$15 for each minute of music thereafter, up to 7 minutes.
$20 for each minute of music over 7.

b. If you want to purchase the copyright (that means that it belongs to you, I can’t teach it in class or workshop, or teach it to another person in privates. The copyright belongs to you and I have no more right to it.
Costs for actual choreo are the same as above
Cost for the copyright itself is $75.00

c. Costs for choreography where you provide the skeleton of the choreography and I simply help you put flesh on the bones is $20 per minute of music up to 7 minutes; $30 for each minute of music thereafter.

d. All choreography costs will have one hour of private lesson added to the total.


Want to negotiate fees? Talk to me! I will exchange certain work for troupe or for me personally for private instruction costs.
*******************************************

I really liked Lilya's idea of having the student sign . . .may have to incorporate that idea!

Originally Posted by kat

FEES:

1 hour – 1 student $25.00

1 hour – 2 students $30.00 (or $15. each)

1 hour - 3 students $30.00 (or $10 each)

Choreography Costs:
If I do entire choreography for you, the cost will be:
a. If I retain copyright:
$50 for first minute of music
$15 for each minute of music thereafter, up to 7 minutes.
$20 for each minute of music over 7.

b. If you want to purchase the copyright (that means that it belongs to you, I can’t teach it in class or workshop, or teach it to another person in privates. The copyright belongs to you and I have no more right to it.
Costs for actual choreo are the same as above
Cost for the copyright itself is $75.00

c. Costs for choreography where you provide the skeleton of the choreography and I simply help you put flesh on the bones is $20 per minute of music up to 7 minutes; $30 for each minute of music thereafter.

d. All choreography costs will have one hour of private lesson added to the total.


Want to negotiate fees? Talk to me! I will exchange certain work for troupe or for me personally for private instruction costs.
*******************************************

I really liked Lilya's idea of having the student sign . . .may have to incorporate that idea!

Boy, these prices seem low.... you're a bargain!

Originally Posted by bintbeled

Boy, these prices seem low.... you're a bargain!

Not in this area . . . maybe if I were down in the more metropolitan Indianapolis area, or up closer to Chicago, but here in the middle of not much but cornfields and the Subaru-Isuzu plant, complaints are usually that I'm too high-priced. ..l;, Cost-0f-Living vs. Supply-and-demand?

yes I agree, at those prices I would have three privates a week. Forget about regular classes.....g.:

Prices in Portland vary from 40 - 50 dollars per lesson. Lessons vary from an hour to an hour and a half.

As for content... I usually have something specific I want to work on and we base the lesson on achieving that goal. I usually do not want to work on things that are covered in class. Most of my privates do more with styling, stage presence and music interpretation since class time is usually drilling and technic and not dancing. I say not dancing cause we do not normally do choreographies and very rare combos. Most of the students in the classes I take are professional performers with the exception of me who is working towards becoming a pro.. ,r:;

The thing that I like best about private lessons is the end of the emperors new clothes syndrome - i.e. your arms may always have been rubbish, but teachers never point this out, then in a private a teacher finally does. I like to refreshing honesty of the one to one session. It makes me happy to know I can change things that are bad.

speaking as someone who has taken them...

1.) I've always paid around 30-50 per hour for privates. They should be more expensive than regular classes, because you get so much more out of them. Besides, the teacher who does them has to devote a whole hour to you rather than covering a dozen students in an hour.
2.) I'm not sure how she paces it, but I do love that in a private lesson, the teacher can slow down and work on something for as long as I need it, and not move on just because I'm the only one not getting it. It took me a while but eventually I realized that we could spend more time and I could ask questions (things I resist doing in a class because I don't want to slow down my classmates). I realized that it's my hour and if I need to spend more time breaking down a step, it was okay to do that.
3.) I usually go for privates for something I can't get from my regular teachers. My regular teachers do drills, technique, and improvisation/performance. So, i went to privates to learn sword. I also have gone to privates to put together a performance choreography or to improve a competition piece. I have been very lucky with our own Lilya in that she writes amazing choreographies, so if I come to her with some loose ideas or even just a song, she can help me come up with something that suits my dance style and yet includes ideas I would never have come up with myself. Now, you think okay, you're just walking away with a choreography. But what's happened is that I've learned new ways of doing things, new types of moves, new "style" stuff that I now use in my regular dancing. I had a private lesson with another teacher to go over my competition piece and she was able to give me hints on presentation, like where to start on the stage, that I needed to extend my fingers while holding the veil, arm carriage - all sorts of little details I never would have thought of.

continuation...

