DRESS CODE

Students are expected to be dressed and ready to dance when their class begins.  It is not the instructor’s responsibility to ensure that students are dressed within their class/level’s dress code.  

 

Please be sure to mark students’ items on the inside with their name so nothing gets lost!

 

Please make sure hair is up and ready to go for all classes where a ponytail or bun is required.  Messy or loose hair is extremely distracting and dangerous for a dancer, and we expect that all students adhere to their class/level’s corresponding dress code.

 

We recognize that comfort is paramount to a student’s success in class, and believe students dance their best when they feel their best.  That is why, as of Summer 2020, we have completely re-written our dress code to encourage our students to perform to the best of their ability.  

 

ALL CLASSES

• Do not ever wear your dance shoes outside. They are meant to be worn inside the dance studio ONLY. Wearing them outside tracks dirt, rocks, oil and ruins the shoe. Protect yourself and our studio floor.

• NO SOCKS WITHOUT GRIP ARE PERMITTED IN THE STUDIO - THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND WILL NOT BE TOLERATED WHATSOEVER.

• NO street shoes are allowed in either studio past the main doors. Hip hop dancers must bring a SEPARATE pair of sneakers to wear in the studio only.

• Hair must be pulled out of the face regardless of gender/hair length - there should be no bangs or hair in the face at any time - including bangs and the small tendril pieces that are becoming increasingly popular right now.

• ABSOLUTELY NO DENIM/STREET CLOTHES FOR ANY AGE

• Jewelry discouraged, however minimal, unobtrusive jewelry will be allowed.  Instructors reserve the right to request dancers remove jewelry.

  • Absolutely NO beaded elastic jewelry - they have a tendancy to get caught & break, sending beads rolling around the room & causing a safety hazard.​
     

BALLET

​Tights and ballet slippers are required for all dancers. Students may choose what color tights & shoes they feel comfortable wearing.

 

Dancers may choose which of the following two uniform options best align with their gender identity:

1. Leotard & Tights

   1. Dancers may choose what fit of leotard they would prefer to wear, so long as it is well-fitted and does not conceal the dancer’s body.

   2. Dancers may choose between pink or skin-tone tights - no black tights permitted.

   3. Dancers may choose to wear tight spandex shorts or a ballet skirt over their leotard & tights.  

      1. We prefer spandex shorts over a ballet skirt as skirts can make it difficult to see pelvic & hip placement.

      2. Shorts should not be baggy or loose.

   4. Canvas ballet shoes only - NO SOCKS

   5. Shorts, warm-ups, sweaters etc. are allowed at the barre until the end of degage.

      1. Warm-ups should not conceal the body and if the item worn makes it difficult for the instructor to adequately assess placement and technique, they may request the dancer remove the item prior to degage.

2. Traditional “Men’s” Ballet Uniform

   1. Fitted tee-shirt or tank top - nothing baggy or loose fitting.  Solid, neutral colours are preferred.

   2. Dancer may choose between black or skin-tone ballet shoes

   3. Fitted, non-patterned tights or shorts.  Solid, neutral colours are preferred.

      1. No baggy shorts, sweatpants, or otherwise loose-fitting pants as they can make it difficult to see pelvic & hip placement.

   4. Canvas ballet shoes only - NO SOCKS

   5. Shorts, warm-ups, sweaters etc. are allowed at the barre until the end of degage.

      1. Warm-ups should not conceal the body and if the item worn makes it difficult for the instructor to adequately assess placement and technique, they may request the dancer remove the item prior to degage.

Hair: 

• Pulled back, clean bun for students with long hair (hair longer than the ears). This means hairspray, no whispies, and nothing falling out of the bun. 

• Layered hair should have a hair net or bun cover to keep the bun in place. 

• If a student’s hair is not properly tied up, they may be asked to leave class to fix it while the rest of the class moves on.  

• Buns must be fitted with pins - wrapping a hair tie or scrunchie around is not sufficient.  No tendrils, bangs, or loose hair in face whatsoever. 

• If a dancer has a different style of class either directly before or after a ballet class, it is the STUDENT’S responsibility to ensure their hair falls within the standards of their classes without being late to any class.  

• Video guides to creating a bun on both long & short hair can be found on your portal under “Shared Files”

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CONTEMPORARY 

• Form fitting, athletic clothing

  • Pants or tights under shorts are recommended as floor work will be frequent.

• ABSOLUTELY NO DENIM/STREET CLOTHES FOR ANY AGE

• Ages 5-6: Bare feet

• Ages 7 and up: Capezio Foot Undeez Lyrical Half Sole

  • Socks with grips may be allowed at instructors’ discretion, though Foot Undeez should be all dancers’ default so they can get used to dancing in them prior to performances.

• Hair out of face (bun or ponytail).

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BREAKING/HIP-HOP

• ​Knees must be covered at all times

• Proper shoes that protect the ankle. No slip-ons

• NO STREET SHOES! Please bring a separate pair of clean sneakers for class

• Hair is recommended to be worn up and out of the face, but is open to instructors’ discretion.

 

JAZZ

• Form fitting, athletic clothing.

• Pants or tights under shorts are recommended to enable full participation in floorwork.

• So Danca "Jill" Split Sole Canvas Jazz Shoe

  • Skin-tone recommended, Black OK

  • Please be aware that you may be required to purchase a different colour for recitals/performances.

  • NO SOCKS

• Hair out of face (bun or ponytail).

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TAP

• Mini, U12, 12+ Level I: Black tap shoes, NO SPLIT SOLE

• 12+ Level II & Up: Theatricals Adult 1.5" Heel "Baby Louis" Character Tap Shoes, Skin Tone

• Comfortable, athletic clothing

• Hair out of face (bun or ponytail)

• No split sole tap shoes for any age

 

MUSICAL THEATRE

• Form fitting, athletic clothing.

• U12: Danca "Jill" Split Sole Canvas Jazz Shoe; skin-tone preferred, black OK

• 12+: Capezio 2" Jr Footlight T-Strap Character Shoe, Skin-Tone

• Please be aware that you may be required to purchase a different colour shoe for recitals/performances.

• Hair out of face (bun or ponytail).

• NO SOCKS

 

ACRO

• Form fitting, athletic clothing

• Hair out of face, tied back in bun

• NO JEWELRY - it is a safety hazard when performing acrobatic skills.

• Barefoot 

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TURNS & LEAPS

• Form fitting, athletic clothing.

• Any shoe listed above (no sneakers or character heels).

  • Socks OK as long as they have grips on the bottom,

• Hair out of face (bun or ponytail).

 

OTHER REQUIRED ITEMS:

• Dance journal (U12 and up)

• Theraband (U12 and up)

• Water bottle (cups will not be provided)

• Pre-Pointe/Pointe Technique:

  • Tennis Ball