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Hi - new to the tribe, but I need some advice!
Background - I have recently relocated and have started up classes in my new city. Through I dance both ATS and tribal fusion, I have decided to only teach ATS to start - there is mostly cabaret here and a bit of TF, so I wanted to make sure I wasn't stepping on anyone's toes. I may expand into TF later, after I have established myself here and if there is interest.
This morning, I received an email through my website that basically said, "I am busy Thursday nights (which is the night I teach beginner classes), so is there another time you can teach me, or another way? Also, do you have a troupe I can join?"
I smiled about her enthusiasm and wrote her back, saying that I could do private lessons if she would like that, though they would cost more. I also said I don't have a troupe now since I only have beginner students, but I hope to form one in the future.
Her reply (summarized) - She teaches yoga and dance and works at a gym and would like afternoon private lessons if possible. She's like a quote. Also, We could use the gym where she teaches, so I wouldn't need to worry about renting studio space.
My first thought is that this is a little weird. . . like maybe she wants to have a few bellydance classes and then she will try to teach it herself at the gym? So, I googled her - and she teaches iyengar yoga and prenatal bellydance classes, as well as a bellydance bollywood fusion class.
Is this weird? Should I be worried? I was thinking of writing her back and just saying that I looked her up online as I am always interested to see what kind of yoga and dance is being offered since I am new here, and am confused since she teaches bellydance herself, and then see what she says. Thoughts?
Background - I have recently relocated and have started up classes in my new city. Through I dance both ATS and tribal fusion, I have decided to only teach ATS to start - there is mostly cabaret here and a bit of TF, so I wanted to make sure I wasn't stepping on anyone's toes. I may expand into TF later, after I have established myself here and if there is interest.
This morning, I received an email through my website that basically said, "I am busy Thursday nights (which is the night I teach beginner classes), so is there another time you can teach me, or another way? Also, do you have a troupe I can join?"
I smiled about her enthusiasm and wrote her back, saying that I could do private lessons if she would like that, though they would cost more. I also said I don't have a troupe now since I only have beginner students, but I hope to form one in the future.
Her reply (summarized) - She teaches yoga and dance and works at a gym and would like afternoon private lessons if possible. She's like a quote. Also, We could use the gym where she teaches, so I wouldn't need to worry about renting studio space.
My first thought is that this is a little weird. . . like maybe she wants to have a few bellydance classes and then she will try to teach it herself at the gym? So, I googled her - and she teaches iyengar yoga and prenatal bellydance classes, as well as a bellydance bollywood fusion class.
Is this weird? Should I be worried? I was thinking of writing her back and just saying that I looked her up online as I am always interested to see what kind of yoga and dance is being offered since I am new here, and am confused since she teaches bellydance herself, and then see what she says. Thoughts?
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Re: Advice on a weird email
Fri, September 11, 2009 - 3:06 PMI teach & yet still take classes & private lessons when I can get 'em- so that alone doesn't worry me- but yes, I would be careful.
Can you put together an 'assesment survey that I ask all my potential clients to fill out when considering private lessons"?
How long have you studied Belly Dance
What other forms of movement training have you had?
What do you hope to accomplish in private lessons?
Is there anything specific you would like to learn or consider this semester? (or in this session)
This not only helps you get an idea of whether this gal is skimming or really looking to learn, it also gives you a basis for continuing evaluation assuming it is totally legit. How do you know if you have met your clients goals? etc.
Good luck! -
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Re: Advice on a weird email
Fri, September 11, 2009 - 3:15 PMThat's funny Lara - I still take classes and private lessons too; in fact, I am doing some privates next weekend. I think the difference is that she hasn't been upfront about it - she hasn't told me that she is a bellydancer, I had to go digging to find that out myself.
I like your idea of an assessment survey. I get new students in classes to fill in a form that lists their previous training and and any injuries, but your questions would provide a lot more info (and help with evaluation, too).
Thank you!
