New York Los Angeles Dance Conventions & Competitions
From the faculty of Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway, Skip Costa brings you a one CONVENTION and three COMPETITIONS, For Solos Only / For Groups Only / Props Unified, all under one roof during the same weekend usually broken down into a 1-day convention and 2 days of competition. "At N.Y.L.A....EVERYONE leaves with awards & rewards whether it's a medal, ribbon, scholarship, plaque, dream, or friend because, after all, our children are our country's future leaders and EVERYONE makes a difference.
Skip considers their events attitude-free with a slice of mom & pop on the side. They promote values, friendship, teamwork, professionalism, career development, education, performance opportunities, passion & love of dancing, approachable teachers & staff, and a whole lot of encouragement & fun. Each weekend is developed with the students & teachers in mind so that they come to the events to enjoy, learn, succeed, and perform. "We are patient and are always open to new ideas & suggestions," says Skip.
"N.Y.L.A. DANCE is home of the N.Y.L.A. DANCE Shout Out(TM) in which words of encouragement are read to our performers just as they are about to perform making it a much more supportive environment," says Skip.
About the Director-
Skip is committed to bringing a FUSION of both coasts together through EAST COAST & WEST COAST dance styles by offering both a contemporary & traditional focus. He also provides a well rounded educational and performance experience for his N.Y.L.A. dancers within an intimate environment. He serves as On-Site Director & Teacher at his events to make sure that a fair vision continues. He maintains an OPEN CLASS policy for his trademark Contemporary COREFusion class at every regional location in order for everyone to have an opportunity to work directly with Skip and his East Coast West Coast Dance Style.
His reputation and experience as a performer, choreographer, teacher, event planner, academic masters, and competition judge is seen throughout all of his events. He is currently working as a choreographer, performer, & teacher and understands your needs which he feels separates N.Y.L.A. DANCE from a lot of the other companies in the industry which are run by non-dancers.
He has taught all over the world including Eastern & Western Europe, as well as Broadway Dance Center(NY), Steps(NY), Millennium Dance Complex (LA), various universities, high schools, and private studios across the US. Skip is at all of his events both "running" the show and "teaching" classes so that the students get to truly experience his methods, style, and personality. He even has an MFA from The George Washington University in Dance & Video Studies as well as a BA in Dance & Theater from Southeastern LA University. He also offers a special workshop "Going Pro or Going To College" at all of his events.
About N.Y.L.A.-
The N.Y.L.A. BRAND is simple. N.Y.L.A. offers their N.Y.L.A. Dancers a since of community, scholarship, education, and competition by measuring success through expression, inspiration, dedication, and career development. N.Y.L.A. maintains strong relationships with their N.Y.L.A. Dancers and provides them with helpful info on training, college, or pursuing careers in dance at both the convention & competition levels. Their commitment to the entertainment & dance industry, customer satisfaction, and to the needs of their students & families is solid and reinforced. N.Y.L.A. has no OPEN categories within their competition making a place for every dancer. "We want to see the U in YOU!!!" says Skip.
N.Y.L.A. offers PRICELESS REWARDS instead of over-the-top cash prizes for their dancers to follow their dreams.
N.Y.L.A. is committed to recognizing choreographers at their competitions because Skip feels they are always overlooked and we need to give credit where credit is do for all the hard work our teachers, directors, guest artists, and student choreographers do in order to make the performance you see a reality.
A National Award for Choreography has been established, RITA HEWITT Award for Inspired Choreography, at both Teacher & Student levels.
N.Y.L.A. also offers a Dance Hero of the Year Award which is awarded per National and nominations are taken via letter at each of our regional events.
A new National scholarship has been established The Steve Bielecki Emotional Performance Award in loving memory of Skip's best friend & staff member who was a monumental driving force behind the establishment of N.Y.L.A. DANCE and his professional dance company SkipCosta.COREmovementPROJECT.NYC. It is a scholarship for a deserving teen or senior Lyrical, Contemporary, or Modern soloist to attend either a future competition or our summer program in NYC free of charge....WOW!!! 3 dances are nominated by Skip at each regional.
N.Y.L.A. also seeks to provide a supportive environment for dancers 18 & older to continue to perform, learn, & create choreography for the industry. N.Y.L.A. views technique & performance as equals so that they go hand and hand within their classes & judging.
"Our faculty and staff are some of the most creative, energetic, hottest, diversified, emerging or established choreographers & teachers who have a direct relationship with me, our judging system, and our educational responsibilities. My goal is to give new teachers & choreographers on the rise a chance to share their knowledge, style, experiences, and dreams with our N.Y.L.A. Dancers. It is with this step that dance & the dance comp-
etition/convention experience moves forward," says Skip.
N.Y.L.A. has faculty & judges from both NY & LA so that you get 2 approaches on feedback and style based on the judge's opinion on your performance. They have faculty that have attended college &/or working professional in the field who are VERY APPROACHABLE.
Their faculty is required not to work with any other competition or convention so that you get them for yourselves. "My faculty & staff is my team...why would you want to study with someone with a big name which is teaching at ALL the other conventions...it loses its specialness in my opinion. Come study with someone that no-one else has and make the event special to you because you deserve that attention and not some recycled teacher," says Skip. Skip also adds "My faculty and staff are dancers, actors, and vocalists in the field so we approach everything on an artistic level."
