The goal of any show producer or performing artist is to deliver a show stopping production; meaning the performance is so good the audience’s applause lasts minutes, literally interrupting the performance. If you’re looking for dance convention/ competition that delivers this type of experience every time, head to Showstopper. Perhaps you recognize the name from their very own magazine, which is the #1 teen dance magazine in the United States. If not, their events are quite easy to find. You can catch them in the biggest and best venues across the nation (like Denver, CO), bringing their staff of trend setting, awe inspiring professionals to every location. The quality of education is held to such high standards that “America’s Queen of Pop”, Beyoncé graced their stage numerous times before becoming an international icon. If Showstopper can contribute to the success of performers like Beyoncé, imagine what’s in store for you.

Can you guess what Beyoncé, Britney Spears, and LeAnn Rimes have in common?

If you guessed all of them attended Showstopper conventions and competitions before their international stage debut, you’d be correct. Before she became a 90’s pop sensation, Britney Spears, a.k.a “The Princess of Pop,” started as a dancer, competing in numerous events. Much like Britney, Beyoncé starting gracing stages during Showstopper events as well. One performance in particular in Houston, TX (which is still on their tour today) caused the entire audience, judges included, to sit in awe. It wasn’t long after that when Beyoncé’s career took off. In addition to these 2 powerhouse women, LeAnn Rimes, Jamie Pressly (model and actor), Kerri Russell, and Megan Alfonso (from SYTYCD) also have this company to thank for their huge success. Right now you’re probably thinking where can I sign up? To see a full list of events arranged by month, please see the end of the article.

Showstopper’s beloved conventions

Time to have your mind blown at Showstopper! If you think you’ve already seen the best convention, prepare for a pleasant surprise. In addition to awesome choreographers, these conventions charge absolutely nothing for parent observation fees, ever. Plus, students get FREE bonus classes in singing, dance, and more, taught on extra-large cushioned dance floors. This means students never need to worry about bumping into someone, or experience sore feet or joints.

Showstopper also offers plenty for teachers to enjoy as well. For instance, teacher perks include a welcome gift and free hotel rooms. To be eligible for one free night stay in a hotel, teachers must bring 15 paid students. If you bring 30 students, Showstopper will reimburse for the cost of two nights. This is truly a great deal because most conventions require 20 paying students before they offer one free night. But that’s not all teachers; get those eyes and ears tuned for a fantastic Teachers Business Seminar. This seminar is known for credible content teachers easily retain and use in their studios on a daily basis. So, strap in for a highly engaging talk you’ll carry with you the rest of your life.

A faculty that makes any performance a showstopper

Showstoppers faculty literally stop the show with their mesmerizing classes. It’s been said many times that during the workshops students forget to dance, not because they’re inattentive, but because they’re so entranced by the teacher.

Evan Ruggiero

One of these teachers is Evan Ruggiero, who began taking street jazz lessons as a child, which segued into tap dancing. At 19 years old he discovered he had bone cancer and had to amputate a portion of his right leg. Upon hearing this diagnosis most people would quit dance, but Ruggiero pushed forward. “What keeps me inspired to continue dancing? The happiness and joy that it brings me,” he says.  During his classes he asks students to use their own right leg as a peg leg.  Ruggiero enjoys watching them achieve this unique challenge and loves seeing the instantaneous confidence it brings them. “This is the first convention, the only convention I’ve been at, and there’s nothing like this…it’s great,” he says.

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Angel Roberts

Ever heard of Peace Love and Hip Hop? If the answer is yes, you know the awesome founder, Angel Roberts, and are most likely a huge fan of her program. If the answer is no, let’s fill you in. Founded in 2007, Peace Love and Hip Hop started as a fun gig for moms to help them let loose and shake it in a small school gym. Word spread like wildfire and before she could blink, Roberts had a huge following of not only moms, but their children and friends. Since opening the doors, Roberts’s studio is known as the “go-to” place to learn street dance and get an intense workout while doing it. Students at Showstopper get the amazing honor to take a class with Roberts and practice her award winning choreography.

Brandon Norris

Blending clogging and hip hop may not be the first dance combo that comes to mind, but notorious clogger Brandon Norris does it effortlessly.  Norris is a nine time World Clogging Champion and was the first clogger to make it through to Las Vegas in the hit show So You Think You Can Dance. After the show, he used his skills to choreograph routines for the dance group Dynamic Edition. This group won the Clogging Champions of America 7 times thanks to his unique blending of traditional clogging with street style dance moves. They also made it to the final rounds of America’s Best Dance Crew. Norris’s particular style created a loyal following large enough to create his own studio that is sweeping the nation. Norris looks forward to sharing his experience with the next generation of clogging enthusiasts.

