GALA (Finals + Closing Awards)

Welcome to the WCE Studio Nationals Gala — our finals competition and closing celebration honoring the Best of the Best from the entire weekend. This is where the weekend’s standout routines return to the stage, final honors are revealed live, and our biggest titles are awarded in a formal, elevated atmosphere.

Think: prestige, spotlight, and a true “final night” moment for your dancers, your studio, and your season.

WHAT IS THE GALA?

The Gala is the official Finals Showcase + Closing Awards for WCE Studio Nationals.
It includes:

• Finals performances featuring top-scoring routines from the weekend
• All Stars performances (Mini/Junior + Teen/Senior)- Any dancer that is awarded in the Top 10 for their solos at a WCE Studio Regional competition
• Closing awards announced on stage
• Special recognition including Judges’ Picks, Studio Awards, Dancer of the Year, and Studio of the Year

This event is designed to feel formal + classy — a night where excellence is celebrated with the full WCE spotlight.

WHO PERFORMS IN THE GALA?

Finals Competition (Best of the Best)

The following routines are invited to re-compete:

• Top 5 highest-scoring dances in each age bracket:
  • Mini
  • Junior
  • Teen
  • Senior
• Highest-scoring Petite Group will also perform.

Level Invitations (Bronze + Silver)

To ensure incredible representation across divisions, the Gala also invites:

• Highest-scoring Mini/Junior routine from Bronze and Silver
• Highest-scoring Teen/Senior routine from Bronze and Silver

(These routines are invited to perform as part of the Gala showcase.)

All Stars Performances

• Mini/Junior All Stars perform
• Teen/Senior All Stars perform

CLOSING AWARDS (Live on Stage)

Awards are announced on stage during the Gala, including:

Major Titles

• Dancer of the Year
• Studio of the Year

Judges’ Picks + Specialty Recognition

Judges will award standout routines and performers with special honors such as:

• Technique
• Choreography
• Showmanship
• Costume
• (and additional categories as selected by the panel)

Studio Awards + Weekend Honors

Select studio recognitions and weekend achievements will be announced as part of the closing celebration.

“TOP GENRE STUDIO” AWARDS

This is one of the most respected studio honors of the weekend — recognizing studios whose work consistently rises to the top.

Genres Included

• Lyrical
• Hip Hop
• Jazz
• Contemporary
• Tap
• Ballroom
• Ballet

How it Works

• Awarded across 3 age brackets
• The top dance from each bracket is used
• Those scores are averaged to determine the winning studio in that genre

Important Rules

• A studio may win only one “Top Genre Studio” award (highest scoring genre takes priority)
• These awards are based on preliminary scores (not Gala scores)
• Winners receive a commemorative plaque with a photo
• Winning a Top Genre Studio award does not exclude a studio from Studio of the Year

A FORMAL, ELEVATED NIGHT

The Gala is intentionally produced to feel like a true closing-night event:

• Formal + classy presentation
• Spotlight staging
• Prestige-focused awards experience
• A celebratory environment that honors the highest level of performance and artistry

Suggested Attire: Formal / elevated (dancers + guests are encouraged to lean “Gala Night”!)

TEACHER CHAMPAGNE TOAST

A special moment for the educators who make it all happen:

Teacher Champagne Toast takes place 20 minutes before doors open.

TICKETS

Advance tickets will go on sale prior to the event.
The Gala is expected to sell out. We strongly recommend purchasing tickets early once released.

(Ticket details, pricing, and the on-sale date will be posted here as soon as they are announced.)

WHY THE GALA MATTERS?

This isn’t just another awards ceremony — it’s a finals night built to celebrate the dancers and studios that defined the weekend. If your team is invited, it’s because your work rose to the top — and the Gala is where that achievement gets the moment it deserves.