The Events-
N.Y.L.A. offers an optional _ day convention which runs usually on Saturday or Sunday morning but in some cases on Friday evening.
They offer an optional convention but suggest the studios to make the classes mandatory since it is such a huge part of the learning process...plus you get to meet the faculty & judges which are the teachers for the classes. N.Y.L.A. does understand that finances affect some of their students from being able to attend the convention so we are making strides to offer incentives to get more students involved with the classes.
N.Y.L.A. offers contemporary and traditional categories & classes in Dance, Acting, and Vocals (all listed on the website) as well as specialty classes such as partnering, ethnic dance, video combo, and choreography just to name a few. They are starting to add live singers & music within the classes so you can not only feel like a rock star but you get the added performance training and experience you will need in the future. They also offer special titles within their competitions such as Miss/Mr. N.Y.L.A. DANCE and T3 (Triple Threat) and T33 (Triple Threat to the 3rd Degree).
They offer special teacher classes in both technique & choreography at our events as well as intensives for both teachers & students on important issues with the dance community such as health, training, or college vs. going professional just to name a few.
Everyone who participates in our convention receives a certificate and everyone who competes receives an award...so no one leaves empty-handed. They also give out scholarships to the dance-off winners.
N.Y.L.A. also has a professional summer training program in 2 formats- format 1 is the N.Y.L.A. DANCE NATIONAL PERFORMANCE PROJECT NYC (By Audition Only) For professional development of the dancer which is split-up into Level 1 Advanced and Level 2 Intermediate and format 2 is N.Y.L.A. FEST which is open to all for the joy of dance and requires no audition. Auditions are held at all of their conventions across the country or you can apply via videotape and a fee. This year space is limited to 30 students per each of the 3 programs this year and it is first come first served. They want the students to get an edge on choreography & performance within the wonderful & exciting city of NYC where most of their careers will lead them during their professional years should they choose to move to NYC after high school graduation or after college. The program takes place from June 27- June 30, 2007.
N.Y.L.A. offers a COREFusion Studio Tour where they bring the convention right into your studio just in case you can't make it to one of their regionals or just want more classes and choreography from N.Y.L.A..
N.Y.L.A. also lets you qualify for their Nationals via videotape or DVD by sending in your dances before the Nationals deadline for qualification which is generally 2 months prior to the event.
"What's cool about our event is that we offer convention classes plus 3 competitions all under 1 roof and all during the same weekend. It's like a state fair. Each competition offers its own set of rewards, awards, and titles," says Skip.
N.Y.L.A. offers America's #1 Props Only Competition devoted exclusively to Props. As far as Skip knows they are the only props competition out there of its kind.
N.Y.L.A. offers unlimited entries for those attending their competitions within both Competitive, Recreational, and Non-Competitive divisions..
N.Y.L.A. is beginning to work with a National Talent Agency this year and will be announced at their events. They will begin videotaping our final showcase after each convention to be sent to their talent scout.
N.Y.L.A. tries to maintain 1 event per weekend in order to cater to your needs and to sustain its artistic direction and integrity.
N.Y.L.A. has a time guideline which they follow in order for the kids to have a chance to sleep each night. "I have heard horror stories about competitions going on way past midnight then back at 7am the next day with a 6am costume call. I am not sure how even the judge's can focus with no sleep or the studio directors," says Skip.
"This is our 4th AWESOME year and we continue to make strides with our vision and most importantly we are making a lot of GREAT friends. We are so excited to be a valued part of this industry and watching our dancers grow into professionals and our kids grow into adults. We are truly proud of our N.Y.L.A. Dancers. So come be one of us....come be a N.Y.L.A. Dancer!!" Smiles & Blessings -Skip
For more information:
N.Y.L.A. DANCE
New York Los Angeles Dance Conventions & Competitions
Skip Costa, National Director & CEO
P.O. BOX 818 -Times Square Station
NY, NY 10108
212.222.2772
www.NYLADANCE.com
NYLADANCE@AOL.COM
N.Y.L.A. DANCE CITIES
& DATES - 2007
*check website for current
Fall 2006 Dates
DANCER NORTH
Feb 24-25 Cleveland, OH
March 2-4 Davenport, IA
Apr 20-22 Des Moines, IA
Jan 27-28 Indianapolis, IN
DANCER SOUTH
Jan 20-21 Dallas, TX
Feb 10-11 Baton Rouge, LA #2
March 9-10 Biloxi, MS (Fri/Sat)
March 23-25 Richmond, VA
March 31-April 1 Ft Lauderdale, FL
April 14-15 Knoxville, TN
April 28-29 Athens/Atlanta, GA
DANCER EAST
Feb 2-4 Long Island, NY #1
Feb 17-19 Stratham, NH
March 17-18 Asbury Park, NJ
May 4-6 Long Island, NY #2
May 11-12 Hartford, CT
May 19-20 Plymouth Meeting, PA
DANCER WEST
Jan 13-14 Long Beach, CA
NATIONALS 2007
May 25-27 Mobile, AL
May 31-June 3 Long Island, NY
July 6-8 Indianapolis, IN & Davenport, IA
August 1-4 Hampton Beach, NH
*Guaranteed Entry deadline is 40 days prior.