Ballet Academy & Movement

Dress Code


Ballet Attire:

For all classes, please go to our online store to order the class attire for your dancer’s level. If you are not sure which level your dancer is in, please email us at dance@bamsocal.com.


Hair

  • Gentlemen: Hair nicely brushed back; hair gel okay to use.
  • Ladies: Hair in a bun off the face and no wispies. Hair bun instructions.

Not sure how to make a perfect bun? Follow these step-by-step instructions to help you make a secure bun for ballet. Before you start, you will find it helpful to read all the instructions first, including the instructions on how to insert hairpins. A ballet bun generally sits in the center of the back of the head and is not visible from the front.

TO MAKE A BALLET BUN YOU WILL NEED…

Get everything you need to make the perfect ballet bun in our Hair Kit.

The most effective pins for securing a bun are hairpins. Hairpins have several crimps (waves) in the middle of each prong, which help the pin grip the hair. The thicker, less flexible pins provide the strongest hold. Bobby pins are best used to hold down flyaway hairs or fringes and to secure curls or plaits. To use the bobby pin, it is best to hold it with the raised prong on the top side and slightly open.

Step 1: Make a ponytail

The first step to making a perfect ballet bun is putting your hair up into a ponytail. Brush all the hair towards the center back of the head. Gather the hair into a tight ponytail and secure with an elastic band, ensuring that there are no bumps. To stop frizzy and fly-away hairs, apply a small amount of gel evenly from the roots to the ends of the hair, with your fingers or with the comb. Children with very curly, thick or fine hair may need their hair gelled or sprayed before securing into a ponytail. Brush or gel fringes back off the face and secure with bobby pins if necessary.

Step 2: Twist into a bun

To make the ballet bun shape, hold the ponytail at the end and twist it firmly until it is all twisted into a rope. Then coil the ponytail into a flat circle around the hair elastic, continuing the coil in the same direction as the twist in the ponytail. This will stop the ponytail unravelling. Tuck the ends of the ponytail under the bun. Then place 3-4 hairpins around the bun to secure it, without taking your hands off the bun (see instructions for inserting hairpins). Next, place a hairnet over the bun. At this stage, you can make any adjustments to the shape of the bun. A finished ballet bun should be round and even in shape, and sit smoothly against the head.

Step 3: Secure bun with bobby pins

The final step to creating a perfect ballet bun is securing the bun. Hold the pin at the closed end, with the prongs facing the center of the coil. Insert the prongs a little way into the edge of the bun, catching a small amount of the bun edge. Then turn the prongs in and back outwards to catch some of the hair outside the bun. Lastly, turn the prongs inwards again and push into the center of the coil. Insert as many pins as you need to all around the edges of the bun, until it feels secure. Loose hairs can be gelled or sprayed to help them stay put.

Now you know how to do a perfect ballet bun, why not explore our dance hair accessories? From bobby pins to bun covers, we have all the accessories you need to create ballet buns and flawless hairstyles for dance.


Shoes:

Pointe and Pre-Pointe

Pointe shoes:

  • Please make a shoe fitting appointment with Grace at Dancer’s Choice (27131 Aliso Creek Rd in Aliso Viejo – 949-305-7230).
  • For instructions on sewing your pointe shoes, please see this video.

Pre-Pointe shoes:
Dancers must be approved to take pre-pointe classes. Dancers must have taken at least 6 months of ballet class to be considered for pre-pointe class, and only with our approval.

Most dancers in the class will begin wearing ballet slippers. After the teacher determines that the dancer is sufficiently prepared, the dancer may then purchase and begin wearing pre-pointe—not full pointe—shoes.

  • For instructions on sewing your pre-pointe shoes (AFTER we have approved them), please see this video.
  • You may also request a private session to learn how to sew your pre-pointe shoes. We highly recommend a parent attend to observe and take photos and/or videos for future use.

Pre-Pointe class is specifically designed to help prepare your dancer for being en pointe in the future, and is the perfect bridge between a ballet technique class and a full pointe class, allowing for a more gradual transition between the two. Students will develop the muscles required to safely support themselves when they are ready to transition (with our approval) to wearing pointe shoes. They will also learn how to apply their ballet technique knowledge in this beautiful and traditional art form.

Pre-pointe shoes do not come in generic sizes like most street shoes, so it is important that your child meets with a professional who can best fit their foot to the correct brand and size to receive the best fit throughout their learning. The professional we trust for care best for our dancers is Grace at Dancer’s Choice (949-305-7230,27131 Aliso Creek Rd in Aliso Viejo) for a fitting. 

While you are there, you will also need to pick up a sewing kit. Dancers are responsible for sewing their own pointe and pre-pointe shoes.

IMPORTANT: Please make sure your pre-pointe shoes are approved by Ms. Cobb before sewing. We may ask you to return or exchange them if they are not the correct fit, so do not get them dirty if return/exchange is needed.


Other Classes:

Contemporary

  • Leotard (any color), t-shirt on top, socks, and either leggings or sweat pants to slide without burning their legs on the floor.

Musical theater

  • Jazz shoes that have not been worn outside and comfortable clothes they can move in. ​

Tap

  • Tap shoes that have not been worn outside and comfortable clothing they can move in.

All other classes

  • Sneakers or dance shoes that have not been worn outside and comfortable clothes they can move in.