What to bring, what to skip, and how to keep it all together with grace
Heading to a summer ballet intensive is a big leap — especially when it’s in the beautiful mountains of Colorado! As Rhapsody gets ready to spend her days dancing from pliés to pirouettes (and everything in between), we’ve pulled together a comprehensive guide to packing her dance bag so she’s fully prepared, hydrated, and ready to shine.
Here’s everything we’re bringing (and a few tips to keep it all organized!).
🖤 Dress Code Breakdown: What to Wear Each Day
🩰 Ballet (Monday–Thursday)
- ✔ Solid black leotards (pack at least 3–4 to rotate through the week) We love this one from #amazon
- ✔ Pink or skin-tone tights (plus a backup pair or two!)
- ✔ Canvas ballet shoes to match the tights — clean and well-fitted
- These 4 way stretch Performa shoes come on Amazon too!
- ✔ Hair supplies for a ballet bun (brush, extra pins, elastics, bun net, small travel-size hairspray or gel)
- Warm up items- trashbag pants/shorts
- Ballet Skirt
- ❌ No jewelry (except for small stud earrings)
💜 Friday Variation: Color Leotard Optional
- ✔ One solid-colored leotard for some fun — still neat and professional
💃 Jazz Class Essentials
- ✔ Black leggings
- ✔ Same leotard worn for ballet or a fitted shirt
- ✔ Jazz shoes (strongly preferred)
- 💡 Pro tip: Pack deodorant and a small towel for quick freshening up between classes
🌊 Contemporary Class Vibes
- ✔ Leotard + black leggings
- ✔ No shoes or jazz shoes — barefoot is totally fine
💃🇪🇺 Character Dance Must-Haves
Character Dance celebrates the joy and vibrancy of European folk traditions — and it’s a highlight of many classical ballets!
- ✔ Black character skirt
- ✔ 1.5” black character shoes
- looking for a budget option? These ones on Amazon are great!
- ✔ Pack these in a separate labeled bag to avoid confusion!
🧴 The Ballet Bun Survival Kit
- Bun pins + hair elastics
- Fine-tooth comb or smoothing brush
- Bun nets
- Travel-size hair gel or spray
- Pro tip: Keep all hair items in a small pouch inside the dance bag for quick access
🥗 Fueling the Dancer: Snacks, Lunch, and Hydration
Dancers are athletes — and lunch is not optional!
- ✔ Nut-free lunch (think wraps, fruit, cheese sticks, pasta salads)
- ✔ Nut-free snacks (granola bars, dried fruit, pretzels, crackers)
- ✔ We love these Protein shakes, and have them on autoship!
- ✔ Large reusable water bottle (label with name!)
- ✔ Optional: Electrolyte drink tabs or mini ice pack
Please avoid any nut products to keep all dancers safe from allergies.
👕 Workshop T-Shirt
Each student will receive a Young Dancer Workshop t-shirt during the first week — be sure to save room in the bag!
🎒 Bonus Tips for Packing Like a Pro
- 🧼 Include a mesh laundry bag or gallon ziplock to stash used tights
- 👟 Pack an extra pair of ballet shoes just in case
- 🧘♀️ Slip in a small stretch band or foam foot roller for recovery time
- 📋 Tape a mini schedule inside the dance bag to stay on track
With the right gear, a clean bun, and a confident heart, Rhapsody is ready to leap into this next adventure — full-out, no marking.
Stay tuned for updates from the intensive and a full post on how we prep pointe shoes and organize her dancewear drawer!
✨ Bon voyage, ballerina — Colorado is calling.
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