Dance Information & Studio Policies

Our Commitment to Customer Service

At Joy of Motion Dance Center, we are committed to providing programs and services reinforcing the principle “dance is for everyone.”  As the area’s leading nonprofit dance education organization, we believe each JOMDC student, of all ages, has the right to:

  • Expect high quality dance education experiences.
  • A welcoming atmosphere at all JOMDC studios.
  • Clean and safe spaces.
  • Assistance from all JOMDC Studio Managers and workstudy with any questions or concerns about classes or purchases.
  • Access to all JOMDC rules and regulations.
  • To be heard fairly, and receive quick and reasonable responses regarding questions and concerns.

Thank you for dancing at Joy of Motion Dance Center!

back to top

Tips on making your dance experience a good one

  • If this is your first time with us, please know that dance is a wonderful form of expression and exercise, and we want to make sure your experience with us is a good one.
  • If you take class and find that movements are complicated or challenging for you, understand that this is a normal feeling. Take a class several times to become familiar with the teaching style and general movement, and to allow your body to acquire a certain amount of muscle memory, stamina and strength. It does get easier! (It generally takes at least three classes to feel really comfortable.)
  • In general, please note that our classes are geared to challenge you in body awareness, fitness, and artistry. 
    Always work at your own pace.
  • For your safety, and to respect your fellow classmates and teacher, we will not allow anyone into class 10 minutes after class has started. The first 10 - 15 minutes of class is important because it provides the warm-up that prepares your body for the physical activity ahead. Know that if you do arrive after the deadline, you will not be allowed to take class.
  • Please note you will be asked to sign-in at the front desk before taking any class. ADULTS: Please have your ID for enrollment or Drop-In Discount holders, or method of payment ready. We want to get you into class as quickly as possible. Students wishing to take more than one class per night/day will be asked to sign-in for all classes upon arrival.
  • For your safety we ask that you do not chew gum in class.
  • Always pull long hair back into a ponytail or bun. This is not only for your comfort but also will allow the instructor to see more effectively any alignment problems you may have, enabling more constructive corrections.
  • Please keep all jewelry to a minimum. Long earrings and dangling bracelets can easily get caught. For your safety, we ask that you remove all jewelry and bring your valuables with you into the studio.
  • Please note individuals all work at different paces and levels. In an effort to accommodate most people, we have devised class levels to help guide you to the proper class. However, if you are unsure of what class is right for you, please consult our desk staff or class instructor prior to taking any class.
  • Dance provides many components of a well rounded fitness program. It also combines utilization of the body, mind, and most essentially, the spirit. So relax, enjoy and open yourself up to a wonderful experience. Remember: Dance is for everyone and there is nothing you can’t do!

back to top

For Adult Students - Studio Policies

  1. No one will be permitted to take class without first paying. There are no exceptions.  
  2. No one may enter class 10 minutes after a class has started.  
  3. JOMDC is not responsible for loss of, or damage to, personal property.
  4. JOMDC and its instructors are not liable for any injuries sustained while in class, or on the premises. 
                Please notify instructor(s) if you have any concerns about physical problems or injuries. 
                Always work at your own pace.
  5. JOMDC reserves the right to cancel any class due to insufficient attendance.
  6. JOMDC reserves the right to engage substitutes for classes when the regular teacher is absent. 
                No credits or refunds will be issued in this case.
  7. JOMDC classes are subject to cancellation or change of time, location, or teachers based on
                management discretion.
  8. JOMDC reserves the right to bar any student from entering class or to remove any student from class due to disorderly conduct/disruptive behavior or for any other reason determined by management as unsuitable behavior.  
  9. There will be a $25.00 fee charged for returned checks.
  10. Street shoes are not permitted in the studio at any time. Please see our dance shoe guidelines above for instruction on proper footwear.
  11. Students must be at least 18 years of age, or have studio manager's approval, to take adult JOMDC classes, and 19 to take Studio to Stage performance classes
  12. Filming and/or photography of any sort is not permitted at any time in any dance class or anywhere on the premises of any JOMDC studio, The Jack Guidone Theater, or during JOMDC concerts at any venue.  

back to top


For Adult Students - What do I wear?

Joy of Motion Dance Center does not enforce a strict dress code for adult students.  Please wear comfortable clothes that allow the body to move easily and without restrictions.   Extremely loose-fitting garments are not recommended for beginning students as they prohibit the instructor and student from being able to see if the body has proper placement and alignment.

