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Renshi's Message
Real Value
I've been shopping for a dance studio. My daughter is very interested in learning to dance and growing up the tomboy that I did I'm not exactly tuned into the dance market. Ok, I confess, I'm clueless. While I may not know much about dance studios I do know quite a lot about specialized recreational and fitness training.
So I begin my search the best way I know how; I ask other parents who know more about this sort of thing than I do. As I listen to various opinions about different studios there are specific things I am listening for: how do they communicate with the students, what is the level of experience of the instructor, what governing body or organization oversees the quality of the teaching, what are the goals of the studio? Rather than looking at specific details or circumstances I'm trying to see the larger picture. 1 year, 3 years, 5 years down the line, where will my daughter be?
I've looked at the community centres and very inexpensive schools. I have my children enrolled in swimming lessons so it seemed like a natural place to look. My thinking was that I could let her try dance inexpensively and if she liked it I could enroll her at a professional studio. As my search continued I realized that we couldn't get an accurate picture of her enjoyment level or ability. Recreation centres provide a wonderful and necessary service in our communities. They allow children to get physically active while individuals can pursue instructing on a recreational level. For me, I don't want an instructor who is teaching recreationally. I want someone who's "job" it is to teach my child.
Don't get me wrong, I respect and appreciate the community centres and I am a customer. However, when it comes to elite or specialized programs or service, I, as a consumer, want to put my money with someone who is considered a specialist or professional in their field. The studio that I pay to teach my daughter to dance is going to have an impact on the person that she will grow into and I have a responsibility to find a good match.
So here comes the blinding flash of the obvious. You get what you pay for. My dentist isn't the cheapest in town, but I won't go anywhere else because he knows his stuff. My lawyer isn't the cheapest in town (by far!), but I can trust that he will get the job done and done right. The music lessons I pay for are not the cheapest out there, but the quality of the instruction is second to none, because music is all they do. I'm not willing to try cheap because it's cheap.
Bottom line, things are cheap for a reason. Before putting your money on the table look at the big picture. What is the "real" value of what you are paying for? |
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