TOUR DATES
February
20-22, 2026
Let’s Elevate Dance!
The Elevate workshop is an intensive training experience designed for dancers eager to explore a vibrant mix of multi-genre dance, including Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Commercial Jazz, Hip hop and more. Our expert faculty will guide you through exciting choreography and provide tips to take your skills to the next level. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or just looking to have a blast, this workshop promises a lively atmosphere and plenty of dance!
Workshop
Elevate’s workshop consists of 12+ hours of classes for all ages and levels! The workshop offers a wide variety of genres including: Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Commercial Jazz, Hip Hop + More! Workshop schedules are available one week prior to the event. See below for Sample Schedule. Please remember that workshop schedules are subject to change up to the day of the event. Please see our Info Desk or our website for the most current schedule. Depending on competition registration, the workshop schedule may vary from city to city.
DIVISION | AGE RANGE | EARLY PRICE | REGULAR PRICE |
Teen | 14-18+ | $325 | $375 |
Junior | 10-13 | $325 | $375 |
Mini | 6-9 | $325 | $375 |
VIP Experience | 7-18+ | $395 | $395 |
Teacher | 18+ | $70 | $70 |
Observer | $70 | $70 | |
ElevatePro | $75 | $75 | |
Early Registration Deadlines: 30 days before event
- All Elevate ages (Workshop & Competition) are determined as of January 1, 2026.
- The workshop ages listed above are simply guidelines; Studio Owners/Directors may use their discretion to place their dancers in the appropriate classroom levels.
- Refund Policy: If an event is canceled (for COVID or any other reason), refunds will be made within 10 days of the event. No refunds if the attendee cancels. If a dancer is unable to attend, a credit voucher will be issued towards a future Elevate event.
- Dancers must be registered for the entire workshop to compete.
- Elevate uses a cashless payment model. We do not accept cash onsite at the General Info Desk or Photo/Video Booth.
- Level changes can be made within the first two classes of the workshop. Please notify the Elevate desk of any level changes and we will exchange wristbands, if necessary.
- In some cities, levels may be combined.
VIP EXPERIENCE
Start your weekend in style with our VIP Experience! As a VIP, enjoy a Meet and Greet with Elevate Convention faculty, including an exclusive industry Q&A mentorship session, a masterclass workshop coupled with a personalized written feedback packet as well as the opportunity to perform live with your masterclass instructor during the closing show. Based on level and not age, each masterclass workshop is capped at a small number of participants to ensure you receive personalized attention from our premier instructors. This rare and intimate opportunity to refine your dance skills in an exclusive, high-impact learning environment allows for more detailed instruction, feedback, and focused skill development. Intermediate: The intermediate masterclass is designed for dancers who have a solid foundation and are eager to refine their technique and expand their repertoire. By registering, you’re taking the next step on your dance journey with personalized instruction from experienced professionals. Advanced: The advanced masterclass is designed for experienced dancers who are ready to delve into complex techniques and elevate their performance to a new level. By registering, you’ll immerse yourself in an intensive class that challenges your skills and hones your artistry. The VIP Experience is an incredible opportunity to make your Elevate weekend extra special! The VIP Experience package is available for $395 and can be purchased both online and onsite. Space is limited – The VIP Experience is an add-on option to a full workshop registration and is only available to the first 100 registrations.
