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- Maldon
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- Other areas coming soon
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Everything parents ask before joining
23 years of teaching dance across Essex means we've heard most of these questions before. Grouped so you can skim. If your question isn't here, Dionne will call you back the same day.
Trial booking, picking the right class, what to wear, what to bring, and what actually happens on the day.
Fill in the trial form on any page, or message us directly. Dionne calls you back the same day, talks through the right class for your child, and books the free trial. No card needed, no deposit.
If your child wants to come back, we send the timetable with prices and you pick how many classes a week works for you. No pressure on the day. Most families take a day or two to decide. We never chase you.
Most weeks. We enrol rolling through the year, so you don't have to wait for a new term to start. If a class is full, we put you on a short waiting list and find you the next class.
A few of our most popular classes have short waiting lists. Dionne tells you upfront when you book the trial, and usually there's a similar class on another day with space. We move people up the list within a few weeks, not months.
We split by age AND ability, not just age. A 10-year-old who's been dancing for years isn't stuck with a complete beginner. Dionne watches the trial and places them where they'll thrive.
Yes, most of our families have siblings dancing across different ages and styles. We try to schedule sibling classes back-to-back at the same venue where possible, so you're not driving twice.
Whatever they're comfortable in. Leggings, joggers, a t-shirt, trainers. Bring a water bottle. We don't do uniforms until they actually want to join. The first class is about them having fun, not getting kitted out.
Once your child enrols, we have a simple HK kit (t-shirt, leggings or shorts, hoodie for older students). It's optional for most classes and required for crews and performances. We'll point you to the order page when you're ready.
For Tots and Minis, yes, parents stay close, especially for first classes. For older age groups, you're welcome to wait in the parents' area. Many families turn it into a community moment. That's where friendships start.
Warm-up, technique, choreography, cool-down. Usually 45 to 60 minutes depending on age. Younger classes lean playful with stories and games. Older classes drill harder. Every class ends with something they can show you.
Most are on day one. Our teachers are trained to spot it. We'll pair them with a confident dancer, keep them at the front (not the back, never the back), and let them warm up at their own pace. By week three, most are racing through the door.
It happens. Sometimes kids have a hard day at school. We never force a child to dance. They can sit out, watch, and rejoin when ready. Often they jump back in after ten minutes. If not, they go home and try again next week.
Shows, crews, competitions, the Elite Team, and how term times work alongside your child's school calendar.
Yes. Shows, competitions, and our dance crews. Our students have performed at Move It, the Dance World Cup, UDO World Championships, and on West End stages. Some have gone on to dance professionally. Most just love performing for friends and family.
Invite-only teams that train, compete, and perform together. Crews rehearse on top of regular classes and travel to competitions across the UK. Joining is by audition or teacher invitation, usually after a year of regular training.
Our highest-level performance squad. Audition-only, serious commitment, regular competition appearances. Past Elite dancers have gone on to West End shows, cruise ships, and professional dance careers. Ethan Brenchley, who teaches Elite, is currently in Come Alive in the West End.
No. Our annual showcase is open to every student who wants to be in it, but you can opt out without losing your place in class. Crew performances and competitions are a separate commitment, made when you join the crew.
Costumes are kept simple and affordable. Most pieces are reusable across shows. We give you a clear cost breakdown at the start of rehearsals so there are no surprises, and we keep an eye on sibling and multi-class families.
Three terms a year, aligned with Essex school terms. Autumn (September to December), Spring (January to Easter), Summer (after Easter to mid-July). Each term is around 12 weeks.
No, we close for half-term breaks and school holidays. Your fees are calculated on term weeks only, so you're never paying for a week we're not running.
Yes, we run holiday workshops and a summer school across most school breaks. They're open to current students and newcomers, all ages, paid separately from term fees. Dates go out in the parent newsletter a month before each break.
Just let us know. We don't refund missed weeks (fees are calculated on the full term whether you're there or not) but we keep your child's place and they pick up where they left off when you're back.
Money, policies, communication, safeguarding. The trust layer. No hidden costs, no lock-in, DBS-checked teachers, full safeguarding policy on request.
Your first class is free, no card needed. After that, term pricing depends on the age group and number of classes. We send the full timetable with prices when you book. No joining fees, no deposits.
Most families pay per term, in advance, by bank transfer or standing order. For our Maldon classes we offer monthly payment as a default. Either way, we send a single invoice with a clear breakdown. No rolling subscriptions.
Yes. Sibling discounts apply automatically once a second child joins. Multi-class discounts apply too if one child does several classes a week. The discounts come off your termly invoice, you don't have to ask.
Half a term's notice in writing. So if you tell us by week 6 of a term, you finish that term and don't owe anything for the next one. We never lock anyone in, but the notice helps us manage class sizes fairly.
If termly fees are difficult, talk to Dionne. We've split termly invoices into monthly instalments before for families who needed it. We'd rather work something out than lose a dancer.
Email is our main channel. Termly newsletter at the start of each term, plus updates for shows, half-term reminders, and anything specific to your child's class. We don't spam you and you can unsubscribe any time without losing your child's place.
Dionne directly: info@hkdancestudios.co.uk or 07771 970515. For class-specific things you can also message the teacher, but anything bigger comes to Dionne. She replies the same day, usually within an hour.
A show pack goes out four to six weeks before each performance, covering costume, music, rehearsal dates, ticket links, and a clear timeline. We send reminders the week before so nothing's missed.
Yes, all our teachers are First Aid trained. A first aid kit is in every studio, and a designated first-aider is on site for every class.
Yes, every teacher and assistant has an enhanced DBS check on file. We can show you the certificate if you ever want to see it.
We have a full safeguarding policy covering child protection, communication with under-18s, photography consent, and our designated safeguarding lead. Available on request. Email info@hkdancestudios.co.uk and we'll send it through.
Occasionally, for showcase trailers, social media, or website updates. We ask for written consent when your child joins and you can withdraw consent any time. Children whose families haven't consented are kept out of any shared imagery.
If we cancel (snow, venue issue, teacher illness with no cover), we email and WhatsApp the same day and offer a make-up class within the term. If you can't make the make-up, we credit your next invoice.
We don't refund individual missed classes. Fees cover your place for the term. But for prolonged illness or injury, talk to Dionne and we'll find a way to make it work, whether that's a credit, extra classes when they're back, or a partial refund.
Still got a question?
No card needed. No deposit. No pressure. Just a conversation about your child and the right class for them.
Book the free first class →