Dress Code

All students must furnish their own clothing and shoes for classes and performances.  Costumes for performances are purchased separately by NYAB. We ask all students to follow the dress code at all times.  Students should pack their dance bag the night before their scheduled class.  If a student comes dressed inappropriately for any class, the instructor may ask them to leave.
  1. Female students' hair must be worn in a traditional ballet bun at the crown of the head.  No bangs allowed.  If a female student has short hair all hair including bangs must be clipped back and gelled away from the face.  The goal is to have the hair off the neck and face to create an elegant line in a style that cannot move around.
  2. All Preparation for Ballet dancers may wear their hair in a traditional ballet bun or in a neat high ponytail with any bangs clipped off the face.
  3. Headbands, bandanas or bun covers as fashion accessories are not allowed. NO scrunchies or snoods.
  4. No holes in ballet tights or leotards.
  5. Warm-up clothing will be allowed in class a the teacher's discretion during cold weather.  Only tight fitting "dance" sweaters and leg warmers are allowed.  No loose or baggy clothes (including T-shirts) permitted under any circumstances.  No sweatshirts with hoods. No street clothes allowed.
  6. Out of respect to all, personal hygiene (clean body and clothing) must be observed.
  7. NO jewelry (except small stud earrings).  Dangling earrings and hoops are strictly forbidden due to safety reasons.  NO hair ties or rubber bands allowed on wrists. NO watches/bracelets, necklaces, or rings.
  8. If applicable, female dancers should wear appropriate undergarment support under leotard of an appropriate color to match the skin tone or leotard color.
  9. Please wear nude colored undergarments if you must wear undergarments under tights and make sure they are not visible.
  10. For the safety of all dancers, if eyeglasses are needed, please attach with a sports strap around the bun.  Contacts are highly recommended for more advanced dancers instead of eyeglasses. 

Uniform Requirements
Simplicity is one of the distinguishing characteristics of a truly fine dancer. While we're working on the strength and technique needed to accomplish this goal, we can start by being simple in dress, which is why we have a uniform.
As a conservatory level school of dance our dress code is an important part of our curriculum.  Showing respect for our art in conduct as well as a dress code helps foster the required discipline it takes to learn a classical art. To assist you in preparing your dancer properly for classes following are specifics on our dress code:

Ballet:
  • Black leotard of any style. Simple designs are always the best. No skirts attached except for Preparation for Ballet dancers.

  • Bloch Salmon Tight either footed or convertible. Seams required for Student and Advanced Division for performances only.

  • Pink ballet slippers by Bloch.  The shoes selected must match the color of the Block Salmon tights.  Elastics MUST be sewn on ballet slippers. The elastics are needed for safety - in an attempt to keep the shoes from falling off, the dancer will unconsciously grip the ligaments of the foot, which can lead to strain and possible injury.

  • Hair in a classical ballet bun.  If you need bun making lessons just ask, we are happy to help. A proper bun secured tightly to the head is important especially when turning in class. Hair that is falling out is disruptive to the learning process and is also a safety hazard as pins can fall to the floor.

  • Pointe shoes for beginner pointe dancers should NOT be purchased until they are given guidelines by the teacher. Elastics and ribbons must be properly sewn to the pointe shoes once they are approved by the teacher.  A tutorial on how to properly sew pointe shoes will be given by NYAB staff as needed.

  • Warm-up clothing for colder weather must be black or pink, no other colors.  Sweaters must be fitted, NO hoodies of any kind.

  • Student & Advanced/Pre-Professional dancers may wear a colored leotard on Saturdays.

  • Only pointe dancers may wear skirts during pointe class.

Boys Ballet Uniform:
  • Plain white T-shirt tucked into black tights.

  • Young boys may wear black bike shorts and a white T-Shirt tucked in. However, as they mature, dance belts and black tights are required.

  • Black ballet shoes with elastic sewn on and white socks.

  • Hair neatly combed back out of face and secured
Jazz: 
  • Black or colored leotard or black tank top.

  • Black tights or black jazz pants (please make sure pants are hemmed so dancers do not trip on excess fabric).

  • Black leather lace-up jazz shoes.

  • Hair pulled back off face in a bun or ponytail.

  • No T-Shirts or other street clothes allowed.


Modern:
  • Black footless tights or black mid-thigh athletic shorts.

  • Black leotard or black tank top.

  • Bare feet or black socks.

  • Hair pulled back off face.

  • No T-Shirts or other street clothes allowed.


Hip-Hop:
  • Express yourself!!

  • Flat bottom CLEAN sneakers that you do NOT wear outside. The oils from outside can damage our floor.

  • No black soled sneakers as they leave marks on our marley floor.

  • No midriff baring shirts, age appropriate attire please.


Contemporary:
  • Express yourself!!

  • Leotard of any color with tights or athletic shorts.

  • Black or white T-shirt/tank with black bottoms.

  • Bare feet or black socks.
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  • Hair pulled up out of face.