As a 20 year old teaching senior competition I guess I was asking for some drama but i'll vent anyway!

To the dancers:
**I have a vision of what my dance is supposed to be...i'm sorry that in making the vision a reality you were placed on the back row. GET OVER IT. Everyone plays a part in the dance, front row to back row. When you back row kids don't dance I SEE YOU and it looks awful!

**I'm not EVER going to tell you that the dance look great when it wasn't clean and your technique was non-existent just to protect your feelings. I'm going to call you out and tell you when it was bad, lying is a sin ladies!

**Stop talking about other girls just because they're talented. I know..jealousy is a cold-hearted b**ch but you'll have to deal.

**When you have nationals 3 weeks after recital, don't tell me your going to miss b/c of your camp/vacation/impending illness. If you can't commit then please stop auditioning.

**Dance is not something you have to do, if dance is getting in the way of all your other social commitments (ex: boyfriends, cell phone calls..) then by all means..LEAVE.

To the parents:
**TRUST ME TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR YOUR CHILD!

**Just because I didn't put your little darling in my dance does not mean i don't like them outside the studio. Same goes for if i put your kid in the backrow (as you can tell i get alot of backrow drama)

**Do not ask me why Susie is not winning with her solo.I didn't judge the competition..check your scoresheet!

**I have a soloist who recieved Top Ten scores at almost all of our competitions. You parents generally operate under the belief that she did well because I worked so much harder with her and because I like her more than I like your child. Yup..I have a bag of magic-fairy-talent dust and I only gave it to her...I'm sure her winning has nothing to do with her talent/abilities.

**Parking-lot gossip...should stay in the parking lot or at home. Home is even better!

To the staff:
**Don't pout when your dance didn't win! Geez..we're here as a studio. As long as the studio is being recognized, try to contain your ego and I'll try to contain mine.

**STOP BRINGING PARENT GOSSIP INTO THE STUDIO!!!!

**STOP GOING TO THE PARENTS TO ASK THEM WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT EVERYTHING OR WHAT THEY'VE HEARD ABOUT ISSUES THAT ARISE! If we did everything the parents said, we'd compete once a year and we'd compete in potato sacks b/c they're not expensive. And we'd all dance one day a week. And if an issue comes up from a parent concerning me, don't you think you should call me instead of sniffing around other parents...seeing what they've heard?

**Stop catering to the students every whim. At some point in life, they've got to learn to suck it up.


You know i feel better..this board is awesome. We're in the middle of audition classes I'm sure drama is laying in wait for me...oh well. Good thing I love what I do...haha

this is a great post to read. it makes me feel so much better to know that people are having the same feelings as me! today however, no one has ticked me off. But i'll be back!! you just wait!!

AnnMarie Fox is originally from Brooklyn, NY, and moved to North Carolina at the age of 10. AnnMarie studied dance in Brooklyn, where she took her first Hip-Hop class. She also took up vocal training. AnnMarie was her high school dance team’s choreographer (formerly known as the Majestic Divas) and choreographed for many local and school talent shows. The dance team was a hit in Rowan County and moved on to perform for big local events. AnnMarie has also taught at the Pierrette Sadler Danceurs studio in Raleigh, NC.

I wish parents would:
1. "READ" the information I give them, and follow directions! I don't sit on the computer to type this out for nothing!
2. Stop talking during orientation. I am reviewing the information for them, not me!
3. Not complaine about having to buy class attire, or costumes. If This were art class, your child would need art supplies, whats the differance?
4. Come on time to class, and have student ready to dance. Oh, and please feed your child before you come!
5. Not leave their child to sit longer then 10 minutes after class to be picked up.
6. Pay me on time without my having to ask!

To h2nhmj and just_jazzin, I couldn't have said it better myself. I have those exact same thoughts. I am so glad that I am not the only one that ever feels that way!

I am a student, company memeber, and assistant teacher at my studio... so I would like to vent from all standpoints.

As a student company member:
owners- please don't chew out our teacher right before class or interrupt class to talk about business stuff. you have their phone number. call them at home or better yet talk about it in one of your meetings. when you do this they come into class all upset and it's hard to get the focus back.

teachers- you don't like it when we gab in class so please don't do so yourselves. we pay a lot of money and in instances like privates and such 30 min is not that long. i would like to get as much out of it as i can and i can't do that when are off focus. how about we go to lunch instead.

other students- just because you might not be featured in a dance please don't give up. it's realy frustrating for everyone who is there trying their best.

from a teacher's perspective:
parents- please do your best to get your students to class on time. it is impossible to more forward if people mosey in as they please.

students- when we say don't wear shoes for warm ups, DONT WEAR SHOES FOR WARM UPS. there is nothing more irritating than someone making excuses for not doing something in class because they are slipping or their shoes stick.... that's why we just said take them off.

you have been taking classes here for how long? why are you still coming to class unprepared or acting liek you don't know the rules?

owners/staff- please don't ever yell at my students. i realize you get stressed out but these are "my kids" if you have a problem with one of them tell me and i can deal with it.

don't ask the students about tuition. either contact the parents directly or let me handle it. it is not helpful to demand $500 from a 12 year old... i pormise you they dont' have it in their back pocket.

