FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What type of dancing do you teach?
Dance 4 Life teaches partnered "social dancing", which includes the roles of "leader" and "follower". Leaders will learn the signals and cues that invite the follower to do certain step patterns. Followers learn to understand the signals and react accordingly. Partnered social dancing is not about learning routines for competition or performance, but about how to get onto the dance floor to communicate and be in sync with your dance partner!
What dance styles do you teach?
We teach 4 different social dance "genres", each with 2 primary dances that share similar techniques:
Additional dances are taught as students progress through the levels. Have a complete read of our Dance Styles.
- Street Latin (Salsa & Bachata)
- Brazilian Latin (Forro & Bolero)
- Ballroom Latin (Rumba & Cha Cha)
- Social Ballroom (Box Waltz & Social Foxtrot)
Additional dances are taught as students progress through the levels. Have a complete read of our Dance Styles.
How do I start?
How much does it cost?
Please see our page on How to Start for more detail.
- 3-Week Introductory Membership - $255 for 3 private classes and 3-week video portal access
- Ongoing membership - 4-week minimum contract, easy suspension/cancellation
- Standard Membership - 1 weekly private + member portal access + 1 complimentary practice class - $85/week for singles, $85/week for couples
- Gold Membership - 1 weekly private + member portal access + unlimited practice classes - $90/week for singles, $98 for couples
- Platinum Membership - 2 weekly private + member portal access + unlimited practice classes - $160/week for singles, $170 for couples
How do I pay for classes?
- Introductory Memberships, Bridal Packages and Short-Term Packages can be paid via EFTPOS or bank transfer.
- Ongoing Membership is payable via fortnightly direct debit.
Do I need previous experience to learn to dance?
Definitely NOT! Everyone has to start somewhere and it's never too late to start! All you need is the desire to learn and the patience to improve.
Do I need a dance partner?
- Private lessons can be taken either as an individual, a couple or 2 friends.
- In group practice classes, we rotate partners, however spaces may be limited if the lead/follow ratio is not even.
- At social dance nights, members are encouraged to dance with different people.
Is it normal to be nervous about learning to dance?
Yes, it's absolutely normal! In our experience, fear is the biggest thing that stops people from learning to dance because almost everyone is afraid of looking silly! Social dancing is a skill like any other and can be learned and developed with time, patience and desire.
Dance 4 Life is a social and non-competitive dance school focused on the social aspect of dancing, so you can rest assured that we'll help calm your nerves! Our private lesson structure is designed to give you the mental space to learn at your own pace outside of large group classes.
Dance 4 Life is a social and non-competitive dance school focused on the social aspect of dancing, so you can rest assured that we'll help calm your nerves! Our private lesson structure is designed to give you the mental space to learn at your own pace outside of large group classes.
What happens during the Free Consultation?
One of our friendly instructors will introduce you to our dance school and explain how our school runs. We'll talk with you about what made you enquire and then give you a 15-20 minute sample dance lesson. If you enjoy everything, we can arrange your Introductory Membership. The consultation will go for about 30-35 minutes.
How does the Introductory Membership work?
Our Introductory Membership is a 3-week trial of our Standard Membership. For a 3-week period, you'll get a weekly private lesson and access to our Online Video Portal. In those 3 lessons, you'll get a taste of what ongoing learning is like and how to use our video portal. At the conclusion of your trial, you can choose to become a full member.
While a Standard Membership would include a complimentary group practice class, participation requires the completion of the "Foundations" level for each genre. Please speak with your instructor during your Consultation for more information.
While a Standard Membership would include a complimentary group practice class, participation requires the completion of the "Foundations" level for each genre. Please speak with your instructor during your Consultation for more information.
How does Membership work?
Members attend their weekly private lessons and optionally utilize the online member video portal to practice between classes. The portal contains video demos and tutorials to help you remember. Your instructor will guide you through our social dance syllabus and continue developing your dancing. When you complete the steps for the foundations level in a given dance genre, you have the option to attend a weekly group practice class for that genre.
Fees are paid fortnightly via direct debit. Membership is flexible and you can easily suspend your membership if you're going to be away.
Fees are paid fortnightly via direct debit. Membership is flexible and you can easily suspend your membership if you're going to be away.
What is your Cancellation Policy?
Membership Cancellation Policies
- Direct debit cancellation/suspension - 7 days email notice is required prior to the next payment date.
- Private lessons - 24 hours notice is required to receive a makeup credit, otherwise the lesson is forfeited.
- Practice classes - No makeups are given for not attending.
- Introductory membership - After commencement, no refund is given if you are unable to complete the 3-week trial membership.
Can I just do group classes?
No. We specialize in private tuition to provide students with the best possible individual or couple's learning experience.
What's on the membership portal?
The membership portal contains a comprehensive video library of demonstrations, tutorials, class recaps, practice music and more! Videos are included of all the dance styles up to our "Bronze" level. We are constantly adding more video content as members cover more material!
Do you offer casual private lessons?
