Thread: Free Dance Classes?

Just received this call: "One of our clients would like to take bellydance classes. But she's uncomfortable going by herself and wants to have a friend along to dance beside her. Our company will only pay for the client; can her friend go for free?"



Khalida

Sounds like they would be high maintainance people. Unless she's paying for private lessons, I'd say no.

I'd say no. Why does she deserve a 2 for 1 when all the other students pay? It's not fair to those other students, and it might create some real drama if word gets out.

I'd say no. Two people dance, two people pay.
I don't see why you should be giving free lessons to one woman just because the other one is insecure.

I'd say about half of my students come with a friend or family member. That doesn't mean that the friends get in for free.

2 dancers, 2 people pay. I don't understand why it would be different, unless it's a private lesson or some sort of charity thing.

Originally Posted by khalida777

Just received this call: "One of our clients would like to take bellydance classes. But she's uncomfortable going by herself and wants to have a friend along to dance beside her. Our company will only pay for the client; can her friend go for free?"



Khalida

Is this, perhaps, a developmentally delayed person? I'm wondering, because she is referred to as a "client" and has a company or organization paying her way. In that case, I would probably let the friend come to watch and or assist the student only, but not to participate herself.

Honestly, while my normal reaction would also be 2 people attend, 2 people pay, it would also depend on the organization and *why* this woman is insecure. I have donated my time & services to non-profits I would otherwise support, like the woman's shelter & the resource agency (adults with disabilities)- so if it is a group I would otherwise support, I would consider the donation if I knew enough about the situation to think it merited that kind of assistance. I normally don't allow observers, but I would allow a caseworker to attend with a client, for example. I have friends with disabilites, or with family members with disabilities and it is not uncommon for say, a mother or sister or other support to attend an art class as a companion.

Another option might be to see if there is someone who is willing to sponsor the pair, if they really can't afford to come and, again, you deem it an appropriate case.

Unless this person is a carer, why on earth? Get out there and stop being a wuss, woman . Unless there are some specific health issues involved, why should anyone need a friend to hold their hand?
If it is the case, you should be informed so you know how to best serve the needs of that student.
Mind you it's never a bad idea to give people free taster sessions if you run on a course of fees.

I did say no right away, very kindly, after I asked her to repeat the situation. I just couldn't imagine anyone expecting free dance lessons from a private studio. She was a bit miffed even after I explained that most women go to classes on their own, the atmosphere in the studio is very relaxing, her client wouldn't have any problem fitting in, etc. etc.

In 11 yrs of teaching, this was a first -- interesting!


Khalida

Originally Posted by Lara L

Honestly, while my normal reaction would also be 2 people attend, 2 people pay, it would also depend on the organization and *why* this woman is insecure. I have donated my time & services to non-profits I would otherwise support, like the woman's shelter & the resource agency (adults with disabilities)- so if it is a group I would otherwise support, I would consider the donation if I knew enough about the situation to think it merited that kind of assistance. I normally don't allow observers, but I would allow a caseworker to attend with a client, for example. I have friends with disabilites, or with family members with disabilities and it is not uncommon for say, a mother or sister or other support to attend an art class as a companion.

Another option might be to see if there is someone who is willing to sponsor the pair, if they really can't afford to come and, again, you deem it an appropriate case.

These are excellent points and should I be faced with this question in the future I'll be prepared to ask for more information. No details were offered as to this client's particular situation, other than that she was nervous about going on her own and wanted a friend along for moral support.

Thanks for all the responses so far :)


Khalida

Originally Posted by CalgaryBibi

Is this, perhaps, a developmentally delayed person? I'm wondering, because she is referred to as a "client" and has a company or organization paying her way. In that case, I would probably let the friend come to watch and or assist the student only, but not to participate herself.

Excellent point! I was also wondering about a third party making class arrangements for "our client".

Also good work refraining from responding with, "Well, I want to go on a cruise to the Bahamas, but I'm shy about going alone so I'd like a free companion ticket."

Originally Posted by sabrinabellydancer

Excellent point! I was also wondering about a third party making class arrangements for "our client".

Also good work refraining from responding with, "Well, I want to go on a cruise to the Bahamas, but I'm shy about going alone so I'd like a free companion ticket."

I'll definitely remember this one, lol, but I was way too slow on the uptake today so it wasn't a matter of me holding back some zappy zinger :) I was in the middle of planning a dance show line-up when she called and I just couldn't wrap my head around what she was talking about at first. Now, if the potential student had a disability of sorts and the caller had mentioned "patient" instead of "client", or even given a bit more background on a challenging situation, it wouldn't have been so confusing.

The upside is that I've given some thought as to how to react when presented with a query re special needs students. It's not come up before, but it might and it's good for a studio to have a policy in place.


