Competition
Competition
Download the Competition Schedule
Click the button below to download a Competition Program Schedule
SWEETHEARTS
Our Sweetheart program is for the young dancer (ranging from ages 4-8). Sweethearts are selected by “letter invitation” from the owner, Karen Kern. Sweethearts practice once a week (on a weekday) usually in the style of jazz. Dancers learn one routine and compete in 2-3 regional competitions. Attending nationals is optional, and families are given the opportunity to vote if they would like to attend. If enough of the class votes “yes” for nationals (the proper amount of students for each class is at the teacher’s discretion), then the class may attend.
SPOTLIGHT
This encompasses all age groups in all dance styles.
COMPANY
Dancers who belong to the KSD Company are more than just teammates… they’re family! Dancers age 6-18 come together to learn, rehearse, compete, and bond through the art of dance. Company has over 80 members and counting, as there is never a limit! Dancers who join Company at KSD should expect to rehearse at least twice a week, compete at least five times a year, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Company members are decided by annual auditions, in which dancers are evaluated on technique and stage presence. Joining Company at KSD is definitely a commitment however our dancers agree that it is one worth making! While Company is home to our most advanced dancers at KSD, there are multiple levels in which to be placed. Levels of Company are decided by both ability and age.
Who Should Join?
Company is a competitive program, so dancers should have some experience competing. Dancers in company are expected to work hard while having fun! A good attitude and work ethic are extremely beneficial for a dancer’s success. Dancers in company will focus heavily on a variety of styles including jazz, ballet, tap, and lyrical. Dancers will also experience several other styles in Company such as hip-hop, musical theater, contemporary, modern, and gymnastics. It is our goal to produce well-rounded dancers who can take on any style of dance with ease!
Don’t worry if you haven’t trained in some of the previously mentioned styles (i.e. tap, hip-hop), our staff will work hard to get everyone on the same page.
How to Join…
Each summer we hold auditions! Information on the specific date and time, will be given out a few weeks prior to the audition date, please let your teacher(s) know you are interested. That way they can provide important information and help you with anything you may need. If you are new to KSD please contact us at [email protected]. We’ll gladly give you a studio tour and have you meet our staff so you can feel comfortable here! We’d like to get to know you before auditions to further enhance your experience. if you are a new student you will need to be evaluated before trying out.
Levels of Company
Auditions for Company are held each year, and upon making it members are placed into one of three rehearsal Divisions. Although each Division rehearses technique together, the Divisions do not necessarily define the competitive routines that dancers are placed in. Company members meet twice a week for rehearsals on Wednesdays and Fridays. Members are also required to take an additional weekly jazz and/or ballet class, dependent upon which Division a dancer is placed. Company members learn 4-6 dances that compete, some choreographed by KSD staff and some by outside choreographers from across the country.
Crossover and Pre-Company
These are divisions of Company in which dancers are less committed and in a more developmental technical stage. Crossover dancers are of a comparatively higher age bracket, while Pre-Company is ordinarily of a younger age bracket. These divisions may meet up to two times a week for rehearsal (not including any outside classes) and attend all competitions.
Crossover and Pre-Company are a good way to transition into company in the future. Dancers should focus on technique similar to that in the divisions above, as well as stage presence and energy.
CROSSOVER
Crossover is a competitive group with fewer requirements than our full-time Company members. Crossover members are chosen by audition and meet twice a week on Wednesdays and Fridays. During rehearsal time, dancers attend a ballet/lyrical, jazz, and tap class. In each class, dancers practice technique and learn routines for the competition season. Crossover members typically compete 3 routines including jazz, lyrical, and tap. Crossover also attends 3- 4 regional competitions per year as well as nationals.
PRE-COMPANY
Pre-Company is a competitive group, by audition only, designed for dancers who have been active in our Sweetheart or competitive classes. It is a good transition from Sweethearts, where dancers learn one competitive routine, to our full-time Company dancers who learn 4-6 dances. Pre-Company dancers attend a ballet/lyrical, jazz, and tap class on Monday nights.
