DANCER OF THE YEAR
The Dancer of the Year competition at WCE Studio Nationals is our most prestigious individual honor — recognizing dancers who exemplify excellence in performance, versatility, stage presence, and artistry.
This title is designed to celebrate dancers who shine both in the moment and under pressure, combining technical skill, performance quality, and adaptability across multiple competitive formats.
Every dancer attending Studio Nationals is eligible to compete — simply register to be considered.
HOW IT WORKS
How the Dancer of the Year Competition Works – The Dancer of the Year experience is thoughtfully structured to mirror industry-level expectations while remaining accessible, exciting, and rewarding for dancers at every stage.
Round One: Audition Class & Solo
Dancers will be evaluated using a balanced scoring system:
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- 50% Audition Class
- 50% Solo Performance Score
This round highlights both technical foundation and individual performance quality.
Advancing Rounds:
Top 20 Announcement
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- The Top 20 dancers will be announced based on combined scores from Round One.
Top 10 On-Stage Improv
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- The Top 10 dancers will advance to an on-stage improvisation round
- Dancers will perform to live music, showcasing adaptability, musicality, and presence
Top 3 Dancer of the Year Dance-Off
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- The Top 3 dancers will re-compete their solo in the Dancer of the Year Dance-Off
- Final rankings will be determined following this performance
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AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Top 10 Dancer of the Year Finalists and Winners Receive the Following:
TOP 10 FINALISTS
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WINNER
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Official Dancer of the Year Plaque with Photo
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Exclusive Dancer of the Year Jacket
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Professional on-site photo shoot (Saturday morning)
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Recognition throughout the Studio Nationals weekend
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Featured highlight across WCE Dance social media platforms
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Dedicated reel feature showcasing their artistry
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Recognition as Dancer of the Year at Studio Nationals
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Top 3 Assistant opportunity for the following WCE season
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One (1) year of free solo competition entry at WCE events (excluding Nationals)
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ELIGIBILITY
- All registered dancers are eligible for the Dancer of the Year competition
IMPORTANT COMPETITION NOTES
- Solo placements are awarded during the Solo Competition only
- No solo placement will be given within the Dancer of the Year competition itself
- All dancers are eligible to participate — registration is the only requirement
- Dancers must register different solos if they choose to participate in both the Dancer of the Year and the Style Spotlight Artist competitions.
WHY COMPETE FOR DANCER OF THE YEAR?
The Dancer of the Year title is more than a win — it is a career-defining opportunity designed to:
- Prepare dancers for professional-level auditions and environments
- Encourage versatility across performance formats
- Recognize leadership, confidence, and individuality
- Elevate dancers within the WCE community and beyond
At WCE, Dancer of the Year reflects not only how a dancer performs — but how they rise to the moment.
Registration details, schedules, and audition information will be provided prior to Studio Nationals.
We cannot wait to celebrate the next generation of WCE Dancer of the Year finalists.
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@WCE_Dance | West Coast Elite Dance Studio Nationals
