Dance and/or Figure Skate moms

[princessmom29]

My DD7 has been dancing since she was 3. She takes a ballet/tap/ jazz combo class. hip hop. and tumbling. She will be in those 5 numbers, plus the opener in the recital Friday. We aobut $900 in tuition this year for 4 hours a week. Summer dance will be $110 for the 6 week session. Costumes were about $275for 5 costumes. We spent about $200 total on 4 pair of shoes and probably another $200 on dance wear as she had grown out of everything we had. She will likely add a character class next year nad possibly lyical. Our studio does not compete, so there is no added expense there. DD loves to dance and the studio is a positive environment, so I feel it is totally worth it.

 

[Sugar Jones]

I skated for 14 years. I competed in Synchronized skating. It was so much fun and I have such great memories. The smell of bus exhaust still reminds me of the parking lots of arenas The team aspect of it was great. We would do cheers on the busses on the way to competition.

 

[wendylovesdisney]

My daughter is in freestyle 1. She is 8.

She pays 7.00 for 30 minutes of freestyle ice, 12.00 for 1 hour.

She has a junior coach we pay 13.00 an 1/2 hour for. We had a senior coach we paid 22.00 an 1/2 hour for but we can't afford it. We take one to two 30 min private lessons a week and one 50 minute class session a week that costs about 14.00.

Her skates cost 120.00.

We are still pretty new but already see that we need a money tree in the back yard.

 

[Mom_Rides]

My DD just finished her first year of dance. She was in a ballet/tap combo. The cost was $20 per session and there were 9 sessions in the dance year. We paid for the full year in advance and got a one session discount, so we paid $160. Her costume was $40 and it was used for her ballet number. For her tap number she needed jean shorts and a green tank, so total spent on costumes was around $50. I bought her shoes at Payless on the BOGO 1/2 off and spent around $40 total and then did it again in the middle of the dance year because she went through a growth spurt and her feet grew. Tickets to the recital cost $8. Pictures cost me another $60 and I spent $30 on dance gear. Our total OOP cost for her to be in dance this year was around $450, which I thought was very affordable for us. The studio also spaces things out nicely so you aren't hit with so many things at once.

DD studio does not do competitions but I think its a great studio to get her started in. If she has interest to continue on to a bigger studio that does competitions or she wants to go to the local ballet school, we'll consider it at that time. Of course I'll have to sell one of my kidneys and DH will have to take on 3 more jobs, but we'll make it work

 

[scrapquitler]

To all moms of figure skater and/or dancers: how much do you budget each year for skating and/or dance for your girl or boy?

My daughter is 7 years old and I am blown away at how much we are spending per year now. I have to cut something, I know. Especially now that her sibling is turning 3 and I will have to pay for her as well!

At this age I'd love to have her pick one, skating OR dancing. However, I think it really helps to have that dance background for skating. Thoughts on this?

Any budgeting advice would be appreciated!

Thank you!!

For my 14 year old, I budget about $4k total. She only dances, no figure skating.

She takes Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Street Tap, Hip Hop and she does a duo. The duo costs $20 per week. Tuition for classes is about $95 each per quarter (each additional class is slightly less) Costumes are about $70 each, pictures for recital (which are optional) cost me about $300. Recital tickets are $18 each. Shoes cost me about $300-$400 each year (and never seem to fit for more than a year).

Several of the girls in the studio do dance and figure skating. The moms I've talked to about it says that dance is expensive, but looks cheap next to figure skating. Most of the girls that have gotten into figure skating seem to drop most of the dance classes in favor of the figure skating, but still do ballet to help their form.

Based on what I've seen at our dance studio, kids drop out of dance or curtail the number of classes they take at the transition years: the year they move from preschool or kindergarten to first grade, the year they move from elementary school to middle school or the year they move from middle school to high school. I think it's because the activities available to them change so drastically at those ages (and the commitment to school sports increases at those times). So maybe by the time your younger daughter is getting more involved in her dance or figure skating activity, the older one will have moved on to something else or found her niche in one type of dance or skating and won't want to take as many varieties of classes.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

My daughter does regular and the company/competition tap team. It was around $400 for 9 months of lessons. Costumes were $65 for each one. They actually do only one competition (I think it was $35 entry fee.) The remainder of the dance company's performances were at fundraisers (for a local Toys for Tots sort of program, autism, cancer research, local children's hospital) or in parades/local amusement park. I think it's a great compromise- DD gets to perform more but we're not paying for more competition or costumes or the like. (And helping others is always a win!)

 

[czycropper]

OP - where in NJ are you?

No skating experience but my DD13 has been dancing since she was 2 1/2. This year we cut back a little bit since she had an injury last year and she didn't dance for 8 months. This year we spent $123 a month for jazz/lyrical & ballet classes (2 1/2 hours), $104 a month for her two solo class (1 to 2 hours a week) and $100 a month for a production dance (1 hour a week) - yep, grand total of $327 a month. She didn't go back to pointe but will be going back next Sept., so that will be an additional cost next year.

