Dance Class 101: 12 Rules Every Student Must Follow

Dance class is a fun, exciting experience that will help you build new skills, friendships, and talents with each visit.

However, while our dance classes are focused on fun, that doesn’t mean there aren’t rules you have to follow. Rules might not sound like a lot of fun, but they help make sure that all our students get to enjoy our dance classes in a comfortable, exciting, and happy environment.

With that said, here are 12 rules every student must follow during class:

1. Be Respectful

First and foremost, this is the most important rule. Mistakes might occasionally happen, and some of the other rules might get broken sometimes but being respectful is something we must do all of the time.

At Dance Your Dreams, we want to create a comfortable and educational environment for all of our students. This means that all of us must be respectful to each other.

Always be mindful of how you’re treating others in the class area. If the teacher is speaking or instructing, it’s important to pay attention, follow along as best as possible, and always ask before interrupting. When speaking to peers, always try to consider their feelings and how your way of speaking to them might affect them. Even if something goes wrong, or a mistake is made, stay in control of your behavior and be respectful while handling the problem.

This is one rule that will make everything else easier in class, and it will create a more joyful and exciting experience for everyone involved.

2. Safety First! No Jewelry or Accessories

Ballet is an incredible art form, and it’s a way for us all to express ourselves. We know that the way you dress and the accessories you wear are also how you express yourself, but some things just aren’t safe in ballet.

You'll be moving around a lot, and while ballet is a safe, fun exercise, there's always a risk that you can fall or bump into something.

That’s why we ask that none of our students wear jewelry or accessories during class. If you fall or bump into another student, someone can get hurt because of your jewelry.

Earrings, necklaces, hair accessories, bracelets, anklets, and similar accessories can get caught on things in the room and cause injuries if you fall.

Items such as rings and other hard accessories can hurt others if you bump into them too hard, and that’s always a risk in ballet.

We appreciate the individuality and uniqueness of our students, but jewelry and accessories are best left at home.

The only things you should be wearing during ballet class are the approved clothing and accessories Dance Your Dreams requires at sign-up.

Special Note to Parents on Accessories & Safety

We understand that some students might require certain accessories due to medical conditions or other circumstances. These items include glasses for those with visual impairments, hearing aids for auditory impairments, braces, retainers, and similar items.

These items do not typically disqualify your child from participating. However, your child’s specific needs should be brought up to our staff prior to signing up so we can determine if their specific needs pose a risk to them or other students. While we can and will accommodate students every chance we have, safety does have to come first, and we don’t want anyone to get hurt.

3. Know Your Surroundings

Again, ballet is a beautiful experience that all our students are sure to love. However, we also need you to do your best to look out for each other.

When you’re learning a routine, you’ll be moving a lot. Don’t worry, we know you’ll slip, get out of your area sometimes, and make little mistakes. However, you should still do your best to know what’s around you.

Mostly, this means that you should give the teacher plenty of room to maneuver, and you should stay within your area with plenty of room between you and other students. Don’t get too close to other students just to stay away from the teacher; if you get too close, you can accidentally hit someone, or if you fall, you can make the fall much worse by pulling them down with you.

A good rule of thumb is that you should have two arm's length between you and everyone else unless told otherwise.

Note: Some ballet moves do require you to get closer to students. These will be highlighted in class, and you’ll be given instruction by your teacher when it is necessary to get closer to someone. In general, if a teacher says something, it is more important than anything in this rule list.

Special Note to Parents

Our studio educates a variety of students of all ages in ballet. We understand that some of our youngest students won’t necessarily understand how to stay in one specific spot while spinning, dancing, and generally performing.

While we do focus on spatial awareness, we know that it is something that younger students will struggle with at first.

This is why it’s a core part of our courses aimed at younger students, and we’ll work to help them develop the spatial awareness they need before they move on to more advanced classes.

4. Follow the Leader

While we’re all taught that the first person in line should be the first to get where they’re going, that doesn’t work well in ballet. We teach our classes as a group, and when we’re teaching a routine, you’ll learn from the people in front of you. It’s not always possible to see the teacher.

This is why you should always let the more experienced students take the front of the class.

This isn’t just a way to get them more attention. With the more experienced students up front, you can see what they’re doing and follow along. If you’re in the front and brand new, you won’t have anyone to follow, and you might make other students learn improper techniques.

More experienced students should always go to the front of the class; even if they didn’t get there before you.

Special Note to Parents

We understand that you want to see your child shine. All of us do. That’s why we teach the way we do.

