Adult 2023-2024 Student Handbook

Urbanity Dance is a nonprofit arts organization that exists to inspire, engage, and empower individuals and communities through the art of dance and movement. For more information about the work that we do, click here.

We have three studios located in the South End: Urbanity Headquarters, Urbanity Central, and Urbanity Balance. For directions and parking information, click here.

To contact the Urbanity Education Team, email us at studio@urbanitydance.org or call 617-572-3727.

2023-2024 Calendar

Registration Policies

How to Register

You can register for classes online via our Amilia page. Amilia is a class registration system that we use to accept and manage program enrollment. When registering, participants create an Amilia account (free of charge) and can use this tool to enroll in classes and manage their registrations and payments at any time.

Selecting Classes

Adult students (ages 17+) can select classes based on the following recommendations:

Beginner: Beginner level classes are for those dancers that have little to no relevant dance experience.

Beginner/Intermediate: Beginner/Intermediate level classes are for those dancers that have had at least one full year of relevant dance experience.

Intermediate: Intermediate level classes are for those dancers that have had substantial relevant dance experience and training (3-4 years preferred). This level is also perfect for those that have trained heavily in dance in the past and want to return to dance.

Open: Open level classes are for dancers of all levels and backgrounds, from beginner to advanced.

Trial Classes

If a student would like to try a class before committing to a full session registration, they may attend a free in-person trial class as long as registration is still open for that program and there are still spots available in the class. All trial classes must be scheduled in advance by emailing studio@urbanitydance.org. If you are interested in trying a class for an upcoming session that has not yet started, please email studio@urbanitydance.org to discuss available options.

Trial classes are available for session classes only; we cannot accommodate trials for drop-in classes.

Prorating Policy

If a student registers after the first day of class, they will be charged prorated tuition. The amount is determined based on the number of classes remaining in the session at the time of registration. See the calendar above for exact dates for each session.

Withdrawal/Refund Policy

If a student withdraws before the start of the session, they will be refunded full tuition minus their registration fee (registration fees are non-refundable). If a student withdraws mid-session, they will be refunded a percentage of tuition based on the number of classes remaining. Students who withdraw within the last two weeks of the session will not receive a refund (exceptions may be made on an individual basis for emergencies). See the calendar above for exact dates for each session.

If a student is withdrawing from classes, an email must be sent to studio@urbanitydance.org. The number of classes remaining in the session will be calculated based on this date of written withdrawal.

Payment Options

Classes can be paid in full at the time of registration, or they can be split into installments. Several preset payment plans will be presented at checkout when you register online, or you can email studio@urbanitydance.org to set up a customized payment plan if the ones presented don’t work for you.

Financial Assistance

Urbanity offers a work-study exchange program for adult students. Participants receive free dance training in return for completing administrative work shifts for a minimum of three months. To learn more and to apply, click here.

Studio Policies

COVID-19

Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of our community. We continue to strive to provide and maintain spaces that are safe and as risk-free as possible. For the most up-to-date information on our current COVID-19 policies, click here. If you are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 and/or if you have recently come in contact with someone who is known or suspected to have COVID-19, you must remain home.

Waiting Rooms

Waiting areas are open to all students and will be open up to five minutes before the start of the student’s class. We ask that folks taking advantage of our waiting rooms allow students to dance and learn without interruption. Please keep noise to a minimum, and consider stepping outside for loud conversations or phone calls. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to ask the studio admin on duty.

Classroom Etiquette

We want to keep the classroom environment safe, inspiring, and supportive. In order to maintain a positive learning environment, we have a strict respect policy. There is no tolerance of hateful or offensive language; use of slurs or threatening language is not allowed on the premise.

Additionally, all cell phones must be turned off, silenced, and/or put into Do Not Disturb mode during class. Cell phones must be left in coat pockets or stored inside a bag that is placed in either a study cubby or in the waiting area. Students may not be on their cell phone during any class.

