established 1987

CLEVELAND DANCE ACADEMY DRESS CODE & CLASS DESCRIPTIONS 

·          KinderBallet  
Girls- Black leotard, short white socks, pink full soled ballet shoes
Boys- White shirt, black bottoms (pants or shorts), white socks, black ballet shoes
The introduction to ballet class using time, space, energy, and body awareness. Some vocabulary used and enhances creativity.

·          Pre Ballet  
Girls- Black leotard, short white socks, pink full soled ballet shoes, hair secured tightly in a bun
Boys- White shirt, black bottoms (pants or shorts), white socks, black ballet shoes
The next level of ballet introduction with the beginning of barre and center technique. Vocabulary and focus are developed.

·          Beginning Ballet  
Girls- Black leotard, pink tights, pink full soled ballet shoes, hair secured tightly in a bun
Boys- White shirt, black bottoms (pants or shorts), white socks, black ballet shoes
Begins to build platform of classical ballet technique. Foot, arm, and body positions used. Vocabulary and turn out developed.

·          Ballet I-VI
Girls- Black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, hair secured tightly in a bun.
Boys- White shirt, black bottoms (pants or shorts), white socks, black ballet shoes
Ballet class 2x per week upon teacher’s recommendation. Technique and vocabulary further developed. Pointe introduced at Ballet IV. 

·          Pre Pointe  
Work out clothes, bare feet
Ballet class 2x per week required for pre pointe. Physical Therapy based exercises used to build strength in muscles necessary for pointe work. Passing a test at the end of the session required for advancement to pointe.


·          Jazz Classes   
Girls- Any color leotard, black tights (black shorts may be worn with tights), black leggings or jazz pants, tan jazz shoes, hair secured up or in ponytail
Boys- Any color shirt, black bottoms (pants or shorts), tan jazz shoes
Upbeat, high energy class. Focus is on proper technique.

·          Tap Classes 
Any color leotard, black tights (black shorts may be worn with tights) or black leggings. Socks may be worn with shoes. Type of tap shoe depends on the class level. NO SPLIT SOLED TAP SHOES.
Boys- Any color shirt, black bottoms (pants or shorts), black tap shoes
A rythmic type of dance. Musicality and rhythm are developed.

·          Lyrical   
Any color leotard, Black or pink tights (black shorts may be worn with tights) or black leggings, tan jazz shoes, hair in a ponytail.
Boys- Any color shirt, black bottoms (pants or shorts), tan jazz shoes
Encompasses ballet and jazz in expressive technique and choreography.

·          Hip Hop
Comfortable clothing, non-skid tennis shoes
Modern, new style of street dancing.

·          Progressing Ballet Technique  
Leotard, tights pulled off of feet, bare feet
Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) is an innovative body-conditioning and strengthening program that has been designed to enhance students' technique by focusing on training the muscle memory required in each exercise in all forms of dance.

·          Healthy Dancer Science and Movement
Work out clothing, bare feet
This class looks at how the bones and muscles work to create dance movement. We will apply that knowledge to improve strength, balance and spatial awareness in order to increase our potential as dancers and prevent injuries. Healthy lifestyle habits and nutrition will also be addressed to ensure the best outcome for a well-rounded dancer.

·          Adult Ballet  
Comfortable work out clothing, ballet shoes

·          Adult Progressing Ballet Technique  
Comfortable work out clothing, bare feet 

WHY A DRESS CODE?

A dress code will teach students discipline, helping with overall focus and energy. By "dressing the part," dancers feel like dancers. Dress codes can also create unity among the dancers instead of causing a few dancers to stand out, much like a school uniform policy. Dress codes go a long way in minimizing distractions, and help give classes a unified look.

We want all our students to feel equal and a part of something! By having uniforms, it allows each dancer to feel part of that class. Dancers are still able to show their uniqueness and personality through their dancing.

When all dancers are in proper uniform, they are showing their teacher respect. When you are dressed sloppily, it shows our teachers that you are not ready or prepared for class.

And last, but not least, feeling the part. When you feel ready for a specific class and look the part, you will dance the part.

° Please do not wear your hip hop shoes outside, then in to class. Please bring shoes and change into them for class.

° Leotards should not have skirts and should have a plain front (no rhinestones or bows). We do allow details such as lace. Please keep leotards simple. The more that’s added to them, the more of a distraction they become.

° During the winter months, students are permitted to wear warm ups at the beginning of class. For little dancers, plain black leggings are the preferred warm up.

° Female ballet students please note: shorts are not in the dress code.

° Hair should be secured back for all classes.