Top 50 Most Competitive Studios in the North America
In 2008, studios from all over the United States and Canada danced their hearts out at competition after competition, contributing to the most cutthroat season yet. Teachers choreographed up a storm, students spent hours rehearsing and parents drove long distances despite the high gas prices. Professional judges were brought in from all over the world as they geared up to determine the outcome.
Judges were blown out of the water. The routines they saw were more technical and innovative than ever before. Dancers were taking risks with contemporary and modern numbers, lifts and partnering work and multiple turning sequences. Some dancers looked like polished professionals rather than students. Nonetheless, some numbers flopped due to poor technique, bad costumes and cliché choreography. Thus, it was easy for judges to separate the men from the boys.
For each studio, the ultimate goal was clear—to win and to win big. As nationals approached, dancers knew that receiving a ‘Platinum’ score was not enough. If they wanted to be the most competitive studio around, they would have to enter multiple routines in various genres and beat out the greatest number of contestants for a winning finish.
The following 50 dance studios did just that. Collectively, they beat out thousands of other hopefuls, making them the most competitive dance studios in all of North America.
The top five winning studios, Just Plain Dancin’ & Co., Southern Strutt, Little Red Dancing School, Vlad’s Dance Company and Mid-Atlantic Center for the Performing Arts, hail from all over—from Canada and the Pacific Coast to the American South and New England. Together, they represent the new standard of excellence in competitive dance.
The top 50 cover all pockets of America, ranging in styles, methodologies and artistic philosophies. They each bring something different and unique to the table—or rather, to the stage. But the uniting factor is the value they all place on hard work, passion and drive. These studios go above and beyond, always giving 110 percent and never settling for anything less than the best.
If your studio didn’t make the list this year, don’t worry. Nationals are still a while off, giving you enough preparation time. Use this ranking as an educational guide—observe dancers and teachers from the top studios and learn from them. With some hard work and the right attitude, you may just see yourself featured in next year’s Year in Review.
Congratulations to all the winners! You’ve earned it.
Just Plain Dancin’ & Co.
1. Just Plain Dancin’ & Co.
Owner: Terry Schulke
Location: Riverside and Temecula, CA
Website: justplaindancin.com
Just Plain Dancin’ & Co. (JPD), with two studio locations, an award-winning team and a highly experienced staff, is hands down the most competitive studio in North America. Located in Riverside and Temecula, CA, this standout school offers training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, hip-hop and modern dance classes for ages three and up. Throughout the year, especially during the summer, JPD offers educational events and other fun programs. In order to keep students involved in a healthy atmosphere, the studio offers specialty classes, guest teachers, improvement goals and charts, beach parties and New York trips.
Dancers at JPD are so successful because their teachers continually stress the importance of proper technique. At this school, annual reviews are given in late January and early February, and also after the yearly recital, to make sure that students are progressing. Teachers work off a syllabus that they develop themselves to prepare students for future advancement in dance, such as film, television, videos, college scholarships and teaching jobs. JPD teachers are in such high demand they are invited each year to choreograph for approximately 70 college and studio dance teams across the United States.
JPD’s competition team boasts numerous accolades including prestigious titles at various competitions throughout the country. Competitors are selected by the JPD staff, and compete at three to six regional competitions as well as one national. Members of the competition team are required to take technique classes and ballet classes in addition to regular classes. Through the process of competing, they learn the value of discipline, hard work, winning, losing and more.
Many of JPD’s competitive dancers are currently on their way to professional careers in the entertainment industry. Some have been on television programs like “Star Search” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” and others are represented by top California casting agents.
Fun Fact: JPD is the only studio in its area that has produced a nationally known dance training video.
2. Southern Strutt
Director: Nancy Giles
Location: Irmo, SC
Website: southernstruttdance.com
Southern Strutt, under the direction of former “Donnie & Marie” dancer Nancy Giles, is the second most competitive studio in North America. Upholding the studio’s mission—to help people and adults realize their potential by celebrating the joy of life through dance—is a top priority. As a result, South Strutt has grown to national recognition and prominence.
The school’s talented faculty brings years of professional experience from the national stage, television, film and many other productions. Under their tutelage, Southern Strutt dancers have gone on to win numerous national titles and have appeared in national commercials, film, Broadway, television, music videos, Las Vegas productions, the national stage and much more. Southern Strutt’s nine competition teams compete regionally and nationally. In addition to competitive teams, Southern Strutt has performing teams and recreational dance.
Fun Fact: Televised competitions have included "Star Search," "Destination Stardom" and "So You Think You Can Dance."
3. Little Red Dancing School
Director: Lisa Allain
Location: Rochester, NY
littlereddance.com
With an enrollment of 240 students and a competition team of 80, Little Red Dancing School, founded in 1944, gives young dancers the opportunity to broaden their horizons with numerous performance opportunities. While many studios simply emphasize technique, Little Red knows that training in the studio is not enough; the real knowledge is gained on stage.
