Lake Hopatcong: 973-663-2009     

Lake Hopatcong: 973-663-2009

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Competition Team

The DANJ team is a group of young women and men who learn, rehearse and perform together in a supportive, fun environment. The team has achieved national recognition for exceptional technique, choreography, performance qualities, and costuming.

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Competition Team

The DANJ team is a group of young women and men with similar interests who come together to learn, rehearse and perform in a supportive, fun environment. The team has achieved national recognition for exceptional technique, choreography, performance qualities, and unique costuming.

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“Prior to becoming a principal dancer at Keigwin + CO, I earned my BFA at The Juilliard School after growing up in a competitive dance studio. Having led rehearsals at DANJ, I have observed their competition portfolio. One of the things that sets DANJ apart is that it focuses on teaching dancers to dance, not teaching dancers to specific dances. The results - their dancers perform naturally and understand choreography and style - they are true artists!”

— Brandon Cournay, Principal Dancer KEIGWIN + CO.

2017 Team Photos

2016 Team Photos

Competitions

Competitions provide a fun and inspiring way for young dancers to perform on stage for family, friends and for professional feedback. DANJ seeks out competitions that attract talented artists (other studios and highly respected judges). DANJ participates in four regional competitions, late February thru mid-May, and one national competition, usually early July. Regionals are generally within driving distance. Nationals are generally outside the immediate area in a resort. Please visit our Team Achievements page.

Training

DANJ's team trains with professional dance educators every week during the school year. Class time is exclusively dedicated to dance education — technique, combinations, improv, etc. Team dancers (except for Tap Program team dancers) are required to take two or more ballet classes per week, train in the styles of dance they choose to compete in and participate in groups (minimum 2 groups for Minis, 3 groups for all others). In addition, returning team members must attend DANJ's Summer Tech and Ballet Bootcamp(s). Tap Program team dancers minimum training requirements are limited to tap classes only. Choreography and rehearsals are conducted as separate sessions, generally on weekends.

Choreography

DANJ’s professional choreographers create original works featuring jazz, musical theater, tap, lyrical, modern, contemporary, hip hop, and ballet dance styles. DANJ consistently receives the highest choreography awards in national competitions, including New York City Dance Alliance, American Dance Awards, Hall of Fame, and Onstage New York.

How To Join

Dancers ranging in age from 6 to 18 are invited to join the team based on faculty observations in class, and/or auditions. Anyone interested in joining the DANJ team should contact the studio office to set up a meeting with the director.

“Prior to becoming a principal dancer at Keigwin + CO, I earned my BFA at The Juilliard School after growing up in a competitive studio. Having led classes at DANJ, I had many opportunities to observe their competition portfolio. One of the things that sets DANJ apart is that it focuses on teaching dancers to dance, not teaching dancers to specific dances. The results - their dancers perform naturally and understand choreography and style - they are true artists!”

— Brandon Cournay, Principal Dancer KEIGWIN + CO.

2017 Team Photos

2016 Team Photos

Competitions

Competitions provide a fun and inspiring way for young dancers to perform on stage for family, friends and for professional feedback. DANJ seeks out competitions that attract talented artists (other studios and highly respected judges). DANJ participates in four regional competitions, late February thru mid-May, and one national competition, usually early July. Regionals are generally within driving distance. Nationals are generally outside the immediate area in a resort. Please visit our Team Achievements page.

Training

DANJ's team trains with professional dance educators every week during the school year. Class time is exclusively dedicated to dance education — technique, combinations, improv, etc. Team dancers are required to take two or more ballet classes per week, train in the styles of dance they choose to compete in and participate in at least two groups. In addition, returning team members must attend DANJ's Summer Tech and Ballet Bootcamps. Choreography and rehearsals are conducted as separate sessions, generally on weekends.

Choreography

DANJ’s professional choreographers create original works featuring jazz, musical theater, tap, lyrical, modern, contemporary, hip hop, and ballet dance styles. DANJ consistently receives the highest choreography awards in national competitions, including Hall of Fame, NYCDA, Onstage New York, and American Dance Awards.

How To Join

Dancers ranging in age from 6 to 18 are invited to join the team based on faculty observations in class, and/or auditions. Anyone interested in joining the DANJ team should contact the studio office to set up a meeting with the director.

Mini Team

The Mini Team is for young dancers, generally ages 6 to 9, who are demonstrating a real interest in dance and the potential to benefit from additional training and performance opportunities.

Technical Training -- After taking preschool and/or combo classes, the next logical step in dance education is to begin focusing on individual styles of dance: ballet, tap, jazz and acro. Ballet provides the foundation and a vocabulary for all styles of dance; acro enhances flexibility and strength; and jazz and tap provide two rhythmic movement styles appropriate for young children. To facilitate this focus, we offer special technique classes for the minis in ballet, acro, jazz and tap. These classes are by invitation only – to help ensure that the children progress together and at a relatively accelerated rate - as follows:

Classes Required for Mini Team Members in Lake Hopatcong:
- Mondays: 4:30 - 5:30: Tap; and 5:30 - 6:30: Acro; and
- Wednesdays: 4:15 - 5:15: Ballet; and 5:30 - 6:30: Jazz; and
- Weekends: Days/Times TBA.

Classes Required for Mini Team Members in Sparta:
- Mondays: 6:00 - 7:00: Ballet; and 7:15 - 8:00: Acro;
- Thursdays: 5:15 - 6:00: Tap; and 6:00 - 6:45: Jazz; and
- Saturdays: 1:00 - 3:00: Choreography and Rehearsal.

In addition to the classes listed above, Mini Team dancers may enroll in other classes. Families interested in joining the mini team who have unresolvable conflicts with these class times should consult with the DANJ directors for possible work-arounds.

Performance and Competition -- In addition to developing technique, the children invited to the Mini Team are ready to begin learning more complex choreography as well as performance technique. These activities will improve their spatial awareness, appreciation for working as a team and self-confidence. The “Mini Team” is a "lite" competition environment. The children will learn two dance pieces (i.e., tap and jazz/musical theater in Lake Hopatcong; and lyrical and either jazz or tap in Sparta). The choreography and rehearsals for these two pieces will be (i) in Lake Hopatcong - on Weekend days and in portions of the Monday & Wednesday classes; and (ii) in Sparta - on Saturdays. Some additional rehearsals may be scheduled before the competitions. The competitions will be local, possibly exclusive to the Sussex/Morris county area, but in no case greater than one hour driving time.

Tuition & Fees - the following are the estimated Mini Team-specific costs for the 2015-16 school year:

  • Required Classes and Choreography/Rehearsals for Two Groups: $281 per payment under the 10 payment plan (discounts are available under the 3 and 1 payment plans). The registration fee is $40 for new DANJ dancers and $35 for returning DANJ dancers.
  • Costumes: $175 for each of the two costumes (NOTE: The mini team will be performing their competition pieces in the recital. No additional costume charges will be applicable to the recital – unless you enroll your child in additional classes with recital pieces.)
  • Competition Entry Fees: $240 for the school year ($120 for each competition - covering the two pieces)
  • Other Costs (not included above): Recital ticket package, any additional recital tickets; merchandise; and choreography, costumes, rehearsals and entry fees for any optional groups, duet/trios, or solos.