Tel: 707.761.5214 Hours: Monday-Thursday 6-10pm and by appointment

FAQ

How do I enroll in classes/get started?

Just show up! Arrive 10-15 minutes early for your class. You will receive an online liability/etc waiver and a new student agreement to fill-out. Pay your tuition and you are ready to go!

When do I enroll in classes/pay tuition? Late fee policy.

Tuition is due on the day of your 1st class, or for returning students, on the 1st day you attend a class in the new month. i.e. If the 1st class you attend is on Tuesday the 4th, then you would register for all of your classes on the 4th (unless you are paying by class). 
Classes can be added as you go whenever needed, or you can pay for each class individually (though the more classes you enroll in the cheaper your class rate will be.)  See "Class Pricing" for more information.  There will be a 10 day grace period from when you have taken your 1st class in the month to remit payment.  After 10 days we will apply a late fee of $20 to your account.  We appreciate your cooperation as this helps to keep the administrative work easier.  (And I don’t want to add a fee, so just make it easy and do it at the 1st of the month pretty please.)

What type of payment is accepted?

We accept cash, check or credit. Visa, American Express, Mastercard & Discover are accepted. (It should be noted, a 3% fee will be charged for this service.)

What should I wear for class?

Clothing:
Wear whatever you are comfortable moving in.  Clothes that will not require constant adjustment as you move are best (for example, tube tops are often problematic….).  Fabric that breathes is most ideal.  It is suggested to wear well-fitted fitness clothing for your classes (as opposed to large baggy shirts and sweats).  It is important to be able to see your body in movement.   

Shoes: 
Whatever class you are electing to take please be sure to wear NON-marking soles!  Scuff marks created can sometimes be near impossible to remove and we want to protect our floor! 

Dance class:  Of course a ballroom shoe is most appropriate.  Ballroom shoes have suede bottoms, stay on feet properly (as opposed to a slip-in shoe or flip-flop) and are usually more flexible than your traditional shoe.  Another good choice is the jazz sneaker.  Jazz sneakers have no middle arch to them, so you can still work through your feet, and are not sticky on the bottom so you can turn easily in them.  If these are not viable options for you, any shoe that is not too sticky, too slippery, will stay on and are comfortable should work.  Shoes NOT appropriate for dance classes would be sticky rubber-bottomed shoes that make it difficult to turn in, shoes with heels so high they are difficult to balance in, or slip-on shoes such as mules or flip-flops.  Dancing in your socks would be preferable. 

Fitness Classes:  About ½ of the fitness classes can or should be done bare foot.  For the other classes our shoe of preference here at this studio is the Vibram Fivefinger.  (Think gloves for your feet with a rubberish bottom).  These shoes are light, flexible and, most importantly, allow your feet to work and move the way they were meant to.  These shoes will strengthen your feet and lower limbs, improve balance and propreoception.  If you take a look at the class description you can find more detailed information about proper footwear for your class.

What if I miss my class?

The studio allows you to make up drop-in classes only for the month in which you missed your drop-in class. (i.e. You may make-up classes you miss in January, in the month of January only, not in February.) Missed classes for progressive classes (i.e. any of the dance classes other than line dancing) cannot be made up, there is no replacement for missing the information for that class. However, you can take a drop-in class during that same month so the class is not "lost" completely. If you have to miss a class we recommend you come early before the following class and ask one of the other students show you what you missed. If you have to miss multiple classes you can schedule one or more private lessons with one of the instructors to keep up with the course material.

What is the difference between Progressive & Drop-In classes?

Progressive classes require a commitment to the full session of classes (1 month).  Because these classes build upon each other, it is important all lessons are attended for the month.   These classes cannot be made up except with a supplemental private lesson. All of our partnered dance classes are progressive.  

Drop-in classes do not require consistent attendance, as they are not progressive.  Students are encouraged to attend regularly, however, it is not required. 

ALL FITNESS CLASSES AND SOLO DANCE CLASSES (i.e. ballet, tap, line dancing) ARE DROP-IN CLASSES.

Which classes are Drop-In & which are Progressive?

All the Fitness Classes and solo dance classes (i.e. tap, ballet, line dancing) are Drop-In. All partnered dance classes are progressive.

