Dance is making a comeback with Tiktok, Dance Moms, and other popular dance series taking over Hollywood and social media, even reaching our local Daytona Beach dance classes and community. There are so many styles of dance being showcased, it’s hard to figure out what styles of dance to choose and what shoes to wear while learning to dance. The most important aspects of dance shoes are proper fit, functionality, and safety. If you are looking for dance shoes for your Daytona Beach dance class, this article will give you some helpful hints.
Types of Dance Shoes for Your Dance Class
Ballet
Ballet Class requires a form fitted dance shoe with a leather sole. Ballet shoes can come in leather or canvas materials. Beginner dancers usually start with leather full sole ballet shoes. Once the dancer reaches full length ballet classes, they can switch to a split sole shoe. The split sole ballet slipper allows the dancer to work more freely through their foot and articulate their toes. Dance Studios differ with the shoe requirements  for this level, some prefer leather and some canvas. I prefer the ballet shoes with no draw strings for soft sole shoes because the drawstrings can be bulky and come untied easily. This can be a distraction during dance class.
Pointe
Pointe shoes are the highest level of ballet achievement. This shoe requires approval from a professional ballet teacher, at least 5 years of training and consistent ballet classes at least 2 times a week. When questioning if dancers are ready for pointe, even x-rays to ensure the growth plates are closed can be expected. This shoe can be dangerous if the dancer is not strong enough or fitted properly. We have amazing pointe shoe fitters in Daytona Beach at our local store Dance Depot. Pointe shoes come in a variety of brands, materials, and strength. Each dancer should be fitted in a pointe shoe that is suited for their type of foot.
Jazz
Jazz shoes need to be fitted and snug to support the arch of the foot. I prefer the Capezio Adult “E-Series” Slip-On Jazz Shoes. This shoe is great support for dancers’ feet. The quality is amazing, and it doesn’t slip off the heel some of the other brands we have tried. Jazz dance class requires a lot of traction for the jumps, turns, and weight changes so having a good shoe is also for safety.
Tap
When taking tap dance class, the tap shoes are your instrument. The rhythms and sounds you make with your feet can only be as clear as your instrument. . Younger dancers start with the Mary Jane style buckle shoe and older dancers move to lace up full sole tap shoes by Intermediate level. Having a shoe made of double hard leather outsole with triple stacked heel is the type of requirements to look for in a great tap shoe for advanced tap dancers.
Contemporary
Contemporary dance class prefers either socks or barefoot. Some choreographers like to do a lot of sliding floor work and socks make the dancer have less traction with the floor. Apollo Shocks have been a life saver for me, I love dancing and teaching in them every day, they also come with or without traction. Some contemporary choreography requires a barefoot so that the dancer can remain grounded and connected to the floor.
Hip Hop
Out of all the styles listed above, hip hop has the most variety of shoe requirements. Most commonly, dancers wear sneakers for hip hop class. However, hip hop dancers can be seen wearing boots and other variety of show choices. Some artists do hip hop in heels or even barefoot.
Choosing dance shoes can be difficult if you are new to dance class. Check out if your studio has a dress code that you can purchase from them directly. Or if there is a local dance store, they can partner with on their dress code needs so dancers can try on their shoes.