Dance Etiquette

Dance Etiquette

What is etiquette? – etiquette is an outline of rules that teachers go by for respecting purposes and behavior purposes. Dance etiquette goes hand-in-hand with basic etiquette.

Dance etiquette is significant as it plays a role for how your dance career plays out. Learning etiquette in dance is essential for every level. Applying these basic essentials of etiquette is just as important. Here are just a few to name:

-Be respectful

-Keep good hygiene

-Be mindful of your space and how much space you are using/taking up

-Dress accurately for class

I’m sure most need a refresher on the other dance etiquette techniques that we all can start today!

Encouragement – Everyone wants and needs encouragement even when the class combinations don’t go as planned. Be the light of positivity in the room

Eye contact – Eye contact is act of respect at any time of day. This holds a place before, during, and after a dance class as well to show that you honor and respect your teachers when having a conversation, listening to a correction, or asking a question.

Work Ethic – Your work ethic and how you hold yourself accountable for dance shows how you are as a person. Are you coming to class to take class and learn or to just take class and do some dance combos based off when I want. Dance is tough but how hard you work through the toughness determines if it gets easier or remains hard.

Project/Carry yourself as a person and dancer – I have had many people come up to me over the years and just tell me how well I carry myself from my age to the way I look due to ballet class and how clean and poised I show myself as. As a dancer, we tend to have a unique way of walking because our posture is molded along with our bodies for us to walk nicely and people recognize that. This also aligns with attire, dancers have plenty of leotards and tights and shoes but outside the dance world is another set of clothing. Dancers fit and choose clothes that elongate there “line” well.

On Time, on time – Being on time is crucial, this shows commitment, how valuable dance is to you, priorities, and discipline. Shows so much just for being on time and I’m sure you all have heard, on time is not on time. A few minutes before your scheduled time is early and a few minutes from your time is late. Choose to be early or on t8me to show you are committed and can be prepared. Showing up early can give time for stretching, warming up, questions, schoolwork, or sewing shoes.

Manners in dance/ballet – Yes, always use your manners, however, ballet and some dance class have various class manners. These can vary between each studio and/or class; curtsy before and after class, going before class for restroom break or waiting till a break in between or end of class, raising hand for a question, hair pulled back in a bun, throwing away any trash, food, or gum before entering the studio.

Reminder: Etiquette in dance is essential to career path! Everyone is able to follow these etiquette essentials. There are plenty more but these are a few that I go by. I hope this has helped you and I wish all the best on your dance journey

-Carman