The Code of Conduct

Amazing Dance Academy

A Different Kind of Room

Most rooms ask you to perform. To dress the part. To carry your title in.

This is not most rooms.

The Academy is a place you can remove your jacket and just be your name. Where you'll dance with strangers and leave with friends. Where the music does the work that conversation usually can't.

For this room to stay this kind of room, we all need to look after it. This Code of Conduct is how we do that.

It applies to everyone — members, drop-ins, visitors, staff, instructors, founders. The rules don't care about your title.

The Spirit

Before the rules, the spirit:

Be the person you'd want to dance with.

That covers most of it. Respectful. Curious. Kind. Present. Aware that everyone in the room is there for the same reason you are — to be lifted by the music and the company.

When in doubt, ask yourself: would the person across from me feel safe and welcome right now?

The Rules

1. Consent runs the room

Ask before you dance. A simple "would you like to dance?" is all it takes. A "no thank you" is a complete sentence — no explanation needed, no follow-up question.
Accept rejection gracefully. Someone saying no to a dance is not saying no to you as a person. They might be tired, hurting, learning, or just want to sit this one out. Move on with grace.
Touch is part of partner dance. So is respecting how much. If your partner adjusts away from a hold, eases a hand back, or gives you any signal of discomfort — read it, respect it, recalibrate. You don't need a verbal "no" to know to stop.
Closer holds are negotiated, not assumed. Bachata and Kizomba can be danced close or open. The closer style is by invitation, not default. Begin in an open frame; let your partner indicate if they want to come closer.
What happens on the dance floor stays in the dance. A close dance is not a date. A great connection is not a relationship. Don't carry the energy of the floor into the rest of the room.

2. Respect every body in the room

Don't comment on anyone's body — their size, shape, weight, appearance — even as a compliment.
Don't comment on what someone is wearing.
Don't comment on someone's skill level with judgement — beginners learning is the point of this place.
Dance with people across ages, skill levels, and styles. The room flourishes when everyone gets danced with.
No racism. No sexism. No homophobia. No transphobia. No religious bigotry. No tribal hostility. Not even as a "joke." Not ever.

3. The dance floor has its own etiquette

Look where you're moving. Especially with leads guiding spins or steps — the lead is responsible for not crashing into other couples.
Apologise quickly if you bump someone. It happens. A quick "sorry!" and a smile keeps the energy right.
Don't dance through someone else's line. Wait for an opening or go around.
Keep your moves at your skill level. Fancy aerial moves, dips, and tricks are for solo practice or partners who explicitly agree — not for surprise execution on a stranger.
Beginners deserve full dances. Don't half-dance a beginner because you'd rather be dancing with someone advanced. They will become someone advanced, and they'll remember.

4. Dress how you're comfortable, dance how you're respectful

Wear what makes you feel confident and able to move. Shoes you can pivot in matter more than anything else. Layers help if you run hot.

We do not police outfits. We do police behaviour.

5. Hygiene matters more than perfume

Partner dance is close-contact. The basics:

Shower beforehand if you've been working all day.
Bring a change of shirt for longer sessions, or a small towel.
Brush your teeth. Gum or mints help between dances.
Go easy on perfume and cologne. Allergic reactions happen.
No alcohol on your breath before class. Socials are different (more on that below).

6. Alcohol and substances

Classes are sober spaces. Show up clear-headed and present.
At socials, drink responsibly. Alcohol may be available depending on the venue. We expect adult moderation. A person who is visibly impaired can be asked to leave for their safety and others'.
No illegal drugs anywhere, ever. Including before you arrive. We will involve authorities.
If you suspect someone has been drugged or is in distress — get a staff member immediately. We will believe you and we will act.

7. Photos and phones

Photos and videos for personal use are fine. Memories matter.
Get consent before posting other people online. Especially close dances, beginner moments, or anything that could embarrass someone. The "would they want this on the internet?" test is real.
No photography or recording during paid classes without the instructor's permission. People are vulnerable when they're learning.
Phones away during class. Be in the room.

8. We are not a dating app

People do meet at the Academy. Friendships form. Sometimes romances. We are glad when this happens organically.

What we are not okay with:

Treating the Academy as a hunting ground for dates or hookups.
Persistent attention toward someone who has shown they're not interested.
Asking the same person to dance after they've declined twice in one evening.
Following someone outside the venue without invitation.
Sliding into someone's DMs the morning after a class. If you didn't get their number in person, that's a signal.

The line is simple: dance well, talk warmly, let the person make the next move. If they want more, they'll let you know.

9. Look after each other

If you see something that feels off — a member uncomfortable, a stranger lingering, an interaction that doesn't sit right — say something. To staff. To us. To the person directly if it's safe to do so.
If a friend has had too much to drink, help them. If you don't know them, get staff.
If someone is alone and looks like they could use company, invite them into your circle.
This is everyone's room. We all keep it standing.

10. The festival multiplies everything

Festival environments are higher-energy, longer-duration, and often involve travel. The Code applies there even more. Sleep matters. Hydration matters. Looking out for first-time festival-goers matters.

If Something Goes Wrong

Reporting

If you experience or witness behaviour that breaks this Code:

In the moment: Tell any staff member, instructor, or one of the founders directly. We will step in.
Afterwards: Email safety@amazingdanceacademy.com or message either founder on WhatsApp. Your report will be taken seriously and handled discreetly.
Anonymously: You may report anonymously, though it limits what we can do in response.

We will believe you when you bring something to us. Belief is the starting point, not the conclusion — we will investigate fairly — but the door opens with belief, not suspicion.

Confidentiality

We protect the privacy of everyone involved in a report — the person who raises it and the person it's about. Details are shared only with people who need to know to investigate and resolve.

How we respond

Depending on what we find, our response may include:

A direct conversation with the person whose behaviour was raised
A formal warning (in writing, kept in our records)
A temporary suspension from classes and events
Permanent expulsion from the Academy community
Reporting to the authorities if a crime has been committed

We aim to be fair. We will not aim to be lenient at the expense of safety.

Retaliation is forbidden

Anyone who reports a Code violation in good faith is protected. Retaliation against a reporter — directly or through others — is itself a Code violation and treated severely.

What This Code Is Not

This Code is not:

A list of every possible bad thing. Common sense and the spirit above cover what isn't written.
A tool for resolving personal grievances. If you're in conflict with another member over something unrelated to this Code, please handle that between yourselves or seek mediation.
A licence to police others. If you see a minor breach — say, someone bumped a dancer and didn't apologise — give them grace. People are learning.

The Code exists to protect what makes this place special. Not to make anyone feel watched.

Acknowledgement

By signing up for membership, attending a class, or coming to an event, you acknowledge that you have read this Code of Conduct, you understand it, and you commit to upholding it.

We commit, in turn, to upholding it with you — and to enforcing it fairly when it is broken.

A Final Word

Most of you reading this will never need it. You'll come, you'll dance, you'll meet people, you'll go home lighter. The Code is for the rare moments when something needs to be said clearly. It's the floor of how we treat each other — most of the time, we'll be standing well above it.

We're glad you're here. Let's make this the room everyone wishes existed.

— Mukopaje and Jophael Founders, Amazing Dance Academy

For questions about this Code: hello@amazingdanceacademy.com For confidential safety reports: safety@amazingdanceacademy.com Last updated: 31 May 2026