By Emma (your favourite tutu-loving ballerina!)
Oh, the joys of summer! The sun, the long, light evenings, the freedom⌠and the tutus, of course! This is the time when every budding ballerina, and every ballerina at heart, should be getting their summer fix of everything ballet-related! Grays is no exception! Get ready for some #tutuseason fun â and I promise, I'll give you some amazing tips on what to wear while we're at it! đ
A Little Bit About Me and My Summer Ballet Style
Firstly, allow me to introduce myself properly. You may know me as "Emma" - a passionate dancer with a huge, pink-loving, tutu-filled wardrobe! (Okay, so maybe it's not THAT big, but it is ever-expanding.) Every summer, my fashion sensibilities shift from sleek and dark toâŚwell, more sleek and more pink! Letâs face it: ballet and summertime are the perfect time for bringing out those lovely pinks, and that includes my ballerina-approved accessories â the little touches that complete the perfect ballet outfit. More on that later!
Summer Ballet Classes in Grays:
Okay, now that you know a little bit about me, letâs talk about YOU and what you can be getting up to in Grays! If youâre already a ballet-enthusiast, I know summer time is perfect for getting some ballet therapy in! For you guys, letâs take a look at where you can keep your dancing skills sharp â or maybe pick up a new style this summer:
The Royal Ballet School: Grays Branch
For the dedicated ballerina (and especially any future professionals!), this is a legendary ballet school. Summer is the ideal time to immerse yourself in all the classic ballet techniques:
- Intermediate Ballet (Perfect for brushing up on those pointe work techniques!)
- Advanced Ballet Technique (Take your repertoire to the next level â and maybe even master that âperfect pirouetteâ youâve been working on!)
- Summer Ballet Intensive (An absolutely fabulous opportunity to dedicate a week or two to truly immersing yourself in everything ballet - from pointe work and performance techniques to workshops on specific dance styles like âpas de deuxâ and more.)
And, donât forget the little dancers in your life!
- Beginner Ballet (Start your little dancer on the path to ballerina-hood â fun, engaging classes, perfect for toddlers and kids ages 4 â 7.)
- Ballet Foundation (Build those skills from the ground up! For young ballet enthusiasts, ages 8 â 12.)
Summer Intensive: Junior Program (The fun of a âballet campâ for younger dancers, building core technique while experiencing âtutu-tasticâ summertime classes.)
Important: Booking in advance is essential â these classes will be filling up fast! You can usually check out summer class details and booking forms online. #summerballet
Ballet & Yoga: The perfect summer pairing
Do you enjoy the feeling of fluidity and movement, and love getting in touch with your body? This combination is great for both beginner dancers and those with some experience!
- Fusion Flow (A class combining balletâs graceful lines and yogaâs dynamic stretches - perfect for building strength, flexibility and calming the mind.)
Yoga for Dancers (This is designed to be super supportive for your ballet training. It focuses on specific stretches that work wonders for lengthening muscles and improving balance â the two key elements every ballerina needs!)
Don't Forget the Music!
I love pairing ballet with great music. Summer is for tunes with that extra pep! So, when choosing my outfits, I make sure they have that classic vintage style, but with a touch of contemporary chic - after all, a tutu can work just as well at a picnic or at a music festival. And thatâs when I get my groove on to retro hits and dancefloor beats. For those of you who like a good playlist while practicing, here are some classics to put on repeat:
ABBA (Their âDancing Queenâ is timeless. What ballerina can resist singing along to â Voulez-Vous?" )
- Donna Summer (Always a feel-good pick - âHot Stuffâ will have you doing those leaps, and âLast Danceâ is the perfect tune for the end of your training session.)
Diana Ross (Queen of Disco, need I say more?! âIâm Coming Outâ will always bring out your inner star!)
Summer Ballet Outfit Inspiration
Speaking of outfit inspiration - this is my favourite part of being a ballet blogger! Itâs the time to combine the classic, chic style that a ballerina should wear, and add a little splash of summer-time glamour! Hereâs a look at how you can put together the perfect âTutu Summerâ outfit:
1. Classic Tutu with a Summer Twist
If youâre going to do tutu-inspired, do it all the way! Look for:
- A Colourful Tutu: Think peachy pink, baby blue, or a light sunny yellow. I always have at least three tutus ready to go â the bright colours really elevate those classic lines of a tutu!
