Dancearts of Columbia is thrilled to announce that our competition team is evolving! As we’ve grown throughout the past few years, we’ve come to realize there is a need for more specialized teams in order to best suit each dancer’s needs and goals. After much consideration, this season will feature three teams within our greater competition team:
MINI CORE
CORE
SELECT
This is common practice with larger teams and we feel privileged to be in the position to make this happen. This coming season will be experimental as we discover what works best to aid in our dancers’ success and fulfillment. These three teams will ensure that there is space for all students to thrive. Each and every one of our current students has been considered in this decision. Our main objective with this new structure is to make sure the competition dance experience aligns with each of our student’s individual goals. We are optimistic that these teams will provide ample opportunity for each dancer’s optimal fulfillment.
“Dance family” is a phrase we hear often around our studio. Our team’s camaraderie and support for one another is invaluable and is truly the reason our team (students AND families) is so special. All bonding events will include every team, as well as our big/little system. More information on how we plan to maintain this atmosphere below. We are incredibly excited for this next chapter and cannot wait to see each of our students excel in this new format.
2026-27 auditions are May 18th & 21st. More information is available here. Our faculty will place students onto teams based on their interest/goal forms, individual meetings, previous season’s work (if applicable), and auditions. Additionally, we aim to produce less routines than in previous years in order to better distribute rehearsal time. We can’t wait to see you there!
MINI CORE: MINI CORE is a good fit for dancers age ~6-8 with developing technique and performance quality.
These young dancers are ready to dip their toes into the competition dance world! Mini Core will compete at one competition-only event (no convention—unless they would like to accompany Core/Select to one of their events). Dancers will learn foundational technique, performance quality, and work ethic. This structure is designed to introduce young dancers to the world of competition dance while staying fairly low-commitment. Mini Core will also have the option to be a part of Core, which would add a couple more routines to their plate. This is recommended for students who have previous competition experience or who want more of a commitment level, though it is not required.
CORE AND SELECT: These two teams will attend all of the same competitions and conventions. Our faculty will sort students into routines based on their interest/goal forms, individual meetings, previous season’s work (if applicable), and auditions. There may be slight crossover between these two teams in routine casting. The truth is, we’re not sure how much (if any) crossover there will be until we see your fabulous auditions!
CORE: COREis a good fit for dancers age ~7-18 with developing technique and proficient performance quality.
These dancers may have previous competition dance experience or they may be novice members. Dancers will be placed into routines which will most benefit them in their dance journey and individual goals. Some students may be ready for solos, while some may need more time in class and group routines before they are ready to shine alone onstage.
Students will be required to take a ballet and a jazz class (either performing or non-performing) during fall and winter/spring semesters.
SELECT: SELECT is a good fit for dancers age ~12-18 with proficient technique and performance quality.
Dancers will be challenged in their routines and held to a high technical standard. These dancers likely have multiple years of competitive dance experience and are ready for a push in the studio. Select dancers dance well together as an ensemble and excel as soloists. Solos are likely recommended for each dancer but not required. These dancers may also be interested in dancing past high school.
Students will be required to take at least two ballet technique classes and one jazz class (either performing or non-performing) during fall and winter/spring semesters.
FAQ:
Q: How will dancers be chosen or divided into group routines? A: Dancers will be cast in routines based on their auditions, work during the previous year (if applicable), and goals for the upcoming season. They will be able to let us know their preference in casting on their audition forms, as we've done in previous years.
Q: Will dancers be able to choose how many dances they are in and which styles? A: Dancers and families are able to tell us a maximum number of dances they'd like to be in. They are able to request certain styles, but ultimately it is up to instructors and choreographers to choose which routines will most benefit our dancers.
Q: Does pointe count as a ballet class requirement? A: No. SELECT dancers must be enrolled in two ballet technique classes on flat per semester.