Cost breakdown so far:
$30 a month for 9 months (once a week for 1 hr)=$270
$15 for Ballet Shoes
$18 for Tap Shoes
$6 for two leotards
$2 for tights
$40 recital costume
_________________
$371 Projected total
This total will increase if her feet grow and she needs new shoes, if the recital outfit is more expensive than my guestimate, or it requires a specific color of shoes (The studio didn’t specify a color for the class, and the ballet slippers come in pink, black and white. With my luck they will want either black or white since Princess chose pink).
There are a few things that I have done to cut costs:
Look outside the “Dance Gear” aisle. Dance tights cost twice as much as regular tights. And the black tights at the dollar store cost, well, a dollar a piece. Since Princess will only be wearing them for a little over an hour at a time, and with shoes on to boot (so hopefully no runs) I figured how much difference can their be?
her friend is wearing a hand me down from her sister,
to her right a friend wearing a brand new one.
Can you tell the difference? I couldn’t!
Buy used. I was lucky enough to find two leotards at the Salvation Army for $3 each. Both are short sleeved and black, and one has a little built in skirt. The plain ones at Wally world cost $6 each, $12 for the ones with skirts (or about $8 for a separate skirt). If money was really tight I could do with just one.
Talk to Princess about photos. Yes-they not only have school photos, but there are “Dance Studio” photos. Before we even went to the first lesson (and I wasn’t even sure if they took photos or not) I told Princess that we would not buy dance photos-that we would have her picture taken at Wally World instead. When I got to the first lesson my friend was picking up her photos from last year-she had bought the cheapest package and it was $36. Again, if money were tight you could either completely do without, or set up your own “Photo Studio” at home and take some pictures of your darling in their costume. (check out this article on Photographing Children-he has lots of other great resources too)
Keep your eyes open. I was lucky to find leotards at the Salvation Army in the right size just when I needed them. Veteran thrifters will tell you that this was incredible luck! From now on I will be keeping my eyes out for tap shoes, ballet slippers (in good repair only) and leotards in the next 2 sizes or so*. I already found a pair of taps at a yard sale 2 sizes larger than she is currently wearing for only $3. If I’m really lucky, I’ll be able to find a girl a year or two older than her and buy her used shoes. . . .note to self, post sign at dance studio. . .
Don’t buy it. Do you really need anything else for classes, or are people (be it the staff, other moms, or your child) just trying to convince you that something is needed? For example, Princess wants a special dance bag like a few (but not all) of the other girls in the class have. We have plenty of bags around the house already that can be used to carry her shoes too and from the lesson, and I am not going to go out and buy a special dance bag just because she started class. Now it happens I was in a store last week that had a bunch of stuff on clearance-including a cute little pink satin duffel bag, just big enough for her shoes, that was full of play makeup. Since she wants a dance bag, and loves play makeup, I picked it up for $4 as one of her Christmas gifts. But I’m standing firm-she hasn’t seen it yet and she won’t get it until Christmas. Really. Even if I really want to give it to her now.
An interesting side note on all of this. I was talking to my girlfriend-the one who was picking up pictures-about the cost of the photos and recital costumes. Her comment was “Well, it’s just this once.” Now don’t get me wrong-each person is entitled to make the decisions about what is important for them. If having the photos is really important then you should go for it. But saying “it is just once” is false. Because it is really “just once a year”, but then there are also school photos, and soccer photos, and girlscout photos. . . . .and if you don’t really think about it, telling yourself that it is “just this once”, then how can you really be evaluating the impact of the decision on your finances?
*Note: I am hesitant to buy more than 2 sizes or so up for 2 reasons. #1-We may decide not to continue with dance and #2-The studio may have specific requirements as far as size and style as she gets older. Although the little kids were allowed to wear whatever they want, there was a sign up in the lobby instructing all ballet students to wear a specific color and style of leotard, tights, and shoes. Even if I pick up some items for a small cost-if she isn’t allowed to wear them it’s still a waste of money.
What a great post!
And yikes, I’d better start saving now.
