Studio Etiquette

Studio Etiquette Guide for Dancers

Practicing good behavior in class shows you care about your dance education. It also shows respect for your teachers and classmates and will help your technique!

• Be early to class - being on time is great, but being early is better! If the studio for your class is open, go in and warm up and stretch BEFORE class starts. If the studio is not open, try to warm up in the hallway. Warm up exercises can be anything that gently gets your body moving and your blood flowing.

• Don’t come late, and if you do, enter very quietly. Wait at the door until the teacher acknowledges and tells you to enter. Please note that if students are more than 10 minutes late for class, they may be asked to sit out and observe the class instead of participating. 

•If you are sick (but not contagious) or injured, you may come and observe class. Please note that you must actively observe and take notes for you to be considered present in class. No using cell phones, doing homework, or leaving the studio without permission if you are observing class.

• Be dressed properly, following the dress code for your level. Warm-ups should not be worn to any portion of class unless it is unusually cold in the studio. Only then might warm-ups be allowed for the first few combinations, as determined by the teacher. Traditional ballet classes are structured to allow the body to warm-up gradually. Following the dress code displays respect for the school and teachers and represents the student as a dedicated learner.

• Please have a snack or small meal before coming to class. Remember that your body needs food so that you have energy during class!

• Leave your personal belongings outside the studio in one of the cubbies or under a chair/table.  Please do not leave belongings on the chairs in the waiting area. 

•Use the restroom BEFORE class so you do not have to leave the studio during class.

• Do not chew gum or bring food and drinks into the studio. A closed water bottle is permitted, but should be placed at the sides of the room, not next to the barre.

• Actively learn combinations. When a combination is being given, be attentive and practice the steps in place. It is important that you know the combination so you can focus on technique; the best way to do this is getting it in your mind AND body while the teacher is demonstrating.

• ALWAYS PRACTICE YOUR ARMS FULL OUT!  When marking through a combination, use your arms, back, and core muscles fully. This good habit will solidify the technique in your arms, allowing you to focus more on your legs once the combination begins.

• Communicate with your teacher. Education is a conversation! Answer when teachers ask you questions. For example, when a teacher asks if you understand the combination, say “yes” or nod your head. If you don’t yet understand a combination, PLEASE ASK! Teachers are there for you and are always willing to help. But listen first, then ask only necessary and relevant questions.

• Do not talk while the teacher is talking! Not even whispering to the person next to you. 

• Be prepared for a combination before the music starts. Once a teacher has shown a combination, get into your starting position. The teacher should never have to ask you to get prepared more than once. Even if you are tired, try your best to keep moving - it will energize you and help your body feel better.

• Refrain from correcting others - that’s the teacher’s job!

• Stay focused on class. Make sure you don’t get distracted (or distracting) by telling stories or asking questions that may slow class down. If you have something important to share, wait until after class to tell them. Additionally, there is no need to ask what combination is next or what we will be working on today – your teacher will tell you when the time comes.

• Do not lean on the barre. The barre is meant to support you when you are dancing and stretching; it is not meant for napping, lounging, or hanging out. Instead, when between combinations, practice standing with good posture and listen to the corrections the teacher is giving (to you or others). Beware of negative body language (like folded arms).

• Try not to yawn during class. If it is necessary to yawn, be polite and always cover your mouth.

• Do not sit during class. It is only appropriate to sit in class when the teacher gives you permission. Avoid stretch positions that require sitting until you are given time to specifically sit and stretch.

• Practice your corrections. As soon as a teacher gives a correction, try it out! Practicing corrections right away will help your body remember it the next time you dance. And practice ANY correction in class, whether it was aimed specifically at you or given to the entire class.

• Keep class positive! Always try to keep a positive mind in class. Instead of making faces or groaning when given a combination or step you find difficult, take a deep breath and put a light expression on your face and maintain your breathing and expression during the combination.

•Be attentive at all times. Help class move along for everyone by staying attentive in line as you wait your turn.

•Don’t quit in the middle… of the room, of the combination, or of the class. Go with the flow if you’re lost or confused. Never stop traffic.

• Ask for permission if you need to leave class. Try to be fully prepared for class so you don’t have to leave in the middle of it - use the restroom beforehand and remember to bring your water bottle and any other supplies you may need. You don’t want to miss combinations or helpful corrections! However, if you must leave the classroom, ask the teacher’s permission first, and return to class as quickly as possible.

• Acknowledge and respect your classmates. Your classmates are part of your PASCP family. You are all in class for similar reasons: to dance, to work on your technique, and to have fun. Watch quietly and give other dancers space when it is not your turn to dance. You may practice exercises/corrections in other groups as long as you are quiet and give other dancers adequate space, standing to the side, not behind the group that is dancing. Please do not do the combination “full out” behind other dancers! Make eye contact with the people around you, give each other smiles of encouragement, compliment each other on good technique - it will motivate you and everyone else in class. Do not ever correct a fellow dancer on their technique!

• Respect and be patient with your teachers.  Different teachers have different teaching styles; pay attention, adapt, and respond to any instruction a teacher might give. No matter the teacher, they are there to help you. And remember that your teachers are people, too; just like you have days when your mind and body don’t feel ready for class, so do your teachers. Be patient and encourage them by smiling and working hard.

• Take care of the studio. Use your best behavior when in the studio and be respectful of our PASCP home. You are expected to be responsible and clean up after yourselves. Take all your belongings with you when you leave the studio and throw away any trash.

• Continue your education outside of class. Practice what you learn in class at home. Stretch when you’re watching television or reading, practice your dance posture during your everyday activities, watch videos to find inspiration, and listen to different types of music to improve your musicality, and dance!