Competition Opportunities for 2027

 

ALTHOUGH ESB IS PRIMARILY A PERFORMANCE BASED STUDIO.,WE DO ATTEND SEVERAL COMPETITIONS.  WE FIND THESE VERY BENEFICIAL TO THE DANCERs AND EXPOSES THEM TO A LARGER WORLD OF DANCE.  

 

Only dancers in Ballet 1 and up are allowed to compete unless they have teacher approval.  If your dancer is younger, feel free to read on and get an idea of what we do on the competitive side of dance for the future.

 

Competitions are filling up faster each year so we need to gauge interest and have a list of participants going now so we can register (many are open now).  Some offer Early Registration rates and we want to avoid any late registration fees.  

 

PLEASE understand our teachers attend multiple weekends with NO payment for their time.  This does NOT exist at most studios. We do this because we want to make this feasible for ALL our dancers and parents.  What we ask in return is a timely response of what your dancer is planning to compete so we can have a solid plan for the fall and have active participation from parents regarding costumes, class attendance, etc. Because there are many hours of admin work for us, we will ask each family to pay a one-time $25 fee (per the season, not per competition!).

 

Also, it is VERY important we hear from dancer’s parents. We will not register a student without parental approval.  

 

Options for Ballet 3 and up with teacher approval: 

 

• Competing a Classical Variation (Must be signed up for at least 1 variations class or a weekly private) and attending an appropriate number of classes a week for the dancer’s level.

• Competing a Contemporary Solo (Must be signed up for a solo prep class or doing a weekly private) and be in a contemporary class.

• Duets/trios/Small groups depending on interest.

 

Important Info for Fall Advanced Contemporary Class:

We are planning to work on a group number during this class to compete at UBC and IBC (info on them is below) and will be starting choreography during the Contemporary Workshop, so please get signed up for this workshop if you haven’t already.  Attendance in Advanced Contemporary will be very important and if your dancer is unable to compete in both UBC and IBC we will need to decide if they should switch to Intermediate Contemporary or just learn on the side. IBC does not have an intermediate level so this piece will need to be at a competitive level. 

 

Options for Ballet 1 and Ballet 2 with teacher approval:

 

Gravit*8 and ID Competitions are appropriate for this level. More info on them below.

 

-Compete a solo (genre decided by teacher and dancer)

-Duet/trios/Small Group depending on interest

The 3:15-4:00 Competition Prep slots are designated for elementary school dancers and are on a first come first serve basis.

-Private/Semi private lessons are also available.

 

What does teacher approval Mean: 

It means if your dancer is interested in competing, the teachers will ultimately decide if they are ready and if the competitions you are interested in are appropriate for them. This is to ensure the dancer is put in a situation that helps them grow and inspires them rather than discourages them. Every dancer is different and we always want to have these experiences have a positive outcome.

 

Who can choreograph my contemporary solo/duet etc.?

 

Ms Gabe 

Ms Gabby 

Ms Jenna

Ms Jordan (Before or after contemporary workshop hours only)

Self Choreography (Only acceptable for advanced contemporary)

Ms Alaithia  (She is only here for the summer) so this would need to be worked on quickly

Ms Harlee, but time is very limited 

All Ballet 5’s may be interested if requested 

If you have another choreographer you know, we are open to other options 

 

P.S. If you pick someone to choreograph the other teachers will NOT be upset, we all work together here!

 

When should choreography for solos start and how? 

You can start as soon as possible.  If you are signed up for a 3:15 slot during the week in the fall, we can choreograph during that time or ahead of time with privates.  Choreography should be done in private lessons, NOT during the nightly cleaning sessions. We simply don’t have time during this hour to choreograph with the amount of time and so many dancers. 

 

Costumes:

Dancers will be responsible for their own costumes.  We obviously have a lot of costumes in studio, and if we have something they can use we will gladly let them use it free of charge, but each variation and solo is unique so please take an active interest in helping us get an appropriate costume for your dancer ahead of time.  Classical variation costumes take up to 3 months so PLEASE make sure we have discussed this with plenty of prep time and DO NOT assume it’s just taken care of.  Also please discuss the style, look etc with your choreographer before ordering anything. 

 

What Competitions are we planning to attend in Date Order?  

Please read about all of these even if your dancer does not qualify so you can see what the future potentially brings.  Also, ALL of these competitions have websites so you are  welcome to check them out yourself and rules, regulations, levels, ages, dates, location etc. 

 

UBC (Universal Ballet Competition) Jan 15-17

Location: The Judy Newman Center

This competition is appropriate for Ballet Levels 3 and up with teacher permission

Dancers can compete up to 2 Classical variations and 2 contemporary solos 

Each age division has an INTERMEDIATE and ADVANCED level. This will be determined by teachers.

Masterclasses at the competitions ARE REQUIRED and do impact the dancer’s score. 

