Belly Dance Class Information

Our studio, Oriental Phoenix Arts (OPA) has a strict NO REFUND policy. Before reserving a class or making a purchase, ensure your commitment and understand our policies. 

Please keep track of your purchase expiration dates and class hour credits on your MindBody account as all sales are final, and refunds are not available. Contact us for extenuating circumstances.

Class Package/Membership Expirations:

Unused packages/tuition membership class credits DO EXPIRE and do not roll over and will not extend unless due to long-term injury or illness.

Class Cancellation/Make-Up:

Follow our WhatsApp, Facebook, & Instagram for class updates. Missed classes can be made up (in another class at your skill level) before your active package/membership expires.

Tuition Membership Changes:

Recurring memberships can be canceled, upgraded, downgraded, or frozen with a 10-day notice. Freeze for 1-3 months. For any membership changes, contact us promptly

We reserve the right to refuse service or cancel a membership without notice.

Yes, you can register when you come for your first class!

Please contact us FIRST to let us know you’re coming and please plan to arrive 15 minutes BEFORE the scheduled class time, so we can register you in before your class starts. 

• Call
• Text
• Email

Most instructors and students wear fitness-type clothing, like t-shirts and yoga pants/tights.

Some like to wear “belly dance” specific practice wear.

Most students wear a hip scarf. This is optional. We have some to borrow or purchase at our studio.

Showing your tummy is completely up to you. Some students do, some don’t.

Most go barefoot. Some wear suede-soled dance slippers, so they can turn more easily.

Technically, no, but you might want to bring:

• water
• something to take notes
• hip scarf
• finger cymbals

We have hip scarves and cymbals to borrow during class, until you are able to get your own. 

Anyone can learn to belly dance at any age!

However, Ahlam Academy classes are designed for students 12 & up because most of our students are between the ages of 30-60, with some a little younger and some older.

Video/photography is prohibited without explicit permission from the instructor during class; we reserve the right to video/photograph during class (students may opt out) and we may use that media for educational/promotional purposes.

We generally don’t allow observing or auditing of our classes.

If you are interested in joining our classes, we highly recommend participating in a few classes to best evaluate whether or not it’s for you. 

You may also check out our social media account videos to get a feel for the Ahlam Academy program, its instructors and students. 

Ladies who cover are very welcome to attend, however, due to the way our studio is set up, we cannot guarantee other male students or our studio owner might not see you as they walk past the training hall. You are welcome to remain covered at your discretion during your classes.

Absolutely! Ahlam Academy is open to anyone age 12 and older who wants to learn how to belly dance.

Its so wonderful that you wish to continue your dance journey at Ahlam Academy.

We have students of all levels in all of our classes.

Our classes differ most in content, rather than by skill level, regardless of the name it has.

It’s very common for our advanced students to continue “beginner” classes, because they want to maintain the highest level of technique or work on more advanced performance skills, not because they have something to learn, but to simply, stay performance-ready or explore higher levels of performance skill (by keeping things more simple.) 

We advise taking a few of our Level 1 or 2 classes first. So, we can get to know each other and you can get a feel for each class type’s content. 

This will also offer our staff the chance to see where you are and make a suggestion, based on your current skills and experience.