Dress Code | Hermitage Performing Arts Academy

DANCE DRESS CODE

Dance Class is about more than just learning dance steps. Students learn posture, and alignment and how to move gracefully before learning the dance steps and combos.

Maintaining a dress code for dance promotes focus and a stronger work ethic in class. It teaches the student respect for the class and instills discipline. It also provides unity and equality. Proper dress code allows the teacher to clearly see the students posture and full view of muscles and adjust body placement, position, and alignment.

A dark colored leotard against pink or tan tights shows hip alignment. Short sleeves and spaghetti straps allow the teacher to see the shoulders and back for postural corrections. Light colored tights give the teacher a view of the leg muscles, knee alignment and use of ankle.

Having hair pulled up flat against the head and off the neck is important for spotting turns and balance. The teachers need to see the ears and shoulders for corrections.

Shoes are a dancer’s instrument. They must fit snug. Do not expect them to last the season. They will probably need to be replaced half way through the season.

Ballet slippers should be pliable and show the outline of the toes. A teacher needs to see if the student is clenching their toes or properly spreading them. Young dancers need a full sole shoe so that they learn to work the muscles of the sole. Split sole shoes should be worn in higher level when the dancer's foot has developed.

Young dancers need a little wiggle room at the toes so they can learn to spread their toes when rising up and pushing off the floor. When the dancer reaches their teens and the feet are done growing shoes need to be tighter so the dancer can feel the floor and move with ease.

Tap shoes need a quality cleat with a good sound, Cheap dance shoes have cleats that don’t have enough sound, scratch the floor, and leave black residue on the floor. Tap shoes must fit snug enough so the toe is over the front cleat. The shoe needs to bend at the ball of the ball of the foot without pilling off the heel. Therefore certain brand requirements for the shoes are listed in your dress code.

Certain leotards, tights and shoes will be mandatory in order to participate in dance classes at Hermitage Performing Arts Academy. We have put together the proper dress code for each individual class and it is available In our welcome packet.

Dance with me: Any color dance leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes

Sparkle Babies: Pink Sparkle tutu(purchased through the studio) Pink Ballet tights, Pink Ballet shoes

Sparkle Stars: Purple Sparkle tutu,(purchased through the studio) Pink Ballet tights, Pink ballet shoes, tan tap shoes

Combo Classes: 5.5-7yrs: Pink leotard (any style) pink or suntan tights, pink ballet slippers, tan tap shoes, tan jazz shoes

8 yrs and up dance classes: Solid color black leotard, pink or suntan tights, check with teacher on shoes

Hip-Hop: baggy sweats, swishy panys, dance leggings, loose shirt, half top, combat boots, or converse style tennis shoes

Tumble: Black solid color biketard, or leotard, no tights or transition tights, so shoes

Company Dancers: Studio leotard with logo, purchased through the studio