Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions.

Classes are held for Bollywood, Bhangra, Indian Classical Dance, Carnatic Music and Chess. Starting shortly – Art Classes, Mehendi Classes, YOGA, PILATES.

• Q1. What is your class pricing?
  Registration: $50 (Onetime Fee)

  1 form of dance: $100 / Month / 1 class per week / 4-5classes per month / 90 mins. per class

  2 Forms for dance: $180/month Month / 2 classes per week / 8-10 classes per month / 90 mins. per class

  3 forms of dance: $240/month Month / 3 classes per week / 12-15 classes per month / 90 mins. per class

  Students have to sign up for 3 months in advance so that by the end of 3 months he or she would have progressed sufficiently well in the form of dance they enrolled for. Joining just for a month will not show results.
• Q2. When and where are classes held?
  Staar Academy’s Classes are held at :
  781, Lower Level, Newark Avenue, Jersey City NJ- 07306.
  (Opp. to Patel’s Cash & Carry/ Below Indus American Bank / Diagonally Opposite to White Castle)
  
  For Registrations and Enquires Call –
  201 376 2300 / 646 709 1483 / 646 709 1480 / 201 653 STAR (7827)
  
  Email Enquires to enquiries@staaracademy.com
• Q3. My daughter/son is 2.5 yrs old and loves to dance. Can he/she please enroll in the Staar Academy’s dance program?
  Unfortunately Staar Academy does not accept enrollment of any kids below 3 years old.
• Q4. Do you teach only Bollywood and Bhangra style?
  Staar Academy offers Bollywood, Bhangra and Indian classical (Bharatanatyam) dance classes at the moment. We are planning to offer Kathak and Odissi forms of dance once we have an enrollment strength of 5-8 students.
• Q5. Can I take Bollywood in one day and bhangra in another, or come to more than one of each class per week?
  Yes, absolutely! Provided you have signed up for both Bollywood and Bhangra classes . Your class hours are good for any Bollywood class, whether Bollywood or Bhangra. Mix it up—you can just check with us to make sure there is space in the classes of your choice.
• Q6. Can I try out a class first?
  YES ABSOLUTELY. Trial class is only for duration of 10 minutes on a particular day. Check with the academy on what days you can take the trial class. The reason is we do not want the trial classes to interfere with the regular classes. Our Bollywood classes are taught semi-cumulatively, in that we spend 2-3 weeks working on a particular dance. In order to get a more realistic feel for the class, we find it takes more than a single-class experience. We offer a 4-class package so that new students can try out the class a few times and become familiar with the warm-up and class pacing, learn a few choreography sequences, and then make a better assessment of how they enjoy the class, at a more “workshop” priced tuition package. You should still email us to check availability in the class/time/location of your choice.
• Q7. Can I come watch a class, instead of taking a drop in class?
  Unfortunately, no; for safety and liability reasons, we do not permit guests or observers in the studio or waiting areas, during our classes.
• Q8. How do I sign up for classes?
  You can download our enrollment application from our website. Fill out our registration form and email it or call us or walk in for registrations. You will receive an enrollment confirmation email from us, confirming availability in the class of your choice and with the next available class start date. Submission of the registration form is not your class enrollment confirmation. For more enquiries call our academy at 201 653 7827 or 201 376 2300 or 646 709 1483 . Email enquiries to enquiries@staaracademy.com
• Q9. Can I pay for classes with a credit card?
  We are able to accept MasterCard and Visa and Cash. Transactions must be complete by noon, on the day of your class, otherwise please make arrangements to pay by cash or check at the studio. *Returned checks are subject to an NSF fee, and further payments must be made by cash or certified funds only.
• Q10. What should I wear to class?
  Most students wear yoga clothes, t-shirts, tank tops, sweats, or other active wear; as long as you are comfortable and can move around easily. Most women also find it a good idea to wear a sports bra or similar support.
  
  As for footwear, all of our studios have a "No Street Shoes" policy to protect the specialty dance flooring, so please don’t wear your regular shoes in class. You are welcome to dance barefoot, or try dance sandals, jazz shoes, or a dance sneaker. Athletic shoes are NOT permitted.
• Q11. How difficult are Bollywood classes?
  Because we have a mixed-level student base, we teach to all levels. In a class, there will be variations in choreography given, to accommodate beginner and experienced students. Students are encouraged to ask for alternative choreography to accommodate their experience levels and/or physical abilities. We don’t want to frustrate our students, nor do we wish to bore them.
• Q12. Do I need dance experience to take a Bollywood class?
  Bhangra classes are geared toward the absolute beginner with little or no dance experience. Our Bollywood classes are beginner-to-experienced level classes. While prior experience is not required, it is absolutely helpful. Not just for the prior experience of some type of dance or working knowledge/vocabulary/experience of body movement, but also to understand the basic expectations and responsibilities in a dance class. For example, to understand what warm-up is and why we do it, or why laughing at other students is absolutely unacceptable, and that the pace of the class is based on students asking questions or saying “can we slow down?” as needed—our responsibility is to teach you some fantastic dances, but we can only gauge the pace to teach at when our students are actively involved in the class.
• Q13. Do you teach children’s classes?
  Staar Academy teaches children of all age groups. The classes are divided into various batches, For more information proceed to FAQ Number Q18.
• Q14. Can I join the performing group?
  Students are selected for the performing company by the instructor and/or invited to audition. We typically like for students to be regularly active in Bollywood classes for 4-6 months, prior to consideration for the performing company, even with prior dance experience. We highly recommend taking both Bollywood and Bhangra class, so that you can experience the full range of choreography and styles, as well as build your stamina for performing. Our performing troupe requires a strict commitment to attend classes regularly, as well as rehearsals, during the event season. (March-September) If you are interested in being considered for the performing company, please mention it to us!
• Q15. My son’s/daughter’s wedding/engagement /Mehendi night/ birthday party/function/ is coming up soon and I would like an instructor from Staar Academy to come to my house and show our family members some party dance moves and also teach us a choreographed song for the wedding?.
  This is a request we get very often at Staar Academy and we will be happy to help you. Please send us an email requesting classes to enquiries@staaracademy.com or call us at 201 653 STAR / 201 376 2300 / 646 709 1480 with the date of your event and our programs team will connect with you within 48 hours.
• Q16. I am a 65 year old woman and I love to dance. Can I enroll for a Staar Academy class?
  Yes, you are more than welcome to join an Adult basic one class at our location. You can email to enquiries@staaracademy.com for more details on that class or call us at 201 653 STAR / 201 376 2300 / 646 709 1480
• Q17. I have a problem memorizing steps. Can I record the dance class so I can rehearse at home?
  We allow parents to record the last 10 minutes of the class if their child is in the 5-8 or 9-12 age group class. For the adults’ class, we do not allow recording.
  
  Initially, it may be challenging to remember the routine, but after the first few weeks of class, this should not be a problem as we go over the routine multiple times in each class.
• Q18. How many levels does Staar Academy offer at the moment in its Bollywood dance program?
  We have 4 main categories:
  
  Toddler’s Batch – 3-5 years old
  Children batch – 5-8 years old
  Juniors Batch – 8-13 years old
  Teens Batch – 13-19 years old
  Adults batch – 20 and Above.
  
  Each age group will have a Fresher and Advanced levels. The division of the groups and advancement of levels are left to the discretion of the teacher based on students progress and ability
  
  Basic, Elementary, Intermediate, Pre Advanced, and each main category further has 3 sub categories
  
  For example:
  Basic Level One,
  Basic Level Two,
  Basic Level Three.