in Melbourne!
The 2026 CMS Intake/Trials are currently closed. If you would like to be updated on the next intake (likely second half of 2026), please message us below. Please send a WhatsApp/SMS message to 0459 999 888 to register.
Lion Dance Classes with Australia’s most diverse Lion & Dragon dancing team
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CMS Lion Dance welcomes people of all ages, backgrounds, gender and ability to take part in the amazing art of Chinese Lion Dance & Fuzhou dragon dance.
If you are in Melbourne and have always wanted to learn the art of Lion Dancing, get in touch and drop by for a free lion dance lesson. Absolutely zero experience is required!
Learn and develop your
- Fitness
- Appreciation of Chinese Lion Dance culture
- Kung Fu
- Team work
- Confidence and leadership
- Music (Drums, Gongs & Cymbals)
Featured article by Fairfax (The Age, Sydney Morning Herald)
“What does it take to become a lion dancer”
https://www.smh.com.au/culture/dance/what-does-it-take-to-become-a-lion-dancer-20230119-p5ce01.html
Kids/Youth Lion Dance Classes
Let your kids have fun and train in a supportive team environment. Youth members make friends for life and develop confidence in themselves.
When: 11am, Sundays
Where: Level 3, 7-9 Waratah Place,
Chinatown, Melbourne, VIC, 3000
Ages 12 to 18 welcome!
Ages 8-11 are welcome on a special case-by-case basis and after attending a trial class. CMS Lion will asses whether the child is suitable for ongoing training.
Adults Lion Dance Lessons
Have fun and train with the CMS Adults class. The super friendly environment is open to all!
When: 10:00am Sundays
Where: Level 3, 7-9 Waratah Place,
Chinatown, Melbourne, VIC, 3000
All welcome. No experience is required!
CMS Lion has had adults starting in their 20s, 30s and even 40s! There is no age limit to learning lion dancing.
READY TO START?
Contact the team at hello@cmslion.com.au or SMS/WhatsApp Zhen on 0459 999 888 for more information.
Membership FAQS
Q: How much does it cost?
A: We offer free, no-obligation trial classes for new students on selected intake months.
After a successful trial class, a suitable members will be invited to continue training as a full time member.
There is a nominal $80 signup fee for unlimited classes, including Kung Fu, Lion Dancing, and Dragon Classes on Sundays and some weeknights.
The $80 membeship helps cover some costs associated with training, uniforms, facilities and insurance coverage. It is heavily subsidised by the Chinese Masonic Society.
Members are expected to start actively contributing to performances and events, and/or undertake volunteer work for the team.
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Q: Is there any age limit to joining?
A: Anyone above the age of 12 years old is welcome to attend the CMS trial classes and apply for membership afterwards. We make rare exceptions for some 8-11 year olds, based on their maturity and eagerness to train.
There is no upper age limit to join and attend classes at CMS. We have adult members ranging from 18-50s who actively train.
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Q: How do I become a member of CMS after the trial classes?
A: CMS proudly welcomes members of all ages, demographics and backgrounds.
The key to being a member is having and sharing the same attitude and passion to learn and develop as a lion dancer, dragon dancer and/or martial artist.
There is a minimum commitment expected from members starting their training journey with CMS. Attending 3/4 of classes is expected from new members. This helps provide consistency in your training and foundations.
We are a non profit organisation and all our instructors and members are volunteers. It is expected that new members volunteer some of their time and effort to maintain our premises and help out with activities. Membership applications are reviewed on an individual & ongoing basis at our instructors’ discretion. Membership will be declined to those whom present an attitude that does not align with our values and virtues.
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Q: When do I get a uniform?
A: New members will earn their uniforms by showing commitment to their training and the team.
The t-shirt is usually the first piece earned, after a period of attending training (typically 6 months), and/or when volutneering for their first performance.
Members after 6-12 months are then usually eligle for the full uniform set, including pants and sash. This is upto the discretion of the trainers and leaders.