[1]A hobby is no longer just an interesting pastime — it now pays. Youngsters today are cashing in on their passions to earn quick bucks. Giving their hobbies a professional footing, many are now involved in giving personal coaching to enthusiasts with the same interest. From music classes to opening a dance academy, these 20-somethings are teaming up passion with profession.
Vaibhav Ahuja, a student of Economics (Hons), South Campus started learning music at the age of 6. Now he has his own band performing at Turquoise Cottage every week. “I learnt drums for a year at Arya School of Music and have been given a Grade 4 in drums from Trinity College, London. The idea of teaching struck me when many drum lovers approached me to learn the instrument. Presently, I teach three students in a small studio at my place. I charge `800 for a month (four lessons, `200 per lesson). First time learners don’t mind spending the amount to learn the basics of the instrument. This is half the amount charged by any good music school. My earnings are used to upgrade my drum kit. It’s always a pleasure to teach as this helps me improve my skills as well,” he adds.
Then there are those who take tuitions of their favourite subjects. Rohan Gambhir, an engineering student of IT University, teaches Maths and Science to students of Class 9 and 10. “These subjects are my forte and I love teaching them. Mostly students have problems in these subjects, so I chose them. But with regular college and busy schedule, I can only teach two students in a month and charge `200 per class. I love teaching and what I earn supports my lavish spending, which I can’t afford otherwise,” he adds.
Agrees 22-year-old Siddhant Shulka, who after getting a diploma from Alliance Francaise, now holds French classes for students. He charges `1,500 for a one-hour lesson. “I teach young students who’ve opted for the subject in school. I teach them basic writing, reading and speaking the language. I quit my job, and besides preparing for military exams, planned to dedicate extra time to teaching French. It’s fun, relaxing and gives me extra earnings which I’m saving for my future studies,” he tells us.
Vikas, an English (Hons) student from Dayal Singh College, is also a dance teacher. After mastering dance forms like jazz, contemporary and Bollywood from Shiamak Davar Institute of Performing Arts, he now conducts personal classes at home. “I give coaching to four students with a package of `40,000 for 22 classes per month. I teach them expressions, jazz and Bollywood dance. I only teach students with a flexible body, good expressions and body language,” he says.
Eighteen-year-old Arjun Vajpai, India’s youngest mountaineer, is planning an academy to teach mountaineering to enthusiasts. He shares, “I often interact with kids in schools and share my experiences with them. I’m glad to see the craze of the sport among youngsters. So, I’m planning an academy to give formal training to the younger generation.”
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[1] http://archive.asianage.com/tabjpg-574