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Our Dress Code

Select your dance style

acro | ballet | hip hop | jazz | tap 

Wondering where to shop?

Theory Dancewear is located in Findlay Creek, offering dancewear from top brands for a variety of dance styles.

NOTE: If you’re looking to purchase pointe shoes, we ask that you please speak to your instructor prior to purchase for safety reasons to ensure your child is ready.

Our dress code ensures your child can dance safely and comfortably for their style of dance.

We believe in inclusivity and the freedom of gender expression. While you will find some details about clothes for girls vs. boys, children are welcome to choose the option that works best for them.

Common Ground - Acro

Acro

Girls: Mini Acro
5-7 years old

Black leotard
Beige footless tights
Bare feet

Aerial Hoops
Black leotard
Black or beige footless tights
Bare feet
Warmups (such as sweatpants, leggings and/or a sweatshirt)

Girls: Junior Acro
8-10 years old

Black leotard
Beige footless tights
Bare feet

Girls: Intermediate Acro
12+ years old

Black leotard
Black footless tights
Bare feet

Boys: All Levels
5-12+ years old

White or black fitted short sleeve t-shirt
Black fitted shorts (above the knee)
Bare feet

 

Common Ground - Ballet

Ballet

Your instructor will let you know when you need any of the following additional dress code items. Character skirts, character shoes, soft block ballet slippers and pointe shoes (pre pointe must be completed prior to buying pointe shoes). Pointe shoes must be approved by the instructor.

A fitted ballet sweater or shrug in the matching colour to the leotard is an acceptable option for ballet classes.

Little Dancers
First Steps, Little Steps, Creative Movement & Bounding Boys

Girls: First Steps, Little Steps, Creative Movement
2-4 years old

Light Pink leotard
Light Pink Chiffon pull-on skirt to match leotard (optional)
Pink coloured tights to match ballet shoes
Pink coloured leather full sole ballet shoes with elastic (no drawstrings)

Boys: First Steps, Little Steps, Creative Movement & Bounding Boys 
2-6 years old

White fitted short sleeve t-shirt
Black fitted shorts (above the knee)
White high ankle socks
White leather full-sole ballet shoes with elastic (no drawstrings)

Girls: Pre-Primary & Primary
5-7 years old

Lilac tank or cap sleeve leotard
Lilac Chiffon skirt to match leotard (optional)
Pink coloured tights to match ballet shoes
Pink coloured leather full sole ballet shoes with elastic (no drawstrings)

Boys: Pre-Primary & Primary
5-7 years old

White fitted short sleeve t-shirt
Black fitted shorts (above the knee)
White high ankle socks
White leather full-sole ballet shoes with elastics (no drawstrings)

Girls: Grades 1-3
7-10 years old

Raspberry leotard (no thin/spaghetti straps) (So Dança Raspberry)
Raspberry skirt (optional) (So Dança Raspberry)
Pink or flesh coloured tights to match ballet shoes (convertible style recommended)
Pink or flesh coloured leather full sole ballet shoes with elastic (no drawstrings)

Boys: Grades 1-3
7-10 years old

White fitted short sleeve t-shirt or white leotard
Navy fitted shorts (above the knee) OR Navy stirrup tights
White high ankle socks
White leather full-sole ballet shoes with elastic (no drawstrings)

Girls: Grades 4-5
10-12 years old

Burgundy leotard – (no thin/spaghetti straps)
Burgundy skirt – optional
Pink or flesh coloured tights to match ballet shoes (convertible style recommended)
Pink or flesh coloured leather full sole ballet shoes with elastic

Boys: Grades 4-5
10-12 years old

White fitted short sleeve t-shirt or white leotard
Navy fitted shorts (above the knee) OR Navy stirrup tights
White high ankle socks
White leather full-sole ballet shoes with elastic (no drawstrings preferred)

Girls: Vocational (Intermediate Foundation – Advanced 2)
13+ years old

Black leotard
Black skirt (optional)
Pink or flesh coloured tights to match ballet shoes (convertible style recommended)
Pink or flesh coloured canvas split sole ballet shoes with elastic

Boys: Vocational (Intermediate Foundation – Advanced 2 and Recreational Intermediate Ballet)
13+ years old

White fitted short sleeve t-shirt or white leotard
Black stirrup tights
White high ankle socks
White coloured split sole ballet shoes (no drawstrings preferred)

Common Ground - Hip Hop

Hip Hop

Girls & Boys: All Levels

5-18+ years old

Tank top or short sleeve T-shirt
Leggings, sweatpants or track pants
Black Converse Chuck High Tops recommended
Street shoes that have been worn outside WILL NOT be permitted on the studio dance floors

Common Ground - Jazz & Contemporary

Jazz & Contemporary

Girls: Junior Jazz 1, 2 & 3
8-10 years old

Black leotard
Black fitted shorts (optional)
Beige convertible style tights to match jazz shoes
Beige leather jazz shoes
Half soles or sole savers for Lyrical/Contemporary

Boys: Junior Jazz 1, 2 & 3 & Junior Jumps & Turns
8-10 years old

White fitted short sleeve t-shirt
Black fitted shorts (above the knee) or jazz pants
Black socks
Black leather jazz shoes
Half soles or sole savers for Lyrical/Contemporary

