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Hi TotallyLeftField! If I understand this correctly, your current Saturday dance partner is suggesting you replace her with a new partner? If yes, here’s my two cents… 1) Tell Martha you’re very happy with your relationship as it’s been with her, and you’d like to continue on this track. She might just be insecure, and passively seeking reassurance. 2) Ask Martha if she is suggesting this because she would prefer to take a break from Saturdays. I doubt this is the case, but I can tell you in retrospect - when my first pro’s burnout began, he encouraged me to partner with another pro who wanted to compete with me. He even offered to let that pro live in his home for free. I said no, I’m happy competing with you, we’ve built a reputation together, I don’t want to switch horses mid-face, yadda yadda. Soon after he cancelled nearly every practice, and when we did dance (even socially, in pro shows, even taking coaching) he had ever-increasing tantrums where he hated the way I danced. He ended up quitting dancing altogether. I ended up finding another pro partner, who treated me much better. Looking back, I’m confident he suggested switching, because he himself didn’t want to dance with me (or ultimately, didn’t want to dance AT ALL.). I don’t personally ‘get it,’ as a day hasn’t passed in my life where I cannot wait to slap those boards! Most people fade out over time, and transition to another hobby or career. Please update me if you have the conversation with her. I hope this turns out well!

@@TheBallroomDanceChannel Wow Sunnie your awesome, I appreciate your input and I will update you, thank you. 😊

My pleasure TitallyLeftField😃😃😃!

@@jamesbenstine6020 good morning James! Oh my gosh it can be so hard to find the right personality match in dancesport. Someone you can problem solve with, ensure failures, agree on goals, etc gets dancers much farther than initial technical ability of that partner for sure!

I understand these studios can be the best match for some people. However, in my personal observation, I’ve never once seen them train an elite level dancer... and the students pay more for lesser quality technique. About 6 months ago I shared a video which detailed several lawsuits students won against franchise studios, due to unethical practices (and perhaps illegal practices, since the students won the lawsuists, even after the companies appealed). Soon after, I received a nastygram from the Powers-That-Be. Although I only stated the facts and public documented case law history, I removed the video rather than risk being attacked by a weathly laywered-up company. It would be nice if someone who is naively remaining in that system might see one of these videos, and make an informed decision about where the best place for them to dance is. It might be a franchise studio, but I feel it is worth making educated decisions. I’m sorry you had a disappointing initial experience. But it's wonderful that in the end, you found a learning environment that best meets your goals! 😃

@@Furcorners oh Darnit thank you Furcorners! I rarely watch my videos as the sound of my high pitched voice annoys me. 🤣 As soon as I get home - I’ll add description of the movements in the comments. THANK YOU for saying something!

Thank you Alan! It still hurts almost constantly, especially when I lie down, sit, or move while upright. But I’m super excited my ability to move my leg within tolerable pain limits is visibly improving. I’m doing great!

Awww, thanks! The candy pink one is a Chrisanne fabric.

Thank you so very much DanceStar!😃

Thank you Carol!!! It still hurts to do almost anything, other than stand dead still with my femur perfectly perpendicular to the floor. Bit I’m still very positive, and very excited to see growth every single day! 😃

Most pro dancers would rather like their eye out with a sharp stick than appear on the show, or any TV honestly. I was contacted by agents and even a network wanting to film ballroom dance “REALITY” TV in my studio. Furstly, it’s disruptive to the studio dancers to have film crew taking over when’s they need it. Second it, I knew they only wanted to draft melodrama between ‘characters,’ that sctuallly had zero to do with ballroom dancing. In fact it was to their benefit to craft a firestorm, and make the show emotionally compelling for viewers, and generate ad revenue. I agree with you Mr.39 - HARD PASS!!!!!

I didn’t know about that LGP thank you for sharing this! Whenever two famous people with big egos marry, I feel like I’m holding my breath just waiting for the firestorm to start. There are two sides to every story…. I am very interested to see how this plays out in the courts!

I didn’t realize how much I take eensyweemsy ‘mini breaks’ navigating my mouse (eg: place me hand on the countertop and pause for a moment) to give that super tender area a little rest. I went into the grocery store using just the cart, but actually really struggled getting out of the store and getting back to my car. I guess I didn’t realize how large the footprint of the store is ;it was Fred Meyer). They weeent able yk fi a surgery on me. As the broken parts are up inside the sucker. The ducted warned me it would be a very painful recovery. But on the upside, he said that surgery is a lot more likely to result i.permanent reduction in mobility. It hurt so much that first week I would have picked gag route anyway, as it exponentially speeds the recovery and oaun. But now that I’m over the himo, it’s probably gif the heat they couldn’t fix it right away. What a crazy injury! Whenever I hurt myself. It’s not in saving. My husband says I’m a total clutch, and when I put my dance shoes in, there’s my ‘magic shoes’ where I’m no longer a glitz!😆🤣😃

Awesome! Do you have round dancing there, too?

