Dancers Etiquette

Expectations:

Studio etiquette is essential. It is the expectation that everyone will exemplify esteem for the art form, the teachers, and the students. All guests, students, and teachers are expected to be courteous and treat one another with respect and dignity.

This courtesy should also extend to our studio. Merced Academy of Dance shares the Multicultural Arts Center with other artists, and we ask all dancers, families, and staff to be respectful of the space; do not lean against the art displays, bring food/drink onto carpeted areas, or run through the halls, and refrain from using loud voices.

Dancers are polite; they should not lean against the wall, barre, or mirrors or sit down during class without invitation. Dancers should never chew gum during class as it is impolite and poses a safety risk. Discourtesy to teachers, peers, and guests is unacceptable, and you may be dismissed from class for such behavior. Yawning, talking, whispering, or playing with friends during class is also considered rude behavior. 

Be Punctual:

Arriving late is disruptive to the overall flow of the class, other students, and the teacher. Teachers carefully plan each class lesson to build upon the exercises done at the beginning of each class. If you must be late, it is necessary to politely alert the teacher of your presence if attendance has already been taken so that your attendance records will be accurate, which may affect your advancement to the next level.

Dancer Appearances:

How you enter a room can say a lot about who you are as an individual and what you are there to do. Adhering to the dress code policy demonstrates your dedication and admiration for your art form. Our dress code allows the teacher to see your movement and make the appropriate adjustments. 

Keep your hair out of your face, off your neck, and firmly secured. Hair flying about can be distracting, block the eyes, and hinder your spot during pirouettes. Additionally, ponytails and braids can be dangerous by hitting you or someone else in the class. 

Do not wear jewelry to the studio or during class. Necklaces, bracelets, and dangling earrings can detach and hit someone, become caught during partnering class and injure your partner, or break and create hazardous dancing conditions. Small stud earrings are acceptable. 

Wearing clean attire and attending to your hygiene is a form of respect towards others and yourself. In dance, the expression of the hands is significant; please keep them clean and nicely trimmed. Refrain from wearing strong fragrances. 

Dance shoes should never be worn outside on concrete or asphalt surfaces as it will quickly ruin them, so wearing the proper street shoes and attire is just as important as wearing your uniform in class.

Class Performance:

Dancers need careful attention to learn, watch, and listen, especially when combinations are being demonstrated. Teachers should only need to demonstrate the combination once. At higher levels, students are expected to use proper vocabulary and pick up steps quickly and accurately. 

It is distracting and disrespectful to your teacher to perform combinations differently than were given. You should discuss any physical problems with the teacher before the class begins so they may understand why you may not be dancing to your full potential.

Finish every combination, no matter what; even if you are having difficulty, dance discipline instructs you to finish a combination to the best of your abilities and with as much grace as possible. Stomping your feet, making faces, making rude verbal noises or comments, or showing your frustration or other negative emotions is deemed inappropriate. 

If you are new to the class, find a space at the barre with enough room to fully extend your legs in front and behind without hitting the person standing next to you. When transitioning to center exercises, ensure you can see your movements in the mirror. Between exercises, lines may rotate when repeating combinations so all students can study their technique in the mirror; this also ensures that following others does not become a habit. 

Personal Items:

Dancers should always have their dance bags with them for class. You may bring your dance bag to the studio for class(leave it against the far left wall) or keep it neatly in the hallway. Whether your bag is left in the studio or the hall, make sure it is out of the way of dancing or walking. Please do not bring expensive items into the studio.

Drinking Water During Class:

It is best to drink water before and after class; if the teacher allows, students may drink water from a water bottle between barre and center exercises, but drinking water during class is generally discouraged, especially when a teacher is giving a combination. Dancers should bring their water in a bottle with a secure lid since water spills can quickly ruin the dance floor, resulting in expensive repairs and canceling classes.

Permission to Leave Class:

Dancers should always ask permission to leave the studio while class is in progress, whether to go to the restroom or if they are feeling ill. To disappear from class without permission is unacceptable. If you must exit class early, quietly catch the teacher's attention at the end of a combination, wave thank you or curtsy, and silently go. Always try to speak with the teacher before class begins to let them know you will have to leave early; this will cause less distraction and not disrupt the flow of class when you depart. We ask that dancers use the restroom before class or, if needed, quietly ask their teacher between combinations and return quickly.