One who does all this for love of sport.
note to all my last post was sent whem tired and did not come out well at all and is now on view for all to see for the lifetime of this board!
What i hope to include in the defintion of professional is the years and training not just in dance but in communication and personal development guidance skills needed to assess each student differing needs and desires. Most "amateurs" who teach may not have taken a teaching course. Often "pros" take money for teaching without training which is why only certified tachers should be sought for good and appropriate instruction. (ie. AM certified, FADS or CDTA, ISTD or DIVDA are all good systems)
but I digress.
In Canada currently we have a shortage of competing professionals as they upper level competitor is now seeking the top amateur as coach and the hi level amateur dancer has no need to adopt the title of pro so he can still compete with who?
As far as level of dance often the amateur with their self focus will be a great dancer. Pros will have all that understanding and have cultivated the tools to share their love and knowledge.
I salute all dancers I wish to share the floor. But I would not want to share the teacing with semi-skilled communivcators. This is a generalization this does not apply to all. I have seen some very well intentioned people do some harmfull teaching when trying to help. I want to have everyone dance at all times. And I want the trained teachrer teaching at all levels. Even Pavarotti has his trained coach at EVERY practice session!
;-p s

jo–

This very interesting discussion begs a question:

As a professionally trained amateur singer I'm well aware of the difference between a professional "teacher" and a "finisher". How would you define the difference in dance teachers?

OB

I see a couple flaws and misconceptions here.

First, $5000 is way too low a limit - it's a drop in the bucket compared to the current "must not exceed dance-related expenses" limit.

The second is your assumption that top amateurs want to turn pro, and that pros are necessarily better than amateurs. There are in fact a lot of people out there who are very good, could be of service doing some teaching, etc - but who have no desire to give up their non-dancing careers.
In short, dance is their AVOCATION and not something they wish to consider as a carreer.

So why should they be forced or encouraged to turn pro if that is not one of their life goals?

Personally, I would be happy to eliminate the pro/am distinction at all levels - simply extending the current points system (possibly adding a few more levels) would be enough to make
up for the lost opportunities. (Of course if someone wants to hold a 'pure amateur championships' that is their businesses) But it might do some good if some of the rank and file pros had to go up against good amateurs now and then... As long as they get bumped up levels
appropriately, they should not be limiting anyone's opportunity.

Pro and am are lifestyle choices, not levels...

there are a lot of "amateurs" in europe that have no regular non-dancing job. you find all of them in front of the ranking lists. since a lot of money is in this buisness now,too, the european amateur associatons will never change this liberal rules, because they all earn a lot of money from tv broadcaster and sponsors.

Here (in Holland), a professional is someone who had his/her education at an officially recognized dance institute. You are no longer allowed to participate in amateur competitions as soon as you enter, so it doesn't matter whether you are "about to be a pro" or a "graduated pro", you can't dance as an amateur anymore

When an amateur receives money for his/her performance, it's more or less a compensation for travelling etc., not necessarily something that he/she receives as a payroll.

My 2 cents

"Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero." - Horace

Great to hear from you all. The reason for a definition is to know when you are a pro or replacing the professional or interfering with the amateur's development.
Why should you be a professional if you could receive money for teaching and shows and compete against people who do this as a hobby or love of art?
Shall we all fight for the dollar to cover our living costs of travel and costume food and shoes?
How would a professional teacher distinguish his or herself if they can be replaced by someone who is making their living someway else and teaching on the side as an amateur dancer? õ

jo