NexStar National Talent Competition isn’t just some talent competition; anyone involved with dance knows it is one THE competitions of the year. How do they achieve this status? By being one of nine dance industry leaders involved with Star Dance Alliance. Together these leaders share one goal; to ignite the passion for dance. From the quality of their staging and production, to customer service and recognizable fair judging, NexStar takes prides in everything they offer their dancers.

As an affiliate of Star Dance Alliance, they bring all the goods and services SDA offers. This includes beautiful award ceremonies, a tiered point system for 3 skills levels (to promote fairness), awards to attend an innovative 3 day-solo competition and/or a week long global dance intensive, and “golden tickets” to attend the World Dance Championship. NexStar is a worldwide leader in talent competitions, visiting over 50 cities a year! But, don’t just take their word for it- register today and get the exceptional dance experience like no other.

Hear ye, hear ye! Gather ‘round for some NexStar important registration information

All entries are processed on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to the amount of performance time available. So do not delay, and sign up today! Also, make sure to enter performers in the correct performance level, because once the information goes into the system, the schedule is final. After making a payment, expect a summary via email of all registered routines. It is imperative to review this information including birth date and age division, and reply ASAP with any corrections. NexStar does not allow changes less than 10 days prior to the competition.

NexStar’s week long Power Pak intensive

That’s right, NexStar’s intensive isn’t the usual 2 or 3 days, but an entire week, allowing participants to live, breathe, and eat dance. Students come from all across the country and range in age from 7-21 years old. This opportunity doesn’t present itself to anyone; instead NexStar chooses performers from their regional competitions.

Over the course of the intensive, students learn what it’s like to be in a professional dance company. By the weeks end, they understand the performance world is small and competitive, meaning they will most likely see their classmates/ teachers at auditions, rehearsals, etc., down the road. Therefore, they quickly comprehend that Power Pak is a great first step to making lifelong connections with their classmates and teachers.

In addition to connections, perhaps the greatest accomplishment performers get is the team building skills they develop while learning choreography world famous teachers.  Every student works hard to learn the steps in just 4 short days. Then, they perform the routine at the Starpower Battle of the Stars in front of a whopping 3,000 people! Lastly, Power Pak offers students the opportunity to audition for scholarships, as well as audition for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. If you’re reading and aching for the chance to get this opportunity, head to San Jose, CA or a number of other cities on tour, listed at the end of the article.

NexStar 3-day Solo event of a lifetime at the World Dance Pageant

The World Dance Pageant is a one of a kind event for solo performers, and anyone who competes individually should not miss this! The spectacular 3 day competition includes auditions, performances, modeling, and interviews-all to find Mr. and Mrs. World Dance. In addition to modeling and auditions, contestants compete in ballet, jazz and contemporary/ lyrical dance styles. Between competitions, contestants learn an opening routine to perform at the World Dance Pageant Finale. Aside from the competition, WDP sets aside time to prepare dancers for the future. They do this by introducing performers to new friends and contacts from all across the country. The staff, teachers, and judges they meet could be the same people looking to fill a spot down the road. Better to get the ball rolling now before its too late.

WDP awards the title of Mr. and Mrs. World Dance to goal-oriented contestants that show “great poise within their dancing and everyday life.”  Title winners receive performance opportunities throughout the year they hold their titles. Champions represent the World Dance Pageant in a photo shoot with Capezio (the world famous brand of choice for athletes and performers), in addition to many other exciting opportunities.  Any dancer can register for the World Dance Pageant- no pre-selection necessary (as in in the week-long intensive). Additionally, viewers can attend the WDP Finale absolutely free; however the after party requires tickets for admittance.

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NexStar’s 3 Competition levels

As previously stated, studios must assign a competition level for EACH performer. Dancers may only register in one level, and dancers registered in more than one level may be disqualified. When determining placement, remember this important rule; once in the system, dancers cannot change levels.

NexStar offers Advanced, Intermediate, and Novice skill levels. The Advanced level is for competitive dancers who perform at an advanced technical level. Dancers in this level are eligible for High Score Awards, and this is the only level eligible to compete for Title and cash prizes.  In addition, only Advanced dancers receive a Diamond Level Adjudication. The Intermediate level is for ‘on the rise’ dancers’, with approximately 2-5 years of experience. Intermediate entries receive High Score Awards as well. The Novice level is for beginners who have little to no experience competing. Dancers are considered ‘novice’ for a maximum of 2 years. Entries in this level could also receive High Score Awards. Lastly, please note Novice dancers get 1 solo entry per city.

