Ballet Is Expensive

Of course, when you compare it to other indulgences, treating your body to dance classes comes out about the same or cheaper.

However, if anyone says that ballet isn't expensive, they are either crazy, or flat out lying.

As a dance teacher I have the responsibility to continue my own education, which includes continuing to dance on a regular basis. Working 130 hours a week this past year, I've clearly skipped that responsibility. However I'm now making it a priority and I'm reminded that ballet is EXPENSIVE. (Especially when you're an adult and can't enroll in a set (cheaper) program) Even though as a studio owner I now know exactly why prices are set as they are, every single little detail that I'm paying for; it's still expensive. Sure, I'm empathetic,but ballet is expensive. And when it comes down to it, ballet should be because you're paying for someone to train you in a physical activity, one that can be dangerous without the proper care, even though the ones training you are taking home about as much as a first year school teacher. No one in the arts is in it for the money. But sadly with the prices charged to 'arts education venues', they have to set their prices accordingly.

Ballet is definitely a world of "you get what you pay for",but sometimes the buyer has no idea what they are paying for. There are local dance schools whose prices are right up there with my own studio (not cheap) whose training I have seen and experienced first-hand and it is atrocious. It's the kind of training that will send a child to the ER or render them unable to dance or even walk without pain, and I've seen it happen. But because the price is high, it's assumed that the quality is high. Unfortunately for one particular dance institution, that is not the case at all.

Though popular and expensive, I still have parents whose child is enrolled at this particular institution calling me to see if I can take their child on as a student because they get so many injuries or are so unhappy with their classmates or teacher. Sadly when I audition their child who is, for example, at a level 10 at their school, due to their often dangerous technique I have to place them at a level 4 or 6. I do this so that I can re-train the child to use their body safely and without injury. Unfortunately, this is often too discouraging, and they opt to stay where they're at. A place where they can feel that they are at a high level and accomplished- though injured. And this is true across the board all over the country. Children get poor training, and parents are livid when they learn that they've been paying good money for poor training. Though this is usually more true for the less expensive dance centers.

As a general rule however, the higher the cost the better the training. If you spend less for your child's dance classes, you'll make up for it in doctor's bills. However, for the parent who is not trained in dance or who does not know what to look for, other parent recommendations are good, as well as finding out how often students are injured. A sneaky way is to call local sports medicine centers or orthopedic surgeons. If they see a lot of professional dancers- that's good. If they see a lot of students from a particular school- that's bad. It may not always indicate poor training on the part of the dance school, but it is a definite red flag.

Bringing this long entry back around, when I've been in business long enough to have advanced level classes (max of 10 classes a week), I would hope that I can charge no more than $400 a month. Which is not cheap, but it is a lot cheaper than it could be. Many schools want advanced students in lessons for 20 hours a week or more. I find that excessive and unnecessary. Yes, professional dancers do dance that much and more. However, they are getting paid to dance that much, which makes it a lot easier. It's not necessary to give a young student that same schedule. If they are accepted into a company, they will adjust. Otherwise, the parent of the student will be paying upwards of $800 a month. I know, I know. Ballet is expensive. But come on. If I couldn't imagine shelling out that much money, I wouldn't expect my studio parents to.

That being said, it will still cause me physical pain to hand over the amount of money I will need to in order to take ballet classes myself. Since there is little or nothing in Milwaukee for adults,I have to take the majority of my classes in Chicago. But I do this because in the end it will be worth it.I'll just keep telling myself that.