Vivette’s Dance Studio
Starfeet Academy Competition Team
Frequently Asked Questions
Our philosophy may be a little different.
We recognize that competition is a part of life and that when you compete you try to do your best. But, we also
recognize that dance is only a part of our student’s lives and not their exclusive interest. We encourage dancers to
be their best, to work for improvement, to strive for new techniques and abilities. We hold good sportsmanship to be
a quality prized above all others. We want our dancers to be winners in their own eyes, no matter the trophy
brought home. We do not go to competition to “beat” others, to “crush” or “dominate”. We are athletes who dance.
1. Who Can Compete?
Anyone with one year of dance experience at any studio is eligible to join Vivette’s Dance Studio’s competition
teams. We do not audition. We do not take only the “best”. We find the “best” in each dancer who joins. We
expect commitment from dancers who join.
We strongly encourage dancers who join our teams to take the summer technique classes.
2. What kind of commitment?
We expect dancers to have good attendance in their regular classes.
We expect dancers to attend all competition classes. We understand family situations, we do not understand
signing up for a sports team at the same time.
We expect that dancers will attend scheduled competitions as usually due to choreography, if one member of a
team is absent the team cannot go.
We expect that dancers will abide by the dress code, attending dressed to dance with all necessary shoes and hair.
We expect that parents will keep up with the additional financial obligations of being a member of the team.
We expect that parents will do their absolute best to ensure that their dancer gets where they need to be when they
need to be there, wearing what they need to wear.
3. What are extra costs?
Much like a traveling sports team there are extra costs for uniforms, equipment and travel.
Costs will vary, but in general….
Team warm up will cost approximately $95 for the jacket and pants with all embroidery if ordered new. We have
some used pants available from team members who have outgrown. Price varies due to the size of the initial order.
A costume for each routine
$50.00 is the approximate cost of a costume. We are sometimes able to “recycle” costumes or buy clearance
costumes, and do so whenever possible!
All members of a team need to have the same shoes, so occasionally we may need to buy new shoes to compliment
the look.
Competition fees: Prices vary for each competition attended, but in general the fee is $35.00 per dancer per dance.
So, if your dancer is in 1 dance and we attend 4 competitions you will pay $150.00 in fees.
Hotel and travel expenses: We try to stay close to home to keep costs down, but scheduling may dictate an
overnight stay in a hotel. We frequently “picnic” in the lobby at lunch.
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4. Why do we have to take regular classes and team classes?
We don’t have the mentality of the team kids being “special”, and therefore in special classes. It’s more like a club
with team classes being for the purpose of learning the competition dances.
5. What about fundraising?
We have done some fundraising in the past and probably will do so.
6. How many competitions will we go to and what happens if we win?
Each company holds regionals and nationals. We have chosen to do more regional’s and not attend nationals as
nationals in dance tend to be just a more expensive competition in more expensive locations dancing against the
same people who were in the regional’s. It’s not really like sports with only state winners moving up to nationals.
In 2009-10 we attended Talent on Parade in Wichita, Elite Dance Cup in Wichita, and IDC in Lawrence. We were
scheduled for a 4th, but it cancelled. Other competitions we might attend in 2010-11 include Platinum or Odyssey in
Wichita and DMA in KC.
7. When Can My Dancer Do A Solo? And how much does that cost?
We encourage group dances for the 1st year of competition, unless the dancer has a lot of previous dance
experience. We will work with each dancer’s strengths to choreograph a dance that stretches her abilities and
shows off her best qualities as a dancer and performer.
Choreography fees for Solos, Duets and Trio’s are $50.00 per dance. Rehearsal fees are $15.00 per half hour
rehearsal. Duets and Trio’s split fees amongst number of dancers.
Competition fees for Solos are in the range of $75.00. Duets and Trio’s fees range from $35 to $45 per dancer
depending on the sponsoring competition company.
Costumes for Solos, Duets and Trio’s may be purchased new or recycled depending on the dance and availability.
Dancers in Solos or D/T will sign a contract.
8. Who decides what kinds of dances are done?
The coaches decide which dances and styles will be performed each season with input from dancers. A dancer may
request a particular song or style for a solo or D/T but the coach may suggest something different if the coach does
not think this is a good match for the dancer. Some songs are great to listen to, but not good to dance to.
9. What are Conventions?
Conventions are a day or two of classes. Attendance is optional but very beneficial.
We plan to attend Dance Direction in Wichita (cost approx $70 for older dancers, $50 for younger ones) in the fall.
Miss Vivette is a member of Dance Masters America; Heart of America Chapter based out of KC. DMA holds 2
convention/workshops a year one in fall and one in spring. We hope to attend one or both this year.
10. Where else do we perform?
Where ever we are asked! We try to perform several times a year at nursing homes, community performances,
charity events, basketball games. The SFA dancers are my “go to” when asked to provide performers.
11 Conclusion
Over the years, I have seen dancers who participated in SFA (Starfeet Academy( grow and improve in technique,
self-esteem and confidence. There are some aspects of competition that I heartily dislike, but many more that I
appreciate. It’s a great way for the dancer who loves to dance to do more!