I have a former 15yr old student whos parents hate to pay me..so they have decided to open there own studio and she is the teaceher - your thoughts on that???? I have always been kind, understanding of why they can't pay me at all or on time. We live in a small suburb of a large city her studio is about 2 miles from mine. I have 150 students well established and a great Competitive Team..so no fear of her putting us out of business...just appalled at the parents and her disregard for teachers everywhere. Might I add she never took a Ballet Class.

I think you should totally take class from her...because of course she thinks she's advanced and will offer that level. Say it's to keep in shape. Then neglect to pay them on time or at all due to financial stresses. haha, that would be funny!

But I do think this is absolutely ridiculous. Most 15 year olds don't have a clue as to what they are doing if they are the full time teacher. Has she ever been a TA? And what makes her parents think other parents will take them seriously having a child teach their children? I find it funny she's only 2 miles from your studio. She thinks she'll try and steal your students. It won't be long at all before they are out of business. I wouldn't even worry about it. Plus don't ever say anything at all in your studio to anyone about this.

Pure ridiculousness!

OMGoodness! your first comment made me laugh out loud! you would fit right in at our studio! we deal with everything in humor - when she left her mom said she is gonna "self Teach" so we made tee shirts that say "Self Teaching" What??? its our therapy shirt! LOL I just love your comment. I'm still laughing - don't dare me! YOu have made my day and I feel better - thank you!

I find it hilarious! That studio doesn't have a lot going for it, does it? Young, inexperienced teacher. Teacher who might have to miss class cause she has a lot of homework or go to a school dance. Has no ballet training. Parents obvious don't have money to pay for lessons but think they have money to own and operate a studio. They will soon learn that it would have been cheaper to just pay for lessons.

Aren't their child labor laws in your state against this anyways?

Danasdance wrote:

OMGoodness! your first comment made me laugh out loud! you would fit right in at our studio! we deal with everything in humor - when she left her mom said she is gonna "self Teach" so we made tee shirts that say "Self Teaching" What??? its our therapy shirt! LOL I just love your comment. I'm still laughing - don't dare me! YOu have made my day and I feel better - thank you!

Not a problem...I try my best! I seriously think you need to be the first one to sign up! for real...

Now she/her parents will have to deal with parents who hate to pay. Gee, how they will start to understand your position!

Definitely take class with her! And don't pay. See it as payment for the classes she took from you.

I wish people had an inkling of what it takes to do what we do.

Shortly after I moved from my last location, two other teachers in the area got together and opened their own place. I was the only one in the area doing what I did, so everyone was looking for a "replacement".

I have heard back from my old students that their studio doesn't compare. Apparently, at the last recital there was a group of mom's that told my ex...."This isn't how XXX ran her shows. We miss her." One older woman who taught ballet for me for a little while saw the show and remarked "They all think that they can do what she did...but they can't."

Annnnnnd the two teachers that opened are college dance instructors. One danced with a very prominent modern company. So, it's not just "skill" that makes a decent SO.

There are soooooo many qualities that go into being an excellent SO.

This child and her parents will learn soon enough. It takes so much to make a successful business. I can't imagine coming into a place of business and asking for the owner and a 15 year old replying.."oh, that's me."

I'm sure they will be out of business in a couple of months. And I think the parents are behind this idea of her teaching and running a dance studio. Ugh!!!

I just had a horrible night at work (teenagers).

Its parents and student like this that seem to be plauging studios. How can kids learn manners, responsiblity, dedication, respect...? When their parents say, "Oh is your teacher being mean or well honey we can't pay her, so mommy and daddy will buy you a studio and you can teach your own classes!" This is ludicris. Proof once again that some dance parents suck.

GRRRR.... This little girl will be overwhelmed, shame on her parents for putting this kind of pressure on a child. They will be out of business soon, what other parent in their right mind would meet the director and main instructor as a 15 year old and stay for a second?

Oh and I would go take a class if I were you. Just as a fellow teacher wanting to expand your dance vocab. (just kidding I know you don't need it, but just as a curiosity)

Plase let us know how this turns out in a few months.

I totally know how you feel!! I have had this problem student (15 by the way) who finally left me!! Thank god!! She was the worst student I had last year. (Which she only took 3 years of dance, and the first two she was the perfect student with lots of potential) anyways she decided that I was too controlling so she decided to go to the studio that I went to for my primary ballet training (which I would recommend to any student of mine you wanted to focus more on ballet-I teach everything-which she wouldn't know about except that I took my students to see the ballet studios annual ballet) anyways one of my worst fears was that she would decide to open a studio (which she lives down the road from my studio) so yikes!! Luckily though she decided to try her hand in Ballroom dancing. So now she is really out of my hair since I don't teach that.

Now I also am coming from the 15 year old perspective because I started my studio when I was 15. However I did not have that many students until I was 18 and for the first few years I only taught once a week. And mostly had friends and neighbors dancing with me. But I was a homeschooler so I didn't have to worry about the homework and other social interferences. But her reasonings don't sound like a good enough reason to open a studio. I also continued to take classes from many different studios until I graduated. I would love to hear how this story turns out in the end.

Miss Merry

lol Lovely... sadly, I can say BTDT! I had a former student, 14 with 3 yrs experience, decide to slam me and "open her own studio" after I moved. Still, 3 yrs later, it's just her and her best friend. Last time I saw them they had a tag-a-long. These are also the people who are STILL harassing me via phone, email, MySpace, Facebook, coming to my studio and our performances (I'm 4hrs away from them!), and lashing out online in forums and on review sites.

A high schooler opened a cheer gym in town earlier this year and closed down not even 6 months later. I did call code enforcement in town to file a complaint (stunting on a cement floor - she had NO equipment) and they also urged me to contact child services since all staff and students were under 18. She went broke and decided to enjoy her senior year before going off to college, end of story.

Just sit back and watch the beautiful disaster.

They'll reap what they're sowing......I would't worry.

Gardentoes11 wrote:

They'll reap what they're sowing.

Is there anything more beautiful than reaping what you sow, karma and the like.

Sitting back with popcorn is always a fave thing to do in these scenarios.

I'm 24 and opened up my own studio last year and people stilllllll walk in and give me a look when I am introduced as a director.. I could only imagine one of my senior company girls doing it.. OYYY

So let me get this straight....this 15 year old is going to go to school full time and teach full time at night? I assume she is still in high school. She is going to have to create syllabus, choreography and do homework? I give this veture a couple of months tops.

I'm sorry but a 15 yo does not have the knowledge, maturity, understanding of; dance, the body, muscles, children, psychology to teach, never mind own a studio.

I might get some flack her, but I am much older, have been teaching for some time and am still learning. How in the world can a 15 yr old do what I do?

cmdc wrote:

I think you should totally take class from her...because of course she thinks she's advanced and will offer that level. Say it's to keep in shape. Then neglect to pay them on time or at all due to financial stresses. haha, that would be funny!

I love the way you think!!! so funny! I agree, you should go take a class - that would be priceless!

May God give her double of everything that she wishes for you.

I can not believe that the parents would open a studio for her. WOW. Oh well, like everyone has said, they will find out in due time. And yes, Karma will bite them when they least expect it! I just can't get over this, 15 and parents put up a studio, do the parents even have any idea of how to run a studio! Oh well...

Longlegs424... I'm 30 and people still ask "you're the owner?" I don't think I look young but whatever!

As for the 15yr old... What parent would send their child to a place where a 15yr is teaching and is the owner???

Missamanda13 wrote:

As for the 15yr old... What parent would send their child to a place where a 15yr is teaching and is the owner???

Stupid people.... they are out there.