Nobody warned me the cost of dance. I should have known. When I was a child, I did ballet. I had completed both my Junior A and Junior B exams and a passion for dance was well and truly imprinted in my heart.
One day, I was taken out of dance. I remember the last time walking out of the bluestone church in Box Hill, Victoria where my dance classes were held. My Mum could not afford it anymore. So yes, one ballet class per week is a big financial commitment.
Enter stage left jazz, acro, tap, hip hop, modern - well that is next level. Enter stage right performance teams, competitions - oh and then there is solo tuition. Did I mention costumes and also necessary hair and makeup accoutrements? How about those magical pointe shoes...you do not want to know how many pairs a dancer needs each year.
Whether you are paying your own way or funding your little dancing king or queen - whether there is one dance class or every dance class, we all need ways to be extra thrifty and this is super close to my heart. If we share how to save money, we may help more dancers continue to pursue their passion.
Get your thrift on with me! Let's go.
1. Gifting dance tuition
Did you know that most dance schools have a mechanism in place for friends and family to buy gift cards? Take advantage of this and provide the details to friends and family for Christmas and Birthdays.
2. Your local dancewear store
Understand who your local dancewear store is and ask when they have sales. Sign up to their email lists so you are in the know. Sometimes these sales can be up to 20%...just like the one on in Spangles right now for all my Northern Beaches folk - 20% EOFY sale off everything site wide. You can stock up on all your needs for the following year when the sales are on!
3. Facebook Groups
I stumbled across some groups who list costumes they no longer need. Some of the second hand costumes look to be in great condition. Whilst these may not help for performance team costumes that are arranged via the dance studio, they could certainly help for performance solos. Here are some groups I have found and may be helpful for those in Australia. 1. "Australia Dance Costumes" and 2. "Preloved Dance Wear & Costumes Australia Only!" I am sure there would be similar groups in other countries if you have a search around and feel free to share any good ones you find for our community.
4. Get on the class parent group
Most performance team classes have an amazing parent who has set up a parent chat. Get on this like right now. You will find an amazing supportive group who will share items here their little dancers have outgrown. You can also contribute your gear and establish a virtuous circle! There are many added benefits of being a part of the dance studio community. What if you are running late to pick up your little one? Tell the group chat who can then pass the message on and make sure your child is not left unattended. You may find out that you live close by to another family which may be super handy for reciprocal drop off and pick up favours. Competitions can be complicated with hair, costumes, arrival times, rehearsals, performance times and the brains trust of this chat can help you work it out when it all gets a bit much. Priceless.
5. To Dream Duffle
Ah, the wizardry of this portable wardrobe system. The Dream Duffle is that big wheely bag that transforms into a hanging wardrobe for all your costumes providing easy access during your comp days. They are actually amazing but they are hugely expensive and you literally need a 4WD to transport the thing. The question is, do you really need one? No. The hack to get through a performance day without a dream duffle is to put your costumes into a garment bag - one garment bag per costume (and associated accessories). Then once you have your garment bags ready, you fold them and pop them into a bag or wheely suitcase. This will help your performer be super organised on comp day.
6. Simplify skincare, makeup and hair
Can we take a moment on skincare? Necessary given the phenomenon of very young children buying very expensive and very active skincare made for adults... I really love how Zoe Foster Blake, the incredible Founder of GoTo Skincare amongst other things (confessional, I have a massive lady crush) puts this.
For tweens, keep the routine simple - ie a soothing cleanser at night followed by a facial oil to nourish skin. For teens, acne fighting products that protect and hydrate like a foaming salicylic acid cleanser that will remove dirt and debris from pores without stripping the skins moisture barrier, and a clarifying BHA toner, to balance out the skin and stop acne before it surfaces.
To finish off the ritual, a gel moisturiser with a matte finish. If skin is congested, use a clay mask to help clarify. For both age groups, use a SPF before leaving the house - a must do.
Makeup for competitions. You don't need to spend a lot - supermarket makeup is good enough. There are really good thrifty brands and loads of options. You need foundation, concealer, red lip liner, red lipstick, brown/goldy eyeshadow, black eyeliner and mascara. If you child is old enough, false eyelashes and I get cheap ones from Priceline.
Finally, let's jump into haircare. I created Pointe Hair Company with the ambition to simplify a dancers life. So dancers could focus on dancing and not think too much about hair. That dancers could reach for the Ballet Balm and have confidence knowing it could smooth their hair and create the perfect hairstyle, whether it be giselle, ballet bun or any such style that has a slick back or smooth back as the foundation element. Here is the reality, once you have The Ballet Balm, you no longer need mousses, gels, sprays, pomades or waxes. You can simplify your entire hair routine. This product can save you a lot of money due to its versatility. You are welcome! The Ballet Balm will be your go to product.
For competition days, you would use a fine mist spray hair bottle to prepare the hair (which should be two days dirty) and then melt The Ballet Balm in hands and smooth over hair. For extra hold, use a bit extra product. For competition days, you may want to spray hairspray because I know dancers can't quite help themselves but note that you may not need it! And don't overdo any hairspray because your risk drying hair and breakages.
Now your turn to share your precious tips with this community so we can all get our thrift on together!
Love Amber, xoxo
founder Pointe Hair Co