Technique Classes:

All students interested in joining our competition team should have at least 1 year of experience in Ballet Academy classes.

Dancers in Jazz/Lyrical/Contemporary/Musical Theater dances must enroll in Ballet Academy at the appropriate level based on their placement class.

Dancers must also take a technique class in the same style as each competition pieces they are placed into.

Attendance and good behavior in technique classes is required for continued participation on the Competition Team. There is a 5-absence maximum for technique classes to maintain good standing on the competition team.

Dancers participating in Tap dances are required to take at least one weekly tap technique class, a ballet technique class, and jazz/contemporary class.

Rehearsals:

All dancers must attend weekly performance rehearsals with a 3-absence maximum.

Uniform:

All dancers are required to wear solid black or black studio apparel to all competition team rehearsals. Studio apparel options will be available to order in August/September.

Solo/Duo/Trio:

Applications for solo dances will be available to team members in August at the auditions. Dances are awarded based on previous team performance and/or work ethic as displayed during the workshops and first month of rehearsals.

Dancer/choreographer pairings will be made at the decision of the competition team instructors based on instructor availability and style preferences.

Rehearsals for solo dances will begin in October. Previous team members can start their solo earlier based on their previous year’s performance.

Duo/Trio dances can be requested and will be selected at the discretion of the choreographer and Competition Team Director. Dances are awarded based on previous team performance and/or work ethic as displayed during the workshops and first month of rehearsals. Rehearsals for duo/trio dances will begin in October.

Solo/Duo/Trio dances may have the opportunity to compete at additional events during the spring competition season.

Competitions:

All dancers must be able to attend 3 Columbus Regional competitions, dates to be released before auditions in early August.

An inability to perform due to conflicts with competition dates may result in a dancer being recast or removed from dances.

Conventions:

The Elite Competition Team may travel to conventions outside of Columbus throughout the year, with dates to be posted in August.

Participation in these events is required for participation on the Elite Competition Team.

Auditions and Placements:

Dancers can expect to be placed into 1-4 group dances depending on their audition strengths and style preferences.

Auditions will be scored by a team of instructors and all placements are final.

Dancers are placed into specific dances based on skills including, but not limited to the following:

Basic dance technique including straight knees and pointed feet on extensions, transitioning arms through first position, chaise with pointed feet,etc.

Ability to remember and perform choreography

Pirouette turns (single, double, or triple) both parallel and turned out

Fouette and al a seconde turns

Turn variations including pencil turns, coupe turns, and attitude turns

Basic leaps with proper technique

Leap variations including calypsos, release leaps, side leaps, and switch leaps

Flexibility including leg holds and splits in all directions

Musicality and improvisation

Personality and facial expressions while performing

Elite Competition Team Placement:

Dancers showing the highest levels of team commitment and skill may be invited to participate on the Elite Competition Team. This team will have additional convention and competition requirements throughout the year and you can indicate your desire to be considered for the team at the audition. All dancers wishing to compete with a solo, duo, or trio are considered part of the Elite Competition Team and must attend the associated convention requirement.

2026-27 Competition Team

Important Dates:

Bootcamps: Catch a sneak peek of audition week content during our Competition Team Bootcamp week – Drop-in friendly classes for all ages Monday, August 3 to Thursday, August 6. These classes will focus on the key technique and combinations that will be important for audition week.

Auditions: Auditions will be held the week of Monday, August 10 to Wednesday, August 12. The following general schedule will be followed:

Monday – Contemporary (all ages)

Tuesday – Jazz (all ages)

Wednesday – Tap and Other Styles (all ages)

Sign up in the parent portal to be notified of the final schedule and times by August 1st. 

Choreography Workshops

August 31, 2026 to September 3, 2026 - 5:00 - 7:00pm

September 8, 2026 to- September 10, 2026 -  5:00 - 7:00pm

Dancers will attend 1-2 days per group dance.

Complete schedules will be sent after auditions!

Competition rehearsal fees are calculated into your monthly tuition and are due on the first day of the month through auto-pay. Tuition will range between $190 to $275, depending on the number and length of technique classes.

A set instructor fee of $175/dancer will be charged to cover instructor time at all team events. In addition to tuition fees, competition team specific fees (instructor fee, costume fees, competition entry fees) will be calculated for each dance after auditions to determine the total balance due for the season. This total will be divided evenly across 7 monthly payments, due on the 1st of the month through auto-pay from September through March. Fundraising options are available to offset these additional fees.

The Premiere Competition Team is an opportunity for younger dancers to have additional performances and improve their showmanship with a lower time commitment than our full Competition Team. Dancers will learn and compete a jazz dance at 2 local competitions to receive feedback from judges and earn placement awards. Our competitive dancers not only learn performance skills, but also good sportsmanship while building a strong community amongst their teammates. We focus on working together as a team to represent our best work on stage and on building a mutual respect for classmates and instructors. Dancers on the Premiere Competition Team are not eligible to participate in the Production Dance or the Elite Competition Team.

Who: Dancers ages 6-9 are eligible.

When: Technique requirements and team rehearsals are on Monday evenings

What: Compete a jazz dance at 2 local events