Unleash your inner rhythm and beat at Monsters Dance, the original and only all Hip-Hop dance convention. Every year this convention/ competition tours the country offering 3- day dance workshops led by world renowned choreographers. These choreographers work with artists like Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, Jennifer Lopez, and guess what? They’re all alumni.
Thanks to this awesome event, these onetime students do what they love every day and now they want to help you achieve your goals. At every event on tour Monsters Dance offers thousands of dollars in scholarships, seminars, performance opportunities, freestyle battles, auditions with talent agencies, and much more! There is no easy way out of these 3 day intensive workshops, however anyone willing to put in the effort walks away closer to their dreams. At Monsters Dance, they believe success breeds success. Therefore, if you want anything to do with hip hop dancing, you know where to go.
Monsters Dance basics
Monsters Dance weekend is open to dancers 6 or older and offers 4 skill divisions; Junior, Intermediate, Advanced and Industry Upgrade. The levels typically divide by experience rather than age, however Industry Upgrade is only for people 16 and older. This age specific level includes an All- Level Access Pass, which is great for teachers and instructors. It also includes a full weekend of classes, plus two exclusive intense industry classes.
In an effort to ease the registration process, Monsters Dance makes registering groups simple and rewarding. For instance, Studios receive a $230 rebate per every 10 registered dancers, therefore if 20 dancers register, studios receive a $460 rebate. The more the merrier! If you plan on registering as an independent dancer no problem- independent dancers are welcome without any studio connection.
Monsters A- List Convention + Competition
Monsters A- List is perfect for dancers seeking multiple hours dedicated to education, followed by an opportunity to showcase talents and receive professional feedback. Participants experience the same quality and energy of a Monsters Dance convention weekend, with the addition of an entire competition dedicated to hip hop. You cannot find an event like this anywhere else! Please note that dancers wishing to compete must register for the entire convention weekend. Although, not competing is totally acceptable as well, all dancers and groups are welcome to attend the convention regardless. Education and the advancement of student’s careers is the top priority, so prepare to soak it all in!
When you’re convention/competition weekend is over, give your mind and body a break with some exploration. Monsters Dance is bringing you to some great cities across the country, like Denver, CO and Washington D.C. Make the best of your time with these travel guides and live like a local.
Monsters A- List Convention
The Monsters convention occupies almost the entire weekend, offering over 10 hours of training. Classes are taught by the industry’s top, most sought after choreographers and dancers in the hip-hop arena. The class levels range from beginner to professional and students train as individuals or with their studios. During the course of the weekend, faculty members look for scholarship applicants and Monsters Show and Kid Cast Nominations. Talent agencies peak in during classes as well, looking for their next big star.
Monsters A- List Competition
The competition focuses solely on commercial hip hop, which refers to street style dances performed to hip hop music, or a part of the hip hop culture. However, variations of hip hop like street jazz, house, funk styles, etc., are encouraged and may be included in the routine. The event is open to dancers of all ages and skill levels and is followed by Freestyle Battles. Once the routine is over, every dancer receives feedback from a panel of judges they can use on a go-forward basis. At the conclusion of the Monster Competition, the award ceremony begins.
Placement Awards go to the top 3 routines in each category, who in addition to feedback receive cash prizes. The most entertaining, show-stopping performance receives the Entertainment Award, plus the opportunity to perform in the closing show. The winner of the A-Game Agency Award gets an introduction and interview to one or more of Monsters’s talent agencies. Lastly, Freestyle Battle winners walk away with cash prizes and get the chance to perform their original choreography in front of the entire faculty. Admission to watch this high caliber competition is FREE, so pack the room with as many fans as possible!
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Launch your career at the Monsters Show
The Monsters Show project (a segment of the convention weekend) started in 2005 as a platform to introduce up-and-coming dancers to industry professionals and hopefully launch their careers. Today, dancers from around the globe attend the conventions for the opportunity to audition. Thanks to this event, current Monsters Dance faculty members got their start as professional dancers, and now dance next to A-list celebrities.
