Loyal to your dance studio?

PoleWarrior started this discussion · 7/30/2012

Hi ladies just wanted to get your opinions about something thats causing me some discomfort. I've been learning pole at a particular studio for close to 5 years now and have since made some fabulous friendships with both the students and the instructors. However, Another studio has offered me an instructor job. I feel like I'm betraying my studio if I take the job. I also wouldn't be able to see my friends and train with the instructors there anymore. Is it normal to feel this way? What would you do? Thanks! X

18 replies

PoleWarrior · 7/30/2012
Hi ladies just wanted to get your opinions about something thats causing me some discomfort. I've been learning pole at a particular studio for close to 5 years now and have since made some fabulous friendships with both the students and the instructors. However, Another studio has offered me an instructor job. I feel like I'm betraying my studio if I take the job. I also wouldn't be able to see my friends and train with the instructors there anymore. Is it normal to feel this way? What would you do? Thanks! X
chemgoddess1 · 7/30/2012
Why would you be unable to train with the instructors at your old studio? Have you read through any of the becoming an instructor threads? Before making a decision I would strongly recommend taking a look. There are a lot of questions you need to ask this new studio.
Anonyma · 7/30/2012
its really understandable... i mean learning everything from one studio and then turn around and goin to teach to their competitors if they pay you good money for it , its something to think about it if I was the instructor, i would be happy for you but feel betrayed at the same time for sure. Maybe you should ask if you could become an instructor at the studio you re already at. some people might think what I said is mean , but it is what it is, when it comes to business, no more friends
chemgoddess1 · 7/30/2012
It depends on the city you are located in and how close the studios really are. We have instructors that teach at a few studios around town and we all visit on another and take classes. I know other cities where it is the same, but I also know some areas where it is very cut throat. It does not have to be all or nothing. Talk to the studio owner where you are taking classes. She may be excited for you. There is a way to do this with open communication leading the way. It will all come down to the reaction of your home studio.
JBStarryEyedGirl · 7/30/2012
You'll have to decide how to make the situation work best for you. If you love the studio you are at, talk to the owner about working there. You obviously have 5 years of experience, the owner would be smart to add you to the team! Just be honest and upfront with them. Say you love being there and that if there is no opportunity there for you that you have been offered a position with another company. If you really want to teach you should go for it. Just remember that you are also giving up an established studio with instructors who can help mentor you, which may not be the case in a new studio. It could also mean less students in a new studio. Lots of pros and cons, good luck with making the decision! Let us know what happens. :)
darling dearest · 7/30/2012
I thought it was the norm to take classes at one studio while teaching elsewhere. My instructor doesn't study at the same studio she teaches. If you'd really like to stay with your current studio, you might want to inquire about job opportunities there. You should also look into the job that you have been offered. I've heard all sorts of things about pole studios being very competitive with one another so I was a little apprehensive about going to another studio while studying at my current one, but I received no negative reactions from either end. I can't imagine that your current studio would prohibit you from attending classes any more. As chem has said, keep your line of communication and your options open!
ShonaLancs · 7/30/2012
Take the job!!!!! That's an awesome offer and if the studio you learn at don't like it then tough, they weren't behind you all the way anyway. Got to look after number 1!
ShonaLancs · 7/30/2012
Take the job!!!!! That's an awesome offer and if the studio you learn at don't like it then tough, they weren't behind you all the way anyway. Got to look after number 1!
PoleWarrior · 7/31/2012
Thanks so much for the replies. It's been causing me a bit of angst, but at least now I know that others would feel the same. I have previously enquired about instructing at the studio I train at, but as is the usual case with these things, I was passed up for someone else with more experience. Unfortunately pole dance studios here are quite competitive and exclusivity clauses are commonplace. It's a bit sad it's that it's like that - I'm not sure if the same restrictions apply for other dance instructors? I wouldn't be able to train or instruct anywhere else, which might inhibit my own learning in pole. What would you guys do?
chemgoddess1 · 7/31/2012
