Up the creaky wooden staircase at The Aegean, a group of mostly strangers undulate, 'snake- walk'…read moreand shimmy to entrancing Baladi. I did the 'Belly dance classes for total beginners' short course - which lives up to its name and caters to people of all skill levels (take it from me - an uncoordinated mess of limbs!) The beautiful Eugenia will immediately make you feel comfortable as she breaks down the movements into manageable bite-sized steps. Other classes include Bollywood, Burlesque, Hip Hop, African dance and Go Go dancing.

My daughter is an infatuated little fairy dancer, has been since she was two. So last year we took…read moreher along to a well known, highly reputable dance studio. The owner quickly went about lecturing my three year old on the importance of discipline, listening, practicing hard and training so that she could be the best dancer she could be, otherwise what was the point in doing it? It quickly shattered any dreams she had of fun fairy dance time. Being scared off for a year she recently started asking about going to different dance lessons, so I did my research and came across The Dance Room. What impressed me first was their website. If you've any experience in dance studio's, not many are professional or organised enough to provide a website for potential students on fees, timetables, locations, times etc. Everything you will need to know is on here. Secondly, the low cost of fees was reassuring to me as well, having wasted $140 on one dance lesson last year, the fact I can pay $9 per lesson (just in case of a bail out short of term) pretty much had me sold. My daughter had no intention of having a go the first time we went, she only just had the courage to hide behind my leg as we walked into the hall. But after just five minutes of seeing how laid back and fun this was, not to mention her favourite fairy dancing girl CD was playing, she was up and showing off to Satorah (the fill in teacher at the time), how she knew all the real moves to the song. That was over a term ago, and since then she has learned a complete dance routine for an end of year concert all the students participate in. I think it helps that the teachers, Satorah and Denise, are young girls in their teens to early twenties so they enjoy having fun with the girls as well as teaching them. They've given my daughter her very own CD of the music she'll perform to at the concert and she practices every night, as well as jumping out of her skin every Monday afternoon to get to lessons. It's ironic that she is now doing everything the first studio owner demanded - it's just that because she's having so much fun in a relaxed and comforting atmosphere, it doesn't feel like hard work. I just love The Dance Room, particularly for younger kids. The teachers, even as young as they are, are exceptional at what they do and have more patience than Saints! Check out the website for timetables and class info. Classes also run in Tullamarine and Brunswick, from pre-school to 14 years of age, and also some adult classes as well.

My daughter has been dancing at "The Dance Room" for the past 4 years. She has loved every minute…read moreof it, its fun, safe and the teachers are so wonderful and supportive of every student. Not to meation the amazing friendships that she has made along the way that will last a lifetime. I can't speak more highly about the Principal Marnie, who is caring and nurturing towards all her students, she inspires them to be the best they can be and always stays positive in her approach. The teachers at "The Dance Room", are professional, understanding, caring, patience and always willing to be their for all the students. They show and teach the children/students how to listen and follow instructions in a kind and loving environment.. What can l say, l love " The Dance Room", Thank you Marnie for the wonderful memories you have created for my daughter that she will cherish forever.. Athina Lima

One Monday evening, I plucked up the courage to go and do something that I have always wanted to…read moredo, but never got around to. Perhaps I was waiting to get invited to a bachelorette party that involved a fun activity such as this, but alas, an invitation never came. As I waited for my casual introductory pole dance class, I was definitely nervous about making a fool out of myself, and considering all the ways that I could injure myself by attempting to defy gravity on a vertical pole. A few minutes into the class, and that all went away. Our teacher put every one at ease ( apparently I wasnt the only nervous one!) and I was able to check my self consciousness at the door, relax and enjoy myself thoroughly. Now, after that one class I'm probably not going to win the world championships of pole dancing, or get a job at spearmint rhino, but I had a great work out, and left with a little bounce in my step and a wiggle in my hips. If you've ever thought about trying it out, take the plunge - its super fun and a little addictive, I must say. And it never hurts to learn a new trick or two that you can, ahem, show off in the privacy of your own home......

I used to attend this pole studio until it closed down. It was the first studio I attended as it…read morewas the closest to where I worked/lived. Instructors were hardworking and definitely made you work harder to progress. Felt like boot camp rather than just exotic dancing which was an eye-opener! Made me a whole lot fitter than I was. The studio was a bit small & not as big as Pole Divas. The poles were a bit close together but still a good pole studio.

This place scared me. Not because the place itself was scary but because the idea of dance…read morepetrifies me, especially me experiencing dance for the first time, alone. helpless. In fact the place was pretty awesome like something out of a dance movie ..circa 1987. Actually, correction this was not just dance this was hip-hop, which not only requires co-ordination but an immense dedication to the beat and I have trouble finding the beat, even when its connected to my I pod and ringing over and over in between my ears. Although advertised as a beginners class, I did not feel this was the case. There was so much assumed knowledge here that it felt like 95% of the class were regulars and the dance instructor was not about to cater for the creatively challenged 5% that constantly lagged behind. The instructor was off in her own little world dancing her dance offs and winner her trophies, A+ for enthusiasm lady but can you please put the instruction in instructor? Many Thanks.

