Promotion through the ranks - how does it work where you are?

[ttd]

You shouldn't have any problem at all, I thought you guys were in demand on all levels. Part of my problem is that the dancing scene here is small, and you can literally count on your fingers how many men are beyond basic bronze. And the ones who actually do silver in competition are spoken for, both of them. And I guess that's the natural outcome of my efforts in the last few years, I really improved my dancing to the point that doing high-level events no longer looks like an impossible goal to reach, but I have nobody to do it with, except pros (and not all of them, either).

[etp777]

heh, I still haven't touched silver yet.  one of coaches recently suggested it, but have to make it through this comp in a few weeks before we even consider it.  course, I don't have any competitive students at my main studio out of bronze anyway, so I guess that skips that worry anyway.

[elisedance]

wait a mo, there are videos out there etp and I don't think you are telling the whole truth.  Nice try though...

[elisedance]

I don't have any am-am aspirations. I won't be able to find a partner of comparable level close enough to make it a viable partnership, unless one moves here, and local guys aren't that great. I shudder to think about how long I would have to wait until one of them improves to the point where I'd also be getting something out of practicing together besides shoulder pain. The only way I can see myself getting into am-am is getting a divorce and relocating to an area with bigger dance scene, like NY metro area, but then if I look at the bigger picture, whatever I save in competition costs probably won't offset the cost of living there, so overall I will be worse off than now.

So I plan to stick with pro-am and get as good as I can get there.

I understand the problem - toronto is over 3.5 million people and AM partners are very rare here too - I could say I am very lucky to have one - but it took me 6 years get to the point where I was worth considering when the opportunity came up.  The real benefit of AM partners is the free practise time - if you love to dance you can do it a lot without being a millionaire...