Are you 100% sure you want to teach? Is this something you aspired to do or are you just excited that someone asked you? Have you looked through the threads that I suggested? I will tell you from experience that teaching will stagnate you unless you actively pursue advancing. Some good reads from Amy. http://aerialamy.com/blog/2012/03/07/the-10-commandments-of-a-pole-instructor/ http://aerialamy.com/blog/2011/04/13/becoming-an-instructor/ BTW, exclusivity clauses are about TEACHING not about training. And if the studio hires you as an independant contractor vs an employee this is not anything they can do (at elast not here in the states). There are a LOT of important questions you need to ask. https://www.studioveena.com/forums/view/3549 https://www.studioveena.com/forums/view/4f810457-3c48-4d33-8fc4-7cc80ac37250 https://www.studioveena.com/forums/view/2136 https://www.studioveena.com/forums/view/3408 I am trying to find a post from Charley also regarding problems that she had at a studio she was working at. It was earlier this year and I am having difficulties finding it.
MieleRu · 7/31/2012
That's retarded! You should be able to train and practice wherever you like/choose. Are you sure? Here in NYC all my instructors take classes at other studios. They're so many great teachers here. That would really inhibit you and I think ultimately them because they're stifling your growth as an instructor. Seems pretty short sighted to me. Maybe you can work something out? Be the arbiter of change ;). Good luck!
minicoopergrl · 7/31/2012
I think alot of them have contracts about teaching somewhere else while your teaching for them. If I was an owner, Id encourage my instructors to branch out and try different classes/instructors. Never stop growing as a teacher nor as a student!
jade s · 7/31/2012
Loyalty does not necessarily = exclusive. It's possible to be loyal to the studio that you train at by still going there and still recommending them, as well as teach at another studio while promoting them. Each studio is different, even if they teach similar styles. Attending classes at different studios even if you're teaching at another is good for your own growth and advancement. You will learn something from each one, even if it's what not to do. I think that especially since the studio you train at is not willing to bring you on as an instructor, you have every right to go elsewhere.
PoleWarrior · 8/2/2012
Thanks for sharing everyone. It would be ideal if I could instruct and continue to train somewhere else, but the prospective owner has told me explicitly that wasn't an option. She was concerned about how it might look to her existing students that other instructors train somewhere else. Given that and considering chemgoddess' warning, I don't think it's the right place for me. I'd love to continue to grow as a dancer and this studio doesn't offer that. Chemgoddess you were spot on about instructing inhibiting my own pole growth. I would love to teach pole, but I still love being a student too. I don't know how some people manage the two while maintaining a full time job? Perhaps another discussion though..!
chemgoddess1 · 8/2/2012
Aerial Amy I think had another blog regarding it or it may have been discussions here or on facebook. I think for her it helps that much of what she does is right in the city. For me the only time I got to work on "me stuff" was either at home or when I was able to get together and jam with other pole peeps. But then again, she also takes classes at other studios so she is both an instructor and student. It also helps if you are not the most advanced instructor at the studio so you can drop in to other classes and learn.
Drdredancer · 8/3/2012
I used to take class at a particular studio and when auditions for instructors came up, I wasn't picked. They thought it was weird that I used floor in my warm up. I auditioned at another studio and got the job immediately. The problem was that there wasn't anyone better than me and teaching there monopolized my time. So, for a year, I didn't grow. My students started catching up with me so I went to another pole studio to learn new stuff. I fell in love with the community there and auditioned to be an instructor there. Again, I got the job immediately! Since then, I am in the most perfect pole situation. I get paid to do what I love, have tons of friend's with the same interest, and there are so many girls to learn from. The owner of this studio is very advanced and has champion training every week and she constantly pushes us to grow. I also take many workshops at various studios. I think it is hard to generalize this answer. It depends on the studio itself. See if it's a good fit for you. Do you like the community? Is there potential for growth? Don't worry about your friend's from your other studio. If they are really your friends, you will still jam with them and they would understand.
Drdredancer · 8/3/2012
*sorry for always using the possessive in "friends.". iPhone needs grammar lessons... Autocorrect snuck up on me!
minicoopergrl · 8/3/2012
Im at a point where I was loyal to my studio for 6yrs and ive grown and changed and they arent going to fit my needs for right now (plus some other things went down, cant support someone who doesnt give me time of day but knows who I am). And thats ok, we all grow and change and we do need to spread our wings and fly! Im so ready to fly!