What Should Children Wear for Their First Dance Lesson?

Signing your child up for their first dance class is exciting and kids are often eager to rush to the store to pick out tutus, tights, and toe shoes. But what is actually required for dance classes at the best ballet academy in the world? At Alberta Ballet School, we take the guesswork out of it by having a dress code for our students. We break down our uniform requirements – from head to toe – for our preschool classes through to Foundation Training 1.

Hair

For all dancers, hair must be neat and away from their face. Female dancers are expected to wear a classical bun with elastics, bun pins, and a hair net that match their hair colour.

Uniforms for Female Dancers

 Edmonton

• Female preschool dancers are expected to follow this dress code: light pink camisole-style leotard (SoDanca SL03), light pink circle skirt (SoDanca SL63ME), white ankle socks (Mondor 167), and skin tone or pink ballet shoes (split soled, canvas) with elastics.
• A formal uniform is not required for sessional program students except for ballet slippers. It is, however, advised that attire does not include many bows, ribbons, or other accessories that may distract young dancers. Alberta Ballet School recommends the following dancewear for female sessional program students: tank-style leotard in true navy (Mondor 40095); white ankle socks (Mondor 167), skin tone or pink ballet shoes (split soled, canvas) with elastics (SoDanca, Capezio, Sansha, Bloch), and a skirt (optional). Alberta Ballet School recommends a light pink circle skirt (SoDanca SL63ME).
• Recreational female ballet dancers are expected to wear a tank-style leotard with pinch in true navy (Mondor 1633), skin tone or pink transition tights, and skin tone or pink ballet shoes (split-soled, canvas preferred) with elastics.
• Recreational female jazz dancers are expected to wear black fitted shirts, black transition tights, and black oxford dance shoes.
• Foundation Training 1 female dancers are expected to wear a camisole-style leotard in lilac (SoDanca SL03), a lilac circle skirt (SoDanca SL63), white ankle socks (Mondor 167), and skin tone or pink ballet shoes (split soled, canvas) with elastics.

 Calgary

• Full-year female preschool ballet students are expected to wear an Alberta Ballet School pink tank bodysuit, an Alberta Ballet School pink circle skirt, Alberta Ballet School approved skin tone or pink tights, and Alberta Ballet School approved skin tone or pink full sole canvas ballet slippers.
• A formal uniform is not required for sessional program students except for ballet slippers. It is, however, advised that attire does not include many bows, ribbons, or other accessories that may distract young dancers. Alberta Ballet School recommends the following dancewear for female sessional program students: pink bodysuit, pink skirt (pull-on preferred over tie-up), skin tone or ballerina pink tights, and traditional ballet slippers (SoDanca, Capezio, Sansha, Bloch).
• Recreational female ballet dancers are expected to wear an Alberta Ballet School red spaghetti strap bodysuit, convertible skin tone or ballerina pink tights, and skin tone or pink full sole canvas ballet slippers.
• Recreational female jazz dancers are expected to wear an Alberta Ballet School red spaghetti strap bodysuit, black shorts, and black leather split sole jazz shoes.
• Foundation Training 1 female ballet dancers are expected to wear an Alberta Ballet School lilac tank bodysuit, an Alberta Ballet School lilac circle skirt, Alberta Ballet School approved skin tone or pink tights, and Alberta Ballet School approved skin tone or pink full sole canvas or leather ballet slippers.
• Foundation Training 1 female modern dancers are expected to wear an Alberta Ballet School lilac tank bodysuit and Alberta Ballet School black shorts. Female modern dance students should be barefooted.
• Foundation Training 1 female jazz students are expected to wear an Alberta Ballet School lilac tank bodysuit, Alberta Ballet School black shorts, and black leather split sole jazz shoes.

Uniforms for Male Ballet Dancers

Edmonton

• Preschool dancers as well as recreational male ballet dancers aged 6-8 are expected to wear loose-fitting black shorts, a white t-shirt, white socks (Freed P-SOX), and white ballet shoes (split-soled, canvas) with elastics.
• Recreational male ballet students ages 9+ are expected to wear footless black tights (Wear Moi), a fitted white shirt (Bodywrappers), white socks (Freed P-SOX), and white ballet shoes (split-soled, canvas) with elastics.
• Foundation Training 1 male ballet students are expected to wear loose fitting black shorts, a fitted white t-shirt (Bodywrappers), white socks (Freed P-SOX), and white ballet shoes (split-soled, canvas) with elastics.
• Foundation Training 1 male dancers are expected to wear loose fitting black shorts, a fitted white t-shirt (Bodywrappers), white socks (Freed P-SOX), and white ballet shoes (split-soled, canvas) with elastics.
• Recreational male jazz dancers (all ages) are expected to wear black oxford jazz shoes and black footless tights.

Calgary

• Full-year male ballet preschool and recreational students are expected to wear Alberta Ballet School approved black shorts, Alberta Ballet School approved white fitted t-shirt, Alberta Ballet School approved white socks, and Alberta Ballet School approved white canvas ballet slippers (ballet) or black leather split sole jazz shoe (jazz).
• A formal uniform is not required for sessional program students except for ballet slippers. Alberta Ballet School recommends the following dancewear for male sessional program students: black shorts or tights, white fitted t-shirt, white socks, and white Ballet Slippers (SoDanca, Capezio, Sansha, Bloch).
• Foundation Training 1 male students are expected to wear Alberta Ballet School approved black shorts and Alberta Ballet School approved white fitted t-shirt. Male ballet dancers should wear white socks and white leather or canvas ballet slippers. Male jazz dancers should wear white socks and black leather split sole jazz shoes. Male modern dance students should be barefooted.

What Not to Wear

Alberta Ballet School students are not permitted to wear watches, rings, necklaces, dangling earrings, hair accessories, sweats, leg warmers, sweaters, or wraps (warm up clothes).

Where to Purchase

 Edmonton

All items are available for purchase at Alberta Ballet School’s preferred supplier: All 4 Dance.

 Calgary

All items are available for purchase at the Alberta Ballet School Store.

It’s important to note that Alberta Ballet School is an open and inclusive school. We respect that the uniform requirements may not relate to all students and we welcome conversations about individual comfort needs.

If you’re looking at dance studios in Edmonton or if you’re looking for dance classes in Calgary, Alberta Ballet School is en pointe! If you have any questions about uniforms or about our classes, please reach out and contact us.