Ballet for boys

[limabean]

My DS really wants to take ballet, and I'm having a heck of a time finding a class for him in my area! It seems like they're all called something like, "Sparkly Pink Fairytale Princess Ballet Camp" or something like that. There's nothing wrong with boys liking pink or princesses (actually, DS's favorite color is pink), but these classes are just so obviously geared toward girls only. Even the "what to wear" guidelines only mention leotards/tights, nothing about what boys should wear. Frustrating!

Maybe I'll have to go towards a more serious dance academy -- I was hoping to just have him try out a 6-week class at the community center or something to see how he likes it, but argh.

Do any of your sons take ballet? How do they like it, and how do you like how the studio involves boys in its program?

[bandgeek]

Have you asked if they accommodate boys? It could just be that there's not much of a demand for classes for boys in your area so they don't focus on that. I'd call them and feel them out. If they are wishy-washy about it, I'd not even bother, but if they get excited at the idea of having a boy in the class, it might work out well.

[damona]

my oldest son took jazz, ballet, tap and modern for about a semester, a couple of years ago. then the boys at school found out he loved dance, and that was the end of that. he was going to a small private studio in town. there was one other boy about 2 years older than him, and 2 late teen/early 20's boys. the boys wore black leggings and white tshirts.

our studio was really good with these boys. they worked them into the dances for the show and didn't just have everyone do the same steps. the boys got complimentary parts. i wish my son had continued with dance, b/c he loved it so, and he was pretty good.

i guess this isn't terribly helpful but this was our experience.

[nextcommercial]

I think you could try out a summer session at a real studio. They LOVE the boys!!! It's hard to get boys in, so any studio would be thrilled to have him.

They do usually have a dress code, but for boys, it's generally black shorts and a plain white t-shirt.

I hope he loves it.

[lach]

The more serious dance academies should have special boys classes. They're usually multi-age. It'll also be a lot more expensive.

The smaller studios market towards their target audience, which is little girls. But in my experience, they LOVE boys and LOVE any boy who shows even the tiniest interest. And are more than happy to modify the class, to either make it less "sparkley princess" or more "sparkley princess and awesome knight." Or you can just say that he likes sparkley things and they'll leave it as is!

I would call around and ask. Definitely talk to other moms who have their DDs in dance, because you might get an idea of which studios are more traditional.

[pumpkinhead]

My ds has been taking tap and jazz for the past 2 years. He's the only boy and doesn't notice/doesn't care. I think you should approach the dance classes you've seen and ask if they take boys and see if he can try a couple of trial classes. If he likes it, go from there.

[Peony]

The studio where my girls has boys, most all in the hip hop and break dancing classes but a MDC mama's DS takes jazz there. And they have ballroom classes from 11 and up with a fair number of boys. I agree with calling and asking.

[Mirzam]

I agree with the posters that suggested trying a more serious dance academy. That way he will start off with better technical training and he will get a much better feel of what studying ballet is really like. If he doesn't like it then pull him out.

[One_Girl]

Our community center only had one boy take ballet this year, and they only called the class ballet one and ballet two. They probably do accommodate boys in the classes you are looking at and will work in a role as a prince with boys clothing if you register him, but they market to the audience that tends to go there so you might have to talk to them to get them to work with him. I really suggest trying the community center classes even if the name isn't the greatest because you may pour a lot of money into classes, material, and such and find out he really isn't as into it as he seemed to be. I have done this with my dd and wasted a lot of money that could have gone to something else, so now we give things a try before I pour a lot of money into them.

[St. Margaret]

I'm taking tips here b/c all the dance classes we've seen advertised are also sparkly princess divas... and we want a nice traditional class when we do one, even for DD. She loves to be a sparkly fairy as much as the next girly girl, which we're fine with, but around here there can be WAY too much emphasis on things like makeup and clothing brands by 4 or 5 yo, and we super want to avoid that!

Good luck, OP!

[tbone_kneegrabber]

ds is in a "creative movement" class. which is a dance class, but not a specfic style or learning a routine. He really loves it, and they just have to be barefoot and can wear whatever they want.

[eepster]

Even if I had a girl, I would be concerned that something called "Sparkly Pink Fairytale Princess Ballet Camp" was going to be mostly silliness with very poor dance instruction. At our community center they offer "creative movement," "Beginner Ballet" and that sort of thing.

[jgale]

The very serious professional ballet school in the city where I live takes boys for free because they need/want them so badly...

[limabean]

Thanks for all the replies. You guys brought up all the stuff that concerns me -- that the community center class won't be quality instruction, that the academy class will be too expensive and require more of a commitment than we may be ready for, etc.

Originally Posted by St. Margaret

I'm taking tips here b/c all the dance classes we've seen advertised are also sparkly princess divas... and we want a nice traditional class when we do one, even for DD. She loves to be a sparkly fairy as much as the next girly girl, which we're fine with, but around here there can be WAY too much emphasis on things like makeup and clothing brands by 4 or 5 yo, and we super want to avoid that!

Good luck, OP!

I agree, that's a concern for me too. Yesterday I was researching all the dance studios in my area, and the online photo galleries were such a huge turn-off. The kids (nearly 100% girls ) looked so overly ... done, you know? I didn't find their outfits inappropriate or anything, and I realize that stage make-up is normal, but ... you know that facial expression cheerleaders make, where they give their head a sharp nod and have a hammy bulge-eyed, open-mouthed grin? That's the "feel" I got from most of the photos.

Maybe those photos are there because the studios think they'll appeal to their target audience, but then they offer classes that aren't like that? I don't know, I'll have to do some calling around.

ETA: I just noticed you're from San Diego. I'm just a little north, behind the Orange curtain. So that whole looks-consciousness thing is here too, and it seems like it influences the style of classes that's offered, huh? It's too bad.

[St. Margaret]

Yeah, I took tap and ballet and jazz at a dance studio in my hometown in northern CA and later the same studio's owner taught awesome African and other styles at the high school even... it was a very nice vibe, of just like, enjoying and exploring your body, and hard work, and I haven't really found it here yet. Still plenty of time for DD, but hopefully there's something around here!

[Past_VNE]

Good luck, Mama.

DS is in the rural dance school nearby. The instructors LOVE having him, as he's the only boy in all the levels. Actually, the theme for his tap routine this year is a wedding song, all jazzed up. The girls are in cute-ified bride costumes and he's in a tux. The girls make a arc with their bouquets, he comes up to the front through them, then holds his hands up and out, and they come in pairs to twirl under his arms. It's REALLY cute, though I was hesitant and the bridal thing in the beginning. This is his second year (he's 5.5) and it has been a fantastic experience.

After dance class, he goes next door to gymnastics, where it's not quite so girl dominated. Mostly, around here, boys only play team sports.

Again, good luck finding something that suits your commitment and boyness!!