Dupree Dance is launching into their 40^th anniversary, kicking off another season with reputable, state of the art conventions and competitions. The reason this dance organization remains a beloved icon in the dance community is due to the founding principle, introduced by Roland Dupree, which states everyone has something to offer. They place tremendous importance on teaching students fresh, never before seen choreography. This continuous innovation attracted celebrities like Richard Chamberlain, Drew Barrymore, and Cher, and continues to bring outstanding performers through the door to this day.

Since the 1980s, Dupree Dance workshops have toured throughout the U.S., offering people of all dancing backgrounds and ages the opportunity to practice their skill. The tours continue to avoid a cut throat atmosphere, replacing it with a positive experience for students and parents alike. Smiling faces and the sentiment of every attendee demonstrates why they’ve been in business for so long, and is a testament to the quality of their events. Keep reading to get the inside-scoop on Dupree Dance’s events, and find out why you should be there this season!

It all started with the man himself- Roland Dupree

As mentioned previously, Dupree Dance was founded by Roland Dupree, who started tap dancing at the age of 10. By 12 years old, he was cast in his first movie, You Can’t Take it With You. After working in the movie industry as a dance performer, he found his love for teaching and developed a style of dance called West Coast Jazz. Wanting to share this style with the public, he rented a local hall for a few years before opening Dupree Dance in the 1970s (he later expanded the number of dance styles and genres available to students).

Shortly after opening the academy, he realized it became increasingly difficult for all dancers to travel to Hollywood and experience dance education, so he started touring the country, bringing Dupree Dance with him, thus creating the successful company that is loved by dancers and parents to this day.

Dupree Dance National Finals/ Summer Intensive combo

In honor of the 40th Anniversary Tour, Dupree Dance is combining their annual 2018 National Finals and Summer Intensive, rather than separate them. Kick-starting the event is the Anniversary Party, featuring a DJ playing some timeless dancing music. Following this vivacious party is master classes, spanning over 4 days, for dancers 8 years old and up. Intertwined in a portion of the class schedule is competitions for the National Finals, ranging over 5 days. Finals end with a good old fashion showdown. Only the highest scoring performances from each age and level division make it in the Showdown. This means practice is incredibly important to compose bulletproof, jaw dropping routines. Registered solo performers get their  time in the spot light during the Title competition, and winners of this event are crowned the next Mr. / Miss Rising Star or Mr. / Miss Dupree Dance.

Championship belts, cash awards, a multitude of scholarships and specialty awards are all an exciting part of the final Showdown and Nationals experience. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to train with Dupree Dance instructors, and grace the National Finals stage in what is sure to be their best event to date! For ultimate Nationals preparation, check out this McCormick Place Convention Center guide, and know exactly where to go when the big day comes.

Convention and competition registration information

Leading up to Nationals, Dupree Dance offers 2 -day conventions/competitions in each city on tour.  After registering for the 2-day convention, attendees can register for the competition. While the competition is optional, know that if you wish to compete, you must register for a convention. Dupree Dance hopes that making conventions mandatory gives competitors exposure to master classes. The goal is for the students to utilize the advice they receive in class to perfect their performance during Finals.

The competitions normally occur on Saturday’s, but some cities may have Friday competitions  for solo, duo and trio entries. Therefore, ensure dancers come prepared to compete right away.  The best part of competitions is free viewing privileges to all observers, so family members and loved ones can see beautiful technique work wonders on stage! For a full list of convention dates and venues arranged by month, please see the end of the article. It also wouldn’t hurt to brush up on some city guides, so the team can enjoy some post-competition fun in every city they visit on tour. For example, they’re sure to love the St. Louis Zoo, home to over 14,000 exotic animals from all over the world!

Dupree Dance’s Multi-talented and professionally trained staff

Unlike some instructors whose primary focus is choreography and getting a perfect tempo, the faculty at Dupree Dance believes their purpose is shaping dancer’s bodies, as well as their minds. They specialize in creating an environment where students feel comfortable surrendering their worries, fears, and egos. Students leave the workshops with a refreshed outlook on the artistry of dance, in addition to discovering his or her uniqueness.

One of the teachers molding this outlook is the famous choreographer and musical director Kobi Rozenfeld. Kobi has choreographed for The Little Mermaid production, Beyoncé’s I am World Tour in 2010-2011, and Israel’s So You Think You Can Dance. When he is not on tour with Dupree Dance, he travels the world teaching master classes at the Broadway Dance Center in NYC, Studio 84 in Los Angeles, and leads workshops in Germany, France, Slovakia, Spain and Guam.

Touring the country alongside Kobi is master teacher and choreographer Ellenore Scott, who was a finalist on So You Think You Can Dance, and a performer in the 82^nd Annual Academy Awards, The Ellen Show, and Glee. Ellenore’s techniques change with every class, ranging from Contemporary to Hip-Hop influenced work and pieces with acting elements. Her classes challenge dancers of all types and backgrounds, in a space where they feel comfortable to explore and move in a judgment-free zone.

6 professional dancers are on the roster, visiting each city included on the tour, leading classes for all skill levels and styles. The styles of dance include (but are not limited to) Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Jazz Funk, Lyrical/Contemporary, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre and Technique.

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Save money through Dupree Dance’s special offers

To help with costs, Dupree Dance has special offers like the Free Full – Time Teacher Offer. To be eligible, the studio has to have 6 or more paid dancers that are not scholarship winners. If 6-10 paid dancers register, 1 teacher gets in for free. If there are more registered students than that, the number of teachers attending for free increases accordingly.

Are you new to Dupree Dance? Great, because they love seeing new faces and if you plan on registering 6 or more students, call ahead to apply for their First Time Studio Offer. This offer is subject to registration deadlines, so make sure to register on time! In addition to these 2 cost-effective offers, they offer a Studio Loyalty Program to studios that attend their convention on an annual basis. Program details are shared directly with studio owners, but general program information is provided at the complimentary Sunday breakfast for studio owners and/ or directors.

Stopping in over 10 locations across the country, Dupree Dance gives students the opportunity to live and breathe dance. There couldn’t be a better environment to study in than one molded by the legendary Roland Dupree. All he and his successors want is dancers to come ready with an open your mind. This way, learning and having fun with other like-minded individuals at the conventions and National Finals with come naturally.

October

Dupree Dance – Chicago – Westin Lombard Yorktown Center – Chicago, IL

November

Dupree Dance – Phoenix – Phoenix Convention Center North Building – Phoenix, AZ

January

Dupree Dance – Houston – Houston Hilton North – Houston, TX

February

Dupree Dance – St. Louis – St. Louis Union Station Hotel – St. Louis, MO

Dupree Dance – Seattle – Hyatt Regency Lake Washington – Seattle, WA

Dupree Dance – San Francisco – Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport Hotel – San Francisco, CA

March

Dupree Dance – Chicago – Hyatt Regency McCormick Place – Chicago, IL

Dupree Dance – Dearborn – Edward Hotel and Convention Center – Dearborn, MI

Dupree Dance – Baton Rouge – Crowne Plaza Baton Rouge – Baton Rouge, LA

April

Dupree Dance – Dallas – Hyatt Regency Dallas Downtown by Reunion – Dallas, TX

June

Dupree Dance – 5 Day National Finals/ Summer Intensive – Hyatt Regency McCormick Place – Chicago, IL

For any updated tournament information, please visit their website