Student Challenges Prevalent in the Pro-am Structure

Discussion in 'Ballroom Dance' started by latingal, Jul 17, 2012.

Page 16 of 18

  1. GGinrhinestones Well-Known Member

    I agree that it is important to know up front what to expect when these things come up. I've also found that sometimes, even when that policy is made clear up front and pros are trying to make everything fair, conflict still arises for other reasons. I am lucky that I don't have to complete - mostly - for scholarships yet, but I also know that could change at any time.

    Unfortunately, I don't think that being male or female makes much of a difference. I've seen plenty of conflict among male students over their female pro - even when they are in different age categories or levels. We're all human, we're in a competitive field, and as pro/am students we are all sharing our pro in a hobby/sport/art that is designed for two people.

    That said, all we can do is do our best to mitigate the potential for conflict, stay as focused as possible on our own goals, and hope our pros stay professional and fair. I also like Fasc's suggestion to put yourself in your pro's shoes - that keeps me in check in SO many things!
    GGinrhinestones, Aug 23, 2012
    #301

  2. JANATHOME Active Member

    I will also point out that not being able to do a scholorship is not the end of the world or a deal breaker for me!

    I recall the last comp I was at and dancing standard, I was competing in single dance events with a large group of ladies and ladies who typically are the most difficult to place well against. Although I agree that scholorship has more excitement, I dont think I would skip a comp if I could not do scholorships.
    JANATHOME, Aug 23, 2012
    #302

  3. fascination Site Moderator

    for me, it depends on the comp...there are lots of comps where I would be very flexible, but there are a few that are either too costly or too important in terms of the calibre of the comp for me to go and not do the hotly contested stuff...but I would also be fine with sitting somethings out altogether
    fascination, Aug 23, 2012
    #303

  4. debmc Well-Known Member

    I entered the scholarship round in my very first comp... it would be strange to have to skip one now. I would say that I would not take the time off from work, and travel to go to a comp where I could not do a scholarship, but if it were a local comp, I could see still attending and doing the single dances and championship round instead.
    debmc, Aug 23, 2012
    #304

  5. fascination Site Moderator

    if I was at a comp that I do for fun where there isn't much contest anyhow, I could see possibly sitting one out....but yea, in this economy, I would be more likely to simply opt out and wait for another one...only because my particulars tend to be quite costly... but I actually can't even see my pro asking for that...the one time that I suggested it he looked at me like I'd grown three heads and rejected it out of hand :)
    fascination, Aug 23, 2012
    #305

  6. danceronice Well-Known Member

    Given the comps around here don't seem to give out money past third, MAYBE sixth, and I almost never get it, Championship or Scholarship doesn't really make any difference to me. If anything, fewer people in Championship means I have a better shot at winning.
    danceronice, Aug 23, 2012
    #306

  7. latingal Moderator

    Another challenge in the pro-am structure....getting enough partnered dance time at speed and in a round format to prepare for competitions. Especially with high level pros with many competitive students, running rounds with students can be a lot of wear and tear on the pro's body - not to mention the many rounds at the comps themselves.

    I always find it highly ironic to be trying to find ways to prepare myself - solo - to dance well in a partnership (I am totally all for lots of solo practice, but it doesn't replace the actual practice of partnered work with a partner!).

    Due to financial considerations, most of us cannot afford to get enough time and repetitions of actually dancing with our pros to get enough practice in the partnered work. Not to mention not being able to do enough comps to get enough experience to learn to perform well instantaneously under pressure filled situations at comps.
    latingal, Aug 24, 2012
    #307

  8. debmc Well-Known Member

    I agree ! I remember a couple of years ago entering a comp where I signed up for several rounds of single dances, because I felt just doing rounds upon rounds was immeasurable in getting used to dancing with pro, being out on the competition floor, working through my mistakes and knowing that I would have another chance to repeat the dance, etc, etc. I can't afford to do that anymore but I do remember it being very useful.
    debmc, Aug 24, 2012
    #308

  9. debmc Well-Known Member

    This is also what I was referring to when I wondered if there was a difference between the preparation for competiton between pro am partnerships and am-am/pro-pro. I would imagine that am-am and pro-pro partnerships get to have more time in actual partnered practice.
    debmc, Aug 24, 2012
    #309

  10. scullystwin42 Member

    Yeah - I'm always on the lookout for another Am guy to just practice with, even if we don't end up partnering. I had one for a little bit here, but then I got a new job and my husband's office moved farther from home - so I had no time to spare for practice with him anymore.
    scullystwin42, Aug 24, 2012
    #310

  11. TinyDancer109 Well-Known Member

    one of the factors in choosing my current pro was the fact that, in addition to being a great and well known pro, he did not have a regular student of my level and age.

    I think that not being able to practice as a team, as well as do rounds, more often is a huge draw back of pro-am, IMO.
    TinyDancer109, Aug 24, 2012
    #311
    j_alexandra likes this.

  12. Mr 4 styles Well-Known Member

    agree with all above my wife and i dance am am and the additional practice time in partnership helps my pro am and vice versa
    Mr 4 styles, Aug 24, 2012
    #312

  13. Mr 4 styles Well-Known Member

    o

    totally agree i would not pick a pro if i had to share her in my age/level
    Mr 4 styles, Aug 24, 2012
    #313

  14. fascination Site Moderator

    if you live in an area where there are enough awesome pros that you can be that choosey, that is great...if not, I would rather have the awesome pro and wait my turn than have a mediocre one all to myself
    fascination, Aug 24, 2012
    #314

  15. GGinrhinestones Well-Known Member

    Absolutely agreed.
    GGinrhinestones, Aug 24, 2012
    #315

  16. danceronice Well-Known Member

    What they said.
    danceronice, Aug 25, 2012
    #316

  17. Terpsichorean Clod Moderator

    Standard dancers just want to have fun
    Terpsichorean Clod, Sep 9, 2012
    #317
    j_alexandra likes this.

  18. sambagirl Member

    I totally agree with this - my practice time for Pro-Am is differently allocated than in an Am-Am partnership, and I really miss the latter. If I could find a suitable Am partner I would go back to that in a second as I really prefer the experience of developing a partnership (as frustrating as it can be at times).

    It was great to meet you at USDC, latingal!
    sambagirl, Sep 10, 2012
    #318

  19. latingal Moderator

    Hi sambagirl! Just saw this....I'm still figuring out the new format and the like on the forums! Was really great meeting you, hope to see you at the next one?
    latingal, Sep 14, 2012
    #319

  20. TinyDancer109 Well-Known Member

    yes, luckily i can be that choosey! :)
    TinyDancer109, Sep 17, 2012
    #320
    j_alexandra likes this.
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