Boston dance instructors discuss lessons, prices
What styles of dancing do you teach?
Who we talked to
Liz Nania, owner
Out to Dance
West Roxbury and Roslindale
617-363-0029
outtodance.com
Patrik Kisucky, co-owner
Boston Dance Zone
14-20 Linden St.
Allston
617-515-8569
bostondancezone.com
Liz Miller, owner
You Want to Dance
Boston and Cambridge
617-216-6656
youwanttodance.com
Liz Nania: "I teach the partner dances such as salsa, swing, ballroom - all the fun stuff. Our studio also offers belly dance and hip-hop."
Patrik Kisucky: "We teach ballroom and Latin dances."
Liz Miller: "Any style of partner dance, but I pretty much do any style of dance as well. My particular specialty is crazy swing dancing."
How do you charge for dance lessons and what's the cost?
Liz Nania: "Private lessons vary from $55 to $80 an hour. The group sessions are about $89 per session."
Patrik Kisucky: "We charge for each 45-minute individual lesson. It goes from $70 to $90, depending on the level of the instructor."
Liz Miller: "If they come to the hotel where I teach, it's $75 an hour. If I come to my customers' homes, that's more expensive."
Have shows like "Dancing with the Stars" helped your business?
Liz Nania: "It's been great. It has expanded people's awareness and shows people how cool it is."
Patrik Kisucky: "People are saying it's helping business because people are talking more about dancing."
Liz Miller: "Yes. Everybody wants to dance now."
Do your clients need to practice outside of class?
Liz Nania: "Outside practice is a great help. The more you practice, the faster you progress."
Patrik Kisucky: "Practice outside of class is recommended but not often done unless they have a partner."
Liz Miller: "I recommend they practice five minutes the day after the class and 10 minutes two other days that same week."
What is your experience in this industry?
Liz Nania: "I've been teaching for 20 years."
Patrik Kisucky: "I've been dancing for 17 years. My wife and I competed all over Europe and we still compete in the United States."
Liz Miller: "I've been teaching dance since 1997. I have a master's in counseling psychology and dance therapy."
How do you handle the most dancing-challenged clients?
Liz Nania: "I just work from where they're at, take it slow and remind them this is something they can do with patience."
Patrik Kisucky: "I like to have beginners come in. You have to remember how you felt when you started."
Liz Miller: "I start by distinguishing right from left. I don't worry about dancing to the beat until they're comfortable with basic movement."


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