Hi,
I have to admit... everyone said it would happen... I am burnt out. I live and breath my business.... I do get the thank you's and the great jobs... followed by... you must live and breath this place....
then followed with... your prices are too high.... you waiting room is too small.... why do you have an assistant... classes should be small enough that you can teach everyone with out an assistant....
So, I hired two interns for the summer... scheduled myself for three 11 hour days and one 4 hour day.... Thinking.... "wow, two days off a week".... I have not worked less than 6 days a week (sometimes 7) since the I have opened... including now that I have interns. Subs are great...they give you a break.... I am of the thought now that employees are a pain in the @$$ and just cause you more time to babysit...or worse fix.
Anyway.... I am exhausted, I don't know how to fix it either. I hired these teachers... and made a schedule that would allow me to pay them well, but that allowed me to move my studio over the summer. Now I teach daily because half the time they don't show up... or if they are schedule for office work, they sit around and do nothing, unless I walk in.... then they suddenly find things to do. If I leave them lists.... the list always take three times longer than they should unless I babysit them...which of course saves me NO time.... and DOES NOT GET ME OUT OF BURNOUT!

So, yeah I am burnt out..... even thought about closing and looking for a job at a competitor. If was not doing such a great job and putting my all into it, I probably would not be burned out....
Next year I have it planned.... Every 12 weeks I am going to hire a "guest teacher" to take my M-Friday classes.... I will still go into the studio, but I will get all of that paper work done that would otherwise add 2 hours to my day....
how to pay for it.... allow drop ins on those weeks for a really cheap price....
Ahhhhhh... I feel so much better now.....

Okay here goes...

Students
-Please don't sit there and watch as I give you an exercise. You are supposed to be doing it with me. I don't need to teach it to myself. I already know what the exercise is!

-Come to class on time. It is only an hour and fifteen minutes long. Trust me, it won't kill you.

-If you are having trouble with that pirouette because you can't see with your hair in your face, don't say I didn't warn you!

-Along with the above comment, do not give me a dirty look when I tell you to take off your jewelry and get your hair off of your face.

Parents

-Stop interrupting my class to ask about recital pictures and tuition! Can you not see that I am in the middle of something? If there is no one at the desk, either leave a note or come back later!

-If your daughter gives attitude in class and gets punished for it, please quit trying to be her friend and understand that giving her everything she wants isn't going to help in the long run.

-Quit complaining about costume choices. Everyone complained about having to pay for the costume I picked for Oklahoma because you didn't like it, yet by the end of the year it was one of your favorites, so please trust that I know what I'm doing!


That felt so good!

The other day, I was spotting little kids on cartwheels and they were supposed to do their right foot and then do them on their left foot. Welllllll, I had a parent walk out onto the floor and tell her kid what foot was her right and put it in front for her. Lady, I am perfectl capable of helping your kid distinguish from her right and left, thanks.

Okay here is my biggest problem right now...parents!

Howcome you want you child to be in competitions but are complaining about the money.

Yes parents being in the dance company means hard work and dedication not just on your childs part but on yours too.

Don't ask why Sally can't be in lyrical small group when i am in the middle of class...never mind that you just interrupted me but you also distracted my class.

I am tired of whining parents and cocky students...

So I just started really getting into teaching guard and I totally identify with you poor souls out here so here we go:

1) When I say, practice these counts, DO IT! There is a reason why I had to stop rehearsal and have you go over it, because you or people in your guard do not remember the work! And I don't care if you think you are "da bomb" and you know it, just go over it, set the example, and make it better.

2) Do not come to practice, and ask to speak with your daughter while we are going over information, extremely important to the first show in two weeks! She will miss something important.

3)Practice the 60 some odd counts you learned through out the week on the weekend. RETENTION RETENTION RETENTION! I hate going over things again and again.

4) Be on time to practice! The most important things we do happen at the BEGINNING of rehearsal...basics and stretching.

5) It is a hundred degrees outside (literally, I live in Texas), when we say get some water, you should thank your lucky stars, and get some water, not sip a little bit of water and talk to all ten of your friends (who also should be drinking water).

6)Pay attention to how many counts we are doing! Doing too many or not enough makes the rest of the people look bad and you even worse.

