DANJ Competition Team
Who are the Academy Dancers?
The Dance Academy of North Jersey "Academy Dancers" competition team was formed in 1993 during DANJ's inaugural season. From its inception, the team has been a place where young women and men with similar interests have come together to learn, rehearse and perform -- in a supportive, fun environment. The Academy Dancers have achieved recognition for their originality, dazzling costumes, brilliant choreography and entertaining and exceptional technique in all styles of dance. While having consistently achieved regional and national champion status, the DANJ team understands that dance is an art and that dance competitions are a place for them to gain exposure to, and develop friendly relationships with, dancers and choreographers from other studios.
How Many Competitions Do We Attend and Where Are They Held?
Each year, we participate in four or five regional competitions and/or conventions during the school year and one national competition after the end of the school year. The "regional" events are within driving distance; however, depending on the distance and competition schedule, some families may decide to stay overnight close to the venue (for example, if the venue is 60+ minutes away and a dancer is performing late one night and early the next morning, it may be more convenient for that dancer to stay in the area). National competitions are frequently outside the NY Metropolitan area (e.g., Massachusetts, South Carolina, Florida and Nevada), although they occasionally are in South Jersey or New York City.
Who is Eligible to Join the Team?
The competition team dancers range in age from 4 to 18: Minis (age 4 to 7), Juniors (age 8 to 12); and Teens & Seniors (age 13 and up). Membership on the Competition Team is available to those interested dancers who are invited to join the team based on an audition process (which may be accomplished through observation during our summer intensive and/or additional group or private auditions). As a member of the team, every dancer must: (i) agree to attend team rehearsals, scheduled choreography sessions and studio attended competitions (i.e., all of the regional competitions designated as mandatory, and the national competition); (ii) enroll in and attend at least two ballet classes per week in addition to any pointe classes (unless otherwise approved by the studio owners and ballet faculty); (iii) enroll in the Summer Technique Classes and attend at least 14 classes during the seven-week program and (iv) comply with all studio and competition team policies and rules as may be communicated from time to time by the studio (on this website, in a competition team agreement or otherwise). If the studio issues a written competition team agreement, each dancer and their parents or guardian will be required to read and sign the agreement as a condition of ongoing membership in the competition team for the applicable school year.
The Dance Academy of North Jersey "Academy Dancers" competition team was formed in 1993 during DANJ's inaugural season. From its inception, the team has been a place where young women and men with similar interests have come together to learn, rehearse and perform -- in a supportive, fun environment. The Academy Dancers have achieved recognition for their originality, dazzling costumes, brilliant choreography and entertaining and exceptional technique in all styles of dance. While having consistently achieved regional and national champion status, the DANJ team understands that dance is an art and that dance competitions are a place for them to gain exposure to, and develop friendly relationships with, dancers and choreographers from other studios.
How Many Competitions Do We Attend and Where Are They Held?
Each year, we participate in four or five regional competitions and/or conventions during the school year and one national competition after the end of the school year. The "regional" events are within driving distance; however, depending on the distance and competition schedule, some families may decide to stay overnight close to the venue (for example, if the venue is 60+ minutes away and a dancer is performing late one night and early the next morning, it may be more convenient for that dancer to stay in the area). National competitions are frequently outside the NY Metropolitan area (e.g., Massachusetts, South Carolina, Florida and Nevada), although they occasionally are in South Jersey or New York City.
Who is Eligible to Join the Team?
The competition team dancers range in age from 4 to 18: Minis (age 4 to 7), Juniors (age 8 to 12); and Teens & Seniors (age 13 and up). Membership on the Competition Team is available to those interested dancers who are invited to join the team based on an audition process (which may be accomplished through observation during our summer intensive and/or additional group or private auditions). As a member of the team, every dancer must: (i) agree to attend team rehearsals, scheduled choreography sessions and studio attended competitions (i.e., all of the regional competitions designated as mandatory, and the national competition); (ii) enroll in and attend at least two ballet classes per week in addition to any pointe classes (unless otherwise approved by the studio owners and ballet faculty); (iii) enroll in the Summer Technique Classes and attend at least 14 classes during the seven-week program and (iv) comply with all studio and competition team policies and rules as may be communicated from time to time by the studio (on this website, in a competition team agreement or otherwise). If the studio issues a written competition team agreement, each dancer and their parents or guardian will be required to read and sign the agreement as a condition of ongoing membership in the competition team for the applicable school year.
