studio culture
Student
CODE
The following guidelines ensure that our space remains safe, supportive, and creatively charged.
✨ Arrive on time.
Please plan to arrive early or at least on time for your class. If you’re more than 10 minutes late, you may not join the class and you will forfeit your class credit.
✨ Follow the instruction.
For your safety, only practice movements being taught in class. Refrain from teaching or spotting other students unless specifically directed by your instructor.
✨ Respect the space and each other.
Our community thrives on mutual respect, support, and presence. Nova Noir maintains a zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate or harmful behavior toward students, instructors, or staff.
✨ Recording and photography.
We don’t allow phone usage beyond the waiting area. This helps students ground fully into the immersive experience of our courses while maintaining a sense of privacy and safety around recording. Please only record when invited by your instructor, and always communicate with those around you to make sure they’re comfortable appearing in your recording.
✨ Adult space.
All classes are 18+ and may include music or themes of an explicit nature. Please approach with maturity and respect for the artistry and autonomy of others.
✨ Studio care.
No street shoes on the studio floor. They bring in debris and can damage surfaces. Remove all hand and arm jewelry before class to protect both the poles and your body. Avoid using lotions or oils within 24 hours of pole classes to prevent slipping.
✨ No minors.
For safety and privacy, children (under 18) are not permitted in the studio.
✨ Energy matters.
Don’t be a dick. This space is a sanctuary for creative and personal exploration. Bring your presence and openness. Lead with curiosity. Check your stress and judgment at the door. That all being said, we are not a “love and light only” kind of space! Show up as you are and as yourself in whatever energy feels most honest and authentic to you, but be prepared to take responsibility for how you enter. The energy we share shapes the experience we all have.
✨ Right to refuse service.
Nova Noir Studios reserves the right to refuse service to anyone. Hostility, harassment, or unsafe behavior of any kind will not be tolerated.
Shoes
We have shoe requirements, not only to protect the facility, but to help you get the best experience and utilization of the shoes.
✨ Must be pole-specific shoes. We recommend Pleaser — they offer a wide variety and great quality. We sell these in-studio; you’re welcome to come in to try them on or purchase a pair before or after your class. Our staff is great at helping you find the right pair in terms of size and fabrication.
✨ 7” platforms are recommended for beginners. We know it sounds high, but because of the platforms, they’re surprisingly comfortable (they’ll probably be the most comfortable heels you’ve ever worn — they’re “work” shoes, after all 😉). This height allows for more refined heel work. When browsing, we recommend looking for the style names Sky or Adore. Once you’re feeling more comfy, it might be time to move up to 8"!
✨ Shoes must be free of rhinestones or metal on the platforms, and avoid metal buckles up the front. While rhinestones can be beautiful and boots can be fun, those adornments may damage the poles or floor.
✨ Your dance shoes must not be worn outside. We love to roll around on the beautiful, sprawling hardwood dance floor at Nova, and that wouldn’t be as enjoyable if there were dirt and rocks on it so as a rule, no street shoes on the dance floor.
Refunds & Cancellations
When you book a class or series, you’re reserving dedicated time, space, and energy so we ask that you review the following before registering.
Series Classes
✨ Think of a series like a ticket to a live performance — when you purchase your spot, it’s reserved just for you. Once the series begins, that space can’t be transferred to another student. For this reason, no refunds are available once a series has started.
✨ If you need to cancel, 72 hours’ notice before the first class is required for a refund.
✨ Make-ups or rescheduling are not available for missed sessions.
Drop-In Classes
✨ We offer a 10-hour early cancellation policy for all drop-in classes. You can cancel up to 10 hours before your scheduled class by logging into your account.
✨ Early cancellation will return the class credit to your account, provided your pass or package is still valid at the time of rescheduling.
✨ Late cancellation will result in a loss of class credit. With an unlimited membership, there will be a late cancellation charge of $15.
Workshops & Special Events
✨ Due to the unique nature of workshops, guest instructors, and special events, all sales are final.
✨ If you’re unable to attend, you’re welcome to transfer your spot to a friend. Please notify us as soon as possible: we may also have a waitlist and can help fill your spot.
✨ Workshop and event fees are paid directly to the visiting instructor or professional, and as such, Nova cannot offer refunds for these sessions.
Refund Fees
✨ Any refunds issued are subject to a 50% cancellation fee to cover administrative and scheduling costs.
ATELIER NOIR / Private Rental
Rules of ATELIER NOIR:
✨ Atelier Noir is strictly for solo practice time. Never bring a guest who has not been explicitly approved by studio management.
✨ Reservations are for one hour at a time. If you wish to stay longer, please book additional time in advance so as not to interfere with other students’ reservations.
✨ This reservation is for the Atelier Noir only, not the Studio Nova or Studio Eclipse. To reserve Studio Nova or Studio Eclipse, please email the studio.
✨ Cancellations fall under our Drop-in Class cancellation and reschedule policy.
✨ Students are expected to complete a proper warm-up and only practice movements they have learned in previous classes — ones they feel safe and confident performing without guidance or a spotter.
✨ If you move anything in the Prism Room, please restore the room for the next student. This includes (but is not limited to) the chair, mirrors, stereo, and lighting.