THANK YOU so much for sharing this DanceSrar!!

No we don’t but our Latin and standard ballroom classes are all done in international style but it’s taught with technical alignments and professional technique

I love this. In my opinion, international style requires deeper understanding of lead, follow, rotation, connection - in a nutshell, technique. My sexind pro partner added American style, per the recommendation of his primary coach at the time, after getting to champ level in international as an amateur. He dances standard for his whole life. After starting American smooth, he won the US championship title IN JUST ONE YEAR. Likewise, I had friends who were the king-time reigning American smooth champions. They added standard, said it was the most transition in their long dance career…I don’t recall them ever making even a single round. Either indicate to me that international style irequires a great deal more understanding of the mechanics of partner dance. I’m not throwing shade at American style - in fact I teach it to all wedding couples, so they can ‘learn to dance’ in a single lesson. But I always encourage dancers who want to eventually compete at an elite level, in either style, to start with international. It’s a just a wonderful foundation!

Also -almost all the pro American style finalists (not at the closed tiny chain studio comps, but the NDCA sanctioned legit open comps) all started in international style!

Thank you Bob! 😍

Interesting! I truly believe that sort of negativity an territorialism bit only hurts the community, but in the end - hurts the studio owner who’s spreading those ugly vibes!!!

***SPOT ON*** RanyCraze! Indicates to me massive arrogance and lack of understanding of how people of different talents and abilities than him are equally intelligent…probably ly more in his case given the life choices he’s made as of late. 2 of my wonderful dance partners were respected in their respective blue-collar careers. I suspect his construction career will not work out either. Firstly, because of his reprehensible attitude. Second, because like most champ pros, he lacks life skills necessary to be skilled in other industries. Good riddance!

You’re so right Angie! He was a walking encyclopedia of dance! He described a lots of figures in this way! It was very helpful for me to learn open figures faster/bette, rather than having to ‘reinvent the whee’ with every single figure l

@@TheBallroomDanceChannel In ballroom dancing, as in many fields of performing arts, the development of the art seems to parallel the development of the individual practicing the art/skill, progressing from the simple to more elaborate figures and amalgamations. Later developments always seem to build upon mastery of earlier accomplishments. I find this true in many sports as well.

Hi JoAnn! Fond memories teaching back at the grange! Can you believe I’m still teaching and dancing after all these years?! I 😍😍. love it just as much today as I did at my very first ballroom dance lesson

@@TheBallroomDanceChannel Yes good times! I miss my dancing years though. You are as beautiful as ever.

@@joanngilliland6073 awwwwwww, thank you sweet friend!

Oh my gosh Jonqu thank you so much for sharing this! I learn something new every day - I’ve never even heard of this book! Where did you purchase it?

@@TheBallroomDanceChannel I didn’t, but I expect it is available at the Amazon. I always get to my lessons early and the dance studio I got to had it on the table. I just picket it up and read a few chapters every time I went. What I found interesting was when and how the current “standard” ballroom dances were actually introduced. It also focused a lot on how each of the dances became standards and popular. Dances I had never heard of used to be common and standard, and a few I thought were old turned out to be late comers.

Can you believe it Camille? 😃 !!!!!! I feel like I heading up the steep slip of the Belle curve (in a positive way!) where I’m seeing exponential growth, meaning not only improving daily, but improving faster than yesterday.” I just finished this mornings ‘home health” with my physical therapist Andrew. He gave me a bunch more exercises as it’s still crazy painful to have any turnout, and any lateral movement with my left leg. Steps in the right direction!!!

My pleasure Npryadko! Can you imagine competing or even social dancing, with absolutely no codified, ‘agreed upon’ foundation that everyone builds the foundation of their dance on?! It drives me batty if I go to a social dance, the DJ announces “Here’s a samba!” Then they proceed to play merengue temp music! I think we get more sensitive to the temp, the more experienced we become. Dancesport would never be as graceful, musical, powerful, and beautiful - if the ISTD never took the initiative to establish reliable perameters! 😊

@@miriammacdermot5601 I remember when you brought Steve to my group classes (20 years ago?!), helping you and Jim with your first wedding dance, and teaching at your wedding out at Fancy feet - like it was yesterday Miriam! And all the spectacular costumes you guys wore to all our Halloween parties! Hugs to you my friend…Thank you for being a part of my joyful memories Miriam!

