Every profession needs an innovator- someone or some entity to push the industry forward, challenge the status quo, and compel standards to improve. For the competitive dance world, this innovator is JUMP Dance Convention. Since opening their doors, they gained a loyal following, quicker than any other dance convention has done in history. They rapidly expanded to become one of the largest dance conventions in the world. Every event includes a top-rate workshop, with more class time offered per city than any other convention. They also bring a faculty of hand-selected professional dancers, a live band, live singers, live video crew, and an unparalleled multimedia set.
With a continuous commitment to creativity and growth, JUMP boasts sold out shows in numerous locations. For instance, on Broadway at the Hudson Theater, the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles and most recently the six thousand-seat Radio City Music Hall in NYC. JUMP is more than ready to head into another year of sold out shows, handing out multiple awards to deserving routines, and giving students the dance experience of a lifetime.
Trendsetters in the industry
JUMP Dance Convention is responsible for standardizing the majority of industry standards people have grown to expect and appreciate. For example, JUMP was the first dance convention to bring projection screens and 10 plasma screens to every city on tour. This allows dancers and teachers prime viewing privileges regardless of where they stand in the room. 15 years ago they were also the first convention to offer online registration through their website. 
Another novelty idea JUMP Dance Convention introduced is personalized “JUMP handbooks.” These books provide every dancer a personalized workshop and competition schedule, as well as any extra event information. This service makes it so studios don’t have to print their own schedules, or worry about misplacing them. These are just a few examples of how JUMP changed the way dance conventions operate, so to find out where you can join this innovative, forward-thinking company, please see the end of the article for events arranged by month.
Jump Dance Convention’s star studded Faculty
The person responsible for creating the JUMP Dance Convention is dancer and business entrepreneur Gil Stroming. He began performing at 12 years old and was cast as the Nutcracker Prince, touring Russia with the Kirov Student Ballet Company. From there, Gil switched gears and immersed himself in tap, and at 16 he was cast in the Off-Broadway hit show Tap Dogs. After leaving Tap Dogs, he created his own tap company Break the Floor, performing shows nationwide. These hit shows were described by the New York Times as “an explosion of energy!”
After the success of Break the Floor, Gil’s career took off and he was asked to choreograph and perform in widely broadcast television specials, industrials, and commercials. Following his dance career, Gil created Break The Floor Productions, LLC. Break The Floor Productions is one of the world’s preeminent dance entertainment companies, encompassing touring theatrical productions, dance workshops, photo and video production, corporate events and apparel. Today, Gil dedicates his career to forging the way for ingenious and unique dance entertainment, and won’t rest until all of his expectations are met.
To continue JUMP’s reputation as one of the largest dance conventions, Gil hired some of the industry’s best teachers and choreographers. One of these notorious instructors is hip-hop super star Nika Kljun. You may know her as the Slovenian Ambassador of Dance, or as the gold medal soloists from Worlds, or perhaps as the Nike global spokesperson. Nika began dancing at 3 years old in her parents dance school, Bolero. After mentoring other Bolero dancers to pursue their dreams, she followed her own and headed to Los Angeles.
Since her move, she worked with Beyoncé, Pitbull, One Direction, Britney Spears, and choreographs/ assists for So You Think You Can Dance in America, Ukraine and Portugal. Her passion for inspiring others takes her on teaching excursions in 31 countries, from Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and South America. Needless to say, Nika’s more than adequate experience as a dancer definitely positions students on the right path to achieving lifelong goals.
Workshops and specialty classes at every location
Jump Dance Convention workshops are open to all age divisions, and it is up to the studio teacher to determine division placement. If a dancer is misplaced in a workshop level, they can change levels within the first two classes of the workshop (upgrades are charged and there is no refund for downgrades). Anyone who wants to compete must attend the full 2-days of workshops, and this applies for independent entries as well. Also, there are Parent Classes which are a fun, informal introduction to Hip-Hop, as well as JUMPstart classes for young dancers (5+) who may find the Mini Room too challenging.
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Free live webcast
If you are unable to attend the competitions or closing shows, do not worry because JUMP Dance Convention was one of the first conventions to offer FREE webcasts, and continues to do so to this day.
