NATIONALS with SPOTLIGHT:
Exciting Family Vacation Destinations. The Elite Performance Team. World-Class Judges. Free Master Classes. A Rewarding Competitive Environment. Distinctive Awards. The SDC Title Experience. The Infamous Parent Dance Down. Two Extravaganza Showcases. Inclusive Performance Opportunities. The One-Of-A-Kind Freestyle Dance Down. The Original Blacklight Party.
Our Summer Is Looking Pretty Good.
What’s Yours Look Like?
midwest
june 14-19 2026
FRENCH LICK, in
west coast
july 06-12 2026
palm springs, ca
PACIFIC NW
july 13-19 2026
seaside, or
SPOTLIGHT NATIONALS
everything you NEED TO KNOW
QUALIFICATION:
RECEIVE A DIAMOND, RUBY, OR EMERALD PLACEMENT at a Regional competition or by video qualification. Dancer substitution at a National event is permitted when 50% of the original participants are retained for Duos/Trios, Groups, Lines, and Productions.
NOTE: Routines receiving the Overall High Score Award in the Diamond Class at the previous year’s National Championship Finals are ineligible to compete with the same or different dancers in the current year’s Regional or National competitions.
VIDEO QUALIFICATION:
If unable to attend one of our competitions during the Regional season, routines can qualify for Nationals by registering via Video Qualification. Submitted routines will receive their placement scores and one judge's critique.
Login to your DanceCompGenie account for rates and deadlines when they become available.
PHOTOGENIC:
ALL REGIONAL PHOTOGENIC WINNERS WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY ENTERED for the National Photogenic Title! If a dancer was not chosen or did not compete at a Regional event they may enter the Last Chance Contest at Nationals. Entry available in-person at the Spotlight Boutique.
SHARING THE SPOTLIGHT:
All Regional Sharing the Spotlight winners are automatically entered into our National Sharing the Spotlight contest – with a chance to win up to $10,000 in scholarships for continued dance education. If a dancer was not chosen or entered at a Regional event they still may enter the Last Chance Sharing the Spotlight contest. Visit the Scholarship Opportunities page to apply.
All Last Chance applications must be submitted by JUNE 01.
the nationals title experience:
DID you EARN A DIAMOND OR RUBY PLACEMENT AT REGIONALS FOR YOUR TITLE SOLO?
YOU’ve QUALIFied TO COMPETE FOR TITLE AT SPOTLIGHT NATIONALS!
ELITE GEMS TITLE:
ELITE GEMS TITLE COMPETITORS are granted automatic qualification into the Spotlight Elite Performance Team; will participate in the Elite Gems National Title Promenade, receive free coaching sessions, and enjoy VIP Access to the Elite Gems Extravaganza; an incredible way to spend your week at Nationals!
FUTURE GEMS TITLE:
NEW THIS YEAR!
FUTURE GEMS TITLE COMPETITORS receive free coaching sessions, and enjoy VIP Access to the Future Gems Extravaganza; a great way to gain competition experience!
ELITE GEMS TITLE COMPETITION INCLUDES:
PARTICIPATION IN SPOTLIGHT ELITE • SOLO PERFORMANCE(S) • ONSTAGE INTERVIEW • IMPROV DANCE COMBO • OFFSTAGE GROUP INTERVIEW • TITLE PROMENADE REHEARSALS
No matter your division:
competing for Title at Nationals is a CAn’t miss experience.
THE FINE PRINT:
Regional title winners from a previous year may compete at the current year’s Nationals without re-qualifying the Spotlight Title portion, if they did not compete at Nationals the prior year; however, they must qualify their solo at a regional competition or by video qualification. Previous year National titleholders are ineligible to compete in the current year, unless moving to a new Age Division. Title registration must be completed prior to Nationals and will not be accepted at the event. Offstage group interview dress is business casual. Title Promenade attendance of all rehearsals is required; dress in formal attire for the Promenade performance.
THE SDC ELITE PERFORMANCE TEAM.
CUTTING EDGE CHOREOGRAPHY • INSTRUCTION FROM INDUSTRY LEADING PROS •
PERFORM alongside THE BEST our DANCE COMMUNITY has to offer
ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS:
National Title Competitors • Junior & Senior Dance Down Finalists • Top 10 Elite Gems soloists
THIS EXCLUSIVE PERFORMANCE TEAM will be featured in the Championship Extravaganza on the final day of Nationals. Registration fee is required for Dance Down Finalists and Regional Top 10 Elite Gems soloists. National Title Competitors are automatically registered as part of Spotlight Elite.
THE FINE PRINT:
Dancers must be 8 years or older to be participate in Spotlight Elite. Dancers registered in the Novice Gems and Future Gems Divisions are ineligible to participate.
Matthew Rich:
YOUR 2026 SDC ELITE CHOREOGRPAHER.
CREDITS INCLUDE:
WICKED • WICKED: FOR GOOD • CEDAR LAKE CONTEMPORARY BALLET • PARIS FASHION WEEK • FKA TWIGS
MATTHEW RICH BRINGS OVER A DECADE OF EXPERIENCE IN THE WORLD OF MOVEMENT AND DANCE.
