Money is a serious concern, to be sure. Your time is valuable, too. If you already can get things sharp - see if there are intermediate classes that you qualify to attend. I would say that my last two group classes easily spent half the instruction time sharpening. One last observation - a two day course is too short: People inevitably roll in late the first morning and introductions will last until mid-morning.
Thanks Jim. That would be nice but harder to find unless super expensive. Exactly how I learned woodturning though. Bought a lathe 20 years ago and joined the AAW. I thumbed through their directory back when they had a printed one liking for turners in memphis and discovered a guy on my street about two blocks east turned into a multi year mentor until he passed away.
Beginner courses for experienced Woodworkers. Sorry for the PM - I no longer post "in the open". May I recommend you consider 1 on 1 instruction, if you're taking a course? The larger settings will always descend to the lowest skillset in the class. You're experienced, no need to spend a day on sharpening. Figure 4 days, to really get into trouble. Jim in Massachusetts