Frequently Asked Questions

Where is your studio located?

Studio J Dance is located at Level 1, 147 Swan Street, Richmond (above Si Senor Taqueria, enter via Waverley Street). There is free 2-hr street parking in the surrounding streets. The studio is also located right between both Richmond train station and also East Richmond train station with both being about a 5 minute walk away. Tram Stop #10 on Swan Street on route 70 is right in front of the studio. Additional tram options can be found via Church Street.

Are your classes suitable for any level?

We offer a wide range of dance classes for multiple experience levels, however if you are an absolute beginner without any prior experience then we recommend starting with one of our “Beginner” Courses. Our courses are designed for progressive learning, with a stronger focus on technique, development and individual feedback. They’re the best choice for beginners learning from the ground up or experienced dancers looking to refine and build their technique over time.

Alternately, our casual classes and workshops are a great way to try different styles, learn fun choreography and dance without a longer-term commitment. As these sessions have limited time, they generally focus more on learning choreography and having fun, rather than detailed technique or individual feedback. If you’re a beginner or want to develop your technique, we strongly recommend starting with one of our courses.

Is there an age requirement?

You must be over 18 years of age to participate in all our in-studio courses except Kids Bollywood. For those aged 16-17, enrollments will be considered upon request.

What if I need to cancel a course or miss a class due to illness or unforeseen circumstances?

We understand that life can be unpredictable and that illness, injury, medical situations, family emergencies, travel or changes in personal circumstances can sometimes mean you’re unable to attend or complete your course. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer refunds, transfers or credits for missed classes or an inability to complete a course, including in unforeseen circumstances. Your enrolment reserves your place for the full course/class and we’re generally unable to fill that place with another student. We know these situations can be difficult, which is why we aim to make this policy clear before booking and apply it consistently and fairly to all students.

Courses may be cancelled if there are insufficient enrolments (minimum 5 students). In this instance, a full refund will be offered to students already enrolled.

Should unavoidable or unforeseen interruption occur to our courses or classes, Studio J Dance may not be able to meet its obligations or may only partially be able to meet its obligations. This includes closure due to government direction or health department direction. In the event that a course or class(es) are missed due to a Force Majeure event, then Studio J Dance will endeavour to provide a rescheduled course or move to online classes. If a suitable reschedule is not possible, Studio J Dance may provide a credit or refund at Management discretion, however a credit or refund cannot be guaranteed because of the hardship also experienced by Studio J Dance.

I am going away for part of the term, can I still join a course?

We encourage you to complete all sessions of your course as they are designed to progress week after week. However, we understand life happens! If you’ve missed a class, then our practice videos & recordings are shared via a private group, making it easier for you to catch up and get the most out of your course.

For our courses which end with a video shoot, we do require students to have attended at least 75% of the classes (e.g. 6 out of 8 weeks) within the course to ensure that they have kept up with choreography and blocking. If a student misses more than 2 classes, they are expected to catch up via the class recordings and the teacher will also review suitability for participation in the group video. If a student is aware that they will be missing more than 2 classes, then we highly recommend you re-consider your commitment and your capacity to catch up independently via class recordings.

Are there any opportunities to perform at events?

Yes! We usually schedule an annual studio showcase between July-Sept. There are also performance opportunities for dancers enrolled in our SJ Crew courses, however entry is via invite only and/or auditions. Opportunities for live performances at event is not guaranteed. If you are selected to perform, additional rehearsals outside of regular class will be required in order to prepare for events.

Can I trial a class before signing up to a course?

Due to limited spaces, we do not offer in-studio class trials. However, we can share a digital class recording from a previous term, to give you an idea of the class and teaching style. Alternately, sign up for a casual class or workshop to get an idea of the Studio J experience!

What is involved in your in-studio video shoot?

