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.

All dancers are highly encouraged to participate in the drop-in Competition Team Conditioning and Ballet weekend classes. These classes will feature rotating strength, conditioning, and technique specific to the competition team.

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 by the end of 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 Traveling Team will 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 Traveling 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 an independent panel of judges 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 Traveling Team Placement:

Dancers showing the highest levels of team commitment and skill may be invited to participate on the Elite Traveling 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.

2024-25 Competition Team

Important Dates:

Auditions:

Saturday, August 10th

1:00-2:00 Jazz/Contemporary/Lyrical, Ages 7-10

2:00-2:30 Tap, Ages 7-13

2:30-3:30 Jazz/Contemporary, Ages 11-13

3:30-4:30 Mandatory Parent Meeting

4:30-5:30 Jazz/Contemporary, Ages 14-18

5:30-6:00 Tap, Ages 14-18

6:00-7:00 Elite Team and Solo/Duo/Trio Auditions, All Ages

Full Team Required:

Choreography Workshops: 5-7pm on August 26-29 and September 3-6, specific dates to be announced after auditions

Fall Costume Meeting - November 3, 2025

Winter Costume, Hair, and Makeup Meeting - January 18, 2025

Dress Rehearsal - February 23, 2025

Competition - March 15-17, 2025

Competition - April 11-13, 2025

Competition - April 24-26, 2025

Spring Recital - May 31, 2025

Elite Team Required:

March 28-30, 2025

And 1 of the Conventions below

Optional Convention/Competitions:

September 29, 2024 (convention only)

January 24-26, 2025 (convention and competition)

February 14-16, 2025 (convention and competition)

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. 

In addition to tuition fees, costume fees and competition entry fees will be calculated for each dance after auditions to determine the total balance due throughout out season. The total of competition entry fees, costume and prop fees, and choreography workshop fees will be totaled and divided evenly across 7 monthly payments, due on the 1st of the month through auto-pay from September through March. Fundraising options will be available to offset these additional fees.

Dancers may be offered a place in our apprentice program which provides the following opportunities:

Understudy specific dances that the dancer was not placed into. Dancers would be required to attend the weekly rehearsals for those dances. Understudies may be given a place in the dance at any time during the season for many reasons, including but not limited to: injury of another dancer, removal of another dancer from the dance, or exceptional hard work by the understudy to earn the place.

Option to attend all Competition Team events including the dress rehearsal, sleepover, and competition.

Option to participate in Saturday Competition Team Drop-In classes for continued training.

Attend and function as dance assistant at competitions to help their team members with hair, makeup, costumes, props and other backstage duties.

Placement into the Apprentice Program may be for a variety of reasons including skill level with respect to the age of the dancer or providing a more gradual transition onto the competition team for younger or first-time competition team dancers.

Apprentice Program dancers are required to meet the minimum technique class requirements for Competition Team including:

Ballet Academy

Technique classes corresponding to the styles they are understudy for

5 absence maximum per technique class

3 absence maximum per competition rehearsal