Awww…is there anything cuter than little girls in ballet slippers? I remember being 6 and begging my Mom to let me take dance with my friends. I only lasted 1 year, but I still have good memories of it. Anyway, thanks for the great update!
Jayne
Meredith-When you get closer and are starting to thrift for stuff, you may want to call the studio you are going to use and see if they have any specific requirements. Since you are in a more metro area, they may be more picky. Here in the sticks you get what you get sometimes 🙂
Jayne-I know, she’s adorable 🙂 Not that I’m biased or anything. . .
Great information!! Here is some more Triple AAA club has a yearly membership that offers many discounts including Payless shoes 10% off that sells ballet and tap shoes. The best new clothing prices I have found are at Target for ballet and gymnastics ect.. Good luck!! Thanks again!!! Annette Oh and Triple AAA club offers tons of discounts. The memebership pays for itself in no time and they have free towing and gas in an emergency!!! Annette
A few other things that could help keep ballet costs down:
See if your or other local schools sell second-hand goods (instead of or as well as notices). My dance teacher used to sell character shoes and skirts for parents. She would also sell crossovers, chiffon skirts and scarves (for RAD higher grades ballet) and very, very occasionally, very gently worn ballet shoes. If purchasing ballet shoes second hand, you must use caution – ask your teacher for advice. Never, ever wear second hand pointe shoes as this can cause considerable damage to your feet.
It’s a good idea to look after your dance shoes. Always wear street shoes to class and change them once you’re in the studio as roads, footpaths and over surfaces can cause considerable (and unnecessary) wear and tear.
If you haven’t yet chosen a dance school, shop about, particularly if you’re in a metro area with lots of choice. Talk to the teacher(s) and other parents and find out about the hidden extras, particularly the cost of participating in recitals (participation fee, tickets, costumes) and exams. These are normally extremely worthwhile exercises but forewarned is forearmed and all that – make sure you can budget for these costs as well. Also consider value for money – if you participate in exams, are they recognised by a professional dance body (such as the RAD)? Are the recitals run in a professional manner? It might cost more to participate in and buy tickets for a recital in a proper theatre but especially for older children or ones serious about dancing, the experience is a wonderful one and might be better value for money than an expensive production in a school hall. I’m not saying either way is better but it’s worth thinking about.
Exams can also add up quickly particularly since you normally need to wear a certain uniform. If your school already has an enforced uniform policy (another cost to think about) then this won’t matter but if not, it’s an extra cost.
Try and buy hair supplies (hair spray, gel, bobby pins, hair and bun nets) on the cheap. Depending what the school’s hair policy is, you might only need it a few times a year but if you need it every week, the cost can add up particularly when you don’t normally wear hair spray and gel. Another good idea for little Christmas/bday presents is to buy pretty ribbons when you find them cheaply or on sale (check op shops as well) because lots of older girls who dance love to wear pretty ribbons around their buns in class. In schools with stricter uniform policies, it’s often the only individuality you can have (and in the strictest schools you can’t even have that!).
Also, many schools offer the first class free if you’re trying it out. Even if they don’t advertise such a policy, ask. If they won’t let you, consider if you’d want such a school anyway. Normally kids (and adults) can wear shorts and tshirts…a good way to make sure it’s right for you before you fork over the cash.
Sorry for such a long comment (I think the only comment I’ve added was also long!!) but I have been dancing for a long time and I think it’s wonderful you’re showing people how to do it on the cheap – hopefully my comments will also help a bit. 🙂 I hope your daughter enjoys her class!
This is a really valuable topic for you to address. Kids activities are a huge expense for families!
Speaking of kids’ activities, but not really related to this post, dd just went through auditions again and is cast in her first musical (she’s in the hag chorus in Little Women – lol!). Anyway, I thought of you when I noticed that our group has refined its what to wear to audition policy. They now ask for clothes you would wear to a professional job interview or to church.
It’s good. The only tricky thing is it’s also a dance audition. ?)