How much do classes cost?

See Group Classes for detailed group class pricing information and Private Lessons for detailed private lesson pricing.  If you come in to take 1 class and 1 class only, you will pay $12.  The more classes you commit to in the month, the less you pay per class.  For example, if you take 1 class a week, your tuition rate will go down to $9.50 a class. 2x a week = $8.75 a class.  3x a week = $7.75 a class, etc. etc.  Unlimited Membership is $115 per month.  Private sessions are between $80 - $50 a lesson.

What classes can I take as an Unlimited Member?

You can take all of the regular weekly classes which are appropriate for your level (i.e. only intermediate dancers can take the intermediate level dance classes). Specialty workshops and dances are at an additional cost, though often times discounted for our Unlimited Members.  We encourage our Unlimited Members to take as many classes as are open to them.

I’m a beginner and have no dance experience. What classes should I take?

Any of the “Beginner” classes will be great for you. Line dancing is also a fun and easy dance class for beginners.

What is “Beyond Beginner”?

The intermediary class between your Fundamentals class and Intermediate level.  If you have the very basics down but aren’t quite ready for the intermediate class, then this class is for you.

How do I know if I am ready for the intermediate class?

If you are familiar and comfortable with the entire beginner syllabus, then you should be ready for the intermediate class.  Or, just ask your instructor! 

Do you hold dances?
Yes! We typically hold one dance social at the end of the month for people to practice what they have been learning during that month.  Whatever dance styles have been highlighted for the month will be the main styles of music played at the dance social. Parties are for dancers of all levels to enjoy.  Our goal is to create a safe, comfortable and fun environment for all.  You are encouraged to dance with as many people as possible throughout the duration of the party.

Do I need a partner?
No.  You never have to bring a partner with you for any class or dance.

How do I schedule a private lesson?
Private lessons are scheduled at any day and time that is convenient for both the instructor and student(s). Any private must be scheduled around the group class schedule. We can not accommodate private lessons and group classes at the same time currently. 

Do privates cost the same amount for a couple as a single person?
Dance lessons, yes.  A private lesson price is the same for 1 person as it is 2.  Any other additional person is $10 each.  A personal training session is just for 1 person.

Where is the studio?
I know we’re a little hard to find. Take a look at the Location/Directions page for descriptive details on how to find us. 

What is your returned check policy?
As with most businesses, we have a $25 fee for any returned check.

What is your cancellation policy?
For private sessions: As the person now responsible for your dance/fitness education, I prefer to never just cancel a lesson, but rather reschedule it for another day or time within the same week.  However, in the event one should need to cancel their lesson, a 3 day advance notice is greatly appreciated, so I might be able to accommodate other students.  Should the lesson be cancelled with less than 24 hours advance notice, there will be a charge of the lesson rate imposed.  (Reasonable exceptions will be made.) General classes: There are no refunds for cancellation of any lessons.  Lessons are not transferable to another party.

How long will it take me to learn?
That’s a great question that no one can really answer for you. This question is best answered with more questions:

 - How determined are you to learn? Those who are determined succeed. - How much time will you spend taking lessons? Learning requires immersing yourself in a learning environment. - How much effort/time will you put into practicing what you learned in your lessons? What you put in is what you will get out of it. - How much previous dance or athletic movement experience do you have that will help you learn dance moves and help you with things like balance, posture, coordination, strength and flexibility? – These skill sets will help you learn faster, but without them, you can still learn to dance. It might just take you a little more time. - How much natural, God given talent do you have for movement and dancing and remembering? Again, this does not determine whether you CAN learn, just how much quicker you may be able to learn. 
So, without knowing the answer to any of these questions, one cannot tell you the answer. What I do know is: WITH ENOUGH HEART & DETERMINATION ANYONE CAN LEARN HOW TO DANCE. ANYONE. To get an idea of what you might be able to expect from yourself, most beginning students take the beginning class at least a couple of times before moving on to the intermediate class. Once they’re ready for the intermediate class, often times they will take the beginning class in conjunction with the intermediate class to continue to solidifying their basics and improving their technique. It doesn’t matter how long it takes you. No one is judging you because everyone has been there before, or is traveling along that path with you. Just enjoy the journey!