4.) see the thread above...Lilya has a contract for her private students. For the others, it was just common courtesy - show up on time and leave on time.
5.) I don't know - the personal attention to whatever I need to work on! Not feeling embarassed when I get something wrong. All sorts of things. If I could afford to take them all the time, I would!
6.) Living rooms and in one class, a classroom at a local college. Rarely is it a dance studio. I prefer having them come to my house, to my dance studio, but it's not always possible. The space can be an issue because you can't do everything in a small space. Also, when I'm at someone else's house, I'm always worried about knocking over their precious vase or stepping on their dog. But you know, you accept what you can get. One of the people I took privates with has a studio in her basement, with mirrors and a sound system - that's nice.

Student perspective:

Area prices vary according to the area and the prestige & training of the teacher. I took from someone who was cheaper in the area. She wasn't as trained or as well-known as another teacher (my class teacher) but she was good for me and I was broke at the time.

Privates are tailored to what the students want.When I worked on a choreography I made up, we discussed moves to use and transition stuff (I was using the Arabian Coffee dance song from the Nutcracker).

I liked that I could tailor the lesson to what I wanted to do, but at the same time, I wish she would've put more input into the contents. Like have had a list of suggestions for topics to go over that all dancers should know or drill harder on areas that are generally weak with dancers.

Pacing was what I wanted it to be, which is nice, because sometimes you instantly get things and still have to drill over and over, sometimes you want to take your time learning

I enjoy teaching private lessons. As a teacher, the one-on-one attention that I can give to a student is priceless, plus, students seem to be more comfortable with their progress when they're not comparing themselves to others. I love not having to travel for class, and financially, you can't beat the hourly rate of pay (I charge $30, which as far as I know is standard for this area).

The private lessons I teach usually fall into two groups-total beginners or current students/dancers who want extra help developing or to learn a new prop/movement/style. For the first group, I ask them to sign up for a 6-week session, paid in advance at the first lesson (there is a very limited refund policy). For the second group, I'm fine with doing a one time lesson, one here or there, or a limited number of classes.

When I take private lessons myself, it's often because I want to work on specific things - like a Meleya Leff, or getting more energy and poise in my arms.

Kat, I'm fascinated by your add on charges for choreo services. I only did a complete choreography for someone once, and it never occurred to me to add on to the normal cost of the private lessons. Great idea!

1. Price/time: I charge $35/hour. I won't teach privates during peak hours, I really need to be teaching more profitable classes during that time. I'll teach privates (or semi-privates) during daytime & weekend hours only.

2. Pacing for students: Well, that's the beauty of the private lesson, isn't it? The student sets the pace, or the pace is set according to his/her personal needs.

3. What to teach: I don't really like to teach privates unless the student knows what they're coming to learn. I'm afraid it would be a waste of their money for me to just teach them the exact material they could get in my regular class.

4. Are there any certain formalities/legalities/general protocol that are required
I'm still learning about this. Cancellation policies, etc. are important. I wouldn't teach if I weren't insured.

5. Anything you've really liked about a private lesson: When I take privates, I love getting that honest feedback and help with my personal issues, like being nagged & poked about my posture.

6. Location: These days I can teach privates in my studio. Prior to that, I had a large mirror and sound system in my living room, but I mostly went to other peoples' locations.

Originally Posted by kat

[I] will exchange services for lessons. For instance, recently my son underwent a major surgery and needed some counseling as part of his recovery. One of my students is a counselor and we made a very satisfactory deal exchanging services by her for my son for private lessons.

My mom did this with her dentist! If I remember correctly, the dentist's wife took group lessons plus privates with Mom and Mom got much-needed dental services from the dentist!

Deborah

Originally Posted by Nepenthe

speaking as someone who has taken them...
2.) It took me a while but eventually I realized that we could spend more time and I could ask questions (things I resist doing in a class because I don't want to slow down my classmates). I realized that it's my hour and if I need to spend more time breaking down a step, it was okay to do that.

