Guerita has been going to ballet classes for a year now. It’s very much “the done thing” here in Mexico for girls to go to ballet. For boys I think the norm is tai kwon do or perhaps baseball when they’re older. We tried out a few ballet schools before finding one we liked – a “Baby Ballet” class that wasn’t too serious or technical – she was only 4 when she started after all, it’s not like we were looking to start her on her ballet career or anything.
I was a little surprised when early on in the year, I got (nicely) “told off” for not putting her hair in a proper bun for the classes (complete with hair net and headband to keep her hair out of her face). Apparently the kids take the whole thing more seriously when they are dressed the part. Parents are not allowed to watch the classes, except at the designated demonstration classes, because it is too distracting for the kids and they can’t concentrate on learning ballet. This takes half the fun out of it for me – being able to giggle at the kids running around the room pretending to be ballerinas. 
And I can’t say I’m particularly worried about her taking ballet “seriously”! Anyway, despite these few little quirks, we are happy with the ballet school – Guerita loves it and the teachers are very nice.
Next week they have their end of year concert – not surprisingly a very involved affair with professionally made costumes, rehearsals and the like. No doubt it will be one of those kids’ concerts where for the 5 minutes your child is on stage you are in raptures and the rest of it you’re trying not to yawn. The school teaches Jazz, Tap and Hip Hop as well as ballet so it could be pretty tedious.
2 days before the concert, though, they all have a professional portrait (photo) session, individually and as a class. They have to be in full costume, hair done just so and with full stage make-up on! I am terrified at the thought of having to do Guerita’s make-up to a professional stage standard. I barely wear make-up myself, let alone know how to do proper stage make-up.
The school has provided us with instructions – they must wear very dark brown eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara. They must have pink or red blush and bright red lipstick. I don’t even own red lipstick! I might have to go with one of my muted pinks, I think. Obviously, the colour scheme is designed with the olive skin, brown hair and brown eyed colouring of every other student, which is understandable, but it could look a bit strange on my pale little blue-eyed, blonde haired girl.
I will not be at all surprised if the teachers have to do a fix-up job when we get there!
And you know I’m going to be taking photos to show you how it turned out. 
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Oh, I am an old hand at this. Blossom has been studying ballet for six years. I’ve been through the stage makeup, the costumes, the works. While many schools do go over.the.top it’s just part of the deal with dance schools. I don’t like girls being dressed up like little Lolitas – but then Blossom only studies ballet so she is spared the midrif exposing lycra and sequins.
I must admit I’m a bit of a Nazi when it comes to ballet presentation. Which is different from other forms of dance. Ballet is a technical subject and the bun, the leotard and the attitude are all part of the class (the bun keeps the neck clear and enables the teacher to look at the student’s “lines”). But I admit it’s certainly not for everyone! And at ‘baby ballet’ stage its not essential.
I’m looking forward to seeing your photos. Have fun with it and don’t go overboard with the eyeliner!!
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I was just going through some old photos this weekend and found a bunch of me dressed up for ballet concerts and fancy dress parties when I was little. Will have to scan and blog so you can laugh along! I can’t wait to see the photos from Guerita’s photoshoot and concert, but like you I would have NO IDEA how to professionally make up my child, I can’t make myself up either! At least the adage, less is more doesn’t apply to this! Good luck!
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Oh I feel your pain. A few years ago Daisy did ballet and we had to do the full makeup and bun etc for the concert, and rehearsals too. I’m not real good at make-up either, I don’t wear a lot of it. You don’t have to buy proper stage makeup do you???? Oh but look into getting a new mascara for her – reduces the risk of infections and sharpen your eyeliner before using it on her for the same reason.
And a hint with the mascara, get her to look over your shoulder at something, or up a bit, and open her mouth. Opening your mouth helps to not blink and if she is not looking at you then she won’t see the wand coming towards her eye. You may need to get a red lipstick if all the others are wearing one – just don’t go to dark, but if its too muted she might look more different, especially on stage as the make-up does show up a fair bit.
Looking forward to photos.
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I very much know how you feel. I took years to get buns to stay in, makeup, well my current school is a little more helpful with that. All I can say is any effort you put in you will be happy with in the end, and happy with their strictness. It is very hard at first though. Every concert time I wonder if it is worth it.
Maybe they have a costume that matches the dark makeup. We are just starting to learn our dance now for late November concert. I am off to a end of term parents allowed lesson in a few minutes, so excuse my brief comment on hair etc.
Just don’t count on the touch ups, and I am sure you will love the performance!
Right now I am feeling very glad I have sons and that they play soccer! I’d be way out of my league with the stage make up and hairdos!
Thanks for all the tips everyone! Obviously this is a pretty common thing with dance schools and I must admit, I really admire the discipline of learning ballet, particularly for the older children. I was just a little surprised at how involved it is when they are so little.
I am just going to embrace it though and I know Guerita will love every minute of it, so that experience will be great for her.