frequency asked questions
everything you need to know about programs, policies, and the Caulfield experience
What should my child wear to dance class?
For recreational ballet and other dance classes, please see our What to Wear section below. For Royal Academy of Dance programs, attire guidelines are listed on the R.A.D. Attire page. Proper dancewear and footwear help students feel confident and ready to move.
Can I come into the studio with my child?
We encourage dancers to be as independent as possible, as having parents in the room can sometimes be distracting. If your young child is new to dance and may need support adjusting, you’re welcome to speak with the instructor about joining them for the first class.
What should my child bring to class?
Students should arrive in the correct attire with the right shoes and hair pulled back neatly. A water bottle is recommended, but nothing else is needed. Please avoid toys, jewelry, or accessories that may cause distractions during dance lessons.
What types of dance classes do you offer?
At Caulfield School of Dance in Port Moody, we offer a wide range of programs: Ballet (including Royal Academy of Dance training), Jazz and Lyrical, Tap, Modern and Contemporary, Hip Hop, Acro, and Musical Theatre with Acting and Voice.
Can my child try a class before registering?
Yes! Trial classes are available if you’d like to explore which dance style or level is the best fit for your child. To participate, families pay a one-time Membership Fee of $35 + GST, which covers your dancer for the entire season.
How do we pay for dance classes?
Payments are made online through our Parent Portal by credit card. We are unable to accept cash or cheque payments at the studio. If you need assistance with online payments, our office team will be happy to walk you through the process. For Fall programs, the first payment is due on September 1. For sessional dance classes, payment is due the week before the session begins. Email reminders are always sent when payments are coming up.
Can I join the Adult Dance classes if I’m a beginner?
Yes! Our adult dance classes are designed for all levels, including those who have never danced before. Instructors tailor the level of the class to suit everyone in the room, so beginners feel comfortable and supported.
What is your cancellation or refund policy?
For full-year programs, students make a year-long commitment as classes are progressive. If you need to withdraw, one month’s written notice by email is required. Registration fees and deposits are non-refundable, and any unpaid balances (such as costume fees) must be completed. For sessional courses, families are not charged until the week before classes begin, but there are no refunds once a session has started.
How can my child register for private dance lessons?
We offer private lessons for students who want extra one-on-one training or who would like a solo choreographed for competition. To arrange a private lesson, please email us at admin@caulfield.bc.ca.
what to wear
All students should attend class in appropriate attire with no patterns, text or logos (except “Caulfield School of Dance”). Clothing must be tight and easy to move in. No jewelry or accessories that may be distracting.
Only clean, indoor shoes are allowed in the studios.
Ages 2-7
(Includes sessional and recreational full-year programs)
Ballet students should wear a bodysuit with tights or white socks and ballet slippers. Always tuck in draw strings of slippers. Skirts or tutus are permitted but not required. Please make sure that your child’s skirt fits properly and is not distracting. Hair should be in a ballet bun if possible. If hair is not long enough for a bun, please make sure hair is pulled back off the face.
Please note there are specific requirements for Royal Academy of Dance attire.
Tap, Jazz, Acro and Hip Hop students can wear fitted athletic wear. Tap shoes are required for Tap class. Jazz students should wear slip-on black leather jazz shoes. Hip Hop students should have clean, indoor sneakers. Please make sure hair is pulled back off the face.
Dance attire can be purchased from The Dance Box in Coquitlam.
Ages 7 and up
Recreational Ballet
(For Royal Academy of Dance Students, see R.A.D. attire)
Girls age 7-9:
Bodysuit: ‘Neutral’ coloured bodysuit (black, navy blue, light blue, light pink, gray, white, burgundy, lavender). Please note there are specific bodysuit requirements for R.A.D. attire.
Tights: Seamless Mondor brand style 310 or 314 (convertible) in “Ballerina Pink” or a colour that matches skin tone
Shoes: Bloch brand, style 205 in ballet pink = full sole, pleated toe, leather ballet slippers, with elastic straps.
Girls age 9-13:
Bodysuit: ‘Neutral’ coloured bodysuit (black, navy blue, light blue, light pink, gray, white, burgundy, lavender). Please note there are specific bodysuit requirements for R.A.D. attire.
Tights: Seamless Mondor brand style 310 or 314 (convertible) in “Ballerina Pink” or a colour that matches skin tone
Shoes: Bloch brand, style 273 in ballet pink = split sole, pleated toe, leather ballet slippers, with elastic straps required.
Girls age 13 and up:
Bodysuit: ‘Neutral’ coloured bodysuit (black, navy blue, light blue, light pink, gray, white, burgundy, lavender). A black bodysuit may be required for performances/workshops/studio showings. Please note there are specific bodysuit requirements for R.A.D. attire.