Our dance studio only does recitals every other year , so on the non-recital year they can really concentrate on technique. They compete in two regional competitions (fees are $30 for group dances but up to $90 for solos ) but those are only the "competition ready classes" usually 9 & up and solo, duo & trio recommended by the teachers - even though my DD started competing when she was 8 in a trio dance with girls that were 2 & 3 years older than her.

Costumes are reasonable - we pay about $50 per costume and for solo costumes we tend to borrow so that keeps the cost down.

Both, DD13 & DD11 do cheer competition in the Fall and my DD11 will be doing AllStar Cheer Comp in the winter/spring.

Yes, it gets quite expensive

 

[jkc0325]

I have 3 daughters, all of whom, dance. My dd11 takes tap,jazz, and hip hop. My dd9 takes tap and jazz, and my dd7 takes jazz. All told, we spend about $2000/yr for the classes, plus another $400 for costumes. They love it and it's well worth the money, I think. My dh almost has a heart attack every year when it's time to pay the tuition. Thankfully, tuition is due in June and costume payments are due in October so it doesn't feel as bad to him. I'm sure my younger two are going to want to add classes as they get older and next year my dd11 will be old enough for Dance Production which is another 2 costumes. Yikes!

They also do soccer year round. That comes out to about $800 for the year. The LOVE soccer so again, I think it's worth it. Those payments are spread out throughout the year for different seasons and indoor vs outdoor sessions.

If they ask to add another activity, I tell them they'll have to drop either dance or soccer and they always say "nevermind"

 

[Charitycase20]

My DD5 just finished her second year of Dance yesterday, Ballet/Tap. This past year we have paid $42 per month for Tuition (Sept-May) plus $20 registration fee, her new ballet slippers were $15 and Taps were $25 back in August. I have about $100 in tights, leotards, skirts for class. Her costumes for yesterday's showcase was $125, pictures were $64 (optional), DVD of show was $35 (optional), program and flowers yesterday was $20, along with tickets to the showcase, $56 for myself, DH, DS, my sister and my neice. So I guess grand total for one "year" is less than $900! WooHoo! Not as much as it seems when you think about it.
But OP - i feel your pain! DH & I are now discussing whether we will accept if DD gets an invite to join the Performance Troupe for next year. The tuition will be about the same ($72 next year as we added Jazz) but there will be more costumes for shows and definitely more of a time commitment. What we do for our kids?! huh?

 

[Phlip]

Ugh - I have to bring dd's solo dress to a seamstress (made for her last year - $2000) to see if it can be let down. She qualified for Nationals this year, but one of her teachers is judging, so she can't go, but is grandfathered for next year (last year was WDW, and she went, and recalled). Our privates are only $15, except when one of the teachers is flown in, and that is $70 per 1/2 hour. Dd's (brown) hair is super straight, so her (platinum) wig gets replaced every 6 months (teacher likes blondes - fortunately dd8 is blonde, so it's easier).

She did win first place this weekend! I really hope she qualifies for World's when they are in Boston! Talk about a big $ saver! Tuition is $130 a month for 10 months, $300 for 6 weeks in the summer, per child. I think it's a steal, with 4 classes a week. We only tan for Oireachtas and Nationals (and Worlds if we get there).

Congrats to your DD! Wow, yes, that tuition is a steal!

 

[lattemomof3]

How could I forget about the shoes! I think we need 6 new pair every year. We do get the little one's at Payless, and dd11's @ discount dance online. I think I've forgotten a few of the little things too, like the dvd of the recital. I guess this is a form of entertainment for us, we live in a tiny town (less than 4,000), so we don't have many places to eat out or spend our $ entertainment-wise. I'll just think of it that way, makes me feel better! It really is a worth-while investment, though. It's taught my girls that it takes discipline & practice to learn new things, & given my oldest a lot of confidence. She tries out for plays, sings in church, etc because she's had that practice being in front of people.

 

[dispor]

I haven't had time to read all the responses...

Check to see if there is a synchronized skating group in your area. It is a relatively economical way to continue in the sport.

Our fees are $2000 per year. That includes one hour of on-ice practice, one hour of off-ice. The girls can practice ANY time one of our other teams is on the ice, as long as they stay out of the way. It also includes a 6-week "spring clinic" (one hour per week) and a 9-5 camp for one full week each summer.

The fees also include her competition dress (which she gets to keep) , and her practice dress and travel outfit (they are "loaned" to the skaters).

At start up, she needed to purchase a garment bag, skate bag, and fleece vest - combined less than $150. I also purchased her the club winter jacket used) for $75.

Her feet grow very slowly, so she got 2+ years out of her last set of skates, but will need new ones this year.

In addition to the annual fee, we pay for approximately 7 hotel nights.

