Among all the other disruptions the global pandemic has created, it has also caused what seems to be a world-wide tap shoe shortage! Our ACADEMY dancers now mostly have their shoes and uniforms, but it has  taken a while.

Uniforms are the outfit and footwear that students wear to class each week. You might be wondering, why can't they just wear yoga pants and easy-to-move-in tops? Indeed, students in our ABCs of Dance program (ages 1.5 years to six years) and ATRIUM Aerial (ages eight and up) currently wear exactly that. Once they graduate into the ACADEMY Dance program however, uniforms become more important for several reasons. Uniforms:

• Allow for the range of motion needed to properly execute their movements
• Protect bodies and feet from abrasion and impact
• Make sure the teacher can see the student's posture and alignment
• Create a feeling of class cohesiveness and inclusion
• Help students look and feel like the amazing dancers they are!

During the pandemic, we took a break from uniforms and just did whatever we could do to keep students moving. Now that we are back to in-studio classes for most students (some still Zoom in, which is great!), we have returned to having uniforms as well. 

The difference in how the students approach their dancing when wearing uniforms (and tap shoes!) is really quite remarkable. Seeing students progress and achieve is my jam, so I'm pretty happy these days. I hope all is well with you, and maybe we'll see you at the studio.
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​Georgie
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It’s always a bit of an effort to get back into sewing when I’ve had some time away. I’m relearning how to lay out the fabric and patterns most efficiently, and remembering exactly how the parts go together. (Sometimes I don’t remember exactly, resulting in lots of ripping out stitches.) This time I also had a cool new tool to try out which helps me apply elastic to leg holes. I’m still waiting for two gadgets that may help me gather tulle for tutus more easily, but meanwhile, my serger does an ok job. 

The bodysuit went together without much problem, once I figured out how to use the elastic attachment. I built the tutu to be reversible, so that either the pink or the blue could be the outside layer. It was a little tricky to figure out the waistband, but I think I found a solution. 

It’s such a darling little costume. Add a hairpiece, tights and ballet slippers, and repeat the whole process a dozen more times or so, and we’re set!
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My process for choosing music:

• Have my ears open to every piece of music I come across and evaluate it for dance suitability (no such thing as listening to music “just for fun” :)
• Go on music-listening binges to chase down that one elusive song that would be perfect for a certain class or group
• Ask around
• Listen some more
• Create a shortlist of possible songs

• Ask the following questions of each shortlisted song:
  • Is it the right feel, speed, length?
  • Does it match the theme of the show?
  • Is the language and subject matter appropriate?
  • Will the students enjoy dancing to it?
  • Will there be enough variety between the pieces?
  • Would this be a culturally-sensitive use of the song?
  • Will this song contribute to a diversity of voices across the performance?
  • Is there such a thing as too much Arianna Grande?
  • Is the song available for purchase?

If the song has a specific context that I know about or came across through research, that gets considered as well. I may also watch the video. 

So many songs with a great groove that would be fun to dance to get disqualified because they are either overly suggestive, or demeaning towards women.

I try to find a workable balance across all those criteria. Once I’ve made my choices, I purchase the music, then cut or remix it as necessary. 
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On the first Saturday of December, our studio did a “downtown takeover”, turning several shop windows in downtown Meaford into tiny stages. We had been preparing for months, practicing at the studio and at home, getting costumes sorted and fitted, and organizing dancers into duos, trios and quartets, and in one case, a solo. 

When the day finally came, each group of students stood on their own inside a shop window, looking out at the audience of friends and family assembled on the street. Music played inside and out, and the first team performed their dance, then exited the stage while the other team performed theirs. Over the period of each hour, each team performed their tap, ballet or contemporary dance several times. A quick switch over brought a new group of dancers to each window for another hour's worth of dancing.
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It was a transformative experience. The very first performance was full of jitters and nerves, and dancers were relieved when it was over. Just as quickly, it was their turn to perform again, so up they went! Each time they returned to the stage, they performed with more assertiveness and confidence. By the end of the hour, students were demonstrating a “star quality” that seemed inborn, but is actually only achievable through this kind of concentrated work. 

Receiving ballet slippers is a rite of passage for many young dancers. They are rightly excited to get to dance in their new slippers!

For the most part, students can look after their own slippers, but they do need a bit of help from you when they bring them home for the first time:

1. Ask them to put their slippers on over a pair of clean thin socks.
2. Find the two elastic ties on the front of the shoe, and gently pull on both to eliminate any gaps around the top of the shoe.
3. Cross the ties once, and then make a bow (knot the bow if necessary). 
4. Gently tuck the bow inside the shoe so it can't be seen. 

This is how your student will wear their slippers in class. These elastic ties stay done up from now on; no need to undo them to get the shoe on and off.

​After class, students have been instructed to gently set their slippers in the top of their dance bag for transport. When they get home, they can remove socks and uniform items that need cleaning. Then they can either set their ballet slippers on their dresser to air out, or pop their shoes back in the bag and then hang their bag on their bedroom door knob until next dance class. Ballet slippers cannot be washed, so students are to wear their slippers only in dance class, or on a clean, hard floor at home if they want to do some practicing.

I have reminded dancers that it is their personal responsibility to make sure their dance bag contains their slippers, clean socks and uniform, hair ties and bobby pins, and their water bottle, and to bring their bag with them to class every time. Bags and water bottles come into the studio with the dancers for easy access during class.

Georgie