Okay, I have read every single one of these posts on this thread to hear all sides...and I am going to open my own studio here soon and here is my deal and you can tell me whats right and wrong in my situation.

First, I used to teach at 4 studios at once for 2 years, and then settled on one who gave me the most hours and now I run most of the company teams. Several students from the other 3 studios saught me out and have remained with me at this studio (lets just say like atleast 15 students.) Now since then, I have been with this studio for 7 1/2 years and so I know I have the rights to the students who followed me. I would never steal any numbers or contact info to steal this SO's students but I know word of mouth will get out and the students who would "quit if i left anyways" will look for my studio and go.

In one persons postings , they suggested that if the dancer/parent saught a person out, they should turn them away??? Is that something I should feel obligated to do and why?

Now I am opening mine 10-15 miles away and there is actually another dance studio right down the street from where I am going to open it and so that is way more of a competitor than my soon to be previous SO but we live in a huge town with about 50 dance studios, depends on the area but some are within blocks of each other....but my point is, I feel students and parents are going to go where they are happy. And if they have been with me at my So's place for 8 years and I leave, Do I have the right to tell them I am leaving to open my own studio? At the end of this year, I am going to tell everyone I am not coming back next year (keep in mind here I teach almost 20 classes a week, I am the main teacher out of 7 teachers and I run 3 of the company teams) I am a BIG part of this studio, if I leave to open my own and there are alot of upset parents and dancers, do I have any right to say that I am opening my own place, or what do I say when I leave? Do i have the right ot give them MY phone number and telling them to call me if they want lessons or anything like that? I do not want to hurt my SO and I know she will be fine when I leave, we have a huge city so there are enough dancers for everyone and I know I am going to build my own clientel based on the area I am doing it in is growing rapidly and also my reputation is very strong. I dont and will not contact anyone or tell people to follow me, with the exceptions of the ones who followed me to this studio, but as for the other kids I have taught for 8 years? Whats right and wrong? And also, what to i tell people when I am leaving, whats right and wrong there?

I am kind hearted person and I dont want to do the wrong thing here. I am not looking out for just me. I dont want to ruin friendships or have people or my SO hate me but I dont want to leave behind someone who is going to quit if i leave anyways. I am sure many of us teachers have heard "We are so sick of this or that and the ONLY reason we stay here is because of you" So what do you do with "these" people? AAny advice would help as I know eevryones situation is different but I am on the other side of this and need to know how to handle it professional and personally.

And P.S. I didnt sign a "non compete contract" EVER