Casual private lessons are $95 per lesson, scheduled for and paid in advance.
Ongoing Membership is designed to provide massive value as it includes a weekly private lesson, group practice class and member video portal access.
Ongoing Membership is designed to provide massive value as it includes a weekly private lesson, group practice class and member video portal access.
Do you offer casual or "drop-in" group classes?
No.
Do you have any short-term options?
You can request to set the duration of your membership, with a minimum 4 week duration.
For example, if you only want to dance for 6 weeks, we can arrange your membership to run for only 6 weeks.
For example, if you only want to dance for 6 weeks, we can arrange your membership to run for only 6 weeks.
What level are the group practice classes?
Our weekly group practice classes require completion of our Foundation or "Crystal" levels syllabus for the given genre. You must complete this level before you can enrol into the group practice classes. Content in the group practice classes are catered towards the regular attendees.
How long are the classes?
Both private lessons and group practice classes run between 40-45 minutes.
What should I wear?
For your initial dance lesson, wear comfortable light clothing that you won't feel restricted in. Avoid heavy or rubber soled shoes as they can stick to the floor. No stiletto shoes are allowed as they can damage the dance floor. Dance shoes are recommended at later stages of learning.
Can I just dance with my own partner?
If you only want to dance with your partner, we recommend sticking with private lessons.
In group practice classes, students are expected to rotate partnering with other students.
At social dance nights, students are encouraged to dance with others.
In group practice classes, students are expected to rotate partnering with other students.
At social dance nights, students are encouraged to dance with others.
How big are the group practice classes?
Group classes can vary in size from 4 to 20 people.
How many people can participate in a private lesson?
1 or 2 people can participate in a standard membership private lesson.
If you want to arrange your own "Private Group Class" of 3 or more people, the prepaid cost is as follows:
If you want to arrange your own "Private Group Class" of 3 or more people, the prepaid cost is as follows:
- $30 per person for 3 to 5 people
- $25 per person for 6 or more people
How do students progress through the levels?
Students progress through levels by regular attendance and gradually learning the step patterns of our social dancing syllabus. After Beginner, there are 5 different levels to progress through, which are Crystal, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Star.
Can students work towards medals?
Dance 4 Life's medal system is based on improving your improvized social dancing lead and follow. Most other school's have medal systems that work as exam routines, which are just a step away from dancesport competition. Dance 4 Life medals are NOT a bridge to dancesport competition.
We offer both technical and social dance medals depending on student goals. Medals are encouraged to consolidate and progress your dancing, but they are not compulsory.
We offer both technical and social dance medals depending on student goals. Medals are encouraged to consolidate and progress your dancing, but they are not compulsory.
Can students work towards competitions?
No, as we are primarily a social dance school focused on improvized lead and follow.
Can students work towards performances?
Teacher-student performances are a secondary avenue of learning at Dance 4 Life and are available for students that have progressed to a higher level.
We hold 2 yearly events that give private lesson students the option to perform in a fun, friendly and supportive environment.
Performing is not compulsory.
We hold 2 yearly events that give private lesson students the option to perform in a fun, friendly and supportive environment.
Performing is not compulsory.
Do you hold social dance nights?
We hold social dance nights for our members every 1-2 months. These rotate between our Williamstown and eastside locations.
Social dance nights consist of our 8 primary dance styles of Salsa, Bachata, Rumba, Cha Cha, Waltz, Foxtrot, Bolero and Forro. Other dance styles are also played based on expected attendance.
Social dance nights consist of our 8 primary dance styles of Salsa, Bachata, Rumba, Cha Cha, Waltz, Foxtrot, Bolero and Forro. Other dance styles are also played based on expected attendance.
Do you hold dinner dances or dance balls?
We hold a Mid-Year Showcase Ball and an End of Year Gala Ball.
What is social dancing at Dance 4 Life?
At Dance 4 Life, social dancing is the art form of creatively leading and following with no set choreography or routine.
This differs from some other studios description of social dancing, which is to learn routines/choreographies, mainly with the intent to socialize with others. Because there is no intent to compete or perform, others would classify this as "social dancing". Dance 4 Life is different.
At Dance 4 Life, social dance is the art of being able to use leading and following to communicate with different partners and create a different sequence every time! It's the art of being able to dance to socialize with others, but develop great social dance communication as well!
This differs from some other studios description of social dancing, which is to learn routines/choreographies, mainly with the intent to socialize with others. Because there is no intent to compete or perform, others would classify this as "social dancing". Dance 4 Life is different.
At Dance 4 Life, social dance is the art of being able to use leading and following to communicate with different partners and create a different sequence every time! It's the art of being able to dance to socialize with others, but develop great social dance communication as well!
What are your hygiene-related measures?
Dance 4 Life strives to maintain a safe, clean and hygienic learning environment for our students.
Hand sanitizer, deodorant and breath mints are readily available.
Hygienic practices are regularly encouraged.
Hand sanitizer, deodorant and breath mints are readily available.
Hygienic practices are regularly encouraged.