FAQs

Choosing the right class is important to ensure you get the most benefit while staying safe. Moving faster than you can control or attempting steps beyond your skill level can lead to using incorrect muscles and developing poor technique habits. These habits can be tricky and time-consuming to fix later, which could ultimately hinder your overall progress.

As you progress through levels, you will notice an increase in the range of steps, choreography, and class intensity – you will really work your brain and body! Everyone progresses at their own pace, depending on factors like how many classes they take each week, their prior experience, fitness level and physical conditions.

Our classes are thoughtfully designed to help dancers improve step by step and prepare for higher levels. At the same time, they are also structured to be complete and enjoyable, even if a dancer stays at that level for years. Advanced levels can be a great goal, but simply loving where you are in your dance journey is just as valuable!

It is entirely up to you whether you continue dancing in your current level of classes or work toward moving up to more challenging classes. Even within the same level, there is always room for growth and improvement as a dancer. Ballet is awesome in a way that there are always endless, subtle things that you can work on to continue making you a better dancer.

If you are unsure about which class to try first, feel free to reach out through the contact form for advice. After your trial, we may suggest a different class, but please don’t feel discouraged. Our recommendations are always made to ensure you have the best experience and make great progress.

We offer a dedicated 10-week Absolute Beginner Course once a year. If you missed it this year, we highly recommend taking a few private lessons with one of our teachers to help you catch up and feel confident joining group classes—check out Intro Private Lesson Package for Beginners.

If private lessons aren’t an option, you’re still welcome to join any of the following beginner-friendly classes. While the first few months may feel challenging, most dancers gain confidence over time.

Tuesday – Adult Ballet Basic
Wednesday – Adult Ballet Beginner
Saturday – Adult Ballet Beginner
Tuesday – Ballet for Seniors (ages 55+)
Thursday – Ballet for Seniors (ages 55+)

If you are new to ballet, we can also offer a 10-minute private mini-lesson before/after the class to cover the essentials you need to know to follow along.

Jazz, modern/contemporary, flamenco, and similar styles share some similarities with ballet, but hip-hop and breakdance are quite different. Given your training in other genres, I’m confident you’ll pick up new movement patterns more quickly than someone with no dance background. However, if you’ve never learned ballet before, it’s always wise to start with a beginner class or the absolute beginner course to build a solid foundation. From there, I’m sure you’ll progress quickly.

Certainly!
Ballet is adaptable to your current flexibility level.

As you engage in more practice, your flexibility will improve over time, although the rate of progress varies from person to person. With proper training, everyone can enhance their flexibility to a certain extent.

While there are many websites where you can purchase dance gear online, if you are buying your first pair of ballet shoes, I recommend visiting a local store so that you can find shoes that fit correctly.

These are the 3 local dance shops in Auckland that I know:

THE DANCER’S WARDROBE – Shop 4/179 Manukau Road, Epsom

PURE DANCE – 10 New North Road, Eden Terrace

DANCE 2GO – 5 Newell Street, Point Chevalier

You’re welcome to try as many classes as you’d like (up to 3 trials in one sign-up), but each specific class is available for a trial only once.
However, after your trial, you might be offered another one at no extra charge if the teacher thinks it will help better assess your fit for the class. If you decide to join, the second trial of the same class will count as the start of your enrollment, and the regular fee will apply.

If you already own a pair of ballet flats, please bring and wear them. If not, you can take trials with socks. (Please be careful as it may be slippery) You are welcome to wear any outfit you find comfortable and easy to move. There’s no need to purchase anything new for trials.

Trials are available at any point during the term.
If you’re a beginner to intermediate-level dancer, starting near the beginning of the term might be advantageous as most classes progresses and becomes more advanced as the term goes on.

The exception is the Friday Intermediate/Advanced ballet class, which runs in an open-class style. Unlike the other classes, the level does not build throughout the term.

After a trial class, if you choose not to start the next week, we can reserve your spot with an advance payment for the term you plan to join, securing your place in either the current or the next term.

Whether you were our past student or not, if it has been more than 6 months since your last trial, you are welcome to sign up for another trial.

1. Please book a trial to assess if it suits your level and needs.
2. To start attending classes, please submit the Registration Form, whether you prefer term enrollment or casual attendance. You’ll receive an email about payment instructions.

If you register on the day of your trial and start within 2 weeks, we’ll waive the $20 registration fee for term enrolment, or you’ll receive $10 off your first casual class!

Yes, most classes accept drop-ins, provided the class isn’t full.

Nevertheless, we would like to highlight that my beginner to intermediate-level classes are structured to aid your development through consistent weekly attendance. 

Yes, you can join any time of the year. If you are a new student and joining partway through the term, the term fees will be prorated.

If you anticipate missing classes for more than 4 consecutive weeks during a term, regardless of the reason (e.g., holidays, injuries, or illnesses), you may request a credit for the missed classes toward future term fees. Credits will be applied as follows:

○  100% credit for the following term

○  50% credit for the term after the following term

○  Credits cannot be applied beyond two terms

○  Requests must be made and approved before the start of the missed classes, and a handling fee of $20 will be charged per credit request.

○  Credits cannot be applied to casual classes or class pass fees.

Alternatively, you can opt for a class pass if you prefer not to pay for the entire term. (Please note that not all classes accept class passes. )

Make-up classes are not available for missed classes to ensure fairness to all students and to maintain consistent progression and quality for regular attendees. However, you may apply for credit if you expect to miss more than 4 consecutive weeks during the term (please refer to the question above for details).

If you would like to attend an additional class, you can pay a drop-in fee and join, provided the class offers a casual attendance option.

Yes, we had an awesome show in September 2024, and the feedback from the audience was tremendous! We’ll have another show in September 2025. We hope to continue providing performance opportunities for our dancers every year.

To begin pointe training, it’s crucial to have a solid foundation in ballet, typically with at least a few years of training. You should have been dancing at the upper beginner level or higher for at least a year. However, readiness for pointe is highly individual and depends on factors like technique, strength, stability, and physical conditions, such as bone structure. Safety is our top priority, particularly for adult dancers, so we assess each dancer before starting pointe training. In the meantime, focus on building strength and attending classes consistently.

Yes! Please don’t hesitate to ask questions during class. We’ll do our best to provide answers as long as time allows.

Alternatively, you can come to talk to the teacher – We are normally available 5 to 10 minutes before and/or after each class. First come, first served.

If you need more personalised attention, you can consider booking a private lesson.