2011-12 Competition Team Auditions - Completed (Still Interested in Joining? Please Call the Studio)
WHO SHOULD ATTEND THE AUDITIONS? Any dancer interested in participating in our 2011-12 Mini, Junior, Teen or Senior competition team is required to attend (if you are unsure, you should attend as there is no obligation to join the team and there is no cost to audition). We encourage everyone to participate, as the auditions will also be used to help make placement decisions for our 2011-12 classes and competition routines. If you cannot attend the audition, please let us know in advance. If you have not been enrolled in either DANJ's 2011 Summer Technique Classes or one of DANJ's three 2011 Summer Ballet Intensives, then you should register for the Auditions (see "Register for the Audition" below). The registration form does not obligate you to anything, it is simply a standard disclaimer, where you give permission/take responsibility fo your child's participation in dance activities at our studio. Please feel free to email or call us with any questions or for assistance.
THE AUDITIONS ARE FOR YOUR BENEFIT It is important for everyone to understand that the auditions are about helping us make sure that you are placed with other dancers best suited to your current skill level. By doing this, your classes and competition dance experiences will be more fulfilling and fun. The auditions themselves should be taken seriously; on the other hand, we want everyone to have a good time and support each other.
AUDITION SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24th
Minis (dancers age 4 to 7 as of August 24th)**
4:15 – 4:30 Warm Up
4:30 – 5:15 Auditions (please bring your tap and jazz shoes)
Juniors (dancers age 8 to 12 as of August 24th)**
5:00 – 5:30 Warm Up
5:30 – 7:00 Auditions for Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop and Acro
Teens & Seniors (dancers age 13 and Over as of August 24th)
7:30 – 8:00 Warm Up
8:00 – 10:00 Auditions for Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop and Acro
** Some dancers may be asked to stay after their age-based auditions to participate in the next level auditions.
WHAT TO WEAR TO THE AUDITION
THE AUDITIONS ARE FOR YOUR BENEFIT It is important for everyone to understand that the auditions are about helping us make sure that you are placed with other dancers best suited to your current skill level. By doing this, your classes and competition dance experiences will be more fulfilling and fun. The auditions themselves should be taken seriously; on the other hand, we want everyone to have a good time and support each other.
AUDITION SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24th
Minis (dancers age 4 to 7 as of August 24th)**
4:15 – 4:30 Warm Up
4:30 – 5:15 Auditions (please bring your tap and jazz shoes)
Juniors (dancers age 8 to 12 as of August 24th)**
5:00 – 5:30 Warm Up
5:30 – 7:00 Auditions for Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop and Acro
Teens & Seniors (dancers age 13 and Over as of August 24th)
7:30 – 8:00 Warm Up
8:00 – 10:00 Auditions for Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop and Acro
** Some dancers may be asked to stay after their age-based auditions to participate in the next level auditions.
WHAT TO WEAR TO THE AUDITION
- Girls: Hair should be neatly pulled back. Wear something that will allow the faculty to see your lines such as a leotard and booty shorts (no sweat pants, t-shirts, etc.).
- Boys: black stretch pants or shorts, plain black or white shirt.
- Footwear: Tap shoes are required for the tap auditions. For other forms of dance, wear whatever you are most comfortable dancing in (bare feet are acceptable).
Register for the Audition
WHO SHOULD REGISTER FOR THE AUDITIONS? If you are planning to attend the auditions and you have NOT attended either the DANJ Summer Technique Classes or one of the three Summer Ballet Intensives, then you should click on the "Register" link (in the left column) below and complete the registration form. The form does not obligate you to anything, it is simply a standard disclaimer, where you give permission/take responsibility fo your child's participation in dance activities at our studio. Please feel free to email or call us with any questions or for assistance.