Dance Arts Collaborative - Competition Teams

For our students interested in making a more serious commitment to training and performing, we offer the DAC Competition Teams. The teams consists of three or more teams with students all of whom receive numerous classes in technique in addition to private instruction in solo, duo and trio numbers. While there are countless competition organizations we make a choice to look at this experience as an educational one. DAC prides itself on picking competitions that not only have classes and workshops but that have great reputations for artistic integrity as well. The teams have won high scores and scholarships from All American Talent Awards, Dancers Inc, Starbound, and New York City Dance Alliance. We are now adding the world renowned Youth American Grand Prix to our competition season. In addition, our teams have performed throughout the community at the MS Walk, Warrington Day and October Fest.

Competition Team Requirements

Kiddie Corps (A)
Ballet, Jazz, Team Class
Kiddie Corps (B)
2 Ballet, Lyrical, Jazz, Team Class (begins in Ballet II level)
Junior Team (12-14 years old)
2 Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Jumps & Turns, Lyrical, Company Class
Senior Team (15 & above)
2 Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Jumps & Turns, Lyrical, Company Class
No Exceptions!

Competition Intensive will be August 23-29, 2010. This Intensive will be for Kiddie Corps (A & B) to learn their rep and take classes. Times TBA. Senior and Junior team will also learn guest choreography pieces during that week. All Senior and Junior team members must take at least three weeks of an Intnesive during the summer either with us or at a program away in order to be ready to compete in November or December. Those competiting in YGPA must take five weeks. Please understand, being a dancer is like an athlete they can not take three months off of their training and expect to be in full form in September. There are no exceptions!

Competition Team Policies

Requirements for all Team members:

Classes – The Artistic Directors will decide the level of classes that the team member should be in. The ages to the classes are just a guide. The student will be placed according to their ability and skill.

Audition – Competition Team members are selected by audition only each year. Auditions are conducted by an outside panel of judges. Exisiting team members must audition to hold their slots each year. The decision of any team member moving up to a new competition team group is decided upon by the Artistic Directors.

Registration – Members must be registered for the entire program. All required classes are mandatory. Attendance in these classes is important to the dancer's growth and will be a reflection on casting in the future.

Rehearsals – All rehearsals are mandatory. Each team member is allowed to miss three rehearsals for the year. Half days will be counted. If there are too many absences the team member will be given a warning first and then dismissed if the absences persist. We know you cannot help illness, family emergencies, or religious obligations, but please understand, a dance team is not just about your commitment to the studio, it is about your commitment to the other team members as well.

Lateness – Please make sure you call if you are going to be late for a rehearsal. We often plan numbers around who is going to be there and it shows rudeness towards the guest choreographers, director and the other team members. If lateness becomes a problem the team member will be warned first and then it could lead to dismissal from the team.

Selection – Not every team member will participate in every number. Each member will perform in at least one number. Casting is decided by the directors.

Participation – Being a team member is also about a bonding experience for the group. All trips with the exception of some competitions and conventions away from home will start off at the studio for their meeting point and end up back at the studio for dropping off. This is not only for insurance purposes, but to guarantee that no team member should feel left out socially.

Competition – Any team member that cannot fulfill their competition obligations will forfeit their place in the team. No exceptions!

Solos – Not every student will be asked to solo in every dance, or will have a solo every year. A solo is deserved based on class work, and participation as a good team member.

Costumes – Parents are responsible for the cost of the costumes. We try hard to keep the cost at a minimum.

Competition Entries – DAC will cover the cost of the entries only with the help of team members at certain fundraising activities. If not all the cost is met, we will ask solos and duos to be paid by the team member.

Title Entries – Students entering for the title will be selected by the Directors only. Anyone chosen to enter as a regional or national title contestant will be expected to participate in any and all events required of them should they win.

Etiquette – DAC is responsible for the behavior of their team members when they are in the classroom or in public representing the studio. Therefore, any team member showing a poor attitude or disrespectful behavior toward other team members, instructors, or the artistic directors while on team time will be warned and then dismissed from the team. DAC is not responsible for the behavior of team parents toward other parents. Being respectful to each other is an important part of DAC.

Leaving the Competition Team – Every team member who decides not to be a member of the team the following year must sign a release form saying so. Please be aware that when a member forfeits their place on the team they give up their rights to any funds they may have raised for the competition or the group, as well as all rights competing with or performing any solo, duo or group piece of choreography that was not bought and paid for specifically by the student and not the school.