Balletiquette

Ballet class is a different experience. It doesn’t matter how many gym memberships you hold or how many cardio barre classes you’ve attended, ballet class is a different sort of place – a wonderful place, but it is a culture all its own. Ballet has a very long and rich tradition and going to class, even as an adult student, makes us all part of that tradition. For this reason alone acknowledging and adhering to ballet class etiquette is an interesting privilege. Besides, unless you are taking a private class, we are all in this together so let’s play nice!

What to know before class:

Clothing. You don’t really need to stress over a leotard and tights but you do want to wear fitted clothing to your comfort because you will soon see the importance of seeing your body moving. And you will be moving so go for simple, comfortable workout wear. If you are so inclined, go for full on ballet class attire, it might serve to make you feel more dancer-ly! Leotard and tights for girls, tights and fitted tee shirt for boys.

Hair – Long hair needs to be pulled back. It’s not just an aesthetic thing, you will be turning your head and leaning over and backward, a flying ponytail starts to get annoying.

Shoes – Soft shoes come in leather or canvas, either is fine really. The ties are used to adjust the shoe to your foot, then tuck the ends in – please refrain from tying BIG bows on the front. 

Jewelry – Be careful not to wear jewelry that can fly off and be lost on the floor for someone to step on. Just remember that you will be moving, dangly jewelry will quickly become bothersome.

Be on time. Traditionally, ballet teachers close the door when class starts, that’s not a hint. Adult classes are usually aware that adults have lives and may be running to class after a long day at work etc. but make every effort. If you are late, enter the room quietly and join in without interrupting – eye contact and a mouthed “sorry for being late” to your teacher is better than a five minute explanation that holds up the whole class.

Turn off your cell phone or leave it outside of the classroom. Enough said.

Do not bring or use rosin in class without obtaining permission. Many studios do not allow the use of rosin. Really, if you don’t know how to use it properly, it can make a big mess and require clean up.

What to know in class: 


Ask where to put your things. Most studios have shelves or cubbies. Fancy studios might have lockers. Do not take the crown jewels to ballet class! Make sure your things are out of the way, not in front of mirrors or strewn out under barre space.

A towel on the barre or a water bottle under the barre means that someone has claimed that barre space. Be aware that sometimes dancers can become territorial about their bit of barre. Don’t take offense. If you don’t know where to stand, ask you teacher to place you. If there is room in your class, really space yourself out, ideally you want to be able to swing a straight leg out in either direction without getting near enough to your neighbor to kick them. It’s your job to make sure that you are far enough away not to be kicked! 

 When going to do center work, you want to form straight lines with each line staggered so that everyone can see themselves in the mirror.

Ballet class is not just a workout class. You really need to pay attention. Ballet class is ripe with potential friends, but it is not social hour (or hour and a half). Exercises move quickly in succession, paying attention to the teacher makes everything much better.

 If you have a question, ask it before or after the exercise not during, raising your hand is a polite touch. Questions should be short and relevant such as, starting from what position, tendu how many times, close to where? Not what is the history of the pointe shoe or what is the class schedule for the rest of the year. More involved questions should be asked before or after class.

We don’t really talk in ballet class. Some might feel that ballet class is in many ways a bit like elementary school, perhaps this is because most professional programs start with kids who are elementary school age. If you were in a professional class, you might hear the teacher refer to the dancers as ‘boys and girls,’ it’s just the way it is.

If you need to leave early, let the teacher know before class and then leave quietly without interrupting class.

 Even if you watched an excellent performance of Swan Lake the night before, try to refrain from embellishing the exercises. Especially as a beginner, getting a strong foundation from a teacher will serve you better in the long run than trying to emulate dancers from YouTube.

 Expect corrections. Everyone gets corrected. Professionals get corrected. Etoiles get corrected. You will get corrected. Take them, learn from them, expect more of them.

What to know after class:


Ballet studios are lovely, keep them that way. Clean up after yourself.

Don’t hoard the teacher if you have questions, others do too. Consider if the question can be asked and answered on the phone, by email or text.

It’s nice to be able to continue stretching or work on that new combination you just learned if the studio is open. However, be polite and clear out if there is a class coming in.

Ballet class should be challenging and fun. I know these are a lot of rules, but knowing the rules makes it easier for all of us to play nice and enjoy ballet class together. Some of the great joy of dance comes from the discipline that we learn and practice in our classes. Learning this glorious art form in a safe, disciplined manner sets the foundation for a lifetime of dancing!

- Lorry for G.U.B.