Just a general question:
Does your school require different color leotards at each level for ballet? If so, why does your school designate colors? Does anyone know the true reason behind it?

We designate colors for levels. It accomplishes a few things. It's almost like the belt system in martial arts. The kids get excited when they get moved up a level and get to change the color of their leotard. It's almost a rite of passage. The girls would also get tired of wearing black from day 1 of ballet throughout their entire training. Additionally, in big rehearsals, it can help put girls into places quickly when doing pieces that combine levels. It can also serve as a costume base for that level when perfermances roll around and you're trying to be a little more economical.

My dance studio is in a small declining suburb, so I could never demand a "uniform." It would make new students not want to join, for economic reasons. It would also be a big hassle for the working moms, who may fall behind in family laundry. I would have to expend a lot of energy enforcing a dress code, and I have too many more important things to do.

Some bigger schools around me do odd colors, to force students to buy high-priced dancewear from them alone. One even has their logo stamped on their pink leotards. Bully for them, but I think ultimately it's a turn-off. Whatever small profit they're making this way, may not offset the number of students who feel like this is one more hidden cost, and another reason to drop dance completely.

I understand that some conservatory schools, as stated above, use this system for legitimate reasons, and I'm not knocking them. It's the rec schools around me that nickle and dime, and give dance a bad name, that I deplore.

We use colors for the reasons stated by Carrabosse. Another plus, for those of us who teach multiple levels of ballet, it helps remembering what class I'm actually teaching on those long, long days.

While it might seem on the outside that it would be more expensive to buy new leotards every time you go up a level, it actually saves the families alot of money. There is no need to get 'the latest and greatest' color, style, etc. It's all very plain. Most students even pass down their leotards when they are going to the next level.

I don't have a uniform as such for either studio as I know that parents wouldn't go for the idea, however if you want to make a difference between the levels then why don't you do what one of my old schools did. We all wore black, regardless of level, but the colour of our belts and hair ribbons changed as we went up the school. White for the lower levels, then pink, then blue, red and finally black. That way you knew exactly what level the pupil was at, but it didn't mean a whole new uniform each year.

I have a uniform that corresponds to the Exam system I use. The leotards/skirts are available from multiple retailers including discountdance.com, and the uniform is reasonably priced to begin with. I don't sell the uniform but I do require it so I don't make anything off it.

I think it's beautiful to have the class all in the same color and style of leotard, it gives the children a sense of pride in appearance and a standard to follow. I also think this particular uniform is very flattering and I love the colours. It's also less distracting for both the teacher and students if everyone dresses the same.

I haven't had any complaints from parents for requiring a uniform, and in fact have received a lot of positive feedback on how nice the classes look and how it seems to affect the way the kids dance and I completely agree

CarabosseK wrote:

We designate colors for levels. It accomplishes a few things. It's almost like the belt system in martial arts. The kids get excited when they get moved up a level and get to change the color of their leotard. It's almost a rite of passage. The girls would also get tired of wearing black from day 1 of ballet throughout their entire training. Additionally, in big rehearsals, it can help put girls into places quickly when doing pieces that combine levels. It can also serve as a costume base for that level when perfermances roll around and you're trying to be a little more economical.

same reasons - took the words right out of my mouth Our kids love it - they definitely look forward to their next leo

have any of you found animosity between students in different levels? do some students acknowledge the fact that they are in a different color leotard than others their age in a less than supportive way? I like how yours go with your exams Triskit- no room for arguement within an exam

dancequalslife wrote:

have any of you found animosity between students in different levels? do some students acknowledge the fact that they are in a different color leotard than others their age in a less than supportive way? I like how yours go with your exams Triskit- no room for arguement within an exam

In short, not really. Although I'm not in the dressing room at all times, so I'm not 100% sure, but I've not heard any complaints. Some students don't like it when their friends are moved up and get their new leo when they have to stay in the same class, but this also serves as extra motivation. My students know that if any of them were to be "less than supportive" of their fellow dancers that the wrath of Carabosse would be imposed upon them That said, I'm at a fairly small school that is very much a family.

We haven't had problems either. However, we are a small school and not competitive.