Tights: Seamless Mondor brand style 310 or 314 (convertible) in “Ballerina Pink” or a colour that matches skin tone
Shoes: Bloch brand, style 273 (split sole, pleated toe, leather ballet slippers) in ballet pink with ribbons required. For classes after examination, and for performing, elastic straps required.
Boys and Men All Levels of Ballet Primary and up:
Body Wear: A dance belt (male support); white skin-tight T-shirt (tucked in), or white tank or short sleeve bodysuit; black opaque tights, or black or navy blue full-stretch shorts (required for Royal Academy of Dance examinations), or black or navy blue full-stretch fitted (tight to ankle) leggings; and thin white ankle socks.
Shoes: Full sole white leather pleated toe ballet shoes with elastic straps required up to Royal Academy of Dance Grade III; split sole leather shoes otherwise permitted.
Tap
Important Notes About Tap Shoes: All tap shoes must have taps attached with screws. Before each class, you must ensure that the screws are tight enough not to damage the flooring.
If you already own tap shoes that fit in any style or colour, please wear them until costume designs are announced. The required tap shoes below are of a very high quality and usually outlast one wearer. Purchase second-hand if possible and please sell, donate, or pass on your shoes when they are outgrown.
Girls Pre-Primary and Primary Levels:
Body Wear: A “neutral” colour bodysuit (black, grey, navy blue, light blue, ballet pink, white, burgundy) with ballet pink, tan, or black tights or “neutral” colour fitted leggings and thin white or black ankle socks. For class, girls may also wear a tight-fitting solid“neutral” colour tank, shorts, or long-sleeved T-shirt and skin tight full-stretch shorts or capris.
Shoes: Up to sizes 8.5: Bloch brand style 352 Mary Jane tap shoes in Tan. Sizes 9 and up: Bloch brand style 302 real leather Mary Jane tap shoes in Tan.
Girls and Women Tap I and Higher:
Body Wear: As above.
Shoes: Bloch brand style 302 leather Mary Jane tap shoes in Tan. An oxford style (Capezio) or higher heeled shoe may also be required for the costuming of pieces prepared by more advanced classes.
Girls in Professional Training Division Tap:
Body Wear: As above.
Shoes: Black oxford (Capezio) tap shoes required.
Boys and Men All Levels:
Body Wear: Tight fitting solid black short sleeved T-shirt and black pants (not jeans). For class, any neutral colour tight fitting tank, short or long sleeved T-shirt and full-stretch shorts can also be worn.
Shoes: Black oxford tap shoes required.
Hip Hop
Attire: Athletic clothing in solid “neutral” colours (black, grey, navy blue, white, light blue, burgundy). Avoid clothing with large logos, text, or graphics. Clothing should be easy to move in. NO jeans, belts, jewelry, zippers, rivets, or non-stretch fabrics.
Footwear: Clean, all-white indoor use only running shoes with all white soles for classes. Other specific footwear may be required as part of costume.
Modern, Contemporary, Acro & Jazz
Note: Because of the floor work in these disciplines, it is best to keep shoulders, elbows and knees covered. Soft, thin knee pads (in black, white, or flesh colour only please) are recommended for all students age 9 and over and required by students age 12 and over.
Girls and Women ALL Courses:
Body Wear: A neutral colour bodysuit (black, grey, navy blue, light blue, Ballet pink, white, burgundy) with Ballet pink or black convertible (allow easy access to bare feet) tights, or neutral colour fitted leggings, skin tight full-stretch shorts or capris and thin black socks.
Shoes: Acro classes require bare feet only. For other courses, if you already own ballet slippers or Jazz shoes in any style or colour, please wear them until costume designs are announced. If you must purchase shoes, purchase slip-on black leather jazz shoes. Lace-up jazz shoes are not permitted!
Boys and Men ALL Courses:
Body Wear: Tight-fitting plain black short-sleeved T-shirt, black full-stretch straight-leg pants, and thin black socks required. For class, neutral colour tight-fitting full-stretch shorts and any neutral colour, tight-fitting top permitted. (Neutral = black, grey, navy blue, light blue, white, burgundy)
Shoes: As for Girls and Womenabove.
Pre/Primary Stage, Vocal Tech, Musical Theatre & Acting
Body Wear: Clothing must be skin-tight, in solid “neutral” colours (black, grey, navy blue, white, burgundy, light blue, ballet pink) only and easy to move in. Jewelry, zippers, rivets, non-stretch (woven) fabrics (i.e. denim), or belts NOT permitted.
Footwear: Street shoes are not permitted. Black slip-on jazz shoes are likely to be required for Musical Theatre and Primary Stage courses for performing, but if your child already has gymnastic or dance shoes in any colour, wear them until costume designs are announced. If not, dark socks (vs. tights, so it is easy to switch to bare feet if necessary) are fine for classes. Indoor use only runners (not tennis shoes) are required for the hip hop component of Pre/Primary Stage and possibly for performing. If purchasing runners, purchase all white runners (vs. tennis shoes, etc.) with white soles.