Inspire Competition Team

2024 auditions took place in May. Check back later for 2025 audition information.

Dancers who are at least four years old and no older than 19 years old by January 1 of the upcoming dance season may audition for Inspire Competition Team. All dancers who are accepted into the Inspire Competition Team will be placed on one of five leveled company teams based on their age, experience and ability level. Most Inspire team members will also dance in a Production number together.

Dancers with prior competition team experience who are between 9-18 years old can audition for our Hip Hop and Tap teams. Our Contemporary and Jazz teams are invitation-only, based on a dancer’s audition scores, prior experience, and ability level. Dancers who are placed on any of these teams will compete with one dance for each Special Team they are on, in addition to their other group dances.

Conventions and Workshops

In addition to competitions, our team also attends conventions where dancers get the opportunity to take class in a variety of styles from nationally-renowned instructors.

Scholarships

Each year, we have many dancers who are awarded scholarships to dance in New York, Hollywood, and various other locations due to their hard work and talent!

Community Performances

The team often performs in community events such as the Northeastern State University Lights On ceremony in November and the NSU Pom Showcase in the Spring.

Solos, Duos, Trios

Returning team members who demonstrate a great attitude, work ethic and commitment may be rewarded with a solo, duo, and/or trio.

2025 Audition Date

Auditions for the 2024-2025 season have passed. Audition information for the 2025-2026 TBD.

Age Requirements

Dancer must be 4 years old and no older than 19 years old on or before January 1st of the upcoming dance season (August through May).

Experience

Competition team experience is not required, but dance experience is strongly encouraged.

Skills

Above all, we value hard work, commitment, grit, and a great attitude. We also look for dancers that are able to pick up choreography quickly under pressure, and dancers with excellent performance quality. Below you can see a list of potential skills we are looking for when assessing dancers. Team placement is based on a combination of work ethic, ability, and age.

Required Attire

Dancers should wear a black leotard that covers the torso, tan tights, and tan jazz shoes, with hair pulled securely away from the face.

Dancers auditioning for Tap should bring black lace up tap shoes. Dancers auditioning for Hip Hop should bring clean indoor-only sneakers, and may bring loose-fitting clothing to put on over their leotard and tights.

Dancers will be evaluated on their attire at auditions.

INFORMATION MEETING

Dancers and at least one parent must attend the Information Meeting which is typically scheduled for the Monday following auditions.

FUNDRAISERS

Competition dance can be an investment. We offer fundraising opportunities throughout the year so that you can provide your dancer with the unique and highly beneficial experiences of a competition team stress-free. Fundraisers are optional but encouraged.

SUMMER CLASSES

Dancers must participate in summer dance throughout June and July.

FALL/SPRING CLASSES

Competition team members must enroll in weekly competition classes. Most dancers will have a 60-minute Production class, and all dancers will have a 45-60 minute company team class. Special teams members will have a 45-60 minute class for each special team they are on. All competition classes take place on Monday evenings.

Competition team members must also enroll in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz, and each company team has additional class requirements depending on the level.

COMPETITIONS AND CONVENTIONS

Competition team members will attend one convention in the fall, where they will take a variety of dance classes from nationally-renowned dance instructors, as well as three to four competitions in the spring. Conventions and competitions take place during weekends.

RECITAL

All Inspire Competition Team dances are performed at our annual recital in May, in addition to their various recital class dances.

COMMUNITY PERFORMANCES

Inspire Competition Team performs in various community events in order to provide our dancers with performance exposure and confidence. We usually perform in NSU’s Lights On ceremony in November and the NSU Pom Showcase in the spring. We may participate in other community events as they become available to us.