The Basics of Dance Class Etiquette
- Dress in uniform and come prepared.
- Don’t chew gum or bring food and drinks (a closed water bottle is okay) into the studio.
- Never wear dance shoes outside the studio or wear street shoes in the studio. And check for loose screws …on your taps before you step foot on the dance floor.
- Don’t wear jewelry.
- Don’t come late and if you do, enter very quietly.
- Don’t leave early. If it is a must, talk to the teacher before class. If you need to exit in an emergency, exit as quickly and discreetly as possible.
- Don’t talk while the teacher is talking. Not even whispering to the person next to you.
- Turn off mobile phones
- Listen first, then ask relevant questions
- Respect the personal space of others.
- Respect the dance space. Pick up rubbish, your clothes, and don’t turn things on, off, up, or down in the studio without permission.
- Watch your language, even when you mess up.
- Don’t “hang” or slouch on the barre or anywhere else, for that matter.
- Be attentive at all times, especially when waiting for your turn.
- Beware of negative body language (like folded arms).
- And never sit down unless you are asked to.
Dance Etiquette Next Steps
- If you are sitting, or sitting out, sit tall. Never lie down.
- Develop spatial awareness and demonstrate it
- Give the instructor space, but not too much space.
- Refrain from correcting others (that’s the teacher’s job).
- Don’t quit in the middle… of the room, of the combination, or of the class. Go with the flow if you’re lost or confused. Never stop traffic.
- Part like the Red Sea when exiting. Don’t cross center or the paths of other dancers.
- It’s okay to mark combinations while you wait for your turn if you are out of the way.
- Do not repeatedly leave and then come back in without permission.
- At the end of class, applaud or thank the instructor and musician (as part of the group)
- Don’t visibly yawn or show boredom. You may get away with it in a lecture hall, but not dance class.
- Applaud for demonstrators.
- Restrain movement in a crowded class until broken into groups. If you bump into someone, quietly apologize. Don’t make it a big deal.
- Never give your 2¢ on choreography to a teacher or choreographer unless your opinions have been requested. And don’t take it upon yourself to correct your fellow classmates.
- Don’t record or photograph anything without permission.
- Never walk out of a class or go sit down because it’s too hard or you feel frustrated.
- Never say I CAN'T, - YOU CAN WITH PRACTICE
This is a big list, but you can help it grow.