Khalida

Originally Posted by khalida777

The upside is that I've given some thought as to how to react when presented with a query re special needs students. It's not come up before, but it might and it's good for a studio to have a policy in place.


Khalida

There are so many of those, aren't there? I now know exactly what I would say the next time someone calls asking if my class would be appropriate for a burlesque dancer who can't find local classes in burlesque, even if I am on vacation and mistake their phone number for my dad's and pick up by accident...

Originally Posted by khalida777

The upside is that I've given some thought as to how to react when presented with a query re special needs students. It's not come up before, but it might and it's good for a studio to have a policy in place.


Khalida

The reason I thought of it is that the first bd class I took was in a city-run facility, and there was a developmentally delayed woman in the class. She had some sort of aide who accompanied her, but the aide sat outside in the hall during the class. Really, it would have been beneficial to have had the aide assisting the woman, because the instructor had to spend a lot of time assisting this woman, coaxing her to participate, even helping her tie on her hip scarf. At the same time, she would be trying to make sure we were all performing the moves correctly and safely, but there were times when we were just standing around waiting, too. If she didn't do that, though, the woman would just stand there and yell things out.

Anyway, I've often thought it would have been better for everyone, the woman included, if the aide had been inside the studio during the class. I have no idea whether it was due to facility or instructor policy, or whether it was outside the scope of the aide's assigned duties, although I suspect it was the latter. In any case, if I were an instructor in that situation, I would welcome someone to assist without having to pay the class fee. Of course, when space is limited and that assistant might be, therefore, taking a spot that could be used by a paying customer, then I think it's quite fair to say the person can't actually participate herself.

If the person is simply shy and doesn't want to go on her own, and the friend would be a full participant, then of course the friend should pay, as well.

Originally Posted by CalgaryBibi

The reason I thought of it is that the first bd class I took was in a city-run facility, and there was a developmentally delayed woman in the class. She had some sort of aide who accompanied her, but the aide sat outside in the hall during the class. Really, it would have been beneficial to have had the aide assisting the woman, because the instructor had to spend a lot of time assisting this woman, coaxing her to participate, even helping her tie on her hip scarf. At the same time, she would be trying to make sure we were all performing the moves correctly and safely, but there were times when we were just standing around waiting, too. If she didn't do that, though, the woman would just stand there and yell things out.

Anyway, I've often thought it would have been better for everyone, the woman included, if the aide had been inside the studio during the class. I have no idea whether it was due to facility or instructor policy, or whether it was outside the scope of the aide's assigned duties, although I suspect it was the latter. In any case, if I were an instructor in that situation, I would welcome someone to assist without having to pay the class fee. Of course, when space is limited and that assistant might be, therefore, taking a spot that could be used by a paying customer, then I think it's quite fair to say the person can't actually participate herself.

If the person is simply shy and doesn't want to go on her own, and the friend would be a full participant, then of course the friend should pay, as well.

I agree, thanks for bringing it up :)


Khalida

Why couldn't the friend pay for herself while the company paid for the client?

Originally Posted by khalida777

I'll definitely remember this one, lol, but I was way too slow on the uptake today so it wasn't a matter of me holding back some zappy zinger :) I was in the middle of planning a dance show line-up when she called and I just couldn't wrap my head around what she was talking about at first. Now, if the potential student had a disability of sorts and the caller had mentioned "patient" instead of "client", or even given a bit more background on a challenging situation, it wouldn't have been so confusing.

The upside is that I've given some thought as to how to react when presented with a query re special needs students. It's not come up before, but it might and it's good for a studio to have a policy in place.


Khalida

FWIW, I know some care facilities do insist on using "client" instead of patient (I had a friend in college who worked her summers at a facility for folks who were developmentally disabled and that facility did indeed wish to use "client"). However, if this woman who called you didn't bother to explain the situation and state the fact if the client did indeed have a health issue or disability, then you can't be expected to be psychic and know there may have been extenuating circumstances. As far as it was told to you, this is a shy person who needed a friend to hold her hand, and it sounds like you responded appropriately given the information you had. I would think anyone calling on behalf of someone disabled would be pretty up-front about the reasons for their request, wouldn't they?

I would think if the 'client' suffered from an anxiety disorder, or was trying to get over agoraphobia, etc. the person on the phone would have SAID so, and you might have responded differently. On the other hand, it still seems to me the studio would be the LAST participant in this scenario obligated to pick up the cost for a companion. if the agency thought it was really a necessary expense, why would they not pay for it?

If the person who called had identified herself as being from a particular agency, that would have given us a clue... a shelter for abused women... the witness protection program... agoraphobics anonymous...

what next! that's a unique approach at least!
of course the answer is "no" although you could give the "client" some kind of bonus or merch discount if appropriate, for bringing a friend who *signs up*.