Concert Tips from Experienced Dance Parents

Concert Tips from Experienced Dance Parents: Karlie's Advice

Concert time is one of our favourite parts of the year at Pinnacle Performing Arts. It’s when all the hard work, dedication, and joy comes together on stage — and it’s also when parents discover just how many little details go into preparing their dancer for the big day!

We’re so lucky to have families who generously share their wisdom to make the experience smoother for others. Today’s tips come from Karlie Burton, mum of Ollie, who has been dancing since she was 3. This year will be Ollie’s 14th end-of-year concert — and Karlie has learned a thing or two along the way.

Here are her top tips for concert success:

Snacks

“Frozen grapes are a quick, mess-free and easy food for little ones to snack on. They won’t mess up makeup or leave crumbs.”

Makeup Matters

“Invest in your child’s makeup. They have delicate skin and whilst the idea of spending money on makeup at a young age seems ridiculous, it makes a difference. Get the right shade of foundation and a good quality lipstick. Then, practice! Spend a few weekends in the lead-up experimenting with application and timing — excited little girls aren’t always the easiest to work with.”

Red Lipstick

“Don’t apply lipstick until just before show time to avoid smudging. Another tip: use a lip pencil all over tiny lips instead of lipstick — less mess, more staying power.”

Mascara Hack

“Fold a tissue into quarters. Ask your child to look up, then place the crease of the tissue under their bottom lashes. Have them close their eyes and apply mascara on the top lash — magically, both top and bottom lashes get done at once! Keep their eyes shut for a minute to dry before swapping sides.”

Label Everything

“Stockings, shoes, bags, clothes — name it all. Things can get mixed up very quickly backstage.”

Activities

“Waiting can feel long for little ones, so pack colouring pencils (not pens), dance colouring pages, and simple card games like Uno. You can even create personalised colouring pages — upload a photo to ChatGPT and surprise your dancer with a custom page of her and her friends!”

Be Prepared

“Tights tear, hairstyles fall out, accidents happen. Always have spare tights and a simple hair kit with hairspray, bands, bobby pins, hair nets, and makeup wipes. Helpers and staff will always be nearby to assist.”

Relax, Mumma 💜

“My biggest advice? Breathe. Your daughter will have an amazing concert experience no matter what happened at home that day. If you’ve forgotten something or makeup needs a touch-up, trust the Pinnacle dance family around you — mums and big girls are always ready to help.

Lean into the community, and just enjoy the magic on stage. Your daughter has worked so hard all year — building strength, resilience, friendships, and confidence. That smile she beams on stage is worth every penny spent, every mile travelled. Some of my most treasured friendships have come from Ollie joining a ballet class 14 years ago.”

Final Thoughts

Thank you to Karlie for these heartfelt tips. Concert time is about so much more than steps and costumes — it’s about growth, resilience, and the community that surrounds our performers. We hope these tips help you feel calm, prepared, and ready to soak in the joy of the big day.