Everything you need to know before Beginner Ballet Class.

There she is. A tiara on her head. Twirling through the living room. She’s not a princess. She’s the Sugar Plum Fairy from the Nutcracker Ballet or someone that resembles her. She’s telling you, “Mommy, I want to be a Ballerina.”

Here we go. The dream has begun. It’ll either be something she loves for the rest of her life or a phase, as kids tend to want one thing then the next. Either way, you want to make your little one's dream come true.

So you research dance studios and ballet classes near you. You search and read endlessly to make sure the dance studio is right for you and your child. You have questions like:

Are they beginner-friendly dance classes?
How will the studio look?
Where are there ballet classes for 3-year-olds?
How long do dance classes usually last?

But you’re still lost on what exactly you need, and what the classes will be like for your Sugar Plum Fairy. You’ve never taken a dance class before or you did when you were little. It turned out ballet was not for you. Either way, you have no idea what the dance world is like now.

After 10+ years of being a dancer/choreographer in New York, I’m here for you. I’m here to tell you the ins and outs of ballet classes for your little one. Here are 5 things you should know before signing your child up for dance class.

What to Wear to Ballet Class

First, your aspiring dancer will need dance wear. Dance is a culture in and of itself. Attire is required for instructors, choreographers, and students to see their posture. To see the way their body moves, and their lines.

Depending on the dance school or studio you sign your child up for, the attire may be specific. Specific colors, or leotard sleeve cuts. I know my dance studio growing up required us to wear a royal blue biketard and a studio shirt for every class. This was the late 90s when biketards and unitards were all the rage for dance class.

Think of dancewear for class as a uniform. Some studios have everything you need for sale, so you don’t have to worry about looking elsewhere. That’s what my studio did and it was so easy for my parents. Other dance studios need you to get dance clothes at a nearby store or online.

Whatever the case may be, here are the basic items you will need:

Tights ( The color and type of foot are specific to the studio.)
Leotard (The color and sleeve cut are specific to the studio.)
Ballet shoes (The color, style, and brand are specific to the studio.)

If the dance studio near you requires you to buy your child’s uniform elsewhere, there are 2 brands that I recommend. Here are 2 of the most common brands in the dance industry. Capezio (pronounced Ca-peez-ee-o) and Bloch (pronounced like “block”) have been providing dancers with their dancewear for over 100 years.

They have tons of shoes, leotards, and tights to choose from. I recommend going to a store to get your shoes sized. Every type of shoe fits depending on the style and brand. Do a quick online search for your local dance store or if there is a Capezio or Bloch store branch near you.

2. How Long Is a Ballet Class?

Depending on the level of the dancer and the studio, the class time may vary. Through my years of experience, toddler classes run in 45-minute or 1-hour blocks once a week. 45-minute dance classes seem to be the winner, especially for toddlers.

Classes generally mirror a school year. Students start in September and end in May or June. At the end of the school year, dance studios put on a Recital showcasing all the work classes put into the year. This is not counting summer sessions or day camps.

The dance recital is where your child gets to wear a beautiful costume on stage! She may even get to wear a tiara or a big tutu to get the full Ballerina experience.

Like class attire, costumes are a sort of uniform and are set by the studio. The dance costumes are ordered and your child is sized for them during the year. The cost of the costumes is either included with tuition or is a separate cost. This depends on how the studio runs things.

Some common costume companies are Revolution Dancewear, Weissman, and A Wish Come True. There are many more dance costume companies your studio can choose from.

Wherever your child takes class, the studio will give instructions for their Recital and costumes. This includes shoe color, hairstyles, and makeup. Pretty soon, your child will be happy dancing up a storm in a beautiful new, magical outfit. Her dream of becoming the Sugar Plum Fairy is on her way to being more than a dream.

3. Before the Spins and Leaps, There’s Ballet Posture.

One of the most important things dancers learn first is posture. Whether it is a beginner ballet class or a professional ballet company, posture is what makes Ballet. Both men and women alike go through years of training. What always sticks with them is how they present themselves.

There are different schools of ballet. There are different types of ballet. When a child first starts their education in this graceful art, one thing is for sure. No matter which school they learn, posture is the basis and foundation of their dance knowledge.