We have a strong focus on technique and learning the correct foundations of each style. We teach choreography through a step-by-step approach (usually one song per course), with select courses creating a dance video at the end of the term. Our choreography requires frequent revision and refining of technique. This ensures that you can master the final routine to a performance level quality. If you cannot commit to an entire course then check out our casual classes or subscribe to our tutorial channel on patreon!!

What should I bring and wear to my in-studio class?

Wearing anything comfortable is absolutely fine! If unsure then standard fitness wear or tracksuit pants are best. Students may choose to wear a kurta or practice sari for the traditional Indian dance forms such as Bharatanatyam and Kathak, but this is not a requirement. Most of our dance styles are usually performed barefoot, however you can wear sports shoes if you prefer extra support. And of course don’t forget your heels for Bolly-Heels!! We are a plastic-free studio so please bring a water bottle to stay hydrated!

Do I still pay full course fees if I enrol later in a term?

We are able to accept late enrolments, usually up to week 2 of a new course (please confirm with us first) however the full course fee will still apply. Studio J provides access to practice videos of your class choreography, so that you can catch up on what you missed in previous weeks. Late enrollers will need to revise and catch up independently.

What is your ‘dance guarantee’? How does it work?

Our #1 priority at Studio J is to teach Indian dance – properly. Which means standing by our teachers & classes 100%, no matter what. If you complete a full course without missing any in-studio classes*, and find that you’re not satisfied for any reason, then we will issue a full refund. It’s that simple. We’re here for our dance family. Dance. Guaranteed.

*For our Dance Guarantee, the full course must be completed without absence from any of the classes. Attendance in class gives our teachers the opportunity to help you with any steps that you might be struggling with. Our Dance Guarantee is valid for all our in-studio courses (casual classes, workshops and online classes are excluded). We hope that you love your course, but if you attend all the sessions and are not satisfied, then please be sure to inform us within 7 days of your course completion so that we can process your refund.

I’ve enrolled for a course, but haven’t received a confirmation yet?

You will receive an instant automatic email confirming your purchase (please check your spam/junk folder). You’ll be added to the class group on WhatsApp 24-48 hours prior to your course starting. This private group is our primary method of communication with students, and is used to provide class updates, resource videos, and answer any of your questions. Please ensure that you have this app installed, or you may miss important information regarding your course.

Do classes run on a public holiday?

Most of our classes do not run if they fall on a public holiday, however be sure to double check the course dates as there are occasionally a few exceptions.

Can I purchase a gift voucher?

Studio J Gift Certificates are a perfect and popular idea for friends or loved ones who are passionate about dance or for those who want to learn! Vouchers can be purchased online HERE.

How do I access your online classes & will class recordings be available after the session?

Our online courses are delivered in real-time via Zoom. Classes are also recorded and made available for re-play for the duration of a course, so that you can catch up if you miss any sessions. Class recordings cannot be accessed once the course has ended. Recordings are not available for casual classes and workshops.

I have enrolled in the online course. Can I still attend the in-studio filming session?

Unfortunately our final filming session is only for those enrolled in-studio. However we love seeing our online students’ home videos. Please tag us in your socials or submit your video via Whatsapp. Your permission will be requested should we wish to feature it on our social media.

Can I publicly perform a dance that I learnt at Studio J and/or share your dance videos?

Content taught at Studio J Dance, including routines and dance videos, remain our intellectual property. Routines learnt at Studio J are permitted for personal use only (e.g performance at family weddings and/or free community events). Commercial use of our routines (paid events, dance competitions, or by a professional dance group) is not permitted. Dance videos can be shared on Facebook & Instagram, however please ensure you tag and credit Studio J Dance (@studioj_dance). Our dance videos cannot be uploaded on a personal YouTube channel as this conflicts with YouTube’s Content ID policy.

Can I arrange private classes?

Yes! Studio J provides private classes for individuals and groups, usually for event choreography such as bridals and other events
Private/Group classes are conducted outside of our regular class times and bookings are essential.
Private class packages include a booking fee, choreography, private classes, studio hire & music editing