Three competition levels for Regionals and Nationals

Being in the business for years, Showstopper knows well that skill levels vary, especially in groups. It’s simply impossible for each dancer to develop at the same pace. Therefore, in situations where a particular dancer is skilled beyond their associated level, Showstopper permits that dancer to register for any level above their associated level. Dancers should never register for levels underneath their capabilities. After all, the competition needs to be as fair as possible, right? Level placement is best determined by the number of hours a week a dancer practices. Showstopper offers 3 competition levels to aid the placement process and they are as follows; Performance, Advanced, Competitive.

Outlined above are just a few of the exceptional qualities and success stories made possible by this fantastic company. The list could definitely go on, but it’s better to attend a Showstopper event and see for yourself.  Or, perhaps reviews like this from dancecompetitionhub can do the trick, “Dear Owners and Staff of Showstopper!! As a choreographer, dance teacher, and parent…..words can never express the gratitude and deep profound joy that I have after attending your competition for the first time in Arlington!! You seriously knocked it out of the ballpark… I seriously can go on and on about my happiness, but suffice to say…..”You guys freaking rock!” They sure do rock, in over 50 cities a year to be exact, giving no dancer who values their career an excuse not to be at the next Showstopper event.

February

Showstopper – Jacksonville – University of North Florida Fine Arts Center – Jacksonville, FL

Showstopper – Nashville – Gaylord Opryland Event Center – Nashville, TN

Showstopper – Raleigh – Raleigh Convention Center – Raleigh, NC

Showstopper – Worcester – DCU Center – Worcester, MA

Showstopper – Anaheim  I – The Disneyland Hotel – Anaheim, CA

Showstopper – Phoenix – Higley Center for the Performing Arts – Phoenix, AZ

Showstopper – Memphis – Cook Convention Center – The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts – Memphis, TN

Showstopper – Mashantucket – Foxwoods Restort Casino – Mashantucket, CT

March

Showstopper – Omaha – Mid – America Center – Omaha, IA

Showstopper – Lenoir – Broyhill Civic Center – Lenoir, NC

Showstopper – Denver – Crowne Plaza Hotel & Convention Center – Denver, CO

Showstopper – Oklahoma City – Cox Convention Center – Oklahoma City, OK

Showstopper – San Mateo – San Mateo County Event Center – San Mateo, CA

Showstopper – Orlando – Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center – Orlando, FL

Showstopper – Concord – Cabarrus Arena & Events Center – Concord, NC

Showstopper – San Marcos – Embassy Suites Hotel & Convention Center – San Marcos, TX

Showstopper – Battle Creek – Kellogg Arena – Battle Creek, MI

Showstopper – Anaheim II – The Disneyland Hotel – Anaheim, CA

 April

Showstopper – Columbus – Greater Columbus Convention Center – Columbus, OH

Showstopper – Minneapolis – Minneapolis Convention Center – Minneapolis, MN

Showstopper – Pittsburgh – Cornell High School – Pittsburgh, PA

Showstopper – Atlanta – Georgia International Convention Center – Atlanta, GA

Showstopper – Sandusky – Kalahari Resorts – Sandusky, OH

Showstopper – Houston – The Stafford Center – Houston, TX

Showstopper – Biloxi – MS Coast Coliseum & Convention Center – Biloxi, MS

Showstopper – Edison – New Jersey Convention & Expo Center – Edison, NJ

Showstopper – Indianapolis – Beech Grove High School – Indianapolis, IN

Showstopper – Lancaster – Lancaster County Convention Center – Lancaster, PA

Showstopper – Lakeland – Lakeland Civic Center – Lakeland, FL

Showstopper – San Antonio – Freeman Coliseum – San Antonio, TX

May

Showstopper – Birmingham – Sheraton Birmingham Hotel – Birmingham, AL

Showstopper – Woodbridge – Freedom High School – Woodbridge, VA

Showstopper – Myrtle Beach – The Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel – Myrtle Beach, SC

Showstopper – Chicago – Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center – Chicago, IL

Showstopper – Hampton – Hampton Roads Convention Center – Hampton, VA

Showstopper –Wisconsin Dells – Kalahari Resort & Convention Center – Wisconsin Dells, WI

Showstopper – Cincinnati – Duke Energy Convention Center – Cincinnati, OH

Showstopper – Tacoma – Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center – Tacoma, WA

Showstopper – Arlington – Arlington Convention Center – Arlington, TX

Showstopper – Anaheim III – The Disneyland Hotel – Anaheim, CA

June

Showstopper – Northern Finals – Kalahari Convention Center – Sandusky, OH

Showstopper – North East Finals – Foxwood Resort Casino – Mashantucket, CT

July

Showstopper – East Coast Finals – The Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel – Myrtle Beach, SC

Showstopper – Southern Finals – Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center – Kissimmee, FL

Showstopper – Gulf Coast Finals – Moody Gardens Convention Center – Galveston, TX

Showstopper – West Coast Finals – The Disneyland Hotel – Anaheim, CA

*For updated tournament information, please visit Showstopper