Please bring with you to the studio the shoes you plan to dance in and change into them after you arrive. Make sure the soles of your dance shoes are clean before entering the studio. NO SHOES WORN IN FROM THE STREET WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE STUDIO.  Please note the following guidelines for footwear in class:

  • Jazz/Broadway Jazz/Latin Jazz:  Jazz shoes (preferred), ballet slippers or bare feet acceptable. No sneakers.
  • Hip Hop/Breakdancing/Street Jazz/Thrash Jazz: Jazz sneakers or regular sneakers. No bare feet. Street shoes are not allowed in the studio.
  • Afro Jazz: Bare feet (preferred), socks or jazz shoes acceptable. No sneakers.
  • Ballet: Ballet slippers. No bare feet or sneakers.
  • Modern: Bare feet (preferred), socks acceptable. No sneakers.
  • Tap: Flat heeled tap shoes. Consult instructor for specific information on where to buy or obtain tap shoes.
  • Flamenco: Flamenco shoes/boots (preferred), hard soled shoe with a heel acceptable. Consult instructor for specific information on where to buy or obtain flamenco shoes (women) or flamenco boots (men).
  • All Middle Eastern Classes: Bare feet (preferred). Socks or ballet shoes acceptable.
  • Yoga/Pilates/Floor Barre: Bare feet (preferred). Socks acceptable.
  • Ballroom/Salsa/Tango/Swing: Any regular hard soled shoe that stays on the feet well. Sneakers are acceptable.  Street shoes are not allowed in the studio. 

back to top


 For Youth Students - Studio Policies

 To help provide a safe, healthy, and productive environment for our dancers, we ask that the following policies be followed. If you have questions, please call the studio where the class takes place.

 1.  Before each and every class, all students must check in at the front desk.
 2.  For the safety of your child, please pick up your dancer inside the building after class. 
      Please be on time to pick up your child.
 3.  Adults and siblings must remain in the waiting area during class, not in the hallway or on the stairs (fire hazards), and 
      do not enter the studio (distraction to students).
 4.  Please refer to the Youth Program Dress Code for the appropriate dance attire for the class for which your child is    
      registered.
            Hair must be pulled back out of the face. NO JEANS AND NO GUM.  
            Keep all jewelry and body scents (perfume, lotion, etc.) to a minimum. 
            Street shoes are not permitted in the studios. 
            Food items are also not permitted in the studios; water in plastic bottles is acceptable at all studio locations.
 5.  If your child must miss a class, please contact the studio where the class takes place — Monday through Friday, 
     10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. — for recommendations for make up classes. All missed classes must be made up within 
     the same semester.
 6.  To prevent injury and to avoid class disruption, students arriving more than 10 minutes late will not be permitted to   
      participate in class.
 7.  No animals are permitted in the studios, lobbies, offices, or theater except identified service animals.
 8.  In general, JOMDC’s youth classes follow the weather closings as set by the public school systems in Washington , DC  
     (JOMDC Atlas, Dupont Circle , Friendship Heights ) and Montgomery County , MD (JOMDC Bethesda ).   
     However, please check our website home page, or call the studio where your child’s class is taking place.  
     Web notices and voicemail messages are posted by 10:00 a.m.    
     Weekend notifications and voicemails are posted at least ½ hour before the first class. 

back to top

For Youth Students - What do I wear?  

Hair must be pulled away from face and secured.  NO JEANS.  No dirty sneakers.

KidMotion  (Pre-School)

TODDLERS IN MOTION    Girls:  Any comfortable play clothes
                                       Boys:  Any comfortable play clothes
                                       Footwear:  Socks or bare feet

CREATIVE MOVEMENT   Girls:  Leotard (any style/any color), footless tights (optional) 
DANCE BASICS               Boys:  Solid color T-shirt and shorts or play pants
TINY DANCERS               Footwear:  Bare feet
KID RHYTHMS

PRE-BALLET                 Girls:  Leotard (any style/any color) and tights  
& BALLET                      Boys: Solid color fitted T-shirt and male tights or leggings
                                     Footwear:  Ballet shoes only

KID TAP                         Girls:  Leotard (preferred) (any style/any color) or camisole fitted top or 
                                               sports bra or tank
                                      Boys:  Solid color fitted T-shirt and jazz pants/leggings/shorts/pants
                                      Footwear:  Tap shoes only

Grades 1 - 12

Dance Attire:  Girls:  Leotard (preferred) (any style/any color) or camisole fitted top or sports bra or tank 
                               top and jazz pants/leggings/tights/biker shorts. 
                                  Also: hip scarf for Belly Dance, long skirt for Flamenco/Spanish Dance
                      Boys:  Fitted shirt or solid color fitted T-shirt and jazz pants/leggings/biker shorts/sweat pants

Footwear:

BALLROOM               Sneakers (CLEAN athletic shoe) only.  No street shoes
SALSA                                          

BELLY DANCE          Bare feet or ballet

FLAMENCO/             Shoe or boot with chunky heel that fits securely on the feet
SPANISH DANCE                                                                  

JAZZ                         (JAZZ TECHNIQUE & BROADWAY JAZZ) Jazz shoes only 
STREET JAZZ           (STREET JAZZ) Jazz sneakers only 
BROADWAY JAZZ       

HIP-HOP                    Sneakers (CLEAN athletic shoe) only.  No street shoes

MODERN                  Bare feet only

TAP                          Tap shoes only

back to top