Jeannie Tucker Online - Private Dance Lesson Tips

10 Top ways to make your private lessons work for you!

By: Jeannie Tucker: jeannie@jeannietucker.com

	Find a teacher that is an expert at what you want to study - If you are going to trust someone to teach you to dance then research and make sure that person is well trained. Teachers of movement have the potential to affect your posture, self esteem and how you are perceived in the social dance scene. A professional will not mind your questions about their background and training, so ask.
	Make a list of what dances you want to and why. Be specific - Don't be surprised however, if you are told that you need to learn other skills before you can pursue that goal. A good instructor will be able to explain the process.
	Make your plans for using your dancing clear to your teacher - They need to make sure you are learning moves and social skills that are appropriate for the environment you plan to be dancing in. Remember, you are in charge of where you ultimately use your dancing not your teacher.
	Always be sure about the location and time of your next lesson - Most teachers book back to back lessons so being prompt assures that you will get the most time for your money.
	Take at least one lesson with a particular teacher before signing any contract - Your relationship with your teacher is an intimate one and you need to feel comfortable with him or her before signing up for a package of lessons.
	Clarify the costs of your lesson time and ask if you can share the lesson with someone else - Taking semi-private lessons with others will cut the costs. Your teacher may have other students working on similar skills that you could share lessons with.
	Get a partner to take the lessons with you - It will cut costs and give you a valuable practice partner. Most teachers don't charge more for the extra person in the lesson.
	Don't jump from one dance instructor to the other - You need consistency to learn and therefore I suggest you follow #1. above. Pick a teacher you have well researched and give that teacher time to get you somewhere. Body habits are hard to break and form correctly. If you are not comfortable with the direction the instructor is taking you then, you need speak up. "They should be able to please you if you remain able to please."
	Understand why you really want to dance - Make sure you discuss this with your teacher and remember all reasons are noble ones. If you want to become a competitive dancer then you will need specific technique and training to get you there. If finding a partner in life as well as on the dance floor is your goal then some of the specific technique needed for competition is not necessary. If you are learning to dance to be a teacher yourself one day then realize that it takes a lot more than just learning to dance to be a successful and responsible teacher. Learning to teach and learning to dance are very different things.
	Don't let your dancing come between you and your partner - If you are learning with a partner that you are involved with off the dance floor then remember to make time for practice, lessons and just relaxing and dancing for pure fun. Keep a notebook handy for the times when you will argue with each other about a particular dance issue or question. Write the question down and let the book own the argument until you see your teacher again at your next lesson and she or he can give you the answer. Dancing should add enjoyment to your life not stress.

"Keep Dancing......I'll see You on the Dance floor."