Studio Nationals
Competition Date: May 29-30, 2026
Competition Location: DoubleTree
350 First Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
Friday, May 29th Doors Open: 3:30 p.m.
Mini Competition Starts: 4:45 p.m.
Master class Dancers 13+: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Mini Improv Approx: 8:05 p.m.
Mini Awards Approx.: 8:15 p.m.
Saturday, May 30th Doors Open: 7:30 a.m.
Parent Master Class: 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Pre-Petite, Petite & Junior Comp Starts: 9:30 a.m.
Pre-Petite, Petite & Jr. Improv Approx.: 1:41 p.m.
Pre-Petite, Petie & Jr. Awards Approx.: 1:50 p.m.
Teen & Senior Comp Starts Approx.: 2:41 p.m.
Master Class Dancers 12 & Under: 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Teen & Sr. Improv Approx.: 6:13 p.m.
Teen & Sr. Awards Approx.: 6:25 p.m.
EARLY BIRD DEADLINE: April 29, 2026
DEADLINE TO REGISTER: May 14, 2026
ROOM BLOCK: CLICK HERE
Best in Show
At The Dance Challenge, we celebrate dancers who bring more than just technique to the stage. We value sportsmanship, performance quality, age-appropriate choreography and costuming, risk-taking, and true artistry. The Final Showdown is where those values take center stage.
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All group routines are automatically eligible.
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Our judges will select a number of standout group routines that embody the spirit of The Dance Challenge—captivating performance, strong technique, and a commitment to artistry and authenticity.
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There is no set number of routines the judges can select.
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Selected routines will be invited to take the stage again in The Final Showdown, where they will compete head-to-head for the ultimate title: Best of The Challenge.
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Finalists will receive a 2nd round of judges' critiques during the Final Showdown.
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Each studio can be represented a total of 1 time in each division.
RULES:
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Scoring will be separate from regular adjudication:
20 pts Artistry & Musicality
20 pts Technique & Execution
10 pts Overall Impression
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Divisions:
12 & Under
13 & Over
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All finalists in each division will be recognized and placed according to their total score.
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Total of 2 Best of The Challenge awardees, one in each division, will be awarded an exclusive "Best of the Challenge" banner.
This is more than a final round—it’s a celebration of dancers who rise to the challenge and leave everything on the stage.
Master Class
Brittni Johnson is a licensed mental health professional, dance educator, choreographer and competitive adjudicator from St. Louis, MO. She grew up in the competitive studio environment, competed on a nationally ranked high school and college dance team at UDA Nationals, and performed with The Collaboration, a local dance company. Brittni currently owns her own private therapy practice specializing in sports performance, trauma and dancers. She travels nationally working with studios, high school and college dance teams, professional dance companies and universities providing mental wellness in dance workshops and master classes. She is excited to move with your dancers and help bring support to the dance parents this Nationals!
We are excited to be offering 3 workshops. Dancers will be split into 2 groups 12 and under and 13+ and we will have a special PARENTS workshop!
The workshop will be 90 minutes and is $25 to register.
Friday, May 29th 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Dancers 13+
Saturday, May 30th 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. Parents
Saturday, May 30th 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Dancers 12 & Under
Title Competition Rules A TDC Spotlight Artist is a dancer who demonstrates excellence in technique, authenticity in artistry, and confidence in communication. 1. Eligibility The Title Competition is open to dancers competing a solo at The Dance Challenge Nationals. Dancers must compete within their registered age division and performance level. All Title contestants must be officially pre-registered for the Title Competition. 2. Entry Requirements Title entry fee: $30 per routine. Dancers may enter up to three (3) solo routines for Title consideration. All solos must be performed in the regular competition. 3. Title Divisions Titles will be awarded based on: Age Division & Performance Level Petite Novice & Elite Mini Novice & Elite Junior Novice & Elite Teen Novice & Elite Senior Novice & Elite Each division will award: Title Winner - Challenge Spotlight Dancer Runner-Up - Challenge Rising Star Dancer 4. Scoring System Title scoring will take place during regular adjudication. No separate performance is required. Each judge will score Title contestants based on: Technique & Execution - 10 pts Overall Artistry - 10 pts Interview Question - 10 pts Maximum Score: 30 points per judge 5. Interview Component Title contestants will answer a brief interview question on stage. This score will be included in the overall Title score. 6. Final Title Score Scores from all judges will be combined to determine the final Title score. The highest overall score in each division will be named Title Winner. 7. Multiple Solo Entry Rule - if a dancer enters multiple solos, only their highest scoring solo will be used toward their Title score.
