Etiquette For Dancers

What to Expect: 

Studio etiquette is very important. All the teachers will be courteous and treat their students with respect. We expect the same from our students. Rudeness is unacceptable in ballet.

Be On Time: 

Please arrive promptly for classes. Arriving late is disruptive. Teachers carefully plan classes so that they start with warm up exercises and build on the exercises done at the beginning of class.

Be Neat: 

Please keep your hair off your face and neck. Loose hair can be distracting, get in the eyes and cause problems for jumps and turns. Ponytails and plaits can hit you or someone else. Please see the section on buns for more details.
It’s a sign of self-respect by coming to class clean, neat, and well put together.

Dress Like a Dancer: 

Please follow the dress code policy on the Uniform page. The dress code allows the teacher to see your physical movements and make the proper corrections. Being properly dressed shows the teacher you are serious about your art form. You will feel more confident and dance better when properly dressed for class. Students ideally will wear the tracksuit with Hilary Marston School of Ballet logo on, available in our shop, at the beginning of class for warming up (not compulsory but recommended. If your clothes are unsuitable either due to fit or logos you may be asked not to bring them!).

Dancers’ Attention:

Dancers are in class to work, watch and listen, especially when exercises and enchainments are being demonstrated. At higher levels students are expected to know the proper vocabulary and be able to pick up steps quickly and correctly. Full attention is important.

Personal Items:

Dancers should always take their full dance bags with them to every class, including character skirts and shoes, and also pointe shoes where appropriate. Make sure it is safely out of the path of dancers and put it where you can keep an eye on it. Your dance bag and all your personal belongings are your own responsibility.

Mobile phones should be switched off or on airplane mode for class please.

Drinking Water During Class:

Please bring a water bottle to lessons. It is good to drink water before and after class ends. The teacher will give students the opportunity to drink when appropriate during the lesson.

Permission to Leave Class:

Dancers should always ask permission to leave the studio while class is in progress. Please arrange with the teacher before class begins to let them know if you will have to leave early. This will cause less distraction and not disrupt the flow of class when you leave.

Injuries:

Dancers should let the teacher know at the beginning of the class if they have any injuries, so that the teacher can adapt the work where necessary to avoid further injury.

 

 

Thanks for reading! Please see the Uniform page for more details on hair and clothing.