- Pair It with White: Itâs the ultimate combination, right?! This brings in the chic style and sophistication of a ballerinaâs outfit, whether youâre wearing a leotard and tights, or youâre just rocking a basic, clean white T-shirt.
- Finish it with a Classic Cardigan: (In pastel pink, obviously!) It adds a little bit of warmth, and allows for a slightly looser look that can take you from dance studio to socialising and events.
2. Ballerina Glamour â A Dress to Impress
This is a must-have for summertime events!
- Look for Feminine Prints and Shapes: A floral, paisley, or maybe even a fun retro geometric print would look absolutely stunning with a graceful cut and a slight twirl effect, inspired by those lovely ballet spins.
- Focus on The Length: Go for either a slightly knee-length skirt or a gorgeous mini, adding a touch of sophistication with elegant strappy heels in a complementary colour.
Accessorise With Ballet Flair: A lovely, sparkly hairpiece or a gorgeous pendant with ballet motifs â there are some amazing pieces out there!
3. Ballet Chic for Everyday Life
You don't need to be on the stage to have some âballerina fun.â Hereâs how to take the look off-stage and onto the street:
- Get The Lines Right: Invest in those figure-hugging essentials! Bodycon dresses in subtle pastel colours (a cool sage green, for instance), or maybe even some high-waisted skirt combinations will look perfect, and are comfortable enough for a picnic or a lunch date.
- Shoes: The Ballet Ballerinas, or even a classic pair of espadrilles, always feel good, and provide that subtle, graceful edge â itâs like wearing your dance steps, everywhere!
The Finishing Touch: And remember - never leave home without some statement accessories, like a delicate chain, or even a ballet-themed wristband.
Beyond the Studio:
Now, how can we translate that summer energy to experiences? I think we all deserve some great âTutu Fun!â in Grays this summer. So letâs take a look at whatâs on offer:
- Dance Events & Performances in Grays: Itâs amazing how many summer-time performance opportunities Grays offers! I absolutely love attending:
- Grays Arts Festival: Always the place to be! Look out for ballet-themed workshops and performance evenings. Check the Grays Arts Festival webpage for exact details!
- Grays Town Centre: âBallet on the Streetâ: The local dance studios regularly organize impromptu flash mob-type performances during the summer months, and itâs an awesome way to enjoy that beautiful spontaneity â itâs something you can really appreciate and take inspiration from.
âBallet Under the Starsâ: Park Events: Grab a picnic blanket and some good company. Some amazing open-air dance events happen throughout the summer, under the beautiful sky. Just be sure to keep your eye out for details, which usually get advertised in the local newspapers or online.
My Tips for Getting the Most Out of Summer Ballet
As the dance world gears up for summer and we eagerly await #tutuseason, it's the perfect time to plan for some fun! *So get your dance shoes on and make this a ballet summer to remember. *
Here are some extra ideas to get you started:
Start Your Dance Diary: If you're looking for some additional inspiration to create your own unique ballet experiences this summer, try a "Ballet Summer Diary."
- You can even personalize it with colourful photos of you and your favourite ballet outfits. *Just grab a sketchbook and fill it with pictures of your best dance moments, and with your own special notes and lists. *
- I think it's such a fun way to create an exclusive ballet memory book that reflects the things you are most passionate about.
Capture Every Ballet Moment! Donât just leave those moments to memories. Invest in a quality camera or a GoPro and document every amazing summer moment â your poses, your rehearsals, the outfits, those spontaneous dance events, and those stunning ballet moments at outdoor festivals and performances. This is about celebrating the love for ballet.
Try Something New: Explore different ballet styles to bring even more dimension and interest to your practice.
- Contemporary Ballet - (If you've always been drawn to more dynamic moves, the more fluid forms of contemporary ballet, youâre sure to enjoy the unique energy and fluidity).
- Classical Ballet - (Focus on precise technique. I find classical ballet absolutely beautiful! If itâs new to you, take a beginners' class, and build up those skills and repertoire gradually!)
Challenge Yourself: Do those summer classes allow for advanced options? (Pointe work for the more experienced dancers is an amazing way to refine your technique! ) Itâs all about stepping up, testing your boundaries and taking yourself and your love of ballet to that next level!
Itâs always about keeping things fun and enjoyable. So try not to take everything too seriously, and always enjoy yourself. Letâs dance into a bright and inspiring #tutusummer in Grays!