I suspect most ballroom dance teachers already do it as a side-hustle (in my area, I don't know that situation elsewhere though). I can safely say there are very few championship level pros who can make much of a living in another job, as they sacrifice their younger years (when everyone else is getting a college education & getting the jump on their career) to invest 100% of their time and money into their dance training. There was a pro who moved to my town, who charged less than the other local teachers. They told me when word got out, she was attacked by a few local dance teachers who told them they were "UNDERCUTTING THE PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY." I call bull-dooky to that. Greed, usery, manipulation, 100% yuck. Side note - those pros who attacked the new pro in town ALL no longer teach in town, and had to switch careers (one even had to go to college and get a degree, as they had no other skill). In my opinion, good riddence. That particular local teacher also tried to bully me around when I turned pro. One of my students was coaching a locaL performance team (for free - NO PAY). He was just a pre-champ amateur competitor, with nothing but good intentions for our dance community. That lady asked to meet me for dinner, and proceeded to pull out this document she wanted me to sign, to report him to USA Dance for teaching outside the current USA Dance rules and destroying the local pro community. I told her to STUFF IT. She tried to bully every pro in town to sign that stupid letter, to have this nice guy declared pro. He wasn't skilled enough to compete pro - that would have destroyed his career in competition. There was only ONE other pro in town, who refused to sign her stupid letter! Oh my gosh, my pants get in a bunch just thinking about this stuff. OOOO! Another side note! She had NO bone to pick with him - until his team BEAT her team in a formation team competition! In a nutshell - he accidentally publicly shaded her, due to her lack of competence. At least that's my opinion!

Now you’ve got me thinking! Maybe I should post video in those stories. I’ve seen some seriously cray-cray stuff over the years! I forgot about those events. Your comment triggered those memories!

I agree with you Christian! I have a female/follow student, who competes pro-am with a local male/lead pro. She own a scholarship at a comp - basically a reward for entering a ton of events there. They handed her a check when she collected her award on the floor. As soon as they returned to the table, HE GRABBED IT OUT OF HER HANDS and took it -- and with a smile on his face said, "That's for me!" WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!!!!! And the scholarship was of course a FRACTION of what she already paid the pro for the comp. She felt like the bad person doing anything other than keeping a smile on her face and signing the check over to him. Insanity, greed, all sorts of ugly. In my observation, most ballroom dancers are social dancers, or what I would describe as "participatory competitors". Meaning - they don't have aspirations to become a championship level competitor or pro, but they want to perhaps learn bronze thru gold syllabus, and dance with them who will make them look better, without investing that hard-core time, or challenges of an amateur competitive partnership. I feel these dancers will get the best value for their money taking from cheaper pros. There is a massive price range - below & above the national averages.

I appreciate that you are openly discussing this topic. This has been a concern for me, and i risk posting my opinion as most students shy away from discussing it for fear of "retribution "? My observation is that people who have innate talent and desire to dance are basically shut out due to the exorbitant cost to compete with a Pro. So, basically, unless one budgets well, only the very financially well off can support this "hobby". ( which for some Pro-am students can become a lifestyle). The costs you quoted are even on the low side. It would be nice if this industry was regulated in the USA .You would find more people involved, which would , hopefully lead to Professionals lowering their fees a bit. ( by the way, you didn't factor in the Pro's travel expenses, which are not considered part of their fees). 😊. Thanks for discussing this topic.

