How to Make Dance Lessons More Affordable

July 5, 2011

Dancing may just be one of the most fun ways you can spend your time. Whether you want to learn ballroom or line dancing, ballet, or hip hop, there are a variety of options. The key is to find a way to take your dance lessons without breaking the budget, which is where these suggestions that are valid for kids and adults come in.

Many establishments that cater to adults, in particular, offer drop-in classes and monthly memberships. If you intend to attend regularly, chances are that monthly memberships will pay off handsomely.

Until you get to the point where you are committed and driven to compete in dance. there is no reason to pay for competition-level classes. Costumes, traveling, shoes, and other equipment quickly add up.

Once you have mastered the needed skills, you may be able to attend competition-level classes without the fees even if you don’t intend to compete. Talk to the school owner and see if an arrangement can be made.

Townships, the YMCA, schools, and other venues provide basic dance classes for kids. Before you plan to shell out $50 a month for classes at a studio, let your kids try out the activity in a low pressure, cheaper environment. If they like the activity enough to practice at home regularly, without constant reminders, it might be time to think about moving up.

One of my regular clients used to be a professional dance instructor. He doesn’t work in the field any more, but for a while after he left the studio he continued to give private lessons at homes. Couples or friends would hire him to teach basic classes, and occasionally he would barter for services he needed. It was an ideal situation for all involved.

You can pick up DVDs at the library and learn the basics of some kinds of dance on your own. It may not be as good as joining a class but if you get the first few moves under your belt at home, you won’t have to pay for those lessons at a studio.

Clearly, this isn’t a technique that will work if your goal is to learn classical ballet, but for things such as belly dancing or line dancing, it is perfectly acceptable.

The local Country-Western club offers free lessons of various kinds. One day they offer family friendly line dancing lessons; another evening they open a couple of hours early and teach couples dancing – the two step, country waltzes, and contra dances. When the bar opens you have some new steps to show off. You don’t even need a partner to join the fun.

No matter which route you choose, remember that dance lessons are supposed to be fun. If you find a studio with prices you can easily afford but hate going, it is no bargain. It may take you a bit more effort to find the right combination – fun and frugality – but when you hit the floor with all the right moves, it will more than pay off.

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