New students are better toward the back of the class because that allows them to watch their more experienced peers during lessons. It’s easier for them to keep up with someone right in front of them, and they are able to learn the routine with less pressure since they aren’t in front of everyone.

This helps build their comfort levels, and it ensures that the more experienced students are helping their classmates; even if they’re not actively trying to.

No brand-new student will be experienced enough to be at the front of the class. So, don’t feel discouraged. The student placement pattern we use is not designed to favor certain students; it’s there to help our newest students catch up.

5. Stay In Class

No matter what happens, it’s important that you stay in class. Your parents might have dropped you off, and sneaking out or leaving could be dangerous. You should always stay in class whenever possible.

If you and your parents have a reason for you to leave early, it’s also important to leave without interrupting. While you are leaving, the other students are still learning.

Special Note to Parents

Sometimes, you’re going to need to pull your child out of ballet class a little early. We understand. There might be a doctor’s appointment they need to get to, or you might need to get to work and get them to a babysitter. Those situations are perfectly understood.

However, we appreciate you letting our staff know about early departures as soon as you know. If we know to expect your child to leave, we won’t be as concerned when they start walking off.

We also require that you be there to get your child. When teaching younger students, it is irresponsible to simply let them wander off, and we certainly wouldn’t allow your young child to walk out of the building alone without knowing you were there to get them. We don’t know if they’re going to meet you in the parking lot, or if they’re just leaving on a whim. So, please, let us know that you’ll be arriving, and try to notify staff of your arrival without causing too much disruption to the ongoing lesson.

6. Don't Return To Class After Leaving

If you do have a reason to leave class, such as getting overwhelmed or needing a break with your parents, take the rest of the class off. It can cause distractions for other students if you leave and come back.

If you leave, take the day off, and come back ready to go during the next scheduled class.

Special Note to Parents

We understand that you might need to remove your child from the class for certain reasons. You might have forgotten to have them take medicine before class, or you might have a very quick appointment for them, and that’s okay.

We just ask that you keep them until the next scheduled class if you do need to remove them. Ballet takes a lot of focus and bringing students in and out can cause problems for the whole class.

7. No Phones

This goes with the number 1 rule: Respect.

When you come to dance class, you’re here to learn beautiful art and be with friends. Phones are fun, but they don’t belong in the classroom. All phones should be turned off and placed in your locker before coming to the instruction area.

A phone going off in class, or you being on your phone in class, isn’t just disrespectful; it can also cause injuries. Ballet is fast-paced, exciting, and physical. Any distraction can cause falls or missteps that can hurt you or your peers.

Special Note to Parents

We understand that phones are necessary for the modern day. Especially if you leave the studio while your student is in class. You want your child to be able to contact you if they need you.

Phones are allowed in the building, but they do need to be silenced and stowed in the supplied lockers during class for safety and to prevent distractions.

If your child consistently brings their phone to class, we will need to discuss the behavior and find a resolution that makes the class enjoyable for everyone.

8. Listen 👂

It’s important to listen while the teacher is speaking. Ballet requires everyone to work together.

No one is more important than anyone else, and you must know your part in the routine. If the teacher is speaking, you should be quiet and focused on them.

9. Pay Attention

Paying attention to the class and the teacher is important. It shows respect, and that’s rule number 1.

However, it’s also good for you.

If you don’t pay attention during lectures or routine practices, you won’t know what to do. That can keep you from being the great ballet dancer we all want you to be.

You should pay attention to your instructor, and you should watch the more experienced students in front of you. That's how you get better at ballet.

10. Be On Time

Please, don’t come to class late. If the class has started, you interrupt the lesson by coming in late. Everyone has to stop and wait for you to get into position.

You also miss out on everything the teacher has taught so far.

Special Note to Parents

If your child is a couple of minutes late, and class has not started, it’s perfectly fine to try to get them in. However, if you’re going to be substantially late, and you might disrupt the class, it might be better to skip the class for the day.

Our classes are very fast-paced, and we try to teach our students as much as possible with each lesson. There isn’t much room to stop and wait.

11. No Pictures or Videos

You might want to take pictures of your friends or videos for your Facebook, but pictures and videos are not allowed during class.

Everyone deserves their privacy, and the classroom is not a photo booth.

12. Try Your Best

Finally, no matter what is going on, try your best.

Always show up to class with a positive attitude and be ready to learn. Effort will help you learn a lot more than talent, and if you try, we know you can nail every routine with practice!

These are the 12 class rules every student must follow at Dance Your Dreams! Was there one you think we missed or should add? Leave a comment below and let us know!