Lumina Academy of Arts

I've been taking Brazilian Samba classes at Lumina Academy for about three months now and can truly say I've thoroughly enjoyed my experience thus far. The facility is smallish, which limits the number of students that can be accommodated in a single class at any given time, but the intimacy allows for more one-on-one instruction. Still, all of the essentials are here - a ballet bar, a wall of mirrors and open floor space, along with a sound system, ceiling fans and air conditioning if needed - and the instructors make the most of it. Plus, the place is within walking distance from my home, so for me, it can't be beat for convenience.



The one downfall I've found is the "no credit" policy for missed classes. So, if you pay for a block of 10 or more weeks worth of classes and know ahead of time you'll have to miss a session due to work or travel commitments, they will not allow you to make the class up. While this does encourage commitment in some ways, I'd like to see them adopt a punch card type system, where you could buy a block of classes and have a card punched on the days you attend. But for three weeks, I've attended every weekly class without fail over my nearly three months there due to work commitments to illness; otherwise I quite look forward to taking my Samba class each week.



Still, you can't beat this place for convenience and quality instruction, and for that it easily earns four solid stars from me!