Dress Code Update — Male Dancers

We are dedicating this whole post to our male (and those who identify as male) dancers. Please review the following so you are coming to class in the appropriate attire.

Ballet Levels: Novice, 1, 2, Men’s Dance, Teen, Adult

• White, black or maroon T-Shirt or Tank Top (no designs or logos)

• Athletic Pants or shorts

• Teens & Adults (Dance Belt suggested)

• Black Ballet Slippers

• Hair tied back if it is long

Ballet Levels 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

• Fitted Shirt or Tank Top - White, Maroon, or Black (no designs or logos)

• Black Male Ballet Tights, black bike shorts, fitted black athletic joggers, black athletic shorts

• Biketard (black)

• Black ballet Slippers

• Dance belt (when appropriate, feel free to talk to a male instructor for guidance, information also in this post).

• Hair tied back if it is long

Jazz, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, Contemporary, Modern, Tap, Dance Tech

• T-shirt or Tank Top: Solid Color (no logos or designs)

• Athletic Pants, Athletic Shorts (No jeans)

• Shoes:

• Jazz & Musical Theatre: Jazz Shoes or Jazz Sneakers

• Tap: Tap Shoes

• Lyrical, Contemporary, Modern: Turner, Ballet Slippers, Paws, Bare Feet

• Hair tied back if it is long

Hip Hop

• T-shirt, tank top or sweatshirt (no profanity or offensive language)

• Athletic Pants, Athletic Shorts, or Sweatpants (no jeans)

• Shoes: CLEAN light soled tennis shoes

• Hair tied back if it is long

Fitness for the Dancer & Progressive Ballet Technique

• T-shirt or tank top

• athletic shorts or pants

• Bring clean tennis shoes.

• Equipment: Bands

• Hair tied back if it is long.

Acro

• T-shirt or tank top

• Athletic Shirts or pants

• bare feet

• Hair tied back if it is long

Teen Males

• T-shirt or tank top

• Athletic pants or shorts or sweatpants

• see shoe suggestions for styles above. Socks are fine for Musical Theatre and Jazz. Highly suggest Jazz shoes.

Now let’s dive into the uncomfortable topic of dance belts. Actually, it is not an uncomfortable topic, we luckily have great male mentors and instructors for the male students to get answers regarding dance belts and all things male dancers. At GSD we are thankful and take pride that we have great male instructors to help our male students.

What is a Dance Belt?

A dance belt is an undergarment that male ballet dancer’s wear to support their genitals. This is a specialized garment and can be found in dance stores and online dance store sites.

Most men/boys start wearing a dance belt at the age of 10.

Why do I need to wear a dance belt?

Just like females have undergarments to keep body parts in place and secure, and athletes wear jockstraps to keep genitals protected, male dancer’s wear dance belts under their dance attire to support their male anatomy and help prevent injury to their genitals.

This is worn in place of underwear and comes in a thong style and brief style. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but if it fits properly it shouldn’t bother you after a short period of time. Dance belts give you the ease to jump, leap and fully dance, with knowing you won’t feel a pain when you land.

If you have questions regarding dance belts, please discuss with one of our male instructors (Matt Gasper or Patrick Kasper). Both these men will help guide your male dancer.

Dress Code Changes - Ballet Dress Code

We are simplifying our dress code and hopefully getting you some more mileage out of the leotards you own or purchase in the future. Today we will start with our Ballet Class Dress Code, in the following days and weeks we will share dress code for our other styles, so you are ready for the season with your dance attire.

Pre-orders for Novice Ballet - Ballet 6 will begin today. You will also be able to purchase a leotard for these levels from our studio, we try to keep all these colors and sizes stocked throughout the season; along with tights and ballet slippers.

We have also discounted our past leotard colors that we are no longer using, these can be worn in all other styles of dance, so pick-up a discounted leotard today from our online shop or studio before they are gone.

Later this season we will also introduce our buy-back program. Keep your eyes on buy-back information coming this fall.

BALLET DRESS CODE

Novice Level (Itty Bitty & Pre):

• Light Pink Leotard (skirt attached optional),

• pink ballet tights,

• pink ballet shoes

• hair In a ballet bun (no ponytails or hair down)

Ballet 1 & 2:

• Mulberry (Fuchsia) Leotard (no skirt),

• pink ballet slippers,

• pink ballet shoes,

• hair in a ballet bun (No ponytails or hair down).

Ballet 3 & 4:

• Royal Blue Leotard (no skirt),

• Pink Ballet Slippers,

• Pink Ballet Tights

• hair in a ballet bun (no ponytails or hair down)

Ballet 5 & 6:

• Eggplant / Plum Leotard (no skirt),

• pink ballet slippers,

• pink ballet tights

• Hair in a ballet bun (no ponytails or hair down)

Ballet 7:

• Black leotard (No skirt),

• pink ballet slippers,

• pink ballet tights

• hair in a ballet bun (no ponytails or hair down)

Ballet 8 & Conservatory

• Leotard of any color and style (no skirt),

• pink ballet slippers,

• pink ballet tights

• Hair in a ballet bun (no ponytails or hair down).

Pre-Pointe

• Eggplant/plum or Black leotard (no skirt)

• Pink Ballet slippers

• Pointe shoes if approved by the instructor

• pink ballet tights

• hair in a bun (no ponytails or hair down)

Pointe 1

• Eggplant/plum or black leotard (no skirt)

• Pointe shoes (have them checked with the instructor or Mr. Matt if they are a new fit and brand to you)

• Pink ballet tights

• Hair in a bun (no ponytails or hair down)

Pointe 2

• Black leotard (no skirt)

• Pointe Shoes (have your instructor or Mr. Matt check your shoes if they are a new brand and style)

• Pink Ballet Tights

• Hair in a bun (no ponytails or hair down)

Pointe 3

• Leotard— Dancer’s Choice (no skirt)

• Pointe Shoes (have your instructor or Mr. Matt check your shoes if they are a new brand and style)

• Pink Ballet Tights

• Hair in a bun (no ponytails or hair down)

Teen Ballet

• Black leotard

• Ballet Skirt Optional

• Pink ballet tights

• Pink ballet slippers

• Hair in a bun (no ponytail or hair down)

Adult Ballet

• Wear something you can move in. More form fitting will help our instructors give you corrections to get the most of your class.

• Leotards can be worn if you feel comfortable.

• Ballet Skirts optional

• Ballet tights optional (recommended if you are wearing a leotard)

• Ballet slippers, socks or bare feet.

2021-2022 Competition Team Auditions

Our Competitive Team is more than just dancing on a stage. Dancer's build confidence, responsibility, works on teamwork and we see a growth in them as dancer's and humans. At Gasper's School of Dance we have an amazing team of COACHES and team managers to inspire and motivate your dancer. We can't wait to have you part of our team.

Join our amazing team! Competition auditions for our 13th competitive season will be held August 23-26, 2021 at our Downtown studio. Auditions will be held August 23 & 24, while callbacks will be held on August 25 & 26.

AUDITION SIGN-UP

AUDITION FORM (needs to be filled out prior to auditions)

If time slots fill up for age groups and divisions, we will add more.

THREE DIVISONS

Pro (Juniors & Seniors): Ages 9-19

Grande (Prima, Premiere, Pique, Passe, Petit): Ages 5-19

Demi Team (Junior, Seniors and GSD Hip Hop Crew): Ages 6-18

For more information, please email Team Manager Lacey Gasper.