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
FRIDAY
TIME | ACTIVITY | ||
7:30am-10:00pm | Registration | ||
8:00am-6:00pm | Elevate Competition | ||
6:30pm-9:00pm | VIP Experience |
SATURDAY
TIME | ACTIVITY | ||
7:00am | Registration | ||
7:30am-8:00am | Welcome Party | ||
8:00am-11:45am | Morning Workshop Classes | ||
11:45am-12:45pm | Lunch | ||
12:45pm-3:15pm | Afternoon Workshop Classes |
SUNDAY
|
TIME |
ACTIVITY |
||
|
7:30am-8am |
Warm-up |
||
|
8:00am-11am |
Morning Workshop Classes |
||
|
11am-11:45am |
Lunch |
||
|
11:45am-1:45pm |
Afternoon Workshop Classes |
||
|
2:00pm-6:00pm |
The Closing Show |
OBSERVERS
Parents of registered dancers are allowed into the workshop classes and VIP Experience if they have purchased an Observer wristband through their studio or onsite. Observer wristbands will be sold at the Info Desk for $70. Elevate uses a cashless payment model. We do not accept cash onsite at the Info Desk. Observers do not have access to the closed audition workshops at any time. Observer wristbands are not required for the Competition or Closing Show. Elevate reserves the right to limit observers within each ballroom, subject to attendance and space limitations. If the limit is reached prior to convention, Observer wristbands will not be sold at the door. Elevate reserves the right to revoke any Observer privileges. One-day Observer wristbands are not available. Observers 5 years and under are free, as long as they are accompanied by a paid Observer. NO videotaping or photography allowed at any point during the workshop classes. Still photos can be taken in between classes, with the faculty, etc. Observer wristbands are NON-REFUNDABLE. No exceptions.
SCHOLARSHIPS
At Elevate Convention, our mission is to provide dancers opportunities to grow far beyond their experience on the convention weekend. Scholarship auditions and opportunities are a great way for dancers to receive recognition for all their hard work. The auditions also provide a “real world experience” where dancers can learn their strengths and weaknesses in an audition room. Our auditions are hosted by our faculty members in a way that makes this a fun experience without the fear of being judged. To be considered for any and all scholarships, dancers must attend ALL of their convention classes as well as their scheduled scholarship audition workshop. No additional registration is required. Distribution of any and all scholarships are up to the discretion of Elevate Faculty.
ELEVATE
In each Elevate city, faculty members will award an Elevate scholarship to a standout dancer. This could be a dancer who excels in class, shows great potential, or catches the faculty’s eye for a special reason. Scholarship recipients will be invited to return to one Elevate event in the 2027-2028 regional season to participate in the workshop free of charge! Scholarships are open to dancers in any workshop room: Mini, Junior and Teen. Dancers are eligible for only one scholarship per season.
TECHNIQUE TURNED UP
In each Elevate city, faculty members will award a Tech TURNED UP scholarship to a standout dancer. This could be a dancer who excels in class, shows great potential, or catches the faculty’s eye for a special reason. Recipients receive a partial scholarship to Elevate’s Technique TURNED-UP Summer Intensive! Scholarships are open to dancers in any workshop room: Mini, Junior and Teen. Dancers are eligible for only one scholarship per season.
DANCE DAD DANCE BATTLe
During our closing show, Elevate Convention holds a Dance Dad Dance Battle! Volunteers are called to the stage to battle it out for the title of “Elevate’s Dance Dad.” The volunteers battle it out over a round of improvisation before a winner is crowned. Elevate’s Dance Dad is awarded the Dance Dad Battle Scholarship, which is good for their child to come back to one Elevate Convention workshop during the 2027-2028 regional season, free of charge! Elevate’s Dance Dad must provide the name of their dancer at the time of crowning. The Dance Dad Battle Scholarship is non-transferrable between dancers. Good luck Dads!
STUDIO SCHOLARSHIP
Each studio that brings 10 or more paying dancers to the workshop will receive an Elevate Studio Scholarship. The Studio Scholarship allows a Teacher to select one dancer from their studio to come back to one Elevate workshop during the 2027-2028 regional season, free of charge! This scholarship was started as a tool for studio owners to help their dancers connect the convention experience with their studio experience.
COMPETITION
Dancers take center stage to showcase routines to their chosen music. Each routine will perform in front of a panel of judges, giving dancers the opportunity to shine and receive valuable feedback from industry professionals.
