Class Attire/Dress Code
Appropriate attire for class allows the teacher to see the dancer's alignment and turnout easily.
Please note that the attire list below is intended for ages 2-18 yrs old. Adults are permitted to come as you are in whatever attire you feel comfortable dancing in.
Preschool / Youth Ballet
Girls: We prefer the dance all-in-one outfit that has the skirt attached to the leotartd. Any color is acceptable. We do require pink tights. Ballet skirts or tutu's are welcomed in any color. Girls should have classic pink ballet slippers for ballet, preferably with no drawstrings as they often come undone during class and are a trip hazard and distraction. We encourage you to purchase ballet shoes from us or a reputable dance store rather than a big box or mainstream department store (Target, Payless, Walmart, etc) to support the proper support of your child's growth.
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Boys: We prefer black leggings, white or light colored shirt. Boys should wear black ballet slippers.
Intermediate & Advanced Ballet / Pointe
Girls: We prefer dark colored leotards and pink tights for girls. Ballet skirts, leg warmers, and dance wraps are also permitted. Girls should have classic pink ballet slippers for ballet. Split Sole canvas ballet slippers are required for intermediate and advanced classes. (Dancers may be asked to remove warm up wear at the sole discretion of the instructor after barre and warm up exercises in order to see dancer's alignment and insure proper positioning in class)
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Boys: We prefer black leggings, white or light colored shirt, and dance belt for boys 13 and up. Boys should wear black ballet slippers.
Jazz / Tap
Leotards and jazz pants or leggings are appropriate attire for jazz and tap classes. Black jazz shoes (suede sole preferred) are required for jazz classes. Split sole jazz shoes are preferred for intermediate and advanced classes. Black tap shoes are required for tap classes. Beginning girl tap students under the age of 10 should wear patent leather Mary Jane style shoe, all other students shall wear oxford style tap shoes.
Contemporary / Modern
Leotards and tights or leggings are appropriate attire for contemporary and modern classes. As in ballet, skirts and leg warmers or dance wraps are permitted. Lyrical shoes, ballet shoes, or bare feet are allowed for both modern and contemporary. *End of the year recital performance may require a specific type of shoe.
Hip-hop / Street
Some loose fitting attire is permitted for hip-hop class as long as clothing is not restricting movement or distracting to other students. (Inappropriate clothing that has profanity, explicit language, disrespectful pictures Black split sole jazz shoes or sneakers are preferred, but clean street shoes purchased specifically for use in dance class are allowed.
*End of the year recital performance may require a specific type of shoe.
Hair
We request all ballet students come to class with hair secured neatly back, in a bun. Loose, fall in the face or flying hair draws a teacher’s focus away and distracts from her/his true purpose; attending to the student’s dancing. Loose hair also distracts the attention of the dancer who sports the loose hair!
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Instructors are happy to demonstrate at the beginning or tail end of any class (teacher's choice as to not interfere with class time). Once one learns this technique, a bun is quicker and easier than any other way to secure the hair!
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Please see some instructional videos below for some guidance.
*End of year recital performance may require specific types of hairstyles at the teachers request.
Donut Bun
Easy Twist Bun
Short Hair Bun
Dress Code Explained
Many dance schools require a specific dress code for attending ballet class, and for good cause. Close fitting leotards and tights have a purpose. The student dressed appropriately, in body fitting attire, will have movements seen by the teacher. The student’s successes will be celebrated and encouraged. The student’s movements will be gently corrected. If the instructor cannot observe a student’s form, both brilliance and mistakes will go unnoticed.
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In a well-founded dance class, students are not just taught a series of steps. Students are taught technique and form and the proper way to execute steps. This not only allows students to move forward, but also to do so safely, with as little strain to the body as possible. Appropriate attire makes this part of the teacher’s job possible.
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Certainly, the instructor's job is also to teach and demonstrate dance steps in a graduating level of difficulty. However, without proper technique training (how to do the steps) the students will not be capable of performing the steps taught. The students will not progress or advance to the next level.
Therefore, proper form and technique serve a purpose for both the student and teacher. There is knowledge that the teacher shares with students, over years, in a coaching style relationship. Mastery of these little hints, clues and methods, allow dancers to move on, confidently and successfully, to more complicated, high level of difficulty advanced steps. Without the knowledge of good technique, (alongside repeated practical application of good technique) more advanced skills cannot be accomplished.
Proper technique, postural alignment and placement must become habitual. When the teacher cannot observe whether or not a student’s form is correct, the teacher cannot praise or gently correct. The teacher cannot perform this job with success without seeing a student’s body.
The more uniformly a class is attired, the easier it is for the teacher to detect non-uniformity in placement, alignment and proper technique.
As teachers we promote positive growth and learning to guide the students to be respectful, kind, and good human beings.
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All the shoes look the same. Make sure you go home with your dance wear and not someone elses.
label your belongings!!!
