WHAT TO WEAR TO CLASS
(and other important information)
All dancers should come prepared for class. A dedicated dance bag is highly recommended to ensure that shoes and other items necessary for dance class are kept together and easy to locate. Parents, please write your child's name or initials on all dancewear and footwear! This will help with returning lost items to their owners!
DANCEWEAR / CLOTHING:
Loose-fitting t-shirts, baggy shorts, and sweatsuits are not proper dance attire, but they are great to wear to and from the studio; in fact, clothing must be worn into and out of the dance studio (just like bathing suits aren't proper street attire neither are leotards and tights). In winter months, please help your dancer reduce their chance for muscle strain/injury by having them wear warm clothing to and from the studio.
Setting the Stage (all levels) - Leotard (any color) with pink tights, optional dance skirt or tutu. In cold winter months, a dance "wrap" sweater may be worn.
Ballet, Lyrical, Modern, Pointe (Pre Ballet thru Ballet V) - Leotard (any color) with pink tights, optional dance skirt. In cold winter months, a dance "wrap" sweater may be worn during barre work.
Gentlemen (all classes) - Non-baggy tee shirt (tucked in) and non-baggy shorts or jazz pants. Pants must be of a length and style so that the foot can be seen.
Hip Hop (Jr Jazz/Hip Hop thru Hip Hop 4) - Dance leotard or any non-baggy tee shirt. Dance shorts, leggings, or non-baggy athletic pants. Pants must be of a length so that the foot can be seen.
Jazz (Jr Jazz thru Jazz 5) - Leotard (any color) with tan tights, dance shorts or jazz pants of choice optional. No baggy sweatpants. Pants must be of a length so that the foot can be seen.
Tap (Jr Tap thru Tap 5) - Leotard (any color) with tan tights, dance shorts or jazz pants of choice optional. No baggy sweatpants. Pants must be of a length so that the foot can be seen.
Technique classes - Leotard (any color), tights (if appropriate), and dance shorts, skirt, jazz pants of choice (optional and per teacher's instruction). No baggy sweatpants. Pants must be of a length so that the foot can be seen.
Themed Camps and Workshops - Students are encouraged to have fun and dress to match the theme of the day. Please be sure that while having fun your dancer can still move freely and that they have proper hair and footwear (see details below).
FOOTWEAR:
Setting the Stage (preschool-kindergarten) -
Act 1 and Act 2 dancers should wear pink ballet slippers (girls) and black jazz shoes (boys).
Encore dancers should bring pink ballet slippers (girls) and black jazz shoes (boys) and black Mary Jane tap shoes with buckle (Girls) and black lace-up shoes (boys) to class with each week.
Setting the Stage Hip Hop classes should wear any DEDICATED sneaker/tennis shoe with good support for class and rehearsals (no shoes that are worn outside, please). For performances, students need a pair of white Adidas "Superstar" (the original Hip Hop) sneakers. It has three black stripes on each side of both shoes. It is best to purchase these and break them in around April before our spring performances.
Ballet (all levels) - Ladies: Any pink ballet flat. Leather or canvas upper, leather sole. A split sole is preferred for intermediate and advanced dancers. Boys/men: Any black ballet flat. Leather or canvas upper, leather sole. A split sole is preferred for intermediate and advanced dancers.
Hip Hop - Any DEDICATED sneaker/tennis shoe with good support for class and rehearsals (no shoes that are worn outside, please). For performances, students need a pair of white Adidas "Superstar" (the original Hip Hop) sneakers. It has three black stripes on each side of both shoes. It is best to purchase these and break them in around April before our spring performances.
Jazz and Musical Theater - Tan jazz slip-on shoes.
Lyrical and Modern - Beginner Lyrical: Lyrical half-sole (also called a Pirouette half-sole). Intermediate and Advanced Lyrical: dancers will dance barefoot. All Modern: dancers will dance barefoot.
Performance Team - Tan jazz slip-on shoes.
Pointe - As per teacher instruction. Please, DO NOT purchase pointe shoes without being told to do so and obtaining instructions beforehand. Pre-pointe dancers will remain in ballet flats until earning their pointe shoes.
Junior Tap and Tap 1 - Girls: Black Mary Jane tap shoe with buckle (we prefer non-high gloss). Boys: black lace-up tap shoes.
Tap 2 and 3 - Black, Oxford jazz-style tap shoe. Lace-up or slip-on.
Tap 4 and 5 (high schoolers) - Jason Samuel Smiths.
OTHER CLASS REQUIREMENTS:
Technique classes (Ballet Barre, Trix of the Trade, etc) - May require resistance/exercise bands.
HAIR & GENERAL GROOMING/HYGIENE/APPEARANCE:
Ballet - Hair should be neatly restrained in a bun, and all jewelry must be removed (small post earrings are permitted).
All Classes - Hair should be neatly restrained in a bun or ponytail, and all jewelry must be removed (small post earrings are permitted).
Hygiene Notice - From approximately age 10-11, deodorant is a necessity for every dancer. Nails should be kept rounded and trimmed (pointed or long fingernails can easily injure other dancers). All cuts and scratches that draw any blood should be bandaged/covered.
Hydration - It is essential that all dances stay hydrated. Please have your dancer bring a refillable water bottle with them to every dance class.