Parents' frequently asked questions

What age can a child start at?

We take girls from three and boys from four (that is when the "boys'" directions start — breaking, acrobatics). Your child is 2.8 and desperate to begin? Come for a trial class: sometimes a four-year-old is not ready yet, while a two-and-a-half-year-old is perfectly ready. At this age a child does not have to "want to dance" — they are getting to know their body, developing coordination and a sense of rhythm, learning discipline through play and burning off energy. Dance technique comes later, on top of a foundation that is already there.

What will my child be like after a year of classes?

The honest answer: it depends on what we all want together. A child's success is always the work of three parties — the child, the teacher and the parents. If the goal is a healthy hobby, after a year you will see a happy child with friends, better posture and a first taste of a big stage. If the goal is competition results, that takes regularity and involvement from all three. Nobody becomes a champion in a year of "twice a week" — and we will be the first to tell you so plainly.

My child is very shy. Is this really the place for them?

This is exactly the place for them. Shyness is no obstacle to starting: in the studio a child is among peers with an attentive teacher, not alone facing a stage. Confidence comes gradually and for good: our parents tell us about children who started out "on the back row" and now put their hand up freely in class and perform at every school event.

Do we have to decide straight away whether this is a hobby or "serious"?

No. Hobby groups and the professional route live side by side here, and between them there is a door, not a wall. Every child performs on a big stage twice a year; if ambitions appear, we will discuss moving into a professional group.

How does a child get into a competition (professional) group?

Through an audition: the teacher looks at the child's level and advises on the route.

How many classes a week does it take to get results?

For a hobby, group classes are enough. For competition goals the group is only the base: individual lessons, acrobatics, acting and choreographed routines are added. We recommend the exact combination after an audition — matched to the family's ambitions and possibilities.

How does "staging a routine" differ from an individual lesson?

An individual lesson is regular training. A staged routine is a separate creative product: a month or two before the first session the choreographer selects an idea, music and a character to suit the child's personality and abilities, and the routine is then polished over the season. It is separate work with separate fees.

My child has posture (or foot) problems. Won't dance make them worse?

This is one of our strengths: we work with a rehabilitation centre and try to spot such things at the very start — so that imbalances are corrected and the right muscles strengthened first, and only then dance loading is added.

How much does it cost to start?

A trial class is UAH 300. After that, memberships are listed on the "Prices" page.

Is dance really a place for a boy?

Here, absolutely: breaking is taught by a reigning champion, and the boys go out to battles, where you have to be able to step into the centre of the circle. This is about strength, style and character.

How can we see how it all works from the inside?

Two ways: at a trial class (at any point in the year) and at the open classes in May, where teachers show the process itself and explain what each exercise is for.

We're from Kyiv. Is it worth the trip?

Children are already brought to us from Kyiv several times a week — their parents say they could not find this approach even in the capital. It is your call, but the journey does not stop many people.

What do you look at during an audition?

Coordination, agility, flexibility, a sense of rhythm, the way the child moves — and, separately, their own desire to dance. Flexibility is not the main criterion, although parents tend to think otherwise: professional groups barely stretch at all; flexibility is built up at a younger age, and after that the work is on general physical conditioning and dance quality.

We were told the child is "not in PRO yet". Is that a rejection?

No, it is about safety. Without the necessary skills, a child in a PRO group would perform movements incorrectly and "would be harming themselves instead of developing" — that is how our senior teacher puts it. For these children there is an intermediate level (midline), where exactly what is missing gets filled in.

What does "Midline" mean in the timetable?

It is the middle tier between a hobby group and PRO: for children with great natural ability but not yet the skills for a professional workload. All three levels are covered in detail in a separate article.

We just want it for general development. Is that all right?

Absolutely. "Dance isn't only about professionalism and a whole future life tied to dance. Dance can be for general development. I'm all for it," says our senior teacher. Hobby groups also perform on stage and at competitions, if the children want to.

Practical questions

The questions we hear most often on a first phone call — answered here exactly as we answer them on the phone.

Is there a trial class, and how much is it?

Yes. A trial class is UAH 300 (a single class for those already training is UAH 450). You join a real class with an existing group and meet the teacher in real conditions. The key rule: you pay after the class. If your child never quite dared to walk into the studio, or came out in tears after ten minutes, you pay nothing. We have described the first visit minute by minute in a separate article.

Do we need to book in advance, or can we just turn up?

Better to book — by phone, by messenger or through the form on the website. Then the teacher knows a newcomer is coming, the administrator will be expecting you specifically, and there will be a place in the group. It takes a minute.

What should we bring to the first class?

Comfortable clothes that are easy to move in, and water. Kit requirements depend on the direction — the administrator will tell you when you book.

How many children are in a group?

Honestly: a settled group has around ten children, but on any given day there may be four or five — holidays in summer, colds in winter. If a smaller group and more attention matter to you, say so and we will find an option (up to individual lessons).

Who teaches — a woman or a man?

It depends on the direction: we have both female and male teachers (breaking, for instance, is taught by Serhiy Banko). If this matters for your child, mention it when you book and we will take it into account when choosing a direction and group.

Your timetable doesn't work for us…

The timetable for both locations is on the website and is updated constantly. If you cannot find a convenient time, write to us anyway: groups open and change every season, and your request directly influences which ones.

My child is ill — will the classes be lost?

No. Every membership's validity period already includes a buffer for missed classes, whatever the reason. If the illness drags on, bring a doctor's note or other medical document and we will extend the membership. All the rules are pinned in your group's chat.

And what if my child doesn't like it?

That is a normal scenario and we are not afraid of it. Do not rush into a membership: take one or two trial classes and watch the reaction. If the direction was not a fit, we will help you choose another: we have more than 20 directions, and a child's temperament often points the way itself.

My child has developmental differences. Can they come to you?

Write or call us and we will talk it through individually: what your child wants, choosing a group and a teacher. We have experience of a child like this becoming the group's favourite. Our only request is that you tell us everything as it is: the more we know, the more comfortable your child will be.

On medals, support and pressure, separately: "A medal is not the point".