COMPETITION DIVISIONS & TIME LIMITS
| DIVISION | TIME LIMIT | > 30 DAYS / Dancer | < 30 DAYS / Dancer |
| Solo | 2:45 | $140 | $165165 |
| Duo/Trio | 2:45 | $75 | $85 |
| Small Group (4-9 Dancers) | 3:00 | $60 | $80 |
| Large Group (10-17 Dancers) | 4:00 | $60 | $80 |
| Line (18-24 Dancers) | 5:00 | $60 | $80 |
| Production (25+ Dancers) | 6:00 | $60 | $80 |
75
There will be a 15-second “grace period” allowed for each routine. After a routine is 15 seconds over the time limit, 1 point will be deducted for each second past the “grace period.” Time and classification limitations will be strictly enforced.
AGE DIVISIONS
|
DIVISION |
AGES |
|
Open |
19-35 |
|
Senior |
16-18 |
|
Teen |
13-15 |
|
Junior |
11-12 |
|
Mini |
10 and Under |
All Elevate ages (Workshop & Competition)
are determined as of January 1, 2026.
- To reach the average age of an entry, add all the ages together and divide by the number of dancers in the entry. When averaging ages always DROP THE DECIMAL POINT. For example, if a routine average is 12.7, you would drop the decimal, therefore the routine would compete in the 11-12 year old age category.
- The average age of each entry must not drop more than one age division below the age of the oldest dancer in the entry, regardless of the actual average age. Example: an entry contains dancers ranging in age from 9-17, the entry may not compete younger than the 13-15 age category (one division younger than the oldest dancer – 17).
- Any routine with a dancer 21 years of age or older must compete in the Open age division regardless of the average age of the routine.
- Group routines with 4+ dancers are allowed to “age up” only to the next age division.
- Names and ages of all dancers must appear on the entry form or it will not be accepted.
- All competing dancers must be prepared to present a birth certificate should a question arise.
PERFORMANCE DIVISIONS
Ballet: Routine consists of 100% ballet technique.
Hip Hop: Routine consists of 100% standard street styles and/or trends.
Contemporary: Open for interpretation: including lifts, genre styles, and storytelling.
Jazz: Routine consists of primarily jazz technique. 80% Jazz, 20% Open for interpretation.
Acro: Routine consists of primarily acrobatics technique. 80% Acro, 20% Open for interpretation.
Ballroom: Routine consists of primarily ballroom technique. 80% Ballroom, 20% Open for interpretation.
Lyrical: Routine consists of primarily lyrical technique. 40% Ballet, 20% Jazz, 20% Open for interpretation.
Jazz Funk: Open for interpretation: including lifts, genre styles and storytelling. 60% Jazz, 40% street styles and/or trends.
Judges reserve the right to change the performance division of a number if they feel it is incorrectly placed.
JUDGES CRITERIA
- Technique: 50%
- Performance: 20%
- Choreography & Musicality: 20%
- Overall Appearance: 10%
ADJUDICATED AWARDS
ELEVATE, Platinum, High Gold, Gold, and High Silver awards will be presented based on the following combined scores:
- ELEVATE: 291-300
- Platinum: 282-290
- High Gold: 273-281
- Gold: 264-272
- High Silver: 255-263
PLACEMENT AWARDS
In addition to the adjudicated awards, competitive 1st through 10th Overall Place awards will also be given to the highest scoring Solo, Duo, Group, Line, and Production, in each of the Mini, Junior, Teen, Senior, all age categories.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Professionalism: All competitors are expected to behave respectfully toward judges, officials, and other competitors. Sportsmanship: While on the competition premises, competitors shall conduct themselves at all times in a civil and sportsmanlike manner. Costume and Appearance: Appropriateness and adherence to dress code.
DISQUALIFICATION
Grounds for disqualification include:
- Failing to adhere to dress codes
- Excessive or inappropriate behavior on the floor
- Disregarding competition rules or safety measures
JUDGE’S DECISIONS
All decisions made by the judges are final. No appeals will be entertained unless there is a breach of competition protocol.
MUSIC REQUIREMENTS
- Easily upload your music to your TourPro account!
- Audio files are accepted in MP3, WAV, M4A or AIF format only, up to 50 MB each. We recommend MP3 format.
