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In a word, yes. First and foremost the footwear for each class (ballet, jazz, hip hop, etc.) is going to be different. As for the dancewear itself, it usually boils down to style rather than, say, fabric or fit.

For example, Motionwear might use the same fabrics for a jazz leotard as a ballet leotard, but the look of those two leotards is going to be markedly different.

So, what are the different types of dancewear “looks” for the three big styles of dance?

Ballet

Ballerinas are conservative. Partly because it’s a strict requirement of their school and partly because that’s just the style. Ballet is an old form of dance steeped in tradition and part of that tradition is the dress. So, you’ll typically see ballerinas wearing either pink or black leotards (unless their school dictates otherwise) with tights. There isn’t a lot of wiggle room in ballet (pardon the pun) for personal expression through attire.

Jazz

Jazz, like the art form itself, definitely tends to be a lot more “free” in its dancewear choices. Here at Motionwear, we sell a lot of tanks, booty shorts and bra tops for jazz dancers. They tend to like the flexibility of separate pieces that are both comfortable and versatile along with the range of colors and prints.

Hip Hop

A big part of hip hop dance is the attitude and part of that attitude is personal expression. Personal expression includes dancewear and in hip hop, almost anything goes.

Depending on your studio, you could probably get away with wearing jeans to class if you wanted to (after one sweaty sesssion, you’d probably never want to do it again, but still). So, hip hop dancers don’t tend to snatch up the leotards and instead will gravitate towards the more colorful and modern separates.

A dancer could wear the same leotard to every dance class, but they don’t usually. Instead, they opt to wear clothing styles that fit the style of dance they’re practicing at that time.

Photo: Lieven SOTE

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The studio owner

Try to find out where the studio owner is from and where his or her foundation is based. Did they just graduate college? Do they have their major in dance? Did they travel with a troupe? Were they part of a company?

Getting a good understanding of a studio owner’s background lets you know where they’re coming from and how much experience they have. Many parents choose someone who was with a well-known company. They feel that gives them the experience of being both a student and a performer.

The teachers

Look for a variety of teachers. When a dance school is diverse, I see it as more opportunity for a student to branch out and learn new styles and techniques. For example, a great studio may have a teacher who’s incredible at ballet, another who’s into hip hop, and yet another who’s a phenomenal modern dancer.

Diversity in the staff leads to diversity in the dancer.

Presence in the community

The best experience you can give a dance student is performance experience. That’s why I recommend looking for a dance school that’s active in the local community and performing locally.

A few recitals a year isn’t enough to build up that performance experience. But if a dance school is running performances at local events, it’s a great opportunity for students to really find their stage legs.

Inspiration factor

This one is all about personal preference, but look for a dance studio that’s going to inspire your children. If you go in and the ceiling’s leaking and half the flickering fluorescent lights are broken, they may not be inspired as an artist (and you won’t be inspired as a parent). So, always take a tour of the studio before you enroll your kids. Make sure it’s a welcoming environment that brings out the dancer in your child.

Photo: Bisgovuk

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Teaches Discipline

Our head dance designer began taking dance classes when she was three, and she’s one of the most disciplined and polite women I know. Actually, most dancers I’ve met in my dancewear career have been exceptionally polite and disciplined. I think that attitude and demeanor stems from the discipline and manners that are taught in the dance studio.

Let’s face it, manners and discipline are lacking in a lot of kids these days. But, put them in a room with some of the ballet teachers I’ve met, and they’ll have them saying please and thank you left, right and center.

Posture

Dancers don’t slouch. Why? Because dance school teaches you how to hold yourself — keep a flat back, stand tall and remember your legs. It may seem frivolous, but good posture is key to preventing future back problems.

Exercise

Dance school gets kids out of the house, away from the TV and actually moving. It’s an amazing workout that teaches them how to move their bodies, use their bodies and stay active.

Opens Kids to the Arts

For me, this is probably the biggest benefit of dance school for children. Dance is a great way to open kids up, at a young age, to the arts and the beauty of creative expression.

Unfortunately, our arts programs in schools are constantly being cut and I think it’s up to us, the parents, to make sure our children aren’t losing an important part of our culture. By exposing your child to the arts early, you’re setting them up for a lifetime of artistic appreciation. It’s hard to measure that, but I value it highly.

Photo: Tom@HK

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