Dancers learn technique and a routine for each class, competing regionally 3-4 times along with nationals.
Our Sweetheart program is for the young dancer (ranging from ages 4-8). Sweethearts are selected by “letter invitation” from the owner, Karen Kern. Sweethearts practice once a week (on a weekday) usually in the style of jazz. Dancers learn one routine and compete in 2-3 regional competitions. Attending nationals is optional, and families are given the opportunity to vote if they would like to attend. If enough of the class votes “yes” for nationals (the proper amount of students for each class is at the teacher’s discretion), then the class may attend.
This encompasses all age groups in all dance styles.
Dancers who belong to the KSD Company are more than just teammates… they’re family! Dancers age 6-18 come together to learn, rehearse, compete, and bond through the art of dance. Company has over 80 members and counting, as there is never a limit! Dancers who join Company at KSD should expect to rehearse at least twice a week, compete at least five times a year, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Company members are decided by annual auditions, in which dancers are evaluated on technique and stage presence. Joining Company at KSD is definitely a commitment however our dancers agree that it is one worth making! While Company is home to our most advanced dancers at KSD, there are multiple levels in which to be placed. Levels of Company are decided by both ability and age.
Who Should Join?
Company is a competitive program, so dancers should have some experience competing. Dancers in company are expected to work hard while having fun! A good attitude and work ethic are extremely beneficial for a dancer’s success. Dancers in company will focus heavily on a variety of styles including jazz, ballet, tap, and lyrical. Dancers will also experience several other styles in Company such as hip-hop, musical theater, contemporary, modern, and gymnastics. It is our goal to produce well-rounded dancers who can take on any style of dance with ease!
Don’t worry if you haven’t trained in some of the previously mentioned styles (i.e. tap, hip-hop), our staff will work hard to get everyone on the same page.
How to Join…
Each summer we hold auditions! Information on the specific date and time, will be given out a few weeks prior to the audition date, please let your teacher(s) know you are interested. That way they can provide important information and help you with anything you may need. If you are new to KSD please contact us at [email protected]. We’ll gladly give you a studio tour and have you meet our staff so you can feel comfortable here! We’d like to get to know you before auditions to further enhance your experience. if you are a new student you will need to be evaluated before trying out.
Levels of Company
Auditions for Company are held each year, and upon making it members are placed into one of three rehearsal Divisions. Although each Division rehearses technique together, the Divisions do not necessarily define the competitive routines that dancers are placed in. Company members meet twice a week for rehearsals on Wednesdays and Fridays. Members are also required to take an additional weekly jazz and/or ballet class, dependent upon which Division a dancer is placed. Company members learn 4-6 dances that compete, some choreographed by KSD staff and some by outside choreographers from across the country.
Crossover and Pre-Company
These are divisions of Company in which dancers are less committed and in a more developmental technical stage. Crossover dancers are of a comparatively higher age bracket, while Pre-Company is ordinarily of a younger age bracket. These divisions may meet up to two times a week for rehearsal (not including any outside classes) and attend all competitions.
Crossover and Pre-Company are a good way to transition into company in the future. Dancers should focus on technique similar to that in the divisions above, as well as stage presence and
energy.
Crossover is a competitive group with fewer requirements than our full-time Company members. Crossover members are chosen by audition and meet twice a week on Wednesdays and Fridays. During rehearsal time, dancers attend a ballet/lyrical, jazz, and tap class. In each class, dancers practice technique and learn routines for the competition season. Crossover members typically compete 3 routines including jazz, lyrical, and tap. Crossover also attends 3- 4 regional competitions per year as well as nationals.
Pre-Company is a competitive group, by audition only, designed for dancers who have been active in our Sweetheart or competitive classes. It is a good transition from Sweethearts, where dancers learn one competitive routine, to our full-time Company dancers who learn 4-6 dances. Pre-Company dancers attend a ballet/lyrical, jazz, and tap class on Monday nights.
Dancers learn technique and a routine for each class, competing regionally 3-4 times along with nationals.