Jump’s fan favorite DancerPalooza
DancerPalooza is a one-of-a-kind dance festival that no dancer can miss, located in sunny and beautiful Long Beach, California! This special event spans over 5 days and offers the most all-inclusive dance experience imaginable. They bring together the industry’s top professional choreographers and dancers, master teachers, and young students, all under one roof! During Intensives, students can enjoy concentrated style-specific classes, ranging from Tap to Hip-Hop. These master classes span the entire length of the festival, offering more than 30 hours of practice! Once classes are over, head to Beat Street, the unique expo hall offering a mash up of amazing dance performances, vendors, and meet and greets with professionals. That’s not all- the event also includes additional dance classes, game nights, dance and pool parties, movie nights, and professional dance company performances on a grand stage!
“Teachers Only” critique
The judges at JUMP Dance Convention acknowledge some critiques might not be appropriate or may be embarrassing to say publicly. Therefore in an effort to respect all participants, JUMP introduced the “Teachers Only” critique. If critiques arise regarding a particular dancer, their costume, or choreography, the judges will provide feedback for the teacher’s eyes only.
Jump Dance Convention’s Dance Teacher Summit
If you are experiencing difficulty coming up with new choreography or just need to feel re-energized and reminded of what makes teaching dance so rewarding, then sign up for the Dance Teacher Summit. This event brings passionate teachers together, with a desire to promote the growth and development of dance education. The Summit is open to studio owners, studio teachers, K-12 educators, dance professionals and teaching assistants from across the globe! Leading the inspiring, instructive classes is a world renowned faculty, consisting of master teachers and top industry choreographers, sharing the most cutting edge styles of dance to date.
JUMP Dance Convention is characterized as high energy, fresh and innovative- in fact they are so innovative that it’s hard to keep up with all of their new offerings. With every idea they have, JUMP places the dancers first, taking the student’s suggestions to ensure their experience with JUMP is as beneficial as possible. Every event is a change from the assembly line style of dance competitions and conventions across America. Most importantly, JUMP Dance Convention is an inspiring, educational event for all levels and ages.
October
Jump Dance Convention – Miami – Miami Convention Center – Miami, FL
Jump Dance Convention –Albany – Empire State Plaza Convention Center – Albany, NY
Jump Dance Convention – New Orleans – Hyatt Regency New Orleans – New Orleans, LA
November
Jump Dance Convention – Greeneville – Hyatt Regency Greeneville – Greeneville, SC
Jump Dance Convention – Minneapolis – Hyatt Regency Minneapolis – Minneapolis, MN
December
Jump Dance Convention – Las Vegas – Alexis Park Resort – Las Vegas, NV
Jump Dance Convention – St. Louis –St. Louis Union Station Hotel – St. Louis, MO
January
Jump Dance Convention – Kansas City – Kansas City Convention Center – Kansas City, MO
Jump Dance Convention – Washington DC –Omni Shoreham Hotel – Washington DC
Jump Dance Convention – Chicago – Hyatt Regency O’Hare – Chicago, IL
Jump Dance Convention – Houston – The Westin Galleria Houston – Houston, TX
February
Jump Dance Convention – Dallas – Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center – Dallas, TX
Jump Dance Convention – Pittsburgh – Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown – Pittsburgh, PA
Jump Dance Convention – New York – New York Hilton Midtown – New York, NY
Jump Dance Convention – Phoenix – Phoenix Convention Center – Phoenix, AZ
March
Jump Dance Convention – Westminster – The Westin Westminster – Westminster, CO
Jump Dance Convention – Portland – Oregon Convention Center – Portland, OR
Jump Dance Convention – Orlando – Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress –Orlando, FL
Jump Dance Convention – Provo – Utah Valley Convention Center – Provo, UT
April
Jump Dance Convention – Dearborn – Edward Hotel and Convention Center – Dearborn, MI
Jump Dance Convention – Santa Clara – Hyatt Regency Santa Clara – Santa Clara, CA
Jump Dance Convention – Philadelphia – Valley Forge Casino Resort – Philadelphia, PA
Jump Dance Convention – Atlanta – Hilton Atlanta – Atlanta, GA
May
Jump Dance Convention – Buffalo – Buffalo Niagara Convention Center – Buffalo, NY
Jump Dance Convention – Anaheim – Anaheim Marriot – Anaheim, CA
Jump Dance Convention – Providence – Rhode Island Convention Center – Providence, RI
June / July
Jump Dance Convention – The Dance Awards Las Vegas – The Venetian/Palazzo – Las Vegas, NV
Jump Dance Convention – The Dance Awards Orlando – Hyatt Regency Orlando – Orlando, FL
For updated tournament information, please go to JUMP Dance Convention.