Frequently Asked Questions:

How can I register for a Dance Class? How much will it cost for my classes? What should I wear? What happens at my first class? How do I take part in shows and performances? How do we use the parents portal? What's the difference between Juniors, Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3? Do you have classes for adult dancers who have never danced before? How Can I register to join a Dance Loft class? Back To Top Registering for a dance class is very straight forward, please visit the timetable page and select the class you wish to join. Click the REGISTER link and follow the online instructions. Alternatively you can call us on 0871 288 7501 and we can register you over the phone. Please have your email address to hand when calling as this is required to register.   How much will it cost for my classes? Back To Top All one hour classes at Dance Loft cost £5 each session, longer classes cost £7.   What should I wear ? Back To Top For your first class we advise you wear trainers, trackie bottoms or leggings / combats and a T Shirt or vest style top. Our company colours are Orange, Black and White so clothing this colour always goes down well! We do have a uniform policy for all dancers at Dance Loft, we do not insist on this immediately. We like dancers to attend classes for 4 - 6 weeks before buying the uniform to ensure that Dance Loft is the right place for you before you spend additional money on Dance Loft clothing. Information on uniforms is available at Dance Loft reception.   What happens at my first class ? Back To Top We understand that for some children & adults your first dance class can be a scary prospect! We try to help new dancers as much as possible. You will be welcomed at reception and directed to the lounge area. When its time for your class to start your choreographer will call the group into the studio, your choreographer will come and say hello to all new dancers at the start of the class. The first 15 minutes of the class is a full warm up session, to prepare your body for dancing. This is the same warm up used in all classes at Dance Loft from Juniors to Adults. You should find yourself a space in the studio and take part in the warm up following the instructions given by the choreographer. After the warm up the class will start working on a routine, if the class has been running for a few weeks the dancers may already have part of a routine choreographed, this will be run at the start of the class. You should watch this section of the class don't worry you will soon learn the routine. Once this has been run the choreographer will then start on a new section of routine. This is where you join in following the instructions from the choreographer. You should watch, listen and follow the choreographer. Don't worry they will run through the same section a number of times. Many of our classes operate a dance buddy system, if your class has an assigned dance buddy they will look after you for the first few sessions until you have settled in a class. On Saturdays a Dance Loft Host is available for all new dancers and parents. Our Dance Loft Hosts are there to help and support new dancers.   How do I take part in Shows and Performances? Back To Top Dance Loft presents many shows and performances through out the year. We work with a number of companies providing entertainment, support and promotional routines. Dance Loft produces two main shows at The Victoria Hall every 6 months. All dancers from Dance Loft are included in our two 6 monthly shows. The shows are produced, run and managed as a professional shows. All dancers are treated as performers and are expected to behave as professional members of the cast on stage and backstage. During the run up to our shows we always schedule additional rehearsal classes at Dance Loft. These additional rehearsals are FREE of charge to all dancers. The only restriction we impose is that all dancers MUST attend their normal timetable dance class each week to qualify for the additional free sessions. Anyone who stops coming to their normal classes and only attend the free sessions is excluded from the show.   How do I use the Parents Portal? Back To Top The parents portal is exactly what it says. The portal is an area of our web site which is specifically designed for parents to access. Within the portal area you can interface with our studio management system this enables you to update your contact details, address, medical conditions and allergies etc. You can also enroll children in additional classes, find out information on your child's attendance record, achievements and upcoming events and shows. You may contact your child's choreographer directly from within the portal area via email, all choreographers endeavor to reply to emails within 48 hour. All children receive feedback from there choreographers on a regular basis, this feedback is posted within the portal area. This is a secure area so only you can see the feedback for your child. This feedback is regularly updated and will appear as soon as you login to the portal area. To access the portal area, you firstly need to be registered as a parent on our system, to do this just enroll your child in one or more of our classes from the timetable page. Once you have enrolled you will receive a conformation email, once this has arrived you are registered on the portal area. Navigate to 'Parents Portal' on the top right of this screen, you will not know your password so you will have to request one by clicking 'Send My Password' enter your register email address, you will then be emailed a password. Return to the Parents Portal area, enter your email address and password and that's it your logged in! Once in please review any feedback left for your child and any news bulletins on the first page. You can then navigate the different menu tabs in the portal area to see additional information.   What is the difference between class levels? Back To Top All our classes are graded into different levels. Mini Movers, Juniors, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and Dance Kru. The main purpose for us grading our dance classes is to provide a structured progression process for our dancers, depending on a dancers age they will start in a specific level. This is applied to all dancers regardless of ability, experience, gender or status. Anyone under 6 years old starts in the Mini Movers Class. Anyone under 11 years old starts in any of the Junior classes. Anyone one over 11 years old starts in Level 1 classes. Anyone over 18 years old starts in any of our Adult classes. Dance Kru , SCFC Classes, Level 2 and Level 3 are available to dancers by invitation only. We are constantly reviewing dancers in all classes, usually without them knowing! Once we feel a dancer is ready to move to the next level we will issue them with an invitation letter. Criteria for moving up levels is not just on a dancers ability, we take a number of factors into consideration. We try to evaluate a dancers commitment, attitude, behavior and overall demeanor in class and within the studio building. The progression process is difficult we are very demanding of dancers in our more advanced classes. The speed the classes move at is dramatically different with regard workload, amount and technical level of choreography. The majority of our advanced level dancers are working towards a career in the dance industry and are striving for places at the top performing arts and dance universities. Please don't be disheartened if you are not asked to be in our advanced levels, we will help you as much as possible and provide guidance and advice on what you need to do to more up levels. Often if we move dancers too soon they find the class too demanding and this can have an adverse effect on their dance career and often can put children off dancing altogether therefore we are very careful to evaluate a dancer before they are advanced to a higher level.   Do you have Adult Classes ? Back To Top Yes, we have two adult classes that run each week. Both are designed for beginners. The classes are informal, fun and an excellent form of exercise. Our Wednesday class is called Crunk Fusion, this class is a ladies only class and provides a full body workout. The class is based around Beyonce style dance routines with a very girly flavor. Our Sunday class is an Urban Street based class, slightly more demanding than the Wednesday class and for mixed male and female dancers. The class is fun and relaxed working on commercial style street routines. Adults are invited to take part in our shows, we would like to stress that you do not have to take part if you do not wish to. This will in no way effect the running of the class or your involvement in the class structure. Adults performing in shows is optional! Although all adults you have performed with us have really enjoyed it and can't wait for the next show! Back To Top