This is an excellent point, Nepenthe.

My mom learned from day one in private lessons (group lessons were all but non-existent at the time). I accompanied her occasionally and she often just picked her teachers' brains for 60 of a 90 minute class. That's what she needed and it was worth it to her to pay for it.

Like some others have posted on this thread, I like to teach privates best with someone with some background in BD, someone with some foundation on which to build.

I love taking privates for the bang-up beating I get from people I know and trust to tell me the truth.

Deborah

Oh, one more thing - I've decided I don't like teaching privates to beginners. Just my personal preference. I'll make an exception if someone is enrolled in my beginner-level class and ALSO wants privates.

1. check to see what other area teachers are charging / whatever time works best for both of you

2. at the student's pace

3. I *always* ask my private students to have something specific in mind that they want to work on, and I ask them to bring their own music so we can work with something they're familiar with.

4. don't know about that one

5. I've never taken a private lesson myself. I think I'd be too shy! :)

6. I teach at my home studio; I will teach wherever - if we have to rent space I add that to the fee.

hth!

Originally Posted by najla86

Hi-

1. Price/time
2. Pacing for students
3. What to teach
4. Are there any certain formalities/legalities/general protocol that are required
5. Anything you've really liked about a private lesson
6. Location

now that i've read through everyone else's posts, this to add:

I have a diminishing fee structure: first lesson costs X, 2nd lesson is $5 less, then the 3rd lesson and all after are another $5 less. this helps me get a decent fee of one-timers, and gives my repeat students a break. I don't teach group classes, and most of my students are regular ones.

I don't have a cancellation policy (for me personally, it's never a problem if someone needs to cancel at the last minute. my studio is in my back yard so it's not like I had to go anywhere, and I've usually got something else that needs to be done around the house...). if I get a no-show, I always give them the benefit of the doubt - it's usually either an emergency or a calendar mess-up. no big deal. but if I get two no-shows in a row from a new student, I won't book them again.

I got a little burned with a student I used to help with choreos. she'd give me the music, and then she'd videotape our lesson. then, she'd go and perform the piece without practicing or learning it very well - but would credit me publically for the choreo! talk about making me look like a crappy teacher. ;) so, my new choreo policy is to have a flat choreo fee (I like the by-the-minute scale above!), and then you pay for enough private lessons for you to learn it. you may videotape *yourself* doing the choreo (with my prompts if needed). I need to protect my reputation to be sure that any dancing done with my name on it makes me look good. :)

I like the idea of copyrighting a choreo, and waiving the copyright for a fee. my policy now is to agree not to perform the choreo myself (it always happens that I fall in love with whatever piece of music someone gives me to work with and I want to dance it myself!), in any venue where that dancer herself might be seen, for one year.

I never thought I'd have to add this in to my *private* lesson policy, but be sure and say no observers. I had a stage mom who wanted to coach from the sidelines during a private lesson; where in I was taking a teen with little to none bd skills and making a choreography for her to do in competition in 6 weeks. I was under enough pressure as it was, but then to have mom critiquing from the sidelines! OMG, I thought I was going to scream. I finally told her she'd have to pay the same amount as her daughter if she was going to stay. She was miffed but she did leave us alone after that. The student was really good and eventually won one of those Ms. Teen things. She was a sweetie (not your steriotypical pageant girl), and could do a layback head to the ground, back arched, then come up from that without pushing with her hands or anything. Man she had some powerful thighs!

Basta!

Kittie

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Oh, one more thing - I've decided I don't like teaching privates to beginners. Just my personal preference. I'll make an exception if someone is enrolled in my beginner-level class and ALSO wants privates.

Funny, I once decided I didn't have the nerves to teach beginners classes - but I am totally OK with beginners in private lessons. They are usually very motivated (not the "I am here because my friend didn't want to come alone" type).

I don't charge extra for choreos - but the students have to write them down themselves. I always create private choreos on the spot (so there is no extra preparation time) according to the students abilities and I tell them that THEY have to remember them, not me. I never use these choreos myself.

MEISSOUN