Girls: Mini Jazz
5-7 years old

Black leotard
Black fitted shorts (optional)
Beige tights to match jazz shoes – footed or convertible style
Beige leather jazz shoes

Boys: Mini Jazz
5-7 years old

White fitted short sleeve t-shirt
Black fitted shorts (above the knee) or jazz pants
Black socks
Black leather jazz shoes

Girls: Jazz & Tap Combo
5-7 years old

Black leotard
Black fitted shorts (optional)
Beige tights to match jazz shoes – footed or convertible style
Beige leather jazz shoes
Black patent leather tap shoes with ribbon ties

Boys: Jazz & Tap Combo
5-7 years old

White fitted short sleeve t-shirt
Black fitted shorts (above the knee) or jazz pants
Black socks
Black leather jazz shoes
Black low heel tap shoes

Girls: Pre-Intermediate & Intermediate Jazz, Intermediate Jumps & Turns, and Recreational Intermediate Jazz
11+ years old

Black leotard
Black fitted shorts (optional)
Black convertible style tights
Black leather jazz shoes
Half soles or sole savers for Lyrical/Contemporary

Boys: Pre Intermediate & Intermediate Jazz
11+ years old

White or black fitted short sleeve t-shirt
Black fitted shorts (above the knee) or jazz pants
Black socks
Black leather jazz shoes
Half soles or sole savers for Lyrical/Contemporary

Common Ground - TAP

TAP

Girls: Mini Tap
5-7 years old

Black leotard
Black fitted shorts (optional)
Beige tights – footed or convertible style
Beige tap shoes with 1 ¼” Cuban heel – So Danca TA44 recommended

Boys: Mini Tap
5-7 years old

White fitted short sleeve t-shirt
Black fitted shorts (above the knee) or jazz pants
Black socks
Black low-heel tap shoes – So Danca TA-04 recommended

 

Girls: Jazz & Tap Combo
5-7 years old

Black leotard
Black fitted shorts (optional)
Beige tights to match jazz & tap shoes – footed or convertible style
Beige leather jazz shoes
Black patent leather tap shoes with ribbon ties

Boys: Jazz & Tap Combo
5-7 years old

White fitted short sleeve t-shirt
Black fitted shorts (above the knee) or jazz pants
Black socks
Black leather jazz shoes
Black low-heel tap shoes – So Danca TA-04 recommended

Girls: Junior 1, 2 & 3 Tap
8-10 years old

Black leotard
Black fitted shorts (optional)
Beige tights – footed or convertible style
Beige tap shoes with 1 ¼” Cuban heel – So Danca TA44 recommended 

Boys: Junior 1, 2 & 3 Tap
8-10 years old

White fitted short sleeve t-shirt
Black fitted shorts (above the knee) or jazz pants
Black socks
Black low-heel tap shoes – So Danca TA-04 recommended

 

Girls: Pre Intermediate & Intermediate
11-13 years old

Black leotard
Black fitted shorts (optional)
Black convertible style tights
Black leather tap shoes – So Danca TA200 recommended

Boys: Pre Intermediate & Intermediate
11-13 years old

White or black fitted short sleeve t-shirt
Black fitted shorts (above the knee) or jazz pants
Black socks
Black leather tap shoes – So Danca TA200 recommended

Class Etiquette

Cgda Etiquette
Common Ground - Elisabet White

Elisabet White, RAD RTS

Owner & Artistic Director

Elisabet has been teaching dance for over 10 years and dancing for more than 25 years. Born and raised in Ottawa, Elisabet danced locally where she successfully completed her RAD Advanced 2 Ballet and ADAPT Advanced Jazz examinations while attending Canterbury High School - Performing Arts – Dance program. In 2012 Elisabet went on to attend the prestigious Ailey School Professional Division, NYC where she received a Certificate of Dance with Honours. After graduating she pursued a certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies through the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). She has also trained at Alonzo King LINES, San Francisco, and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Summer Professional Programs. During her dance training she had the opportunity to work with renowned choreographers such as: Alonzo King, Sidra Bell, Matthew Rushing, Darrell Moultrie, Amy Hall, Ray Mercer, and Carlos Dos Santos.

While studying dance at The Ailey School, Elisabet had the privilege of teaching children in The Ailey School First Steps Program, and travel to Florida as a guest teacher. These opportunities ignited her passion for teaching dance. After graduating from The Ailey School, she went on to expand her teaching skills in Halifax, NS and the surrounding area, teaching various methods of ballet, and jazz styles of dance, to children and adults, and choreograph for national competitions and local performances. While in Halifax she also volunteered at local schools to engage students in dance activities.

Over the years, Elisabet has had the opportunity to perform in the Tri-State area of New York, Canada and Mexico.

Elisabet has now returned home to Ottawa and in pursuing her passion for dance and vision to explore dance with children, she opened the doors to Common Ground Dance Academy in 2020.

Her passion for teaching children the art of dance is evident in her guidance and support for her students.

As Elisabet continues to pursue her passion for dance and to teach the art of dance, she now sees her vision to offer her love for dance to children of all ages and opened the doors to Common Ground Dance Academy to pass on her passion to the community.

“No matter where you come from or who you are, when we’re in the studio, we’re all on common ground” is the founding vision of Common Ground Dance Academy.