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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Please review our Covid-19 Policies. To summarize, do not come to class if you have symptoms or are a close contact of a confirmed case, sanitize your hands when you come in, and although masks are not required, we encourage your to wear your mask if you prefer to do so.
  • Please arrive 5-15 minutes before your class begins.  If you are late for your class, please warm up first before joining in.
  • Please remove your outdoor shoes at the studio door.
  • Bring your own water bottle and don't forget to take it home with you! ;) We highly recommend labeling them with your name.
  • We ask that you do not invite spectators watch the class as this can make other students feel uncomfortable.
  • Please turn off or silence your cell phones during class.
  • If something hurts, stop! Let us know and we can help you figure out what's wrong. Often making the movement smaller or checking your alignment can solve the issue.
  • Please avoid chatting when the teacher is talking. We want you to get the full benefit of our instruction so please do not disrupt the class for yourself or others.
  • Please be sure to double check that you have everything before you leave and take all your belongings with you. Water bottles and items of clothing are the most frequently forgotten.
  • Come with a positive attitude, patience and kindness to yourself and others. Saying "can't" is forbidden... unless you add a "yet!" on the end of it! : )
  • Wear something you can comfortably move in. Stretchy pants/leggings/shorts and a t-shirt or tank top is fine. We often need to look at our legs to correct movements so slim pants are great, or if you wear a skirt, leggings or shorts underneath are a good idea. Feel free to wear whatever makes you feel good!
  • For footwear, you'll want to be able to twist, turn, point, and use the full range of motion of your foot. We often wear half-sole "footies" which are available for purchase. However socks or bare feet, or a soft-sole dance shoe is fine. If your feet need extra support, clean indoor sneakers are acceptable too! Any thing that provides too much grip or stickiness to the floor can cause injury, however.
  • You may bring a scarf to wear around your hips if you like, or peruse our selection of hip scarves. Aside from being fun and pretty, coin scarves provide visual and acoustic feedback from your hip movements, helping you learn! If you have any further questions, please ask your instructor on the first class. ​
  • In the case of a class cancellation, we will make all efforts to contact you. It is important that we have your updated phone number and email address for this reason.
  • A class will either be added to the end of your session, or you will receive a virtual make-up class. If a student is unable to attend a scheduled make-up class, no further make-up class will be offered.
  • Cancellations due to inclement weather:
    If we feel it is unsafe for travel, we will let you know no later than 5pm.  If the weather looks bad, please check your email before travelling to class. You will receive an email notification of the closure. You may also check our Facebook/Instagram page for confirmation. We will do our best to reschedule the class, however no refunds will be given in this circumstance.
  • Session Cancellation:
    We reserve the right to cancel a class session due to low enrolment. In this case, you will be given the opportunity to save a credit for a future class, or receive a full refund of any remaining classes.

Our artists often have more than one show in a night and it is important that we stay on schedule. We understand that events often do not run on time, and are flexible with our performance time to within 45 minutes.  Any longer than this and there may incur an additional charge of $50 per half-hour, or we may even need to leave to make it to our other shows. We will discuss this with you when booking to be sure we leave enough time between commitments. If you anticipate your event may be unpredictable time-wise, this is a great thing to let us know at the time of booking so we can factor this into our planning.
In the case of another shutdown, we will reach out to you to discuss options. We may move to Zoom, or put the class on pause until we are able to resume. Refunds will not be possible in this case, so please keep this in mind.
If you are keen on audience participation, be assured that it will be included, if requested. You are welcome to point out any guests you'd like us to interact with, but typically the dancer will perform at least a song or two to entertain and warm up the guests before encouraging them to join her as this makes for a more comfortable experience for everyone. Please communicate any special suggestions or requests prior to the beginning of the performance; ideally at the time of booking. The performance has been carefully planned and it is difficult to make changes once it has begun. In order for us to put on the best show for your guests, we ask that you do not interrupt the performance unless there is an emergency or urgent matter.
  • It is your responsibility to make the most of your purchase of the class session. We cannot provide refunds or credits for missed classes. If appropriate, students may attend the other class (Beginner or Intermediate) as a make-up class.
  • When possible, online class videos are provided for in-studio students as a bonus practice tool, and to use as a make-up when needed. It is your responsibility to take advantage of this opportunity.
  • Please don't be discouraged if you miss a few classes. We will do a thorough review in each class, and then learn something that is new to the whole group. Even if you have missed many classes we encourage you to come back as soon as you are able and not consider the session a write-off! If you are uncomfortable in class or have any other issues, please contact your instructor with your feedback so we can try to troubleshoot with you.
​​Requirements for a performance are a private, locking change room (not a public washroom) where the artists may store their belongings and change securely, a powerful stereo system and ability to connect our music, and sufficient performance space that is clear of obstacles and safe for the artist's feet. We need a clear path to the performance area, so please adjust seating as necessary. We of course also require a safe environment that is free of harassment or threats to our safety; our booking form outlines all of these requirements clearly.
Fees:
  • Drop-in Fee: $20 + tax  ($23)
  • 4-Week Session: $75 + tax  ($86.25)
Payment:
  • Payment is due before the start of your first class.
  • Please pay by Etransfer (to serpentinestudios@gmail.com), cash (please bring exact change), or credit card.
  • If you are not able to pay for the full session up front, you may pay the drop-in rate as you go, and we can pro-rate the full cost for you.
  • If space allows, a student may enrol after the start of the first class of a session and payment will be pro-rated accordingly.
Refund Policy: 
  • There are no refunds on classes & workshops.
  • You cannot transfer payment to a future session, except in the case of an emergency medical situation. If there is a medical reason why you cannot continue, please let us know ASAP as we provide credits from the time of notification.
  • We will do everything we reasonably can to make sure you are happy with your purchase; please talk to your instructor if you have an issue.
We have an amazing team of artists who specialize in various art forms such as bellydance, circus arts, fire performances, stilt walking, custom characters and much more. You can view a sample of what we offer on our Performance Page. For Bellydance shows, we can create a dynamic show using props such as wings, finger cymbals, veil, sword, shamadan (candelabra), candle tray, assaya (cane), hand candles and other props may be requested. Fire requires an additional fee for preparation, safety staff and insurance costs. Specific styles such as traditional folklore, bollywood fusion and more are also available upon request. ​Please don't hesitate to let us know the mood you're looking for, any colour schemes you'd like us to work with, and what the background of your guests are so we can choose the best music.