Please understand this skill level breakdown is only a suggestion to help teachers determine placement. Due to the fact no competition knows how many hours a dancer practices, it is up to the teachers to use their best judgement when registering students. However, judges can move a routine they feel is misplaced to the level they feel is appropriate. All judges’ decisions are FINAL. If they determine a routine should be moved to a different level, and that level has already competed, then that routine is eligible for adjudication only.

NexStar Title Division Competition/ Compulsory Solo competition

The NexStar Title Division Competition is open to the Advanced Level Solo contestants only. Contestants compete any or all of their routines for the title of “Miss” or “Mister NexStar.” The competition is not open to Compulsory Soloists, or Fashion Modeling and Vocal categories. Dancers of all ages compete for the title of; Petite Miss/ Mister NexStar, Junior Miss/ Mister NexStar, Teen Miss/ Mister NexStar and Miss/ Mister NexStar.

The Compulsory Solo competition, as implied in the name, contains an obligatory component. Dancers in this category must perform certain steps and moves (i.e. splits, Sauté arabesque, Piqué turn, etc.). Regardless of difficulty level, dancer’s scores reflect their ability to properly execute these moves. Choreography and/or transitional movements between each required technical element is not judged, but is permitted. Also, contestants must wear all black, form fitting clothing, and no costumes. This allows the judges to truly focus on the routine, rather than on individual clothing.

See if you can get NexStar’s golden ticket to the World Dance Championship

The World Dance Championship is a true best of the best competition where studios from across the globe come to compete for the title of World Dance Champion. Star Dance Alliance events, like NexStar National Talent Competition, award exclusive invitations, called “golden tickets” to attend this esteemed event. Golden ticket winners must perform the same routine they won with at regionals.

The production value at the WDC is incredible. Dancers can expect warm up rehearsal areas, professional staging, lighting, and sound, cash prizes, and much more. There is also a live feed with commentary during the week, available to online viewers.

Now that you know what’s at stake at NexStar events, how could you possibly bypass a regional competition? Reviews pour in from students, parents, and studio owners, all raving about this company.  For example, a studio owner said “I didn’t really notice any big studio favoritism going on like we see at a lot of competitions.  It was nice to see fair and well deserved results distributed among the other studios.”  In addition to reputable judging, friendly staff, quality production stage and lighting, NexStar’s competition offerings are off the charts. From the week long intensive opportunity, the World Dance Pageant, the Compulsory Solo Competition to the World Dance Championship “golden tickets,” NexStar has an award to appeal to every dancer’s desires.

February

Nexstar Talent Competition – Rochester – Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center – Rochester, NY

Nexstar Talent Competition – Dayton – Memorial Hall Dayton – Dayton, OH

Nexstar Talent Competition – Jacksonville – University of North Florida Lazzara Performance Hall – Jacksonville, FL

Nexstar Talent Competition – Louisville – Memorial Auditorium Louisville – Louisville, KY

Nexstar Talent Competition –Atlanta – Georgia World Congress Center – Atlanta, GA

Nexstar Talent Competition – Aurora – West Aurora High School – Aurora, IL

Nexstar Talent Competition – Lancaster – Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square Lancaster County Convention Center – Lancaster, PA

March

Nexstar Talent Competition – Cleveland – Cleveland Public Auditorium Cleveland Music Hall – Cleveland, OH

Nexstar Talent Competition – Ft. Lauderdale – Broward College-Omni Auditorium – Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Nexstar Talent Competition – Lakeland – Lakeland Center – Youkey Theatre – Lakeland, FL

Nexstar Talent Competition – Davenport – Adler Theatre – Davenport, IA

Nexstar Talent Competition – Fresno – Saroyan Theatre – Fresno, CA

Nexstar Talent Competition – Greensboro – Greensboro Coliseum Complex – Greensboro, NC

Nexstar Talent Competition – Murfreesboro – Middle Tennessee State – Tucker Theatre – Murfreesboro, TN

Nexstar Talent Competition – Zanesville – Seacrest Auditorium – Zanesville, OH

Nexstar Talent Competition – Chattanooga – Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium – Chattanooga, TN

Nexstar Talent Competition – Houston – Pasadena Convention Center – Houston, TX

Nexstar Talent Competition – St. Paul – St. Paul River Centre-Roy Wilkins Auditorium – St. Paul, MN