7) This is not a fun activity! The fun part happends when you nail that toss on the field, or you perform for that standing ovation at finals, or you watching that video and see the flags going round and round perfectly together. This rehearsal will not be fun...it can be, if we are getting it right, but most of the time it won't......if you don't like it leave, complaining to your parents who yell at me, will change how this rehearsal works!

wow! i've been reading thru all these vents, and although i also have 'moments' with parents ("you don't expect me to read all this do you?") , and students ("do we have to stretch today?"), i wouldn't trade what i do for anything. And, lord knows i've tried to give it up!

Have any of you ever thought most of your problems exist because of competions? I'm a non-competition studio and although i spend many sleepless nights working on a holiday show in december, recital in may and various community performances in between, I do not share any of the competition headaches so many of ya'll were venting about.

So, I was just wondering why do you do it? Do you feel that you turn out better dancers because of it? Does it increase your bottom line $$$, enough to buy all the advil needed?

All the studios in our area (except mine) are invloved in competition and you know how much local studios talk to each other (LOL), so i really would like to hear your point of view.

thanks everyone, your points of view really help.

Okay, maybe I am the only one, but I don't allow parents in the studio during classes unles they are invited by me. I have 2 pre-school moms and a grandmother who are actually sitting outside my front door (which is glass) and watching my class! Even after I asked them not to! They are coaching their kids and interupting my class! ugggghhhhh!!! They say they are not in the studio, but I have asked them if they insist on waiting for their children, then they should do so in their cars! Why can't some moms just let go even for an hour?

You know, It really is good to know that everyone gets walked on in this business. It drives me crazy that I end up getting screwed over by OVERBEARING, NOSY parents. The dance schedule just came out and ALREADY I am getting phone calls from parents of how there is "gossip" betweeen the girls that this one doesn't want to do this and etc. I don't care!!! They either want to or don't. DRAMA DRAMA. Thanks for creating this thread so teachers every where can scream it out..

Doesn't it feel good to vent. Reading everything made me feel better. You have to take back your studios and if you have to make an example out of someone. That will be the only way because some people just don't believe. Anytime I give out information like costumes payment deadline for example. I also put if you don't pay for the costume by this date your child will not get a costume in the spring and will not perform in the show. We don't order extra costumes tights etc.... You must speak to them point blank and stern like the children they behave like. That is the only thing they seem to understand. My recepionist and I say they like the abuse. No class attire no Participation. NO MONEY BY THE 15TH OF EACH MONTH NO CLASS PARTICIPATION! The key is to stick to your guns at all times. This keeps you fair and keeps them in line. I can't forget this also helps keep sanity!!!!!!! They all think they have the best excuse and some may have good ones but with me it doesn't matter. Don't forget to keep the parents out the studio unless their picking up or dropping off and for the late parents picking up start adding a babysitting fee and see what they do.

I have just one item to add to all those wonderful lists:

Please don't register your child for classes if they have no interest in dancing. You are wasting my time, your child's time and your money.

I am a new member and I cannot express in words my excitment, whilst stumbling upon this thread. I love you all and I feel your pain.

The season hasn't even started yet, and I'm already fed up with parents. How is it that you don't know how to properly fill out a registration form when your child has been dancing at this studio for 5 YEARS?! The form hasn't changed.

Thank you and good night.

I just found this web site. It so great to know that most of us all experiance the same problems with parents and students. My main vent is that it alway's seems that the students we try and help out turn around and stab us in the back. It drives me crazy.

ballet7234.... why is that? I wish I knew, but that just happened to me again this last term. I went out of my way to help this particular student, even giving her private lessons at a cheaper rate and working with her on saturdays.

long story short.... she switched studios. Never again.

Its good to know that you all deal with the same thing!!!!!!

If we could just teach the kids and not have the parents to deal with and automaticaly got paid on time life would be grand.

Oh well, such is life I suppose. But venting feels GOOD:)

I used to say that if I could just teach the kids and not deal with the parents I would be fine. NOT after this week!!! I had 2 of the most obnoxious disrespectful classes this week. I thought I was pretty dang good at keeping control of a class, but I literally couldn't get these 2 classes to shut up this week. One class only had 6 girls in it. Luckily they are young enough that I talked to their parents and they were busted, but my highschool kids were absolutely obnoxious. One of them tried to sit down in my class...I NEVER let them sit down. I had one girl text messaging, and I had another girl eating a poptart that she had in her jacket pocket.

Guess who gets to throw them out next week? The most bizarre thing is I have the good kids come up and tell me how sorry they are!! Sorry for what...you just had a half dozen people totally ruin your class...what are you sorry for??

I have never thought about pursuing another field until tonight. I don't know if I can do this for another 30 years.

imadanseur, it all stems from their homelife.