We have many fundraisers during the year, which get credited to your skater's account. We have non-profit status, and we work the concession stand at our NFL stadium, the rink's concession stand, and a charitable poker tournament. This is in addition to coupon book sales, etc. They are all optional! We have several members who pay for ALL their ice fees from fundraising.

Our only other costs are a once a week private half-hour lesson (about $25 including the cost of ice), practice ice (about $6/session when you buy a punch card) and miscellaneous expenses - like getting medals engraved (yay when that happens!).

It has been a great experience for my daughter! It is a growing sport.

 

[Suzanne033]

I think this is the way most competitive sports are for kids now. My daughter plays on a volleyball team that competes nationally and we will probably be in the $5k-$6k range by the time Nationals are over.

 

[mefordis]

5 or 6k for volleyball?!?! What is the breakdown on that? Mostly travel? I am shocked!

We just had dd7's recital and it was so awesome! I mean, top of the line! Could have been Broadway, some of the dances. It has definitely encouraged me to keep going as long as dd7 likes it, and she does. The recital was so much fun!

So, I am going to continue on with skating as well for her, but do 1 private a week as well as a figure skating program for $250 for 8 weeks -- it includes on and off ice training 2 hours a week on the weekend. Dance during the week and skating on the weekends.

I think this is the way most competitive sports are for kids now. My daughter plays on a volleyball team that competes nationally and we will probably be in the $5k-$6k range by the time Nationals are over.

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

If you want to keep the figure skating budget lower try to stay with ISI instead of USSFA. ISI is for recreational skaters, you still get to compete but the cost is lower. The girls who are really trying to get somewhere skating start competing in USFSA. That is when I got a second job to pay for DD skating.

3 privates a week + ice time $40 x 3 = $120
2 freestyle sesssions a week $20
Off ice conditoning $10 a week
Good skates and blades are about $800.
Then comp. fees and dresses will run another $300 or so and if you are traveling you need to add in the hotel costs ect.

If she learns enough and passes her moves in the field test she should be able to coach any where. Jr. coaches can make $40 - $50 an hour so on that end we hope to recoop some of the money spent.

PS. See my tag

 

[dancin Disney style]

I'm totally shocked at how little people are paying for competitive dance.

Here's my breakdown roughly....
tuition...$5000
shoes...$400
tights & accessories...$300
costumes...$1500 (can be much more based on how many and if we are reusing any)
entry fees...$700+
extra classes....$500
travel...$1000+ (depends on where we need to go)
summer training...$450

Then, if it's a nationals year add another $4000.

Between my 2 kids I've had a kid in competitive for 18 years....add that up

 

[Suzanne033]

5 or 6k for volleyball?!?! What is the breakdown on that? Mostly travel? I am shocked!

My breakdown is as follows:

League Fee: $475
Uniform: $172 (two shirts, a warm-up jersey, two pairs of socks, two pairs of spandex, knee pads)
Tournament Fees (my portion): $300
Coach's Travel Expenses (my portion): $200
Travel Expenses (Louisville, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis (twice), Muncie, Orlando): $3,559+

Grand Total: $4,706+

It will be higher than this because I only calculated what our condo and travel expenses for Nationals (in Orlando) - we are driving. We will be there for a week in June so I imagine it will probably be another $1k or so in Disney park tickets, meals, sourveniers, etc.

I also didn't do any private lessons this year (which are $25/hour). However, she is going to be doing some camps this summer. I expect that to total about $500.

 

[mefordis]

Oh, my 7 yr old is not dancing competitively. I pay total $2200 a year for her dance classes and costumes/shoes. I guess it's pretty cheap right now, yes? I should not be complaining. Not sure if she will compete. Not there yet.

I'm totally shocked at how little people are paying for competitive dance.

Here's my breakdown roughly....
tuition...$5000
shoes...$400
tights & accessories...$300
costumes...$1500 (can be much more based on how many and if we are reusing any)
entry fees...$700+
extra classes....$500
travel...$1000+ (depends on where we need to go)
summer training...$450

Then, if it's a nationals year add another $4000.

Between my 2 kids I've had a kid in competitive for 18 years....add that up

 

[Buckimom]

My DD8 stopped dancing after last summer..I was kinda bummed at first given that my 22 yr old neice had danced all her life and I was hoping the same for DD8. But in order for her to be able to dance competitively I had to fund raise my behind off. Monthly classes were $200/Month, costumes were $100-150 X's 3-4. Then their was extra for gymanastics, and techniques and private tap classes..On top of that was the time we commited..dance 3-4 nights a week for 3-4 hours a night, and gymanastics and privates on saturday morning. This was in addition to my working fund raising events 5-7 nights/days a week...once she stopped I feel like I got my wallet back and my TIME back!

The decision to quit was totally hers and I would have continued to work my butt off to support her..but in retrospect I was glad we have gotten our lives back and she is able to try other new things..