A Guide to the STUDIO B WhatsApp Community: Supporting Your Dance Journey
When you join STUDIO B as a student, you gain access to a dedicated WhatsApp Community designed to support your growth, connection, and progress. This digital space is an integral part of the school's "family like no other" atmosphere, providing a structured platform for over 200 dancers across the globe to interact, share, and stay informed.
Whether you are attending online classes from home or joining in-person workshops, the community serves as your direct link to a supportive network of peers and teachers.
What is STUDIO B?
Founded in January 2021 by Miss Inês Coelho da Silva, STUDIO B is an inclusive adult ballet school that aims to eliminate traditional barriers of age, gender, and size. As a certified Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) school, it provides high-standard training ranging from absolute beginner (Ballet 1) to vocational examination levels (Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate and expanding).
The school’s curriculum is comprehensive, including non-syllabus General Ballet, Pointe work, Classical Repertoire, and specialised conditioning like Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), Core Training, Legs Training, and Flexibility training.
The Structure of the STUDIO B WhatsApp Community
To ensure that information remains relevant and organised, the community is divided into several specific channels, each serving a unique purpose for the student body.
1. Announcements Channel
This is the primary source for critical school updates and schedule changes. To keep the channel focused, only STUDIO B Team Members (Admins) can send messages here. This ensures that essential news is never lost in conversation, providing a reliable reference for all students.
2. STUDIO B (The Main Hub)
A space for asking questions regarding classes, schedules, and general ballet topics. Students are encouraged to introduce themselves and engage with their peers. This channel functions as the digital version of a studio floor, allowing for technical and administrative inquiries to be answered within a professional context.
3. STUDIO B Cafe
A relaxed environment for students to get to know each other on a personal level. This is the place for non-ballet conversations and making plans together. By separating social chat from technical discussion, the school provides a space for building friendships without distracting from the training-focused groups.
4. Syllabus-Specific Channels
Dedicated threads for students in the Intermediate Foundation and Intermediate levels in pre-exam stage, for focused discussions on RAD vocabulary and specific syllabus requirements. These channels are invite-only chats which allow students to dive deeper into their specific coursework and support one another through the rigors of vocational exams.
5. Student Support
Managed by Margarida, our Admin Assistant, this group chat centralises administrative logistics like class recordings, bookings, and payments. Any logistical questions can be asked here.
Community Guidelines for a Positive Environment
STUDIO B has established clear communication standards to ensure the community remains inclusive, safe, and respectful for everyone.
Communication Etiquette
Inclusive Language: Students are encouraged to use gender-neutral language when referring to their peers to ensure every dancer feels equally welcomed and respected.
Streamlined Chat: To keep groups organised, long one-on-one exchanges that are only relevant to two people should be moved to private messages.
Respectful Tone: Don't forget that, despite the relaxed environment of the school, it is important to keep politeness in your messages towards peers and team. "Please" and "thank you" go a long way in keeping a respectful tone.
Keep it STUDIO B: The main focus of the community is our academy. Keep comments on other studios/teachers to a minimum, but the sharing of your personal experience to the maximum!
B TeamAvailability: While students can post at any time, the STUDIO B Team may respond during specific working hours: Tuesday to Friday (12:00–20:00) and Saturday (9:00–17:00).
Content and Safety
Encouraged Sharing: Students are invited to share progress pictures, celebrate achievements (like being "sore and proud"), and notify the group of birthdays or class absences. Bought a new ballet barre and it is great? Let us know!
Professional Boundaries: For safety and accuracy, complex or sensitive topics (such as anatomy, injuries, recovery, nutrition, or pointe readiness) must be discussed privately with the teachers rather than in the group chat. All sensitive topics or images should be shared with the STUDIO B team privately.
Supportive Atmosphere: The school maintains a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, violence, or negative comments regarding other dancers, professionals, or schools. There is no space for negative comments on any body types (even when referring to one's own body).
Key Benefits of Joining the Community
Peer Support: Request advice on ballet supplies like leotards, shoes, or warm-ups from those with firsthand experience.
News first-hand: Get all the updates on classes, teachers, events, opportunities, and other exciting news.
Accountability & Celebration: Share progress videos and photos to celebrate milestones with a community that understands the challenges of adult ballet.
External Opportunities: Receive invitations to ballet-related performances, workshops, and exclusive masterclasses.
Global Networking: Connect with a diverse group of 200+ dancers, fostering a sense of belonging regardless of your location.
FAQ: The STUDIO B WhatsApp Community
What do you get as a STUDIO B student? Students receive access to professional RAD-certified instruction, a wide range of conditioning and technique classes, and entry into a structured WhatsApp Community with global peers.
How does the STUDIO B WhatsApp Community work? The community is organised into distinct channels: Announcements (for updates), STUDIO B (for ballet and class questions), STUDIO B Cafe (for social interaction), Student Support (for logistical help), and specific syllabus groups for vocational students.
Are there rules in the STUDIO B community? Yes. Guidelines include using kind gender-neutral language, showing respect to teachers and peers, and ensuring that all medical or injury-related questions are handled privately with teachers to ensure professional guidance.
Conclusion
The STUDIO B WhatsApp Community is a digital extension of the studio itself. By offering a structured, respectful, and inclusive environment, it ensures that every student, regardless of their level or location, has the resources and support they need to thrive. If you are a current student, we encourage you to introduce yourself in the main hub or share a photo of your pet in the Cafe to begin connecting with your global dance family!