@@MZESSENZEi personally think it is OK to charge appropriately for skill, and there ASRE teachers who charge a lot less! BUT!!!!!! AND THIS IS A BIG BUTT!!!! 1) when all the pros hide prices, students CANNOT price compare and choose a teacher most appropriate for their budget and goals. The customer should come firs - which includes transparency 2) if should have spelled out the “economy of scale’ I mentioned, and why students can pay less, if the teacher brings a kit of students to 1 comp to split the cost. I know of only 1 pro who pays for his own travel. But he charges a ton, so I guess factors this in. 3) thank you for sharing your experience. Almost every time I read a comment, it reminds me of a new topic that I think might be helpful (especially to newer dancers and competitors, before they gets ‘groomed’ by a shady teacher. 4) and regardless of if the process high, I feel it creates a giant, intimidating hurdle to dancing and dancesport. A dance studio shouldn’t feel like walking into a used car lot, full of cars, without single price tag posted on each car. The customer has to be led through the lot with a hustler used car salesman - who Durant show them the entire selection available, and even worse, pulls random prices out of their rear end, based on the appearance of his much money they can get out of that customer. Or, they mislead students luring them in with cheap prices (this usually happens with teachers who aren’t fully booked) who sell a dirt cheap introductory lesson/lesson sick, then pul a bait and switch, shocking them with huge sticker prices the ‘must’ pay “if thy want to continue dancing.” I worry how many potential new, talented dancers STIP dancing or get scared off by the scammy interaction, and never even get started ballroom dancing. There are many cheaper teachers out there. But there are also INSANELY high priced teachers as well. I shared a video recently on how much studio owners earn. It’s the same situation there, where averages can’t truly reveal the massive variety. Hopefully a newer competitor might see today’s info, and know there may be a better option nearby for them. You just reminded me! I should have included in this video that most pros will tell students their pro-am prices BEFORE they even take 1 lesson. But the student has to ask the question. Do not be afraid to ask! Otherwise this is not informed consent, which in my opinion is unethical at best, illegal at worst!

Ughhhhhhhh! Carol I just find it to be so shady! I won’t even enter a restaurant where the menu isn’t clearly posted online or posted on a sign near the entrance. I don’t find out they charge $70 for a bowl of pasta, and then look poor when I say ‘no thank you’ and walk out. Then I’d feel like the rude one. It’s very unprofessional in my opinion - makes it feel like a secret garage sale behind someone’s house, where they size me up, and charge the max they think they can charge me. Surely more dancers would compete, if this nonsense wasn’t the norm! 😳😍

Dancesport is certainly an addiction…Arguably healthier than a crack addiction at least 🤣! As long as you budget, it’s great though! I’ve heard pros hard-sell students into more than they can afford. That really chaps my hide!

@@elizabethwoodberry5094 awwww! Thank you so much Elizabeth you are too kind!

Can you imagine walking through a grocery store, with no posted prices? I’ve never seen this nonsense in any other industry. Must pros are ethical and charge the same for everyone, but even then they tell their prices ‘in secret,’ not in writing. I understand the reasons why pros do this, but that Durant Jean I like it one iota! I suspect other pros don’t publicly was even (viciously!) attacked by other pros for daring to publicly share their prices, just to avoid the making enemies with the larger pro community. I never played politics, but k do proceed with caution - because I don’t want a judge to have a political beef with me, and take it out on my students by marking them poorly in comps. We all know who the competitors primary coaches are.

Thank you so much Azadeh! Many are super fuzzy, as I had to scan them from old school printed photographs - some even taken on these cheap disposable cameras I’d buy at the drug store 🤣!!

Thank you Finzel! I just watched it for the first time and realized I broadcast my rough draft, and not my final version! I edited it, so will be better if you watch again 😍. Clearly no am not a social media “INFLUENCER!” !🤣

I’m absolutely, genuinely 100% thankful every day I get to he a ballroom dancer! It is worth every bit of blood, sweat, tears and scarf I’ve. What a priceless gift!

Oh my gosh you are too kind TotallyLeftField! Yo this day when I see these images, I see nothing but “UGH… should have find that better!!!!” We are always our own worst critics!

@@TheBallroomDanceChannel a year and 3 months into ballroom now and I still can't look at myself in the mirror or videos! And yet having absolutely no stage fright, it's an odd contrast.

@@totallyleftfieldwatching videos back is one of the best ways to improve your dancing I find as hard as it is. I’ve done studio medals for 16 years but have been dancing about 20 years

If their hair is so sleek it shines almost like it's wet, they're probably using a silicone based styling product! 😃😃😃

Awwww, thank you Shawn!!! The first night was scary as it took about 8 hours h til the orthopedic surgeons agreed it was inoperable. Fear of the unknown is worse for me, than just being told “here’s the problem!” I like to go for the gold, and am happy to slay a dragon - if I can identify the dragon! I honestly feel that because I’m a pro ballroom dancer, they all have me the white-glove-treatment. I think if I were a 96 year old lady who sat at home watching soap operas all day, I don’t think they would have been so aggressive (in a good way) doing every to invite they can to get me back into fighting shape. Depending on my progress this week, I might even do a dance tips video (likely on topline 😂😂😂) & put that in the TH-cam pipeline this week!!!!

Hi Christian! Yes I do! I am so old though there all ion big VHS tapes!!! 🤣🤣🤣

@@TheBallroomDanceChannel Anything on TH-cam?

