Leap into your next dance chapter with Leap National Dance Competition, a company known for their respectable judging and beautiful stages. Every year, they invite dancers from age 8 and up to join them in at least one of their 15 stops on tour. To even the playing field, Leap has 2 levels of competition; Leap and Skip. Leap is for dancers who practice more than 5 hours a week and compete regularly, while Skip is for novice dancers who are new to competitions and practice 4 hours per week at the most. Competitors in every city will battle on world-class stages for over 15 highly desirable awards. With state of the art lights and sound, expert judges, and general participation awards, this competition makes every dancer want to leap for the stars!
What to know about the Leap and Skip skill levels
Due to the fact that it is impossible for judges to know every students skill level, Leap asks studio teachers and/or directors to perform this task. Duos, trios and group performances place according to their average experience level. Routines with an equal number of dancers from Leap and Skip, place in the Leap level. However, please note that it is OK for studios with multiple competition groups of the same dance experience to be in the same level.
These skill divisions are designed to place dancers of similar talent in the same division. If the judges or management team detect a misplaced routine, that routine will undergo evaluation and may be penalized. To avoid penalization, teachers can reconsider a routines placement up until it’s time to go on stage.
Leap for the Stars competition
Leap for the Stars is the first and only leaping competition, available at every regional event. In this signature competition all dancers, regardless of age, leap to the best of their ability. Each contestant has 2 attempts at impressing the judges with their ultimate leaps. Routines may receive up to 5 stars, and it costs only $10 to participate. Dancers from age 11 and under compete in one division, and dancers 12 to 19 compete in another. Leap will post photos of the award winning moves on their website and winners receive a special prize. 24 hours after the conclusion of this event, the judges send their scores and critiques to the coordinating studios. To find out where you can join in the fun (Tampa, FL for example), please go to the end of the article for a list of events arranged by month.
Meet the Leap Judges
Most competitions claim to have highly qualified judges, but very few offer information to support that claim. Leap however not only offers headshots of their experienced 11 judges, but bios as well. Leap’s panel is a combination of award winning competition studio directors, dance teachers, and currently performing dance professionals. They each have training in various styles of dance and know the proper techniques for each style. The judges also know what skills to expect for each age division, making their critiques age appropriate and constructive.
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Jonathan Warren (one of the 11 judges) is a NYC- based choreographer, performer, and educator. He strongly believes thatchoreography tells a story, and emphasizes this belief in his work. Johnathan worked as the Broadway Dance Captain for the musical Wicked for 9 years. Additionally, he was a part of the small creative team that brought Wicked to international stages. He remains tightly connected with Broadway, working on various projects like We Will Rock You, West Side Story, and many more. He is also the Associate Choreographer of the acclaimed National Tour of The Sound of Music.
Another judge is David Garcia, whose attention to performing arts technique lands him jobs with A-list celebrities. Some of these celebrities include Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, and Stevie Wonder. David is also a guest teacher for multiple dance programs, including the prestigious Joffrey Ballet summer program. Most recently, he was the Dance Captain in the Broadway Show Fame on 42nd Street, which is an important role given to experienced professionals only.
Leap National Dance Title Competition
Every regional event has a Title Competition incorporated into their schedule for Leap Level soloists only. No independent entries are allowed; rather all routines must be registered under a studio. Soloists may perform up to 3 routines, and previous winners can re-compete for their title (even if they are still in the same age division as the previous year). Winners receive a Leap jacket and one free solo entry at any regional competition next season.
Leap for awards
In recognition of the effort and hard every dancer puts in, Leap National Dance Competition awards overall medals to everyone. However, top scoring routines receive special awards and cash prizes. For example, the Top Scoring Solo performance gets a $75 entry certificate and the Top Scoring Duet/Trio gets $100. In addition, there are the ADCC Dance Dreams award and the ADCC Studio Excellence Award. The ADCC Dance award is an invitation-only opportunity for dancers between 10-18 years old, offering a week-long immersive and exclusive dance experience in NYC. The ADCC Studio Excellence awards studios that promote versatility by registering routines in multiple dance categories. From tap and jazz to modern and clogging, the ADCC Studio Excellence Award goes to studios that offer students the opportunity to experience and excel in all styles.
Although Leap National Dance Competition is new-er to the competition game, don’t let this novelty sway your decision. Leap offers every aspect of a competition that companies in business for 20 plus years offer. Their judges know the ins and outs of dance and are experts in the field. Their stages are outstanding, supported by top-notch sound and lighting systems. Leap even has their own signature competition, Leap for the Stars, that dancers of all ages love! This competition season, give your dancers the opportunity to shine on stage and turn this new company into an old favorite.
February
Leap! National Dance Competition – Tucson – Tucson High Magnet Auditorium – Tucson, AZ
Leap! National Dance Competition – Sacramento – Cordova High Performing Arts Center – Sacramento, CA
Leap! National Dance Competition – San Diego – Mandeville Recital Hall at UCSD – San Diego, CA
Leap! National Dance Competition – Omaha – The Arts Center at Iowa Western Community College – Omaha, NE
March
Leap! National Dance Competition – Boston – Lowell Memorial Auditorium – Boston, MA
Leap! National Dance Competition – Virginia Beach – Sandler Center for the Performing Arts – Virginia Beach, VA
Leap! National Dance Competition – Tampa – Jefferson High School – Tampa, FL
Leap! National Dance Competition – Norfolk – Johnny Carson Theater at Norfolk Senior High School – Norfolk, NE
April
Leap! National Dance Competition – Topeka – Topeka Performing Arts Center – Topeka, KS
Leap! National Dance Competition – Winston- Salem – R.J. Reynolds High School – Winston-Salem, NC
Leap! National Dance Competition – Bismarck – Mandan High School – Bismarck, ND
Leap! National Dance Competition – Ft. Lauderdale – Miramar Cultural Center – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
May
Leap! National Dance Competition – Kansas City – Liberty Performing Arts Theatre – Kansas City, MO
Leap! National Dance Competition – Minneapolis – Hopkins High School – Minneapolis, MN
Leap! National Dance Competition – Chicago – Batavia Fine Arts Center – Chicago, IL
For updated tournament information, please go to Leap! National Dance Competition