These parents today just don't discipline their kids, and they don't want anybody else to either!! Rules? What are rules??? Some kids don't have a clue. It's a sad story, and I can't even imagine what the next generation will be like!

If these kids can't behave, throw them out. Give them one chance. Tell them to leave the classroom and that you will allow them back in when they are ready to respect the values you set in your school. If they don't come back, so be it. They will only disrupt the whole school anyways if they stay and don't turn around their attitudes.

I've been teaching a long long time. It's not an easy task because even when you think you've seen it all, You Haven't!! Nothing is worth keeping bad apples on the tree. Shake them off. You may lose some kids in the process, but in the end you will grow a healthy place for kids to grow up in.

Feeling for you.
xox

Imadanseur, I can sympathize with you completely. I had 2 girls at the back of one of my classes (high school age)snickering and making fun of the dance. One wore a roach clip in her hair for a barrette...Naive me didn't even know that it was to hold a short marajuana joint so as not to burn your fingers, until one of the other students told me what it was. I was trying to be nice and discipline them in a stern but nice way and they started laughing at me. I had a pencil and pad in my hand and I got so mad I threw the pencil on the floor so hard that it broke into. I kicked those two out on the spot. Had the receptionist call their parents to come pick them up. I told the parents what happened and they did nothing to discipline them or back me up. Thankfully they left and never came back. Than was a few years ago. You just have to weed out the bad ones and the ones who want to learn will respect you a lot more. I agree parents are afraid to discipline their kids nowadays. I won't deal with mouthy, lazy kids and they know it. It's not fair to the rest of the class or me! Don't give up. Hopefully next week will be better. Sometimes they are just testing you to see what you will put up with. Hang tough.

imadanseur...i totally understand your pain. I was teaching a class and had three girls totally disrespect me and the rest of the students by their actions. When i spoke to their parents i got nothing in the way or support. One of the parents told me that i had no right coming to her and telling me about her child's behaviour. I am younger then her (the parent) and know nothing about kids because i am one myself. I AM SORRY BUT...i may only be 19 but i have been dealing with kids since grade 6 and teaching for 4 years. If you pay for your child to take my class then they become under my care while they are in my class and if i am having issues with them i WILL do as i see fit in way or removing your child from MY class and talking to you about it. I dont disrepect you by saying you are doing a crappy job disiplining your child so dont tell me i dont know anything. It just burns me to see these parents that think they have control over me. I may not be 50 years old but i sure as heck should be treated with the same respect as i show to you!

Imadanseur...dont give up! I am sure you are an amazing teacher and sometimes you will encounter classes which make u want to run screaming but it will make you all the better and those students coming to you to say sorry...it is because they love and respect you and dont want to see you under stress because of those kids.


On another note...a week before classes started...i got a call from my boss telling me due to low registration...ALL of my classes were cancelled...but none of the other teachers classes were cancelled. WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH THAT! i am now left with no work and many bills to pay. I have been FLOODED with emails and telephone calls from my students and parents asking me what the heck happened to me. Well i found out that one of the other teachers complained that i was getting to many solos to teach (which is the choice of the student and parent as to who they want to teach their solo) and to many people liked me and she wasnt getting enough. So because that teachers mother is very well connected (money wise) to the studio i got cut! Can you believe that! I am just sooo chocked and upset. I felt like i gave so much to that place and this is the thanks i get? i dont know how to respond to this! Anyone have an suggestions? Thanks

I am now going to vent about the owner.

I HATE the fact that she put out advertisements stating 1 class is $38/month. This is NOT true and very misleading IMO. It is only $38 a month if you pay for the whole YEAR upfront. If you pay by month it is $45 (you get a discount by paying everything at once).

I also HATE how she lets the kids eat junk food in the studio....not just *let* them, she actually promotes it. I saw a note she had passed out to one class (most of them are there that day for about 3 hours) saying that during their break they should eat dinner, and she suggested PIZZA. grrrrr......She has it worked out so another class does this. They do one class, eat pizza and then another class.

First, this sucks b/c the kids eat, and then for their next class they complain that their tummy hurts. Of course it does! They just ate!!! But the owner only teaches the first of the classes, and the next teacher who gets these kids is the one who has to deal with their whining (I know b/c I was that teacher one year!).

Second, it is going to teach kids to associate dance with pizza. They are supposed to be engaging in a healthy activity, but it all goes down the tubes by eating pizza EVERY week (yes, they eat it every week! and if its not pizza, it's mcdonald's!) And sorry to say, some of our dancers are quite overweight as it is. I just hate hate hate that she promotes eating junk food during dance class. GRRR pet peeve. I mean, I eat junk sometimes, we all do. BUT I just don't think that is the way to teach good eating habits. I know when I was growing up I sure as heck didn't eat pizza every week!