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The 101 Dance Basics

The 101 Dance Basics

  • What Do I Wear To a Dance Convention? Top 5 Tips!
    So you’re ready to attend your first dance convention weekend! Excitement is in the air, entry fees have been paid, and now all you have to do is…pack an entire Dream Duffle full of dance clothes! Dance conventions are a great chance to express your personal style, but you also have to consider these top 5 tips for what to wear to a dance convention.
  • How To Choose The Right Dance Convention For Your Child
    Attending a dance convention is one of the most exciting opportunities for young dancers! There are so many dance conventions on the market it can be hard to decide which one will benefit your child the most. When considering which dance convention to attend, you will need to think about everything from the distance you’re willing to travel, to the money you’re willing to spend, to the style of dance you want your child to take.
  • The Best Longlasting Easy Application Red Lipstick For Dancers
    When it comes to lipstick, there are certain brands and types of lipstick that dancers, ballerinas, and dance moms swear by! When I started writing this post, it was meant … Read more
  • The 5 Best Makeup Bags & Cases for Dance & Ballet
    We have a list of the top makeup bags used by dancers and dance parents to organize all their stage and competition makeup and you are going to love them!
  • Top 5 Tips To Make Your Pointe Shoes Last Longer!
    Pointe shoes, while strong enough to support a dancer’s full weight on her toes, are surprisingly delicate and don’t last a very long time! Ballet dancers are constantly trying to figure out innovative ways to make their pointe shoes last longer. While no pointe shoe will stay in great shape forever, there are a few ways to give them a fighting chance at lasting a bit longer than normal! To make pointe shoes last longer, you can use Jet glue, darn the boxes, rotate your shoes, store your shoes properly, and always remove the padding.
  • Do Ballerinas Have To Wear Their Hair In a Bun?
    In nearly every photo or video of a ballet dancer, you will notice they always wear a few key things – a leotard, tights, and their hair in a bun. The bun hairstyle is a staple of the ballet world, but you may be wondering why that is. Ballerinas often have to wear their hair in a bun to adhere to a dress code, because of the traditional aesthetic that the ballet world follows, and to keep their hair out of their face while dancing.
  • How Long Do Ballet Shoes Last? The Need To Know Info!
    Kids outgrow everything, from clothing to carseats, and dance and ballet shoes are no exception! When taking into consideration growth spurts, general wear and tear, and the soft materials ballet shoes are made of, there does come a time when dance shoes have to be replaced (and it might be sooner than you think!)
  • The Best Liquid Lip Sticks & Stains for Dancers
    Are you after a long-lasting lipstick that doesn’t smudge to get your dancer through a long day of performances? Or perhaps you have a young dancer and want a super-easy way to get their lipstick on smoothly and easily? Well then you should be considering a lip stain or liquid lipstick rather than a traditional stick of lipstick
  • 24 Quick Energizing snacks for Dance Kids – Mess Free Options Included
    If your family is anything like mine, you’re constantly on the go.  You’re driving your dancer to and from class, competitions, rehearsals, etc. and still need to make sure they have enough healthy energy to get them through the day. 
  • How To Choose the Right Dance Shoes For Jazz Class!
    The best jazz shoes for dance class have a snug fit and are well made. They come in various colors, materials such as leather or canvas, can be slip on or lace up, full or split- sole.
  • How to Choose the Right Shoes for Tap Dance Classes?
    Tap dance, even more so than other dance styles, requires a specific shoe made especially to execute the intricate steps and sounds dancers perform. Tap shoes range in style and construction, and the style you choose will depend on your dancer’s skill and age.
  • Ultimate Guide – what shoes should you wear for contemporary or lyrical dance?
    Contemporary and lyrical are two dance styles that, like some jazz techniques, can be done barefoot. However, there are several options of shoes for these styles of dance that have become popular over the last 20 years which have their own unique functions. 
  • How To Choose The Best Character Shoes for Dance Lessons
    In order to choose the best character shoes, you must first know what style of dance they will be used for. Once you know the genre of dance, you can then choose from the variety of styles, colors, materials, and heel heights that character shoes come in.
  • Everything You Need to Know About Buying Pointe Shoes for Ballet!
    To choose the right pointe shoes, you need to first obtain your child’s teacher’s permission to go en pointe. At your local dancewear store, you will be fit for pointe shoes and will look at the fit of the shoe as determined by the length, width, shank strength, vamp length, and box construction. 
  • Parents Guide to choosing the Best Shoes For Ballet Class
    The best shoes for ballet class have a snug fit, and are made of leather or canvas.  Depending on the dancer’s age and level, you will choose between full sole or split-sole flat ballet shoes. Do not buy synthetic or pretty sateen ballet slippers or pointe shoes.
  • How to Sew Ribbons on Flat Ballet Shoes – Photos & Video Tutorial
    I have been sewing my own ribbons onto my ballet shoes since I was a little girl and recently I have been sewing ribbons onto my daughter’s ballet shoes. Sewing … Read more
  • How to do a Ballet Bun on Short Hair – Video and Photo Instructions
    Putting short hair into a ballet bun is not an easy hair styling feat! Sure you can easily get all that hair up if you use a tonne of gel, … Read more
  • How to Be a Good Dance Parent: 7 Tips From Seasoned Dance Mom & Dads
    Being a good dance mom or dad might be an intimidating thought to some with good reason. The fact that you are being described as a good parent automatically means … Read more
  • Why do young dancers wear makeup?
    Although used for a purpose, when children wear stage make up controversy is often sparked.  Many parents feel that their children grow up soon enough and that wearing makeup of … Read more
  • Can girls wear a pad to dance class?
    Even though it happens once a month, the topic of menstruation is a little taboo and makes some people cringe. This three to five day period every month can cause … Read more
  • Do Boys Wear Leotards? And what is a Dance belt?
    If girls wear leotards to dance and ballet class what do boys wear? Do they wear leotards too? Yes, boys do wear leotards but they wear them under shorts, leggings, … Read more
  • What do toddlers wear to a dance or ballet class?
    Your about to take your toddler to their first dance, movement or ballet class and all the photos you have seen have little girls in tutus and little boys in … Read more
  • Common Dance & Ballet Injuries: Causes, Prevention & Rehab Guide
    As a dancer or parent of a dancer being armed with knowledge about the most common injuries dancers are most susceptible to, is the first step to prevention, quicker recovery, … Read more
  • What is the best age to start dancing? – Real Answers for Parents!
    With the proliferation of dance on tv through shows such as World of Dance, Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance many people are interested in knowing just what age is best to start dancing especially if they feel they have missed the boat or want their child to have the best chance of succeeding.
  • How Many Dance or Ballet Lessons (Age & Class Guide)
    Ballerinas and dancers train for many years to master their craft. But how many ballet classes or lessons should your child be taking to become a professional dancer or ballerina? Although just a guide, the following tables give you some specific numbers, hours and class types that you can use to help you work out what is best for your child!
  • 14 Things You Can Do To Help Your Child Be a Better Dancer Today!
    A question dance teacher’s regularly hear from parents is ‘how can I help my child become a better dancer?’ The following is a list of fourteen top tips that are realistic and doable even for the busiest dance parent!
  • How many dance classes should my 5 year old take?
    Many dance schools offer a smorgasbord of classes and lessons for young kids to attend which can leave parents confused as to just how many dance classes they should be … Read more