How does this program work? At each convention on tour four dancers in each city are nominated as show finalists. All finalists receive a VIP Tour Pass, enabling them to attend unlimited Monsters conventions free for one full year. At the tour’s end, Monsters faculty members review the audition footage and select the cast. For many, this selection validates years of hard work and investment in their craft. Through this project, Monsters Dance aims to develop professional, hardworking and determined performers who will entertain for years to come. To see a full list of event information arranged by month, please see the end of the article
Kids Cast- where little monsters dreams come true
Monsters Dance sees talent in all ages so they recently released KIDS CAST, a program that nurtures dance development from an early age. This is where dancers 14 and younger go through a similar nomination and selection process as Monsters Show. Kids Cast nominees receive 3 free Monsters weekends of their choice, and afterwards staff members select nominees to perform alongside the Cast in several routines. These select few then become the next generation of dancers eligible for selection for the main Cast when they are older.
Monster Show success stories
Monsters Dance alumni are some of the most respected and renowned dancers and choreographers in the business. All of their 
success stories stem from the Monsters Show, and you can meet these dancers at Monsters A- List events. Former student JaQuel Knight choreographed the iconic “Single Ladies” dance for superstar Beyoncé just after completing the Monsters Show process. Nick DeMoura not only danced for Justin Bieber, but choreographed Bieber’s “Believe” world tour. Marty Kudelka, now a full time faculty member, choreographed Justin Timberlake’s 2009 world tour. Monsters Show Alumni are constantly on the go, working to better themselves and others. You may spot them in movies, music videos, shows, or on world tours with artists like, Lady Gaga, Pharrell, Rihanna, Usher, Miley Cyrus, and many more.
Nick DeMoura, one of the touring Monsters teachers says “I used to dance and thought I was good until I went to my first Monsters in New Jersey.” After training with hip-hop dancers from all over the world, he realized he was a small fish in a big pond. “Monster exposed me to the greatness all over the world. I was inspired by not just the teachers, but by the students.”
Monsters Dance eMpower Program
Believing that dance can inspire anyone, Monsters Dance is proud to introduce the eMpower Program designed for dancers with special needs. Every year the professional faculty tours the country offering classes, dance parties, scholarship opportunities, freestyle battles, and more! This wonderful event gives special needs dancers a safe, fun, supportive environment to express themselves freely. The eMpower program is free of charge, with no previous dancing back ground required. All you need to think about is packing your bags and traveling to a city near you!
Monsters Dance is proud to launch so many great dance careers and continues to provide opportunities and success to dancers worldwide. Co –Director Andy Funk sees this program as a pivotal stepping stone for the next generation of hip-hop dancers. “They come out of ready for any job in the industry. We’ve seen it in action. It’s really about fostering that drive and letting them know they can accomplish a lot more than they may have thought previously.” As the only convention/ competition dedicated to this one particular style, hip hop dancers should view Monsters Dance as Mecca. Open to dancers of all ages, skill levels, and special needs, Monsters Dance is sounding the hip hop alarm. The question is will you answer?
October
Monsters Dance – Minneapolis – Hyatt Regency Minneapolis – Minneapolis, MN
November
Monsters Dance – Denver – Westin Westminster – Denver, CO
Monsters Dance – Atlanta – Sheraton Atlanta Downtown – Atlanta, GA
Monsters Dance – Chicago – The Westin Chicago North Shore – Chicago, IL
December
Monsters Dance – Mystic – Mystic Marriott Hotel and Spa – Mystic, CT
January
Monsters Dance – Vancouver – Hilton Vancouver Washington – Vancouver, WA
Monsters Dance – New Brunswick – Hyatt Regency New Brunswick – New Brunswick, NJ
February
Monsters Dance – Austin – Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa – Austin, TX
Monsters Dance A- List – Las Vegas – The Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa – Las Vegas, NV
Monsters Dance – Washington D.C. – Hyatt Regency Reston – Washington D.C.
March
Monsters Dance A-List – Chicago – The Westin Chicago North Shore – Chicago, IL
Monsters Dance A-List – Dallas – The Westin Dallas Park Central – Dallas, TX
Monsters Dance – Santa Clara – Hyatt Regency Santa Clara – Santa Clara, CA
April
Monsters Dance A- List – New Brunswick – Hyatt Regency New Brunswick – New Brunswick, NJ
Monsters Dance A-List – Orlando – Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport – Orlando, FL
May
Monsters Dance A-List – Nashville – Gaylord Opryland Resort/ Convention Center – Nashville, TN
Monsters Dance A-List – Vancouver – Hilton Vancouver Washington – Vancouver, WA
July
Monsters Dance Los Angeles Finale – Los Angeles – Marriott Los Angeles Burbank Airport – Los Angeles, LA
*For updated tournament information, please go to Monsters Dance.*