Any pro/pri dancinggbis on VHS tapes. There is a pro-am show I did with a student that someone posted on TH-cam. He was very new tj dancing at the time, but young with aspirations to compete and teach. So I just prepped a showcase piece for him to enable him to attract an am partner, plus obviously he’d learned a lot he could apply to future partnership. It worked & he since has had amateur partnerships. Let me see if I can find that. Some of my students have TH-cam videos. But I’m a huge promoter of amateur partnerships. So they’re not dancing with me in the videos. I’m going to look really quick and share the link if I can find it. Chuck me a couple minutes!

Some of my students (high schoolers) th-cam.com/video/AnhSb5y9hIk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=pu8OIjuH3-OV8GZV

Here I am! Kevin had been dancing less than a year at that time, and was in college. Video was taken by random Person in audience.. here ya’ go! facebook.com/REALARTPORTLAND/videos/232247497660544/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

Thanks so much! I’m slayin’ here Priscilla! 👩🏼‍🦼‍➡️👩🏼‍🦼‍➡️👨🏼‍🦯‍➡️👨🏼‍🦯‍➡️🏃‍♂️‍➡️🏃‍♂️‍➡️

Thanks Howard! It’s embarrassing to put myself ‘out there’ with bed head, handicapped, drugged up. But I also have known many ballroom dancers who’ve recovered from these types of injuries. As dance is such a big part of all our lives, the emotional impact is even worse. I know it’s going to improve and I hope I might be able to share light at the end of the tunnel for someone!

I broke out of the joint 3Seasons !😃

@@TheBallroomDanceChannel 😄😆

You are so right Briaella. I guess non-ballroom dancers assume it's a romantic activity. Ballroom dancers (even social dancers) see it as a recreational, physical and intellectual activity. I would just be SHOCKED if this were actually true. I've never in my life seen a pro flaunt dating a student. Often this hurts their career (many pros, like me, see this as predatory behavior), and has an ugly (romantic) results in the end. TO BOOT, Gleb's personal life is a train wreck -- reputation as cheater, bitter custody battle with ex-wife, who's living in Hong Kong....I strongly suspect it's just a publicity stunt. And if it is, shame on them. He makes ballroom dance teachers look like gigalos, which is unflattering to the ballroom dance world, and not even true!

@@TheBallroomDanceChannel Yes!! It seems like no one is a fan of them. And alot of people look like they'll celebrate when they're voted off. I haven't finished watching the most recent one but their dance doesn't seem promising

I know some pros think I’m wrong on this, but o feel regardless of age, teachers of any sort are mis-using or in some cases even abusing their power-dynamic with a student. Terrible! And these relationships (at least the ones I’ve seen) end up with viscous and ugly divorces. And teachers who take advantage of students just make all the other pros look sleazy! The reality is most ours are good people doing the best to do a good job for their students, and cultivate a happy and skilled community. It only takes a couple rotten apples in the barrel to ruin it for e retune. Ugh!

Thank you Martine! I’m doing great and truly thankful this will heal!

Awesome Angie! I hadn’t considered it before, it’s an insightful point!! Thank you so much for sharing these videos, too!!

Also, I today was my best day yet in terms of movement. I feel if it wasn’t for the excruciating pain , I would be able to move like normal. I should be heading home tomorrow. I’ll send an update from there once I settle in!

@@TheBallroomDanceChannel Glad to hear that 😀

I absolutely have some follows who (as singles) take privates with me. They just love being led to dance well, which they can get in a private lesson. I'm happy to "just lead them," but I always tell them they will look more beautiful, and feel better in their partner's arms, if they learn to do their part. The first step is to just learn the footwork/angles/rise and fall. After they master that, I dive into doing it in a way that makes them look even better, regardless of if they're dancing with me, or a lead who can't lead as well. The follow can always make themself look more beautiful, if their teacher can show them how to!

I agree 100% James! Follows are doing themself, and their partners, a great disservice by not learning to follow well. I do have some students (follows) who just don't want to put in the effort, and are happy to hang onto me in lessons and essentially forced/manipulated into doing their part. The reality (ESPECIALLY FOR COMPETITORS THIS DAY IN AGE! ) is that dancesport and beautiful social dancing is like racing in the Ididerod. The lead is the musher, and a fabulous follow is the lead husky -- responding actively to the musher's every signal. She isn't a deadweight sled, being pushed and tugged along by the musher! In my opinion - it's the leads job to navigate, and the follow's job to make her lead look his best, herself look her best, and let him feel like he's driving a responsive sports car! 😃

Thanks Anna! I’m improving like crazy each passing day, and will ge blowing up the dance floor very soon!🔥💃🏽🔥