 

Advanced Contemporary will plan to compete a group number at this competition.  If you cannot compete in this and are in Advanced Contemporary PLEASE let us know immediately.   We will start choreography during the Choreography Workshop.

 

Cost? 

Registration Fee:  $ 30 per dancer 

Masterclass $ 150.00 per dancer (compulsory for all dancers doing solos, optional for group dancers). 

Solos $ 125/ dancer

Duo/Trios $ 70/ dancer

Pas de Deux $ 80.00 / dancer

Ensembles $ 70 / dancer

 

Award ceremony is required. 

 

ABC/IBC (International Ballet Competition) Jan 29-31 (T)

Location: Pinnacle Performing Arts Center 

This competition is for Ballet Levels 3 and Up with Teacher permission

Dancers can compete up to 2 Classical variations and 2 contemporary solos 

THIS COMPETITION ONLY HAS A COMPETITIVE LEVEL

Masterclasses ARE REQUIRED and are 50% of the dancer’s score. 

 

Advanced Contemporary will plan to compete a group number at this competition.  If you cannot compete in this and are in Advanced Contemporary PLEASE let us know immediately.   

Early Registration
Full Payment Required by August 31, 2025

Solo Variations - $115 per variation

Pas de Deux - $240

Duo|Trio - $75 per dancer

Ensemble - $55 per dancer

Administrative Fee (per person)  - $125 (This is IBC’s fee)

 

Regular Registration
Full Payment completed on/after September 1, 2025

Solo Variations - $125 per variation

Pas de Deux - $250

Duo|Trio - $85 per dancer

Ensemble - $65 per dancer

Administrative Fee (per person)  - $125

 

Late Registration
Full Payment completed 60 days or closer to event date.

Solo Variations - $135 per variation

Pas de Deux - $260

Duo|Trio - $95 per dancer

Ensemble - $75 per dancer

Administrative Fee (per person)  - $125

 

Award ceremony is required. 

 

YAGP Feb 19-20

Location: Judy Newman Center

 

This is for Ballet 4 and up and with teacher approval.  This is highly competitive competition similar to UBC but without levels. Masterclasses are included in the cost but do not go toward your score. 

 

Cost:

$125 registration fee

They have not published fees yet but last year solo routines averaged about $200 each.

 

 

Denver Ballet Guild Young Dancers Competition Feb 26,27,28(SAME WEEKEND AS GRAVIT*8)

Location: Mapleton Arts Center

7450 N. Broadway, Denver

Ages 10 and up (ballet 3 and up with teacher approval)

 

This is one of the oldest competitions in Denver and is in our opinion the most fair and educational of all competitions even if it doesn’t feel as “fun”.  It is also one of the more affordable competitions.

 

Masterclasses count toward 50% of your score 

 

No costumes allowed 

Ages 10 and 11 masterclass only. Two dancers recognized at awards.

Ages 12 and up Classical variations are preselected, and you choose according to age. Ages 12 and up are also allowed to only take the masterclass and not compete.

Top 12 are chosen to perform at finals and all dancers, parents, and teachers observe finals.

 

Events included:

Wellness Seminar

Master Classes 

Free T_shirt

Live performances

 

Cost: 

Masterclass: $75

Competition with masterclass:$150

 

Gravit*8 Feb 25-28th

If dancers doing Guild are interested in this I can put in requests for days/times if we do it ahead of time.

 

Location:

Renaissance Denver Hotel & Conference Center

3801 Quebec St

Denver, CO 80207

 

This is a fun competition because it is in a hotel so dancers are welcome to stay at the hotel and support each other.

 

For Ages 4 and up, a minimum of Ballet 1 is recommended

This is an all-genre competition and filled up quickly last year.  

 

3 LEVELS

DEBUT

PREMIER

ELITE

 

It is up to the discretion of Studio Owners / Directors to register dancers in their appropriate competition level based on the recommendations provided. 

 

This Competition also offers an improvisation competition for an extra $10 paid at the actual competition 

 

Early bird prices: paid 30 days prior 

$150 per solo

Duo/Trio $75per dancer

Group $65 per dancer

Title: $35 per solo

Improv challenge $10 

 

FREE videos and photos

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ID Competition March 5,6,7

Location: Colorado Convention Center 

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For Ages 4 and up, a minimum of Ballet 1 is recommended

This is an all-genre competition and it is their first year in Denver. 

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Levels:

Glow: Special Needs 

Novice 

Intermediate 

Iconic 

 

It is up to the discretion of Studio Owners / Directors to register dancers in their appropriate competition level based on the recommendations provided. 

 

Pricing: TBD but probably similar to Gravit*8

 

MOST IMPORTANT PART!  If you are thinking of competing please respond as soon as possible so we can get a running list.  We will set up a zoom meeting later in the summer as needed. This form will collect your interest only and is not a firm commitment!

 

Provide response at https://www.evergreenballet.com/competitionpreference