Nexstar Talent Competition – Tulsa – SMG – Cox Business Center Assembly Hall – Tulsa, OK

Nexstar Talent Competition – Upland – Highlander Auditorium – Upland, CA

Nexstar Talent Competition – Wichita – Century II Performing Arts Center – Wichita, KS

Nexstar Talent Competition – Denver – Bellco Theatre Colorado Convention Center – Denver, CO

Nexstar Talent Competition – Ft. Wayne – Embassy Theatre – Ft. Wayne, IN

Nexstar Talent Competition – San Jose – San Jose Center for the Performing Arts – San Jose, CA

Nextstar Talent Competition – Spartanburg – Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium – Spartanburg, SC

Nexstar Talent Competition – St. Charles – Pheasant Run Resort Mega Center – St. Charles, IL

Nexstar Talent Competition – Upper Marlboro – Upper Marlboro Equestrian Center, Show Place Arena – Upper Marlboro, MD

April

Nexstar Talent Competition – Des Moines – Iowa Events Center Hy-Vee Exhibition Hall – Des Moines, IA

Nexstar Talent Competition – Hackensack– Bergen Tech Center – Hackensack, NJ

Nexstar Talent Competition – Kansas City – Music Hall (of Kansas City Convention Center Complex) – Kansas City, MO

Nexstar Talent Competition – Wilmington – Chase Center on the Riverfront – Wilmington, DE

Nexstar Talent Competition – Wilmington – Wilmington Convention Center – Wilmington, NC

Nexstar Talent Competition – Baton Rouge – Independence Park Theatre – Baton Rouge, LA

Nexstar Talent Competition – Eau Claire – Eau Claire Regional Arts Center State Theatre – Eau Claire, WI

Nexstar Talent Competition – Joplin – Thomas E. Taylor PAC at Missouri Southern State University – Joplin, MO

Nexstar Talent Competition – Lansing – Lansing Center – Lansing, MI

Nexstar Talent Competition – Detroit – Oxford High School – Detroit, MI

Nexstar Talent Competition – Lowell – Lowell Memorial Auditorium – Lowell, MA

Nexstar Talent Competition – New Haven – North Branford High School – New Haven, CT

Nexstar Talent Competition – Orlando – Orange County Convention Center Hall WF1&2 – Orlando, FL

Nexstar Talent Competition – Providence – Veterans Memorial Auditorium – Providence, RI

Nexstar Talent Competition –Amarillo – Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium – Amarillo, TX

Nexstar Talent Competition – Columbus – Westerville North High School – Columbus, OH

Nexstar Talent Competition – Long Island – West Islip Senior High School – Long Island, NY

Nexstar Talent Competition – Milwaukee – Pabst Theater – Milwaukee, WI

Nexstar Talent Competition – Sparta – Sussex County Technical School – McNeice Auditorium – Sparta, NJ

Nexstar Talent Competition – Syracuse – SRC Arena – Syracuse, NY

Nexstar Talent Competition – West Memphis – West Memphis Civic Auditorium – West Memphis, AR

May

Nexstar Talent Competition – Baltimore – Baltimore Convention Center Hall D – Baltimore, MD

Nexstar Talent Competition – Mason – Mason High School – Mason, OH

Nexstar Talent Competition – Sewell – Investors Bank Performing Arts Center – Sewell, NJ

Nexstar Talent Competition – Omaha – Orpheum Theater – Omaha, NE

Nexstar Talent Competition – Akron – The Akron Civic Center – Akron, OH

Nexstar Talent Competition – Dayton – Memorial Hall – Dayton, OH

Nexstar Talent Competition – Woodbridge – Hylton Senior High School – Woodbridge, VA

Nexstar Talent Competition – Indianapolis – Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, IN

Nexstar Talent Competition – St. Louis – Clayton High School – St. Louis, MO

Nexstar Talent Competition – Frankenmuth – Harvey Kern Pavilion – Frankenmuth, MI

June

Nexstar Talent Competition – Championship Sandusky – Kalahari Water Park – Sandusky, OH

July

Nexstar Talent Competition – Championship Gatlinburg – Gatlinburg Convention Center – Gatlinburg, TN

Nexstar Talent Competition –Championship Orlando – Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Orlando, FL

For updated tournament information, please go to NexStar National Talent Competition