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Aside from the free classes taught at our weekly parties on Friday and Saturday evenings and our Monday Evening Ballroom Preview, all weekly group lessons taught at I've Got Rhythm are arranged according to the expressed desires of our students. We only want to offer classes that students are interested in taking and motivated to attend. Our students themselves decide a class' schedule and the dances it will cover, giving each participant maximum ownership of his or her class.
More importantly, we believe that students learn best when they learn together � a philosophy which has led us to structure our classes in a very unique manner, when compared to most modern studios. Rather than sporadically inserting people into unfamiliar groups every few weeks when they want to learn a new dance or when schedules change, we encourage our students to stay together for as long as they are able. By becoming familiar with one another and developing friendships within the group, students stand to learn significantly faster as a result of their unified effort and interpersonal accountability.
Once established a group may choose any number of options for continuing education. They can work towards an advanced level on a single dance, or they can explore several different styles to become versatile in a number of dances. They can concentrate on mastering patterns or they can pursue a greater knowledge of technique and styling. They can pace the class very quickly, or they can move at a snail's pace, depending on the needs of the group as a whole. By providing a stable corporate learning environment for our students, we help them to get the most out of every lesson and that means time and money well spent.
Our unique group class structure does impose some limitations on beginners. Because our classes are inherently progressive (each lesson builds upon the previous), we can only allow a beginner to join an established group (1) when that group has decided to start on a new dance or (2) when he or she has taken the necessary private lessons to get caught up in the dances that group has chosen to specialize in. We hold this policy in fairness to established group members, so as not to impede their progress by absorbing the instructor's time with those new to the class. Of course, beginners are always encouraged to establish a group class of their own with those of similar interests and temperment.
The cost of group classes will be one of the following, depending on how many people are in regular attendance:
A group must have at least eight people to begin or maintain a class and must pay for their classes in advance via the purchase of an "I've Got Rhythm Dance Card," which is our students' way of saying, "We intend on being committed to this group." Standard pricing for groups is $10 per person per hour, but as the size of a group increases, we discount that rate to reward students for their patronage and dedication to the studio.
Frequently Asked Question #1...Most studios in Louisville and around the country depend on private lessons for their primary income. As a result, everything they do is ultimately aimed at getting students signed up for a consistent regimen of private lessons, typically $55-$65 in Louisville. But why would students take private lessons if they can get everything they need in group classes for a fraction of the price? Sadly, in the race to persuade students to take privates, the quality of the group instruction at these studios often suffers, and students end up wasting a lot of time and money on what appears to be a great bargain. Furthermore, the onslaught of different classes and changing schedules, virtually necessitates regular private lessons in order for any real depth to be gained.
Our philosophy is exactly the opposite. We prefer that students participate in a regular group class as their primary committment to our studio and take private lessons only as a supplement. Because our goal is to include as many students as possible in group classes, we purposefully offer the same quality of instruction in our groups as we do in our private lessons, and we attempt to provide an environment in which students who are willing to work as a group can thrive and prosper in their dancing well beyond what is possible in a typical group class. Nothing is held back, and nothing is out of reach. Our group classes may not be a great "bargain," but they are an excellent value and a worthwhile investment of your time and money.
Frequently Asked Question #2...Newcomers should choose their classes based upon two considerations: (1) the subject matter and (2) the class' current membership. Clearly you want to study a dance that you will enjoy learning and in which you want to become proficient. If you are uncertain of which dance to concentrate on, come to one of our weekly parties and watch what other dancers are doing to give yourself a broad idea of what is available. Once you've had a preview of the dances, write down two to three that represent your primary interests. Take a few private lessons to confirm that these are the dances you want to concentrate on. Then let your instructor know, and he or she will direct your private instruction from then on to catch you up with a group that is focusing on those dances.
It is also important that you select a group whose members have similar goals and temperments, if possible. The major advantage of our groups is their ability to work together as a unit, and this involves getting to know the members of that group on a personal level. If you don't know anyone, try to come to our weekly parties and get to know people beforehand before selecting a group. We will also do our best to advise you as to which group class is best for you.
