Many dancers are starting to return to competition stages following a pandemic-related hiatus. And we’re hoping that maybe this break from the usual competition routine can offer a fresh start when it comes to music, as well. Here are a few songs that you *might consider* retiring from your comp selections—post-pandemic and possibly permanently. 1. […]
For the first time since the coronavirus hit the U.S., competitions and conventions are meeting in-person once again (brimming with safety precautions, of course), and dancers couldn’t be more thrilled. We asked five standout comp kids about their recent experiences attending competitions around the country—and how they’re taking advantage of these long-lost opportunities. Hailey Bills […]
It’s no secret that competition dance is expensive. Like, really expensive. Add in a global pandemic that has left millions of Americans unemployed and it can seem downright outrageous. Still, dancers need to dance! Dreams need to be chased, technique needs to be honed, and vital career relationships need to be established. So, how can […]
Since its inaugural season in 2012, Leap! National Dance Competition has been all about the little things. “I wanted to have a ’boutique’ competition. One where we went out to only one city every weekend, so I could be there myself, and we could really get to know the teachers and watch their kids progress […]
The competition world is filled with so many talented dancers that for one dancer to stand out, they need something special—not just legs up to their ears or seemingly never-ending turns, but something more. For many comp world standouts, it’s a certain, special confidence: The confidence in what they, and only they, can offer. Dance […]
As conversations about racial justice have continued across the country, members of the dance world have focused inwards and reflected on how we can all do better. The close-knit competition and convention community is no different. Dance Spirit had the chance to talk to five judges from National Dance Showcase, as well as one of […]
Commercial dancer Kaitlynn Edgar was in Travis Wall’s class at NUVO when she realized that competitions and conventions could lead to big things. Like joining-Shaping-Sound big. “After class, Travis started asking me all these questions, like when I was graduating,” she recalls. “Everything fell into place, just because I happened to be a senior that […]
For years, it was hard for competition dancers to find professional jobs that made full use of their technical polish, astonishing versatility, and onstage ease. But recently, some (smart) companies have begun recruiting comp kids, drawn to their adaptability and fearlessness. We’ve compiled a list of nine companies that are fit for comp queens and […]