<p>I've never been seriously enrolled in dance classes, so I'm not sure how much equipment (shoes, leotards, tights, shorts, etc) I should invest in for 8 hours of dance a week. Suggestions?</p>
<p>It depends on how many different types of dance classes you are taking and how much you enjoy doing laundry. For example, my daughter took ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical and hip hop. So she had a pair of ballet shoes, pointe shoes, jazz shoes (which were also used for lyrical classes), and hip hop shoes. One pair of each and when one would show signs of significant wear, another would be bought and held in reserve until needed. If she had taken tap, she would have needed tap shoes. Because she was doing musical theatre, she also had 2 pairs of character shoes, one pair black and one beige.</p>
<p>As to clothing, you need at least 1 set for each type of dance class, more if you are taking nultiple classes of any type in a week and don't want to do laundry several times a week. Leotards, (if you anticipate acting or costumes get at least one skin tone for underneath for coverage) get several, tights with feet (you can get convertible ones so that you can dance barefoot if needed in some of your classes or barefoot in some of your shoes), leg warmers so you do not cool down between classes, little skirts are cute but not necessary because it makes it hard for the instructors to see your turnout at the hip so they are really a waste of money , and do purchase some tops for over your leotards to keep your arms and shoulders warm between classes to avoid cooling them down. Do not let anyone tell you to purchase a specific type of pointe shoe before you go to the store - each shoe must be fitted to you. You must go to a store with a seasoned and proper fitter. Get the largest platform on the top of the shoe that you can. It will be best for you, to start. Good luck and have fun! Dance is wonderful.</p>
<p>What classes are you taking, and how many days a week is it? :) A lot of people could probably give you good advice knowing that.</p>
<p>I believe you said you are attending NYU, correct? I would check specifically with someone there - many places, dance classes have specific requirements of what colors, what styles, etc. If you haven't already, hook up with a CAP 21 upperclassman through this board, and find out from them what you'd need. At least - in NY, it will be easy for you to find what you need when you get there :)</p>
<p>Unless you have done many years of ballet you will not need pointe shoes. We have found catelog buying, after trying things on in a store for size the cheapest route. But I agree with MusThCC, call the school and I am sure they have a list of what you will need.
My DD is a dancer so we have mucltiples of everything, but what gets used most are ballet slippers, pink if female, black if male, and a pair of jazz sneakers. DD also has jazz slippers but to start with black ballet slippers will probaby do- I would ask specifically about the type of tap shoes or wait until you are told - again it matter mores for females since the mens are typically a oxford style womens are very variable - oxford, heal height, color, flexibility may all vary.
The good thing with shoes is that in most cases you can build a closet full as needed.</p>
<p>I also agree with the advice to check with the school for a list or wait to speak with the instructor; most dance classes have specific requirements as to what you need and it varies according to style of dance, level and even instructor's preference. Even with something as simple as character shoes, which you no doubt will need, there are different heel heights and buying the wrong ones in advance will only have you heading out to replace everything. I doubt very much that you will need pointe shoes, but you may end up having to invest in jazz shoes, character shoes and perhaps ballet slippers (and even there, the instructors have their own preferencences as to whether they want you to have full sole or split sole styles).
My D is primarily a singer, but has two colors of character shoes (tan & black), two styes of ballet slippers(black full soles, pink split soles, jazz shoes, jazz sneakers (which she hates!) and, so far, has managed to borrow character taps when she needs them! The leotards, jazz pants, capris, tights,skirts and sundry supplies have taken over her room, and with having daily classes each day this summer the pile she has to pack is growing!</p>
<p>agreed- hold off until you have a list. i work in a dance store, and the variations on everything are STAGGERING (plain ol' ballet slippers: canvas or leather? black or pink? split sole or full? presewn elastics? other bells & whistles?). i'm pretty sure there's a capezio verrrry close by too.</p>
<p>Yes, there is a Capezio store nearby and if you need to have taps put on your shoes, make sure to find out the days/times that the man who puts them on is there as he does terrifc work!</p>