Aw, this brings back fond memories for me. I took dance lessons for ten years and it was a HUGE expense for my parents (mostly the recital costumes- they ran several hundred dollars). However, it was the only activity that I did until I hit high school- no girl scouts, no gymnastics, this was my chosen activity. It was also a good investment because I was then captain of my high school dance team. I would love to take lessons again!
Fitcat-Don’t worry about the length of your comment-you’ve offered very valuable information! As I said in my comment to Meredith-we are in a very rural area, so I think quite a few of these things are more, uh, lenient. But if someone is in a more metro/populated area then there really is a lot more to think about, as you’ve pointed out.
Rebbecca-See, I do know what I’m talking about 🙂 Personally I like to wear a flattering solid colored top (not white, white washes you out under lights) and a pair of comfortable buy nice black slacks with my character shoes. You can move and dance in it, but it looks like a sort of business casual look.
Tessa-It can get even more expensive as time goes on-I know a 13 year old who is taking 6 lessons a week-each is $30 a week, some require specific gear, and then there are various recital costumes and competition expenses. And if you want to participate in Tap or Jazz for competition, then they REQUIRE you to take ballet as well. But it’s nice to hear that you enjoyed it and feel that the entire thing had value.
These are great tips. My best friend just enrolled her daughter and I was astounded at how much all of this costs.
She was able to find really cute ballet shoes from Payless for half the price then at regular stores. She has also talked to moms in the upper levels to see if they have leotards and such that she could buy off of them since their daughters were done with them. In cases like these, it pays to be resourceful.
I need to look into what our parks program offers and look into those lower cost options rather than at a studio or lessons elsewhere 🙂
Excellent post and GREAT pictures of Princess!
Congrats, it is SO worth the money! I have 2 girls in dance. My oldest is going into her 7th year & my youngest into her 4th. My bill is $220 a month, luckily we have a $110 cap per kid. My 6 year old is in 5 classes & my 10 year old is in around 9 (lost count) + she does competitions. The biggest way I save is buying everything online either at the discount dance sites or buying used on ebay. Thrift stores & garage sales almost always have cheaply priced things as well. Since dance is only so often a week, etc the things are almost always in great shape. Another thing is make sure you know what the dance studio uses, most have a certain color they prefer. Usually with the younger kids they are pretty flexible but it gets stricter as the years go on. Remember it is a good investment! It teaches way more then just dance technique. I have found over the years the dancers have better manners, more polite & respectful. They also learn to work on their own & in a group. A lot of people don’t think you get that “team effort” from dance like sports but you do. Congrats again, it is a great experience! Take lots of pics & remember to get cute shots of the feet, that always makes a good pic. When you can’t afford the studio pics, you can get a black blanket & take really nice shots at home as well!
The cheapest way to get tons of photos is to invite the grandma to watch the class or recital. Grandma’s have no compunctions about snapping away and these candid photos turn out to capture the essence the experience more accurately than the professional ‘posed’ shots,plus they focus on YOUR child.
I was given dance lessons from age 3yrs to 11 yrs and then took it up again in college. It has made me see all music as motion. Dance also teaches presence and poise.
Princess is gorgeous!
Since we still have 6 kids at home, we opted for a place that has a family membership that covers both karate and dance. We could not have afforded to do individual classes for each child otherwise.
We recently survived the first recital, and I wrote a story about it for our local paper http://www.appeal-democrat.com/articles/hair_53604___article.html/know_learn.html.
When it comes time for recital day, unflavored gelatin dissolved in about 12 ounces of warm water makes a great spray on gel.
Happy dancing 🙂
Well, that kinda sounds like my mom I really want a lot of s
stuff plus she putting me in dance camp, so I need 2 new leotards
1new pair of pointe shoes, a bag, and a new Tutu and leggings. But any ways PLEASE
DONT TAKE UR DAUGHTER OUT OF BALLET I WOULD BE HEART. BROKEN
PLUS SHES SO CUTE. <3
DISNEY <3S BALLET
Actually she decided on her own not to do dance for a few years after I wrote this article–she took 4 years off. Then last year she decided she wanted to take lessons again and is on her second year–but jazz and hip hop.