My dance bag is a special, almost sacred place that’s always a work in progress. Somehow it always ends up overflowing as I go from rehearsal to rehearsal, collecting different tutus, skirts, and little things I want to wear throughout the day. I’m Virginia Lensi, a dancer with American Ballet Theatre. I’m originally from Milan, Italy, and I moved to New York City when I was 16 years old to join the JKO School. I started dancing at the age of three, and ballet has been with me ever since!
My dance bag is full of everything I need to get through long rehearsal days that usually run from 10 AM to 6:30 PM:
• Water bottle
Staying hydrated is everything! I always have Liquid IV on hand to make sure I have energy throughout the day.
• Bloch pointe shoes
I always keep a few pairs ready to go. I wear custom Bloch Flexus and usually carry two pairs, but sometimes it can go up to five!
• Bloch flat shoes
For barre every day!
• Jet Glue
I use it to extend the life of my pointe shoes and always apply it to a new pair so they don’t soften too quickly.
• Perfect Fit toe pads
They save my feet day after day. These are the only toe pads I can use that keep me blister free!
• Leg warmers (that I knit myself!)
I learned to knit leg warmers at the beginning of this year, and now it has become a new hobby I love.
• Black skirt
My go-to for class :)
I always use it in the morning to warm up my feet with my foot-strengthening exercises. If you’re interested, I also have a YouTube video on the kinds of exercises I do to strengthen my feet!
I love having a fresh Jule leo to change into between rehearsals, their leotards are so supportive and pretty!
• Hairpins, hairnets, and hair ties – the holy trinity of ballet hair
• Sewing kit
For last-minute pointe shoe emergencies or for when I have extra time to sew shoes!
• Hammer
For breaking in pointe shoes. I use it to soften the box since my shoes tend to be quite hard!
• Snacks!
Having a snack on hand is so important for a quick pick me up.
• Pilates ball
Perfect for rolling out my arches and keeping my feet healthy!
That’s the core of what lives in my bag, but as the day goes on I often end up piling in long rehearsal skirts, romantic tutus, or even my knitting kit, which I love to bring in case I have spare time between rehearsals.
My little pro tip is that I always use a bag with lots of pockets. It makes such a difference in keeping all the tiny items from getting lost and makes it easier to grab what I need quickly. Another trick is carrying a small Pilates ball to roll out my arches between rehearsals; it’s such a simple tool, but it helps keep my feet healthy and ready to go.
I hope you enjoyed this peek into my dance bag! To follow more of my journey, you can find me on Instagram @virginialensi or on YouTube!
Love,
Virginia