- Music will NOT be accepted on-site. The music file uploaded by the deadline will be the music that is played. There will be no exceptions. Please be sure to double check all files in your TourPro account prior to arriving.
- ALWAYS have a back-up in another format (like an iPod/iPhone) just in case!
ONLINE CRITIQUES
Within 72 hours after each event, all score sheets & online critiques will be made available to the users of the TourPro account from which the registration was originally submitted. Individual registrants will have full access to their critiques if they submitted their own registration, regardless of whether they are associated with a studio. If a studio prefers to have sole access to these critiques, all registrations must be submitted through their Studio account and not from any Individual accounts.
VIDEO AND PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography and Video recording from any media devices (i.e. digital cameras, cell phones, SLR’s, Flip, etc.) is strictly prohibited during competition. This is to enforce the children’s safety and privacy, as well as protecting the work of choreographers and faculty. Elevate offers FREE professional photo and video services at each of our events and on our website after the event.
ADMISSION
Admission to Elevate Competition and Closing Show is FREE for those affiliated with the event (must be with a registered dancer). Registered Teachers and Studio Owners will be given reserved seating during the Competition.
PROPS
NO dangerous props may be used during the competition (swords, fire, etc.). General props are allowed but must be taken on and off the stage within two minutes total. It is the sole responsibility of each studio to ensure that its props are taken on and off stage. Elevate staff cannot help with props. It is also the studio’s responsibility to ensure that the stage is completely clean and clear after the routine is finished. Please do not build props backstage as this can be hazardous to the performers. For safety, dancers cannot stand above 6’6″ on a prop. Props that stand above 10′ are not guaranteed to fit on the Elevate stage.
PAINT, POWDER, CHALK, ETC.
Elevate does not allow the use of paint, powder or chalk. If you are using another substance (glitter, water, etc) that you think MIGHT be an issue, please contact us and ask us before you register that routine.
- Routines can request one power source backstage if they need to plug in and power a prop used for a routine.
- Any special lighting that a studio wants to bring on stage (to create their own lighting effects) must be administered and created by the dancers that are registered for the routine. A Studio’s special lighting cannot be controlled by a teacher or parent from the wings or backstage.
- No special lighting requests can be submitted to the event.
RULES & REGULATIONS
- To compete at Elevate a dancer must be registered for the entire Workshop.
- The deadline for competition changes is 2 weeks prior to the event. No changes will be accepted after this date.
- Professional dancers are welcome for the workshop, and can participate in the competition; however, professional dancers ages 21 or older can only compete in the Open category. Elevate considers a “professional” to be anyone that teaches at a dance studio on a regular basis and/or anyone that derives more than 50% of their income from dance.
- Competing dancers may compete for one studio only, unless there is a rare circumstance where Elevate director has granted prior consent.
- Dancers and routines may compete in more than one city.
- All numbers must appear according to their scheduled sequence.
- Judges may stop a number in progress and request that it be repeated. If Elevate’s equipment fails, the studio may choose to continue or to re-do the number. If performers’ equipment fails, the performance must continue or be withdrawn.
- Competing dancers should be ready 30-45 minutes prior to their scheduled competition time. The Competition may run up to 45 minutes early and each dancer will be expected to perform at the earlier time. Also, please keep this in mind if you are leaving the venue and plan on returning for Awards.
- Elevate reserves the right to change all rules and regulations at any time without notice. All questions that arise are resolved by the discretion of the Elevate Directors.
- Routines can request one power source backstage if they need to plug in and power a prop used for a routine.
- Any special lighting and/or prop that a studio wants to bring on stage (to create their own lighting effects) must be administered and created by the dancers that are registered for the routine. A Studio’s special lighting and/or prop cannot be controlled by a teacher or parent from the wings or backstage.
- At Elevate, we value loyalty to studios. We do not allow teachers or studio owners to solicit dancers from other studios at any of our events. The first offense will result in a warning. If any additional offenses occur, the studio will not be permitted to attend any future Elevate event until further notice
