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The JSA Competition Program is designed for dancers who are ready for a deeper level of commitment, training, and performance. Our dancers work hard, grow technically, and perform with confidence. But competition at JSA is about more than what happens on stage. We are developing dancers who lead with respect, show up for their team, support others, and represent JSA with pride. At JSA, competition dancers are not just expected to be strong performers. They are expected to be strong teammates, positive role models, and leaders within our dance community.
Invitations for Teams & Select Pieces are out now! Personal invites and audition information (including recommended classes) will be emailed out to each individual family by Saturday, June 27, 2026. Dancers must submit their final commitments no later than Sunday, July 5, 2026.
COMPETITION FAMILY Q+A SESSIONS – To ensure you have questions answered, connect with other families, and complete all necessary steps prior to July 5, we will be holding family Q+A sessions during the following times:
If you are unable to attend one of these meetings but your dancer intends to participate in the 2026-27 competition season, caregivers must meet with Amanda Loveland (Executive Director) prior to August 1, 2026.
JSA’s Mini, Junior, Teen, and Senior teams represent the highest level of commitment within the competition program.
Team dancers should expect:
Depending on age and placement, competition team dancers generally train approximately 3 to 5+ hours per week, depending on age and team.
These teams are designed for dancers who are ready to fully engage in both the performance and team culture aspects of competition.
Select pieces offer additional competition and performance opportunities outside of full team placement.
These pieces may be a great fit for dancers who:
For the 2026-2027 season, JSA plans to offer select pieces in:
Dancers may audition for select pieces independently and do not need to be placed on a full competition team, in some cases, to participate. Time commitment for select pieces are 1-3 hours per week.
Clogging may be added later in the season based on dancer interest and instructor availability. Information regarding that opportunity will be shared as it becomes available.
For the 2026–2027 season, JSA will be transitioning to Showstopper Dance Competition. We are excited about this change and believe it will provide a high-quality competition experience while keeping travel manageable for families!
This season, we will attend one Regional Competition & one National Competition (“Finals”)
March 12–14, 2027
Kellogg Arena & Full Blast
Battle Creek, MI
Families should keep the whole weekend available due to the schedule often being released just days before the competition.
June 18–21, 2027
Northern Finals
Kalahari Resort
Sandusky, OH
Additional competition details, schedules, and dancer-specific information will be shared throughout the season.
Please hold the following evening dates for extra, rehearsals at Northwest High School Auditorium (between 3:30-8:30PM):
For the 2026–2027 season, each competition team or select piece will have a flat annual competition fee.
Good news! Now that Showstopper has released its official pricing for the 2027 competition season, we are pleased to lower our previously estimated competition fee.
$500 per group piece
OR
$475 paid in full by August 31, 2026
(5% discount)
$84/month
Each competition fee includes:
The competition fee does not include:
Beginning in Fall 2026, tuition rates will increase by 10%. Families who qualify for tuition assistance will continue to receive the same level of assistance based on annual household income and household size. Tuition assistance must be renewed each program year.
Standard Monthly Tuition
Families approved for tuition assistance pay 22%, 44%, 55%, or 77% of the standard tuition rate based on their tuition assistance tier.
Beginning in Fall 2026, families pay one $35 registration fee per student each program year, regardless of the number of classes in which they enroll.
This change reduces the upfront cost for families participating in multiple classes, including competition.
For dancers participating in optional solos or duets, competition entry fees are separate from the group piece fee.
Solo = $220 Regionals/$265 Nationals (“Finals”)
Duet = $115 (per dancer) Regionals/$135 (per dancer) Nationals (“Finals”)
Choreography, costume, rehearsals, and private lesson costs not included in the above solo/duet price.
These documents outline the expectations, responsibilities, and standards for participation in the competition program.
Competition dance is a significant investment, and fundraising is one way families may choose to reduce their competition expenses.
JSA will provide program-wide fundraising opportunities throughout the season, including Holiday Showcase, Fairy Festival, and Spring Recital.
Families are also encouraged to organize fundraising independently or as a team. Whether fundraising individually or with teammates, families may decide how proceeds are divided and apply those funds directly to their JSA account to reduce competition balances.
Participation in fundraising is completely optional. Families are welcome to participate in as many or as few fundraising opportunities as they choose.
Dancers will learn the choreography that will be used during auditions in a supportive workshop-style environment. Dancers should attend the group that best aligns with the team and/or pieces they are most interested in or that is recommended according to their age. Attendance is not required in order to audition, but it is strongly encouraged to help dancers feel confident heading into audition day.
4:00–4:30 PM
Warm-Up (coach-led) & studios open for independent practice
4:30–5:30 PM
Team Choreography (Minis, Juniors, Teens & Seniors)
5:30–6:15 PM
Select Contemporary
Choreographer: Theo Bliss
6:15–7:00 PM
Select Lyrical
Choreographer: Emily Scott
7:00–7:45 PM
Select Musical Theatre
Choreographer: Kira Sophia
*The above select pieces may be auditioned for independently. Dancers are not required to be placed on a competition team in order to audition for or participate in a select piece.
Dancers will perform audition choreography for instructors and judges and may be evaluated for team placements and select pieces. Dancers should attend the audition blocks for any teams and/or select pieces they would like to be considered for. Auditions help determine the best overall fit for each dancer based on technique, performance quality, commitment, and overall program fit.
9:30 AM
Arrival & Check-In Begins (dancers should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to their audition block)
10:15–10:45 AM
Mini Team (recommended for 8 & Under)
10:15–10:45 AM
Parent/Caregiver Meeting (option 1)
10:45–11:15 AM
Junior Team (recommended for 9-11 yr olds)
11:15–12:15 PM
Teen (recommended for 12-14 yr olds) & Senior Teams (recommended for 15-19 yr olds)
11:45–12:15 PM
Parent/Caregiver Meeting (option 2)
12:15–1:15 PM
Lunch Break
1:00-1:30 PM
Parent/Caregiver Meeting (option 3)
1:15–1:45 PM
Select Contemporary (Choreographed by Theo Bliss)
1:45–2:15 PM
Select Musical Theatre (Choreographed by Kira Sophia)
2:15–2:45 PM
Select Lyrical (Choreographed by Emily Scott)
*The above select pieces may be auditioned for independently and do not require placement on a competition team.
We understand that June can be a busy time for families. Dancers are not required to attend Choreography Learning Night or Audition Day in order to be considered for the 2026–2027 Competition Program.
All audition choreography will be recorded and shared with registered participants following Choreography Learning Night.
Dancers who are unable to attend in person may submit a video audition for consideration.
We strongly encourage dancers to attend Choreography Learning Night and Audition Day whenever possible, but we do not want scheduling conflicts to prevent interested dancers from auditioning.
Invite-only callbacks for select pieces have been announced!
These callbacks are intended for dancers who were identified during the initial audition process as potential candidates for specific advanced performance opportunities.
Please note: Dancers submitting auditions by video remain eligible for callback consideration. As video auditions are reviewed, additional callback numbers may be added to this list. All video auditions must be submitted by June 17, 2026, in order to be considered for callbacks and team placement.
Saturday, June 20, 2026
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Previously listed as the “Open Piece.” Due to competition category requirements, this piece will now compete as a Select Lyrical Jazz piece. This change impacts classification only. The choreography, artistic vision, and opportunities associated with the piece remain unchanged.
