Dress Code Information

Dear Parents:

Each year we struggle with dress code issues. We would like to ask for your support and help in this area. Dance classes are most commonly affected with students occasionally showing up in the wrong attire, but mainly showing up without hair properly tied back. When teachers have to take time to fix a student's hair, this takes time away from the class. A good rule of thumb is that students should be able to get through an entire dance class without touching their hair. Otherwise, it is not fixed properly. Thank you for your help!

Reasons for a General Dress Code: Having a dress code teaches students to take responsibility for themselves and their appearance. It also helps maintain a level of professionalism for the business.

Drama & Voice Classes – Comfortable clothes that are modest and do not

restrict movement. No half tops, low cut tops, or short shorts.
Undergarments should not be visible when standing or sitting down. Shoes may need to be removed in dance studios.

Reasons for Dress Codes in Dance:
1.      Proper dress is a visual reminder that students are part of a special group.
2.      Uniformity cuts down on distractions and allows students to focus and concentrate on developing new skills.
3.      Dress codes in dance look more professional and are part of the long history of dance.
4.      Color specifications with leotards or tights and style specifications with shoes help denote a student’s level. Students are very aware of subtle details. Seeing older students in slightly different dress may not seem like a big deal to adults, but it gives students something to look forward to and work towards. Seeing younger students in different dress gives older students an opportunity to be looked up to and may motivate them to be good role models.
5.      Dance involves discipline, respect, focus, and hard work. Dress codes are a part of that.
6.      Proper dress helps teachers to make important corrections with placement, lines, etc.
7.      Older ballet and jazz students need to be in only leotards (and no skirts) because of reason #6. Unfortunately many girls seem to begin having self esteem issues somewhere between ages 9-12. Not allowing skirts beginning at age 6 allows students to get comfortable in just a leotard and tights before the critical self esteem ages hit.
General For All Dance Classes
1. No jewelry other than small stud earrings
                and one ring per hand.
2. A dark solid color sweatshirt may be brought to class during winter months
   and may be worn ONLY for the beginning part of class. Form fitting black or
   pink wrap around dance sweaters may be worn for the entire class.
3. Underwear should either not be worn or not be sticking out.
4. HAIR- If students need to touch their hair during class, then it is not fixed properly!

Boogie Babies (Ages 3-4) & Combo I (Ages 4-5)
        GIRLS – HAIR – Pulled back off of face and neck.
                          LEOTARD – SOLID black or pastel color
                          TIGHTS - Pink,White or Tan    NO BLACK
                          SHOES - Pink or White leather full sole ballet slippers.
                                 *Combo I will need white for the spring performance.
                          SKIRTS – (optional) Only short skirts are acceptable as long as they are
                                    not distracting to the students.
                          No unitards or bike shorts.
                          Underpants should not be worn under tights. Tights are meant to take
                                    their place.
                      * Combo I Students will not be allowed to wear underpants for the spring
                                     performance because of ugly panty lines. Helping them get used to
                                     this now will make things easier for all of us.
        BOYS- Solid color sweat pants, dance pants, or black boys dance tights. Solid
                       color T-shirt or tank top. Black leather full sole ballet shoes. Hair should be
                       neat and out of face.
Combo II (Ages 6-7)
GIRLS – HAIR- Pulled back off of face and neck.
            LEOTARD - Solid Black or Pastel Pink.
            TIGHTS - Pink, White or Tan - NO BLACK
            SHOES – White leather full sole ballet shoes, black patent tap shoes
            NO SKIRTS, BIKE SHORTS, OR UNITARDS
           No Leg Warmers or additional accessories.
BOYS – Solid Black or Gray sweat pants, Black jazz pants, or Black boys dance
            tights. Solid White, Gray, or Black form fitting T-shirt or tank top.
                        Black leather full sole ballet shoes, black oxford style tap shoes. Hair
                        should be neat and out of face.
All Ballet, Jazz &Modern Classes Combo III & UP
          GIRLS – HAIR- Long hair should be completely up in a bun or twist. Shorter hair needs to be
pulled back into a short ponytail with sides secured. If hair is too short for ponytail then sides should be pulled back out of face. No long pieces hanging down. Learning to turn among other things is impossible when you keep getting hit in the eyes with your hair.
LEOTARD - Solid Black or Pastel Pink
                        TIGHTS - Pink, Black, or Tan
                        SHOES – Full sole Ballet Shoes for students in their 1st or 2nd year of ballet. Split sole ballet shoes for students with         more than 2 years consecutive experience, Tan Split Sole Jazz Shoes, Footless or convertible tights for modern
            NO SKIRTS, BIKE SHORTS, OR UNITARDS
            No Leg Warmers or additional accessories.
            BOYS – Solid Black jazz pants, Black boys dance tights, Gray or
                            Black sweat pants. Solid White, Gray, or Black form fitting T-shirt or
                            Tank top. Black ballet shoes, Black jazz shoes, no shoes required for
                            Modern . Hair should be neat and out of face.
TAP (Ages 8 and up) – Same as above. Short SOLID Black tap shorts with no writing
                        on the behind are allowed. Tan Merry Jane Style Tap Shoes.
Hip Hop – Girls & Boys – SOLID COLOR Comfortable stretchy workout clothes or dance clothes.
                      No Jeans. No short shorts unless tights or bike shorts are worn underneath. No pajama pants. Tops should be stretchy and comfortable. Underwear should not be seen! Black dance sneakers. Long hair should be pulled back off of face and neck. Sides of hair and bangs should be secured regardless of hair length. Knee pads, leg warmers or something to cover knees should be brought to class.
Boys Club – Same as Hip Hop.
Acrobatics
         GIRLS -Any solid color leotard or unitard. Footless tights or bike shorts.
                       Hair must be pulled back in a LOW ponytail. No shoes required.
BOYS- Solid color sweat pants, dance pants, or shorts. Solid
                       color T-shirt or tank top. Hair should be neat and out of face.
           No shoes required .
Open Adult Classes – Dancewear is recommended with appropriate footwear.