Updated 10/2026
Adult 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.
Registration Policies
How to Register
You can register for classes online on our Adult Classes page. Sawyer is the class registration system we use to accept and manage program enrollment. When registering, participants create a free Sawyer account and can use it to enroll in classes and manage their registrations and payments at any time.
Selecting Classes
Adult students (ages 17+) can choose classes using our level guide. We recommend starting one level lower than you think.
• Beginner/Foundations: 0–2 years of experience
• Beginner/Intermediate: about 2+ years; ready for a faster pace
• Intermediate: 4–6+ years of consistent training
• Intermediate/Advanced: serious students or former pre-professionals
• Advanced: professionals, teachers, or 10+ years of high-level training
• Open: all levels welcome
Full descriptions are on our Adult Classes page.
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 linked 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 linked 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.
Drop-In Classes: Drop-ins are $25/class (session drop-ins $30/class). To withdraw, email studio@urbanitydance.org at least 24 hours before class. We offer class credit for cancellations within 24 hours of a class. 10 Class Packs never expire and can be used for any Adult Drop-In class.
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.
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
Illness/Sickness
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, and require that individuals stay home if they have any of the following symptoms:
Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills or shaking chills
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
New loss of taste or smell
Muscle aches or body aches
Cough (not due to other known cause)
Vomiting or diarrhea
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 premises.
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 studio 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 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.
All Classes
Face masks welcome but not required
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-marking 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 shoesContemporary: 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
Session classes meet once per week. Regular attendance matters for physical and technical development and for the class dynamic, so we ask session students to attend consistently.
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
Students enrolled in a seasonal session are eligible for up to 2 make-up tokens per session. Students must email studio@urbanitydance.org prior to or within 48 hours of the class time to request a make-up token. Once approved, make-up tokens will become available in Sawyer. Make-up tokens expire 30 days after they are added to your Sawyer account.
Students that are enrolled in classes affected by holidays will automatically receive a make-up token. This does not count towards the 2 make-up tokens for excused absences per semester.
Emergency Cancellations
In the event of severe weather warnings or other local emergencies, Urbanity will cancel classes and notify each student 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 will automatically receive a make-up token to select a different class to attend. This token does not count towards the 2 make-up token limit per semester.
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.