WOW! You guys all have so many good things to say on all points of this issue.

I make my teachers sign something, if for nothing else it is to let them know I am serious about honor and honesty.

I have had a studio, that I used to teach at, some of their advanced studnets left and come to my studio one town over. It was so hard, I did no soliciting of any kind, they sought me out ( I had been established for years) although that studio and I no longer speak we both run sucessful studios to this day. On the flip side I have had students leave for my old studio. It is part of the business. Kids are young and don't necessarily have loyalty to you, even if you think they do. You need to check the emotions at the door even when it hurts. This is a business and you cannot make students dance with you.

Parents too, don't always care about the best training for their child they are worried about the location that is most conveinent for them. Or cheaper. Or trendier. You guys all know I am sure we have all seen it!!!!

My old assistant director that I had for years left at the end of last season. She has taken the year off and is now going to open her own studio in the next town. At the end of last year she tried to take my intermediate students with her and open this last year. I had had a hard year, and trusted her so much that I didn't find out until this year. I vowed I would never let one teacher have that much control in my studio EVER again. Maybe I am a bit untrusting now, but I refuse to get burned because I let my love for a friend blind me.