In order for a dance recital to come off perfectly, several ingredients need to be mixed just right. Those who will be performing need to have a desire and passion for learning. The instructor will need to have a love and patience for teaching, and the costumes of the performance need to be appropriate for the theme as well as fashion forward.

Here is all you need to know about being fashion savvy for dance recitals through the eyes of a dance instructor.

During my second year of college, I began teaching ballet lessons at a local dance studio. As long as I can remember, ballet and dance had been a part of my life. When it became clear that I needed to be doing something part time in order to make some money while in school, it seemed like the perfect fit.

My first group of students

The group of girls that were in my first class were second year students. They knew the basic fundamentals and a few different techniques, but I was excited at how much I was going to be able to teach them. Looking back, I can say that once I began instructing was when my passion for ballet began to fully develop.

The lead instructor and owner of the studio gave me full range over the class and our performance at the recital. I guess she wanted to see what I would be able to do. I was to pick the musical pieces for the performance, the style of dance we would perform, even the costumes the girls would be wearing was my choice, as long as they were within the budget.

Believe it or not, I must admit the freedom to choose the costumes was the most appealing yet the most terrifying of them all. I knew how important choosing the right outfit has become in the overall impact of any type of performance. I knew that the right fashion statement behind the performance would take the girls to a higher level.

I spent two weeks going over everything from dance pant styles that were available and researched the designs by Narcisco Rodriguez, Isabel Toledo and Calvin Klein’s Francisco Costa who create costumes for specific ballets to get inspiration. I thought carefully about the colors of leotards, even accessories the girls could wear in their hair for the big performance.

Thousands of ideas came to mind, however, there was a budget I had to take into consideration as well. The help of a friend who works in a fabric store came in the perfect time. She helped me combine the traditional tutu with styles, materials and forms I envisioned.

I couldn’t believe how excited the girls were to learn the dance and wear my design. Some of them even begged me to keep the costumes.

The feeling of being appreciated

Once the recital was finished is when I started to breathe normally again. The girls were exceptional and the comments from parents and other fellow instructors were how big of an impact the costumes I had designed made on the overall impression of the dance. I even got advised to major in design which I’m seriously considering.

I am happy the designs turned out great. What are your thoughts on this post? Have you ever had a dance class?

*Collaborative post.