Dance class is about more than learning steps. Students learn posture, alignment and how to move gracefully before learning the dance steps and combos. The right dancewear allows the teacher a full view of the dancer’s posture and use of muscles.
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 color tights give the teacher a view of the leg muscles, knee alignment and use of the ankle.
Having hair air up is important for balance and spotting during turns. The hair should be fixed flat against the head. Your teacher needs to see your ears and shoulders for corrections.
Shoes are a dancer’s instrument. They must fit snug. Do not expect them to last the season. You will probably need to replace them half way through the season. Ballet slippers should be pliable and show the outline of the toes. A teacher needs to see if a 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 a higher level when the dancer’s foot has developed. Young dancers also need a little wiggle room at the toes so that they can learn to spread their toes when rising up and pushing off the floor. When a dancers 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 Tap shoes have cleats that don’t have enough sound, scratch the dance floor, and leave black residue on the floor. Tap shoes must fit snug enough so that the toe is over the front cleat. The shoe needs to easily bend at the ball of the ball of the foot without pulling off the heel. Therefore, your teacher will probably ask you to purchase a certain brand that fulfills all these requirements.
And, the right dancewear instills discipline, respect for class, and helps the student to feel like a dancer.
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 color tights give the teacher a view of the leg muscles, knee alignment and use of the ankle.
Having hair air up is important for balance and spotting during turns. The hair should be fixed flat against the head. Your teacher needs to see your ears and shoulders for corrections.
Shoes are a dancer’s instrument. They must fit snug. Do not expect them to last the season. You will probably need to replace them half way through the season. Ballet slippers should be pliable and show the outline of the toes. A teacher needs to see if a 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 a higher level when the dancer’s foot has developed. Young dancers also need a little wiggle room at the toes so that they can learn to spread their toes when rising up and pushing off the floor. When a dancers 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 Tap shoes have cleats that don’t have enough sound, scratch the dance floor, and leave black residue on the floor. Tap shoes must fit snug enough so that the toe is over the front cleat. The shoe needs to easily bend at the ball of the ball of the foot without pulling off the heel. Therefore, your teacher will probably ask you to purchase a certain brand that fulfills all these requirements.
And, the right dancewear instills discipline, respect for class, and helps the student to feel like a dancer.