Has anyone noticed a surge of new people at their schools this summer? We have had an unprecedented burst of new people. Though it started around May, the Master pretty much attributes the increase to people watching the Olympics and becoming enamored of China.

I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this. We always have some degree of attrition but I would like to think the bulk of the people would stick around because it is good for the school even though it is getting a little tight spacewise. My concern is that if it is just a passing fancy the resulting drop off in attendance over a short period of time might hurt the morale of some of the longer term students. Not that I have any interest in having unmotivated people sticking around either.

Is this burst of attendance you're talking about beyond the regular summer bounce that many other MA schools experience?

Is this burst of attendance you're talking about beyond the regular summer bounce that many other MA schools experience?

Yep. Summers of 2005 & 2006 we actually had no increase but rather a temporary loss due to summer vacations. Summer 2007 we had about 10 people stick their noses in and retained 5-6 throughout the summer.

This summer we have had about 15 new people sticking it out. Since we have a core group of about 20-25 people who show up each class, it has been a significant increase.

But as you imply, it could be an above normal increase at a normal time for it.

I haven't heard any "I love the mystical Chinese arts after watching the Olympics" comments but I can imagine it being a motivation and was wondering if anyone saw signs of it.