I have a crazy problem, and I’d like to know if it has ever occurred before. I just learned that another dance studio is leasing the space next to me. I am beginning my ninth year in this location, and I am in shock that my landlord would do this to me. The bad news: We did not have a clause in our lease agreement preventing such a thing, and our landlord is an attorney. The beacon of hope: Our lease is up for renewal at the end of the month. What would you do? —Elizabeth

Hi Elizabeth,

Wow, what a surprising situation! If it’s not in the rental agreement, your landlord doesn’t have to keep another school out of his building, but out of courtesy, loyalty, respect, and a bunch of other reasons he shouldn’t have rented the space to another dance school. If I were in your situation, I would look for another location. If you can’t find something quickly, I suggest signing on for one more year and then getting out. You have a right to be angry—I’m angry, too, and it’s not even my studio! I wish you all the best, and hopefully something good will come of this. —Rhee

Dear Rhee,

Two former students of mine opened their own school two years ago (about 15 miles away). One of them has been contacting my students online and by phone, offering them full scholarships to her school. I lost one student (one of my best), not only because of the free tuition but because this woman promises to make my students the stars of her school. How unethical is this? I don’t think I should promise my students more to keep them, but I feel at a disadvantage because this teacher is going full force to obtain my team dancers. My students have technical training, and she needs them because she is not a good technique teacher. Any suggestions? —Heather

Hello Heather,

What your former student is doing is unethical. Soliciting students from another school goes against the code of ethics of all the dance educator organizations—but I don’t think your new competitor cares about being perceived as ethical right now. If she truly can’t train technical dancers, your former students and their parents will figure that out before long and some of those students will return. Still, right now it’s going to be hard to fight free lessons. I wouldn’t offer anyone free lessons.

 Instead, I would hold my head high and continue to offer quality training with strong technique. Sometimes situations like this take time to turn around right now this teacher is the new kid on the block; people will be interested in what she has to offer, especially if it’s free. Consider this a wake-up call—which we all need once in a while! Don’t focus on what your former student is up to; instead, think about how you can make your programs even better. Make your students so excited to be at your school that they talk about it; soon, those who left will hear and they’ll wish they had never left. Go for being the best you can be, and be as creative as you can to make your dancers awesome, and you’ll end up the winner when the dust settles. —Rhee

Dear Rhee,

Last season we went to a few competitions with a lyrical piece with a male vocalist. We received a couple comments from judges to the effect that if we do not have male dancers in the piece, we should not have a song with a male vocalist. I understood this but at the same time questioned it. What do you think? —Linda

Dear Linda,

Interesting question! My opinion: if it is a male soloist or group of boys are performing a piece together, I feel that the vocals should be sung by a male. However, I have created lots of choreography with all girls, sung by male vocalists. A perfect example is “Candle in the Wind,” by Elton John.” I think I would have to “respectfully” disagree with someone who told me otherwise.

—Rhee