Parents Choreography costs/fees

[catchingupmom]

My DD's gym does have someone they can occasionally book choreography with who works at the gym and is a local dance teacher. However, many on her optional team don't enjoy working with that person, or don't like the elements of their routines that are designed. The dance instructor has a fundamental understanding of gymnastics. So my daughter who has done a couple of dance classes but is definitely not a dancer, but who enjoys watching artistic gymnastics videos to get ideas for choreography has assisted with routines the past two years. Last year she did most of her own choreography and helped choreograph a single teammates routine, but did tweak a couple as well.

This year she has done her own routine and designed three teammates floor routines in addition to helping with elements of many of their's and others' beam routines. She indicated that if she were to do it again she would charge a bit because it has taken a great deal of her time outside of her training hours.

I'm curious what do people pay for Choreographing routines - do you pay per routine or per hour? Would you as a parent pay a small nominal amount to someone who doesn't have any dance credentials?

Thanks for your input!

 

[wandrewsjr]

She should definitely be charging, and I’m frankly shocked that the gymnast’s families didn’t offer to pay or her coaches didn’t insist she be paid.

Rates for choreography vary wildly(experience, level of routine, geographic area all factor), but most I know charge by routine not by hour. This usually covers a 2 to 4 hour session to teach the routine, some also include a follow up shorter session to do clean-up.

How much is a routine from the experienced choreographer in your area? Your daughter should, at minimum, be comfortable asking for half of what the professional charges as a start. If girls on your daughters team are already choosing your daughter over the other choreographer, families shouldn't hesitate to pay that if not more.

 

[catchingupmom]

Sorry, I haven't been very responsive, ha ha.

I actually don't know how much a routine from the experienced choreographer would be. We have a choreographer employed at our gym (they also teach dance) but you can only sign up for sessions once in a while and they aren't offering them currently. Thank you so much for your input though, I can keep that in mind for next time they go live!

 

[raenndrops]

At our gym, the most expensive "in-house" choreo was $20 ... done by a former Level 10 and college NAIGC gymnast. She put her "signature pose" into EVERY SINGLE ROUTINE. She would take your music, make up a routine, and record it. Then she would send it to you. If you had availability when she was free, she would go over the routine with you. There were some girls who didn't have her style and looked completely awkward trying to do her choreography. My YG got a routine from her. Within 3 weeks, it was unrecognizable as YG would change things that didn't work for her very practice.

We have coaches/former gymnasts who charge from $0-$15. Current gymnasts will help each other for free. OG always wanted someone to "come up with something" for her, but choreographed routines for 3-4 other girls (including YG's first Xcel Gold routine) for free. She would also take what someone else thought up and change it to something she loved in the end ... she just needed an idea, lol.

 

[GymnastMomX2]

We pay $450 for floor and $150 for beam choreography.

 

[catchingupmom]

Gymnastmomx2 where are you located (approximate is fine!)?
I think it is a hidden cost sometimes as gyms build it into their fee structure, perhaps?

 

[GymnastMomX2]

Gymnastmomx2 where are you located (approximate is fine!)?
I think it is a hidden cost sometimes as gyms build it into their fee structure, perhaps?

Texas

 

[GymnastPotterhead]

Our gym's choreographer is also one of the coaches. It is $200 I believe to get one routine choreographed and taught to the gymnast.