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Re: Advice on a weird email
Fri, September 11, 2009 - 5:38 PMI think in this occasion, I would be a bit paranoid. If she teaches prenatal bellydance and bollywood bellydance, what does she want with your classes? And why is she so anxious to "join a troupe"?
I would probably say that Thursday nights are my classes and at present, although you did offer the classes, further review of your schedule reveals that you aren't ready/able to focus on private classes at another time.
But then, I'm a bit paranoid... But just because they're following you doesn't mean they're out to get you... -
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Re: Advice on a weird email
Sat, September 12, 2009 - 1:03 AMMaybe she just wants to learn ATS?
But it is strange that she wouldn't approach you with an intro that included her own BD experience.
Hmm. -
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Re: Advice on a weird email
Sat, September 12, 2009 - 1:11 AMYes! Meg, thank you. I couldn't put my finger on why this felt "off". And that is totally it. not mentioning teaching bellydance classes of her own feels weird. I mean, it's not like it is require,d but usually when I talk to other teachers about taking their clases, if they don't already know me I make a point to introduce myself.
Sounds like fishing for material to me. Especially her voracious attitude of "No classes? Then privates! And I want to join your troupe! NOW! YESTERDAY!"
Tread carefully and respectfully is the best advice I have. -
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Re: Advice on a weird email
Sat, September 12, 2009 - 11:02 AMThanks ladies! I am going to use Lara's advice and respond with the few questions she suggested, and then see how it goes from there. I'll let you know how it turns out. -
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Re: Advice on a weird email
Sat, September 12, 2009 - 1:11 PMLast year a chica around me sent me an email saying she wanted to form a fire-bellydance troupe with me . I already belonged to one and didn't know this woman. Seems she had senn us perform contacted my troupe-mate about joining and was told we weren't taking new members. So she found me to try to make a new troupe--weird. When I asked about her fire experience, she wanted me to teach her. When I asked what bellydance training she had had, she stopped responding to my emails.
some folks is crazy.
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Re: Advice on a weird email
Sat, September 12, 2009 - 9:32 PMJust talk to HER about it.
I don't know if any of you have ever experienced this but I have actually had bad reactions from instructors who just realize I have had previous belly dance experience- one even asked me to leave her class because she could see that I had studied with somebody else and "if you are going to dance with me you have to dance with me exclusively", the other just seemed too flustered function, like I was making her nervous (after class she told me that she was sure I had more experience than she did and she was only teaching for beginners).
So I don't like to say anything about me & just try do exactly what they do exactly like they do it... unless they ask of course.
Perhaps she was just trying to present herself as a genuine student... and not wanting to scare you off by thinking she was going to turn around and start teaching what you taught her at her gym... she DID want to join YOUR troupe after all. And if she invited you to her gym, I am sure she realizes you would see what she does then.
She might be dying to get involved in some group improvise dancing for the companionship of it. It can be tiring being the teacher all the time- maybe she needs a break/outlet/release where she can just relax & learn.
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Re: Advice on a weird email
Sun, September 13, 2009 - 9:04 AMAlright, I sent Lara's survey to her and I heard back today. The situation isn't as weird as it first seemed to me.
She says she has taken classes before and teaches dance fitness classes that use bellydance moves, but that she doesn't consider herself a choreographer or a performer. She really wants to bellydance and perform, and has taken classes with other teachers here, and while she thinks they are good dancers, she feels like they don't teach very well. She wants to learn isolations, undulations, how to layer with shimmies and a few other things - so she is definitely familiar with bellydance to be able to name the moves like that.
Now it is a new interesting situation - I am teaching ATS (which it sounds like isn't what she wants), but I dance tribal fusion as well, and I can certainly teach her isolations in private lessons. But I suspect she wants to dance cabaret, and I can't teach her the stylization for that! I sent her a long email describing the differences between what she wants and what ATS is, and what I can and can't teach her, and we'll figure it out from there.
Thanks for you advice, everyone!
