Multitasking

How many projects should an individual be involved with?  I find myself asking this question today.  This is to take into consideration companies you perform with, companies you run, classes you take, and any side projects in which you are involved.  I think the answer is different for each individual, but it seems as though the priorities for figuring out the limit are a bit confused for many in the Boston dance scene.  Certainly, it is possible to be involved in multiple companies.  Also, it is possible to have a company and perform for someone else.  But when is it too much? 

I've found my limit to be four different companies at any given time.  Even that is a bit overwhelming at times.  If I'm choreographing a project, then I can really only handle performing for one other company.  The crux of the matter is keeping up one's technique.  Ideally, a 'serious' dancer should be dancing 7 days a week.  This would include rehearsals and classes.  The problem, it would seem, with the Boston dance scene is that there are so many small companies that individuals become involved with several small companies, fill the available schedule with rehearsals, and then forget about class.  As dancers, we need to be taking class.  And I'm just as guilty of this as the next person.  If I'm lucky I take one class a week.  There simply is no substitution for taking class.  I also think that many of the choreographers in the area would feel better about their dancers if more were taking consistent classes to improve and maintain their technique.

This was a little bit of a rant, but I'm curious to get feedback.  How much is too much for you?  Do you honestly feel that you can choreograph and dance for someone else at the same time and give each the amount of attention they deserve?  Do you take class?  Are there enough classes?  Is all of this moving in the wrong direction because dance is merely a hobby?  How does one go about convincing dancers to take more classes?  The financial argument is tough to combat but is that what really keeps people away?