I am a dance instructor and also the coach of a competition team where I work. We do not get paid when we go out of town for competitions, but we have all our expenses paid for us. A fee is charged on top of all the entry fees to provide for this.

I guess I am just wondering if there are other studios out there that are doing the same thing, or how your studio handles compensation at competitions.

And also what all is expected of you when you are at competition? Is it expected that you will do hair, make-up, help the kids get dressed, stretch, and rehearse the dancers?

We do not get paid anything for competition "work". Sometimes we will be there all day...making sure kids are all together, all accessories on, get on and off the stage ok, cheer for awards, etc. I guess we go because its expected and because we love our kids so much. BUT, as a business, it seems as if we should get paid something for our time. (Especially when you go out of town)

I tack on a fee to the regular competition expenses (costumes, fees, rehearsals) that pays for my hourly, hotel and gas. I am the only teacher that does any competition work at the studio though, so it is not that expensive for the students. So, yes, I pay myself.

I agree that one *should* be paid, but I never have. For out of town competitions (all within driving distance), the director has invited me to ride with her. So in essence, she was paying my gas. In town, I was responsible for driving myself there.

The one time she did ask me to step up and act as head director for the day (she was ill). However, she ended up coming anyways. I was not offered pay, but then again, I never had to act as the director. (Then again, I didn't know this until she met me at the competition.)

Other than this one incidence, I have never been required to attend the competitions. It was always an option for me to attend and assist.

The studio I'm currently with is the first one to actually pay me for being at competitions. I don't get my teaching rate but it still makes it worth my while. Out of town comps are paid for and I get an hourly rate during the times when I'm directly responsible for the girls. At other studios I only had expenses paid or partially paid no hourly rate.

Going to competitions is not required for our studio but we all usually go anyways. When we do go our hotel room is paid for. When we go our upmost responsibility is supporting the team. Since we all teach the same kids and love them all we don't think about getting paid if someone's costume needs to get pinned or hair needs to be done we just do it.

Never have but I am next year. I know that gymnastic and skate teams do it. The coaches fees are paid and hotels and expenses. So I am tacking on a bit extra to cover expenses. Not alot, just enough so I am not broke at the end of comp season.

I agree it would be nice to be paid but as my SO does not get paid, she does not pay me. I do suspect she builds in a fee to pay for her own time since many SO's seem to do this but it doesn't cover my time.

That said, I usually get to one each year. It is her business, after all, and she gets to enjoy the benefits of running a school that attends competitions and attracting more students that way. I enjoy supporting the kids when I can but I don't in any way feel guilty not attending. I know for some teachers the whole comp thing is totally their cup of tea and they feel it would be horrible not to attend and support their kids. But my kids know I love and care about them. I spent a whole year of my blood, sweat and tears getting them ready.

When I do go, I stretch the younger ones and run their dance at least once. With them I spend more time focusing their energy in a positive way since they are so nervous. The older ones I'll talk through problem sections and remind individuals of the notes I often give them. I don't help with hair or costumes-their parents do those things. I also stand in the wings and give them a pep talk, then run around to the front to watch. It's fun but exhausting. I don't know how the judges sit through it all!

I don't charge dance parents extra fees for my expenses. They will be more loyal if they feel like you're not taking advantage. Directors should take hotel costs into consideration when determining company participation fees/choreography rates. If you're going to ask staff to come along though, you ought to pay them something-- even if it's just free lunch (unless they openly volunteer to go for free).

I don't get paid for attending competition. When I am there, I am more of a support for my students and just making sure the final touches are done. Granted, I've never taken this particular group of students to an out of town with a hotel expense or anything(since we have sooo many competitions here) so that hasn't ever come into play.