At Little Red, the true value of competition lies in the educational lessons. At competitions, dancers are adjudicated by professionals, something that enhances the learning process. Little Red teachers take these critiques seriously, using the information to keep up-to-date on material that is fresh and unique.
But at Little Red it’s not just about dance—it’s about life values. Thanks to a small, but dedicated group of instructors, the students are passionate and kindhearted. When Lisa Allain took over the studio at the age of 18, she knew that sharing, creating and nurturing young, aspiring dancers was her calling.
Fun Fact: Many former Little Red students have gone on to professional careers such as Broadway, touring companies, the Rockettes, and cruise lines.
4. Vlad’s Dance Company
Owners: Vlad and Irina
Location: Richmond Hill, Ontario
Website: vladsdance.ca
Vlad’s Dance Company (VDC) was founded in 1997 by Vlad and his wife Irina, who are both originally from Russia. Vlad’s studio has since earned a reputation as one of the best competitive studios in North America. With a training program geared to boys and a competition team known throughout North America, VDC is continually reaching new heights.
Much of the success can be attributed to the faculty of accomplished instructors who are enthusiastic and provide an environment that encourages each student to develop technique as well as style. Some of the most influential teachers include Linda Garneau, who has her own company “Helix Dance Project,” Caroline Torti–Top 20 on “So You Think You Can Dance Canada,” Jennifer Mote, Stratford, Eryn Waltman “Breathe Dance Workshops” and Ryan Foley, who has danced with many international stars.
Fun Fact: Many VDC Dancers have successfully pursued professional careers in dance, film, theatre, television and choreography.
5. Mid-Atlantic Center for the Performing Arts
Artistic director: Shannon Torres
Location: Joppa, MD
Website: danceatmcpa.com
With a 9,000 sq. ft., state-of-the-art dance training facility, a wide variety of classes and an experienced faculty, it’s easy to see why Mid-Atlantic Center for the Performing Arts is one of the most competitive studios in North America.
This school has a plethora of programs to fit the needs of all students. For serious ballet students, Mid-Atlantic offers pre-professional classes five days a week as well as private rehearsals for competitions. For jazz and lyrical dancers, the studio has a competition team that competes locally and a national team called Hot Shots National Dance Team. Dance camps and intensive programs insure that students continue progressing during the summer.
At Mid-Atlantic, performance opportunities are central to a well-rounded dance curriculum. All students perform in the Spring Gala, some dance in the annual production of “The Nutcracker” and the competition teams travel multiple times per year.
Fun Fact: MCPA was the winner of the first annual "Dance Off" between local dance studios at Ripkin Stadium.
| 6. | Dance Town |
| 7. | Shooting Stars School of Perf. Arts |
| 8. | Perserverance Dance Company |
| 9. | Performing Dance Arts |
| 10. | Premiere Dance Inc |
| 11. | Fancy Feet Dance Studios |
| 12. | Dance Xcel |
| 13. | Krystie's Dance Academy |
| 14. | Dance Arts Academy |
| 15. | David Sanders Dance Dynamics |
| 16. | Starstruck Performing Arts Center |
| 17. | Jane Mannion's School of Dance |
| 18. | Dance Explosion |
| 19. | Horizons Dance Center |
| 20. | Creative Dance Center |
| 21. | Center Stage Dance Studio |
| 22. | Strictly Rhythm Dance |
| 23. | Rocky Mountain School of Dance |
| 24. | Dance Precisions |
| 25. | Extravadance and Tumble |
| 26. | Erin's Danceworks |
| 27. | Steppin' Out The Studio |
| 28. | Northern Force Dance Company |
| 29. | Diane Cole Johnson School of Dance |
| 30. | Dance Zone |
| 31. | Dance Stop |
| 32. | West Coast School Of The Arts |
| 33. | Carlsbad Dance Centre |
| 34. | Art In Motion Dance Studio |
| 35. | The Hanover School Of Ballet |
| 36. | Priscilla & Dana's School Of Dance |
| 37. | Sierra Performing Arts Center |
| 38. | Dance Unlimited LLC |
| 39. | Next Generation Dance Studio |
| 40. | Off Broadway Dance Academy |
| 41. | Dance Unlimited |
| 42. | Pittsford Dance Studio |
| 43. | Starz Studio Inc. |
| 44. | New Jersey Center Of Dance |
| 45. | Donna's Visual and Performing Arts Center |
| 46. | Haja Dance Academy |
| 47. | Dance Productions |
| 48. | Dynasty Academy of Dance |
| 49. | Colby Center for Dance |
| 50. | Turning Pointe Dance Academy |