Competitive
Our competitive program is an intensive training program aimed to train students in a positive, safe environment, as they strive for excellence in dance. Throughout the year, students will be entered into regional competitions, recommended dance conventions, as well as one travel competition.
Dancers are expected to commit to all pre-requisite classes, our Company Preview Show (held in February) and all competitions. Jazz Competitive dancers are required to take our Summer Company Technique classes, which are held on Tuesdays in July/August.
Company ballet dancers will also be able to participate in The Nutcracker ballet in December 2022
Comp Lite Program (formerly Pre-Competitive Program)
Our Comp Lite Program is for dancers who wish to participate in dance competitions, but with much less commitment. This program moves dancers along at a comfortable and steady pace yet pushes them to set goals and achieve them. We will be offering Comp Lite programs in Tap, Stage, Musical Theatre & Hip Hop. Comp Lite dancers will participate in 2 local competitions later in the season and recital (no preview show, no travel competitions).
FAQs
What is your auditioning process?
Dancers who wish to be considered for a company program must audition for placement.
Our auditions are just like taking a regular dance class… but with a few teachers watching. Dancers will be taken through a warm-up and stretch, followed by across-the-floor combinations to showcase their skills in the specific genre and end with a short dance combination. Dancers will learn everything during their audition and do not need to prepare anything. All we want to see is for each dancer to try their best and have fun… because that’s what it’s all about!
Dancers must audition for placement every year. Auditions are open to all dancers, not just dancers currently enrolled at Studio West Dance. We welcome anyone who wants to join our team!
How do company placements work?
We keep it very simple – our team of professionals will collaborate after each audition to place each dancer in the appropriate company. They take multiple aspects into consideration in addition to each dancer's technical abilities and skill sets, such as progress throughout the year, attendance, attitude and performance. Our goal is to ensure each dancer is placed with other dancers with whom they share a similar skill set. We do not want dancers to feel like they are struggling or to feel they are not being challenged enough.
Once decided, placements will be final. A great deal of time from our staff goes into carefully placing the kids where they individually will be the most successful. Once the placements have been released, parents will have the opportunity to reach out to the studio to schedule a meeting to discuss with us individually if requested.
Placements will be announced for the 2023-2024 dance season in mid-June.
How old do I need to be to audition?
If a dancer is under the age of 8, we will reach out and invite dancers to a competitive program – they do not need to audition. Anyone 9 years and up will be required to audition. We may invite children as young as 5 years old to a competitive group!
What do I need to audition?
Come to your audition dressed in the appropriate attire for the specific dance style, and bring a water bottle. Please arrive with enough time for your dancer to sign in & receive a number (about 15 minutes prior to your audition start time). For more information on auditions, visit here.