Levels and Dress Code
Dancers are placed in levels according to both age and experience. The ages listed below are guidelines to give a general idea of what to expect in each class.
Each level has a designated color leotard that should be worn to every class. The last week of each month, dancers may wear any color leotard they like.
Below you will find a listing of dress code requirements for each level. Please note that many levels require different styles of tap shoes, etc. If you have any questions about what style shoes your dancer needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Pink – Ages 3-4
Girls: Pink ballet slippers, pink tights, and light pink leotard. Leotard may be any style (camisole, tank, short/long-sleeve) but must be the same color. Ballet skirts are optional. Please no costume-style tutus.
Boys: Black ballet slippers, white t-shirt, black tights/leggings/sweatpants/jazz pants.
Sky Blue – Ages 4-5
Girls: Pink ballet slippers, tan tie tap shoes, pink tights, and light blue leotard. Leotard may be any style (camisole, tank, short/long-sleeve) but must be the same color. Ballet skirts are optional. Please no costume-style tutus.
Boys: Black ballet slippers, black oxford-style tap shoes, black tights/leggings/sweatpants/jazz pants.
Green – Ages 5-6
Girls: Pink ballet slippers, tan buckle or “Mary Jane” tap shoes, tan slip-on jazz shoes, pink tights, and emerald green leotard. Leotard may be any style (camisole, tank, short/long-sleeve) but must be the same color. Ballet skirts are optional. Please no costume-style tutus. For tap/jazz they may wear black jazz pants or black dance shorts over their leotard.
Boys: Black ballet slippers, black oxford-style tap shoes, black slip-on jazz shoes, black tights/leggings/sweatpants/jazz pants/shorts, and white or green t-shirt.
Violet – Ages 6-8
Girls: Pink ballet slippers, tan buckle or “Mary Jane” tap shoes, tan slip-on jazz shoes, pink tights, and violet leotard. Leotard may be any style (camisole, tank, short/long-sleeve) but must be the same color. Ballet skirts are optional. Please no costume-style tutus. For tap/jazz they may wear black jazz pants or black dance shorts over their leotard.
Boys: Black ballet slippers, black oxford-style tap shoes, black slip-on jazz shoes, black tights/leggings/sweatpants/jazz pants/shorts, and white or violet t-shirt.
HIP HOP: For hip hop, dancers must have indoor-only sneakers with white or non-marking soles. The dress code for hip hop is more relaxed. Dancers can wear any comfortable athletic wear.
Turquoise – Ages 8-10
Girls: Pink ballet slippers, tan oxford-style Capezio “FLEX MSTR” or similar tap shoes, tan slip-on jazz shoes, nude Footundeez, pink *transition* tights, and royal blue leotard. Leotard may be any style (camisole, tank, short/long-sleeve) but must be the same color. Ballet skirts are optional. Please no costume-style tutus.For tap/jazz they may wear black jazz pants or black dance shorts over their leotard.
Boys: Black ballet slippers, black oxford-style Capezio “Flex Mstr” or similar tap shoes, black slip-on jazz shoes, black tights/leggings/sweatpants/jazz pants/shorts and white or turquoise t-shirt .
HIP HOP: For hip hop, dancers must have indoor-only sneakers with white or non-marking soles. The dress code for hip hop is more relaxed. Dancers can wear any comfortable athletic wear.
Rising Star Company – Ages 9-11
Girls: Pink ballet slippers, tan oxford-style Capezio “FLEX MSTR” or similar tap shoes, tan slip-on jazz shoes, nude Footundeez, pink tights, and purple leotard. Ballet skirts are optional. For tap/jazz they may wear black jazz pants or black dance shorts over their leotard.
Boys: Black ballet slippers, black oxford-style Capezio “Flex Mstr” or similar tap shoes, black slip-on jazz shoes, black tights/leggings/sweatpants/jazz pants/shorts, white or purple t-shirt .
HIP HOP: For hip hop, dancers must have indoor-only sneakers with white or non-marking soles. The dress code for hip hop is more relaxed. Dancers can wear any comfortable athletic wear.
Encore*, Ovation, and Bravo Companies
Girls: Pink ballet slippers, tan oxford-style Capezio “FLEX MSTR” or similar tap shoes, tan slip-on jazz shoes, nude Footundeez, pink tights, and black leotard (any style). Ballet skirts are optional. For tap/jazz they may wear black jazz pants or black dance shorts over their leotard. Each instructor may make their own modification to the dress code as they see fit. Please check with your instructor if you have questions about what you may wear in their specific class.
Boys: Black ballet slippers, black oxford-style Capezio “Flex Mstr” or similar tap shoes, black slip-on jazz shoes, black tights/leggings/sweatpants/jazz pants/shorts, and white or black t-shirt.
HIP HOP: For hip hop, dancers must have indoor-only sneakers with white or non-marking soles. The dress code for hip hop is more relaxed. Dancers can wear any comfortable athletic wear.
Recommended for CONTEMPORARY and IMPROV/JUMPS & TURNS CLASSES: Apolla “Performance” Shocks WITH traction. (black and/or nude 1 or 2). These are a much safer, less slippery, and more supportive option than regular socks.
You can order them here (I don’t sell them at the studio).
*Encore Company may wear any color leotard for all classes, but they must own at least one plain black leotard that they can wear for photo.