Beginning his career under the tutelage of Rambert’s artistic director Benoit Swan Pouffer, Matthew honed his craft as a dancer at New York City-based Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet for ten years. Afterwards, Matthew was a guest artist with Ballet of Difference in Munich, the Korean National Contemporary Dance Company in Seoul, and acted as a cultural ambassador for the arts with DanceMotion USA in Israel and Jordan. Matthew’s collaboration with Pouffer resumed in 2018 where he served as Rambert’s Senior Rehearsal Director until 2023. He’s supported productions by renowned choreographers such as Sharon Eyal, Imre and Marne van Opstal, Marion Motin, Ohad Naharin, Hofesh Shechter, Jill Johnson, Alonzo King, and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. In 2022, Matthew took on an additional portfolio of responsibilities collaborating with the audience development, creative, and marketing teams to extend the reach of Rambert's programming that included collaborations with H Magazine, British Vogue, Vogue World: London, MAC Cosmetics, and the Valentino S/S 2024 Fashion Show for Paris Fashion Week featuring FKA TWIGS. Recently, Matthew has diversified his portfolio of work and has appeared as a dancer, in Universal Film’s Wicked: Part 1 and For Good; as a judge, on South Korea’s reality dance television show, STAGEFIGHTER; and as creative movement director for campaigns with Patrick Ta and Y-3. Matthew currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.
SDC NATIONALS MASTER CLASSES:
DIVERSE GENRES. MULTIPLE LEVELS. INDUSTRY LEADING INSTRUCTORS. all free at Spotlight.
THESE FREE CLASSES ARE EXTREMELY POPULAR AND WILL FILL UP!
THE FINE PRINT: Registration opens when schedules are published; Studio Directors will be alerted via email.
National Title contestants can skip pre-registration; automatic admission into Master Classes is included in your Title registration.
Register for your divisional level of classes only. If you’d like to participate in other levels, please arrive at the class check-in early to be waitlisted.
The Original Blacklight Party:
THe question everybody’s asking at nationals: you going to the Blacklight party?
OUR STAFF AND JUDGES WILL BE HOSTING an evening of fun, entertainment, and even a little friendly competition. Kick off your dancing shoes, win awesome prizes, dance the night away and create a night to remember! Parents and teachers, don’t worry: we’ve also got you covered with an evening just for you.
THE FINE PRINT:
Admission to the blacklight party is a glow-in-the-dark t-shirt, available for purchase at The Spotlight Boutique.
the infamous parent dance down.
ALMOST TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE:
SOMETHING IS THIS GOOD AND IT’s FREE?
Spotlight’s Parent Dance Down is HANDS-DOWN the most entertaining activity during Nationals!
A theme is announced prior to the event; we encourage everyone to dress the part!
Prove everyone at the studio wrong. Live your best life on the Spotlight Stage.
THE FINE PRINT:
Tickets can be picked up onsite at The Spotlight Boutique. Top 4 and Best Costume will be awarded at every Nationals.
SDC nationals cut above dancers:
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR Dancers taking Master Classes at Nationals.
INSTRUCTORS WILL INVITE SELECTED DANCERS FROM DESIGNATED CLASSES to perform their learned choreography during their Championship Extravaganzas.
THE FINE PRINT:
Rehearsals are mandatory. Participating dancers will purchase an exclusive top from The Spotlight Boutique as their costume.
National Title Competitors will be ineligible to participate in these performances.
championship finals & extravaganza:
novice GEMS • future gems
THE NOVICE GEMS & FUTURE GEMS CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS IS SCHEDULED MID-WEEK.
TOP SCORING NOVICE GEMS & FUTURE GEMS GROUP AND LINE ROUTINES WILL BE INVITED TO RE-COMPETE FOR THE DIAMOND-CLASS OVERALLS.
Future Gems Diamond Overall Solos, Duos, and Trios will be invited to exhibit their winning routine during the Championship Finals.
The Novice Gems & Future Gems National Championship Extravaganza takes place following the Championship Finals. This fabulous awards ceremony includes judge, staff, and studio introduction, and performances from the Cut Above Dancers. VIP Entry/Priority Seating tickets will be available for purchase at The Spotlight Boutique.
THE FINE PRINT:
All National Title Contestants receive two complimentary VIP priority seating tickets.
If unable to re-compete, the routine will automatically be awarded the lowest Overall Award. Studios that do not have at least one group routine competing in the Future Gems Diamond Class, in each Age Category, may be eligible to re-compete for Ruby Class Overall Awards. The highest scoring group routine, receiving a Ruby Award or higher, from up to three qualifying studios, will be invited to re-compete. The Novice Gems Division is ineligible for Ruby Class.
championship finals & extravaganza:
ELITE gems
The Elite Gems National Championship Finals occurs on the final day of competition.
TOP SCORING ELITE GEMS ROUTINES FROM ALL GROUP SIZES WILL BE INVITED TO RE-COMPETE FOR DIAMOND CLASS OVERALL AWARDS AND CASH PRIZES.
The Elite Gems National Championship Extravaganza takes place following the Championship Finals. This fabulous awards ceremony include judge, staff, and studio introductions, highlight reels, performances from the Spotlight Elite and Cut Above Dancers, and a touch-of-class with our elegant Title Promenade! VIP Entry/Priority Seating tickets will be available for purchase at The Spotlight Boutique.
THE FINE PRINT:
All National Title Contestants receive two complimentary VIP priority seating tickets. If unable to re-compete, the routine will automatically be awarded the lowest Overall Award. Studios that do not have at least one group routine competing in the Elite Gems Diamond Class, in each Age Category, may be eligible to re-compete for Ruby Class Overall Awards. The highest scoring group routine, receiving a Ruby Award or higher, from up to three qualifying studios, will be invited to re-compete.