Dance teachers usually use Classical Ballet as the fundamental type to leap off of. Pun intended. Out of the many schools and studios I have taught with and learned from, Classical Ballet has always been the go-to for my colleagues and teachers.

Like learning any new skill, you have to get through the stiff, basic stuff first before you can soar with all the cool stuff. Be aware there may be some days when your child comes home and says “We didn’t do anything. We stood at the barre for most of the time.”

This is a true statement. There is a lot of standing around at first. But to get to the spins and leaps, they must learn how to hold and move their body so they do not hurt themselves in any way.

Teachers know their students want to have fun. They learn at least some of the fun stuff when they start out. But don’t expect them to be knocking out pirouettes at home after the first class.

Dance games are a fantastic way to introduce Ballet to your student. If the teacher incorporates them, lots of giggles fill the room. I have played dance games with my classes in the past. They never disappoint.

Ballet is a lot like building a piece of architecture. You need a solid foundation and base. From there, we build. One floor then the next. All the while, their foundation is what keeps them sturdy throughout the process.

4. The Five Ballet Positions

So ballet posture is the foundation of this genre of dance. But there are basic positions that ballet dancers always come back to. Think of them as life-long friends or family members.

There are different methods of ballet. There's the Russian Method, the French, and the Balanchine Method to name a few. One thing is for sure, they all bounce off of the 5 basic positions:

First position
Second position
Third Position
Fourth Position
Fifth Position

They will most likely learn First Position in their first class. You see, ballet dancers always move their feet and arms through these positions. Since we are talking about beginner ballet here, they will be taught in stages of progression.

Depending on the studio’s curriculum, your toddler or youngster will know First and Second Position. As their skills improve, they will be masters of all 5. How fun for your little one! The twirls will be back in your living room sooner than you think.

5. Practice Ballet Class at Home

Since ballet classes only meet once a week, it is extremely important that your toddler practices at home. Again, just like any new skill, you have to study and do it.

Practice. Practice. Practice. Ballet is a very hard type of dance to learn. With consistent practice, your child will be learning the spins and leaps in no time!

Practice comes in handy when they start learning their Recital dances. It benefits them if they practice their dance steps for at least 15 minutes a day. One small step for a small amount of time per day will improve your dancer's technique.

The best part is, they can teach you. So you can do it with them! It’s a valuable bonding experience. Every year, I am astonished at how intelligent your dancers are. Let them show you what they did. Heck, you can get a free ballet lesson out of it!

6. Bonus Tip: Have Fun!

As a teacher, it is a top priority for my students to have fun in a safe environment. That’s why I and dance teachers like me focus on an inclusive and supportive atmosphere. We know that your children need to be nurtured into the art of ballet by making it an enjoyable experience.

I have something to get your little one excited about a dance class. She also gets a head start on ballet moves with this book. Bella the Buck-Toothed Ballerina is a great gift for your Sugar Plum Fairy Dreamer.

Bella the Buck-Toothed Ballerina is a dream come true for me. After years of being on both sides of the barre, this is my first children’s book. I dedicate it to all the dance dreamers inside of us.

This book is my story as a dance student and a teacher. It is a love letter to my dance instructors for always believing in me. Bella the Buck-Toothed Ballerina is my message to any child who wants to dance. It is complete with a glossary of ballet dance moves.

Get Your Little One in a Ballet Class Today!

I hope you found this list helpful. You’re already on your way to making your little one’s dream come true. The living room twirls and the smile on her face make it all worth it.

This is what I tell my students who have the Dancer Dream: “You can do it. Reach for the stars. Follow your dreams. No matter what anyone tells you, the sky has no limit.”

You can purchase and check out Bella the Buck-Toothed Ballerina here.

Check out my website for more information on how I conduct choreography. Or you ask me any question that comes to your mind. Click here if you would like to contact me. I’m all ears. It’s so important that your child gets a chance at pursuing their heart’s desire in an encouraging way.

For more inside information on dance, subscribe to my email list at www.amandamontoni.com

Keep dreaming. Keep dancing. Keep going.