I decided to take a jazz class while on holiday in Melbourne and this was one of the only studios…read morethat I could find with legit adult dance classes. A single class is $17 (while getting a class card is the cheapest option if you can go frequently). As a frequent student at Broadway Dance Center in NYC, this place is comparable, but with a much smaller crowd. I took advanced jazz technique on Friday at 12:30, but had a sub teacher that I didn't catch the name of. Her class was very fun and we warmed up to a lot of Beyonce (my fave)! It was pretty advanced paced, but intermediate technique level, which was a really good balance. What I loved most was that it was a judgement free zone. My class had about 8 people total and the instructor picked up my name within minutes. Everyone in the class was very friendly and helpful, which is hard to get back in NYC with all of the competition. There were a few performers in the class as well and I never got a snobby vibe! It made the class really fun :) Definitely worth taking a class. I hope to get back before the end of my holiday!

Spin City is a dance school specialising in Latin style dances like salsa, bachata, mambo, and…read morezouk. They also hold a weekly Zumba exercise class, which I'm amazed to have attended twice. I say 'amazed' because the first time I did the class, I swore I would never go back there nor do Zumba again. A friend had attended the class with me and we promised each other afterwards that we would never speak of nor tell anyone about the things we did in that class. Oh the shame. That's why I still can't believe I went back. It's pointless to get into the reasons why I decided to go a Spin City Zumba class again, but I did and this time, the things we did in that class were again unspeakable, but for opposite reasons. To reveal what happened in this class would be to reveal what happened in the first class and I can't break a promise, so I shall say no more about it, except to say that I've now learnt my lesson, and there'll be no more Zumba classes at Spin City for me. On a positive note, after the second Zumba class, a Latin dance group who had been rehearsing their new routine in the next studio, asked us to stick around and watch them perform as they wanted an audience. I stayed and they were really great. The teacher was really fantastic. My conclusion is that the actual dance classes here must be pretty good, of a high standard. As for the Zumba classes, well you know I can't talk about that.

Camberwell District Ballet are absolutely the best place to start if you want your child to learn…read morereal ballet. We tried different studios around Melbourne, but they were all more concerned about entertaining your child and making it "fun" rather than giving quality tuition and teaching ballet basics. Would recommend this school to all little ballerinas wishing to dance!

This "Strict" Ballet School offers a rigorous syllabus, but delivers it with old-school, boot-camp…read morestyle discipline. My daughter quickly became intimidated and despondent after enduring unkind and unsympathetic teaching methods. She reported teachers shouting at, humiliating and taunting even young students. I repeatedly asked to see a class but was refused. When I questioned the anger in the classroom, we were shown the door. Ballet should not be demoralising or demeaning; it should be joyful and uplifting.

Be ready to push yourself. A beginners class here does not mean -"I have never danced before in my…read morelife and want a casual and fun class to start dancing in". In the Melbourne dance scene, Dance Factory is well know for training some of the best dancers around. Along with professional courses, they do offer pay-as-you-go classes in all styles of dance, ranging from the aforementioned beginners class to advanced or professional level. The teachers here are all working professionals, and whilst they seem to change teachers fairly frequently over the years, this is generally due to the teachers obtaining professional dancing contracts through out the world. The hip hop classes are great - I recommend going to a few and finding your favourite style. I remember my first class - I stood at the back, thinking "wait! stop! go back! I cant learn that fast!" but if you keep going, you'll catch on to the fast pace. Most classes were filled with people in their late teen to early twenties, but all are welcome - just try to keep up!

Our hens party was amazing at House of burlesque Minsky Malone taught us the art of tease class…read morewith i between breaks a hula hoop contest I would highly recommend House of Burlesque to anyone Value for Money

Sitting discreetly on top of Calico with the entrance tucked in the secret laneway behind is a…read morewhole other world... the world of Burlesque. Yes, it certainly has become popular over the last few years with burlesque bars popping up all over the city - but where on earth do you learn how to do it? House of Burlesque offers classes all throughout the week, including some you may not have even thought of such as; * The Art of Tease * Hula-hooping * Fan Dance and of course; * Vintage classic burlesque These classes are not only a way for a woman to have a few giggles with her friends and meet some new people, but is a way to inspire day-to-day confidence. Minsky Malone, owner and manager of the House of Burlesque is so sexy I almost turned for her. Confidence really is the sexiest thing in a woman! So if you are looking for an original hens party idea, want to surprise your man on his birthday or are just after a bit of confidence, you should definitely pay Minsky a visit!