Adults
ADULT BALLET: comfortable and flexible clothing that is fairly tight so the instructor can see and correct form. Ballet shoes are required.
ADULT TAP: comfortable, flexible and modest. Tap shoes or hard soled shoes required.
Youth Girls
Appropriate attire and hair style helps establish discipline. For all youth ballet classes, hair must be pulled back neatly off the face and neck in a bun, or as up as the student’s hair length will allow. A bun is not required for the other dance disciplines, but it should still be pulled back. If it is not otherwise stated, all youth ballet classes also require ballet shoes. Please buy the correct color and style leotard for each class, listed below:
BEGINNER JAZZ/CONTEMPORARY COMBO: Girls must wear close fitting clothing that completely covers the torso, chest, and legs down to the knees. This includes full length and ¾ leggings, leotards, tank tops, tighter T-shirts, etc. Boys must also wear close fitting clothing. Baggier T-shirts are acceptable if they can be tucked into their leggings/pants. Jazz shoes are required. For the Contemporary portion of class, bare feet are expected, or up to teacher’s discretion (paws, socks, etc.)
BEGINNER TAP I & II: comfortable and modest attire. Full length or 3/4 leggings recommended so teacher can see student’s ankles and feet mobility.
TEEN HIP HOP: comfortable and flexible clothing that allows for full range of motion and movement. Sneakers or tennis shoes required, high tops recommended!
TEEN BALLET I & II: black leotard, ballet pink tights, ballet shoes.
STRETCH FOR DANCERS: comfortable, flexible, and modest attire. Ballet shoes, socks, or bare feet.
PREP FOR POINTE: black leotard, ballet pink tights
BEGINNER PARTNERING: black leotard, ballet pink tights
LITTLE GUYS: ballet pink leotard and tights for girls, black leggings and white T-shirt for boys. Ballet shoes required.
LITTLES TAP: ballet pink leotard and tights for girls, black leggings and white T-shirt for boys. Tap shoes required. The tap shoes can be found here at Footlights
BALLET I/II: ballet pink leotard and tights. Ballet shoes required.
BALLET III: lavender leotard, ballet pink tights.
BALLET IV/V: navy blue leotard, ballet pink tights.
BALLET VI/VII: red leotard, ballet pink tights.
BALLET VIII: black leotard, ballet pink tights.
INTERMEDIATE BALLET: black leotard, capped sleeve, V-neck, ballet cut leg line, ballet pink tights.
ADVANCED BALLET: black leotard, same as above. Ballet pink tights.
PRE-PROFESSIONAL: Black leotard. Ballet pink tights. See below for Contemporary Class attire.
CONTEMPORARY DANCE ATTIRE (Intermediate and Advanced): Upper level students have one contemporary class a week. Girls must wear close fitting clothing that completely covers the torso, chest, and legs down to the knees. This includes full length and ¾ leggings, leotards, tank tops, tighter T-shirts, etc. Boys must also wear close fitting clothing. Baggier T-shirts are acceptable if they can be tucked into their leggings/pants. Bare feet are expected in Contemporary, or up to teacher’s discretion (paws, socks, etc.)
The leotards for the Ballet I – VIII can be found here at Discount Dance
The leotards for Intermediate Level and up can be found here at Discount Dance
Tights and ballet shoes are required. The color for the tights is called “ballet pink.” Essence Studios recommends Footlights Dance and Theatre Boutique in Frederick and Silver Spring, Maryland as a source for many of these items, or Discount Dance as mentioned above. Students must be dressed properly in order to be permitted to take class. For Ballet VII/VIII and up, Friday is “any color Friday” once a week, for a change.
Youth Boys
Boys are to wear black tights or leggings, and black canvas or leather ballet shoes. They should wear a white t-shirt, tucked in. Close fitting spandex shirt is preferred. Hair must be neat, and if it is long enough that it interferes with the dancer’s vision, it must be pulled back.
Warm-Up Coverings
Students may wear solid colored warmers on their legs or shrug which must be tight fitting to show the line. Warmers should be removed after the first few combinations or exercises. For upper levels, they must be removed before coming to Center. In colder weather, keeping warmers on longer is by teacher discretion. Shorts and bagginess generally are not allowed, as it prohibits the teacher’s ability to see and correct the dancer’s technique.
Entering and Leaving Studio
It is inappropriate for the student to enter or leave the facility in ballet attire, and girls are encouraged to wear a simple skirt or shorts over their ballet clothes for modesty if they are unable to fully change after class. If the body has been worked hard, a warm up cover is strongly encouraged in cool weather. Supportive footwear is strongly suggested to promote healthy feet!
***PLEASE LABEL ALL ITEMS OF CLOTHING***