Note: no food or drink, with the exception of water, is allowed in the studio.

Physical Touch

Dancing and movement learning may require students to be in physical contact with each other and their teacher. Urbanity asks that Teaching Artists develop a safe space and culture of consent in the classroom, offering and normalizing options for students with or without physical touch, and developing a habit of asking for students’ consent before any exercise incorporating touch, recognizing the choice for students may change at any time. Asks for consent will occur in an appropriate and respectful manner, allowing for private communication for each student away from the full group. If you do not consent to engage in appropriate physical contact with your classmates and/or instructor, please email studio@urbanitydance.org, and our Education Team will ensure that your teacher is made aware.

Dress Code

Our dress code is designed to ensure that all students at every age can move comfortably and safely, while allowing teachers to see a
Our dress code is designed to ensure that all students at every age can move comfortably and safely, while allowing teachers to see alignment, posture, and placement. Any student may wear any dress code option regardless of gender identity or expression. We do not require specific brands, colors, or cuts. With the exception of face masks, we ask that students adhere to the dress code for virtual classes as well.

All Classes

Face masks are no longer required as of 6/20/22 but are still encouraged
Hair pulled back from the face
No jewelry, with the exception of small stud earrings and/or religious items
No vulgar language or imagery

Adult Classes

Tops

Tops students can move comfortably and freely in; options include athletic tops, tank tops, leotards; loose-fitting shirts are allowed as long as the teacher can still see the limbs and lines of the body

Bottoms

Leggings, athletic shorts, dance tights, yoga pants; no jeans, pajama pants, or skirts; sweatpants are allowed for Hip Hop classes

Shoes

Hip Hop: non-mark-soled sneakers; sneakers must be clean and only worn indoors (no street shoes)
please use sneaker cleaners located by the entrance to each studio before class if you are wearing street shoes
Contemporary: bare feet or socks
Ballet: ballet slippers (we recommend the “Pro Elastic” Canvas Split-Sole Ballet Slipper by Bloch or the “Bliss” Stretch Canvas Split-Sole Ballet Shoe by So Danca)
Heels: a stiletto bootie with no platform and a thicker heel is suggested; instructor will discuss shoe options in more detail during the first class (shoes not required for first class)

Attendance

All classes meet once per week. It is important for physical and technical development, as well as for class dynamic, for students to be present and attend class regularly.

We also ask that students arrive on time. Should a student’s tardiness cause them to miss most or all of warm up, they will not be allowed to participate in class. This is for the safety of the student, as not being properly warmed up increases the risk of injuries during class.

Make Up Classes

If a student needs to miss class for any reason, they have the option to schedule up to 2 make-up classes per session by emailing studio@urbanitydance.org for a list of all session classes that are at their current level or lower, including open-level classes and/or classes in different styles, that are not at capacity. When arriving for the make-up class, there will be a clipboard at the desk where you can sign in. Cross-class make-ups will not be allowed during the last two weeks of a showcase session so as to not disrupt performance preparations. Make-ups must be scheduled within the same session as the missed class.

Emergency Cancellations

In the event of severe weather warnings or other local emergencies, Urbanity will cancel classes and notify each family via email at least two hours before class is scheduled to begin; our website will also be updated - check the website if you’re unsure if classes are running or not. Urbanity regularly follows Boston Public Schools’ cancellations and closings schedule. Students can then select a different class to attend according to our above make-up class policy.

Class Cancellations

Urbanity reserves the right to cancel a class due to insufficient registration. Every effort will be made to find an alternate class for you should your class have to be cancelled due to low enrollment.

Photos, Videos, and Class Recordings

At times, Urbanity staff or faculty may take pictures or videos during classes for the sake of promoting Urbanity programming online and/or in print. If you do not consent for your image to be used in this way, please email studio@urbanitydance.org so that we can notify your teacher and members of our Marketing Team that you are not to be photographed/filmed.