west coast nationals
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
WEST COAST NATIONALS
PALM SPRINGS, CA / JULY 06-12, 2026
COMPETITION SCHEDULE WILL BE AVAILABLE APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE EVENT
discount DATE:
PAY BY may 25 TO APPLY YOUR DISCOUNT
CLOSING DATE:
LAST DAY TO REGISTER AT THE STANDARD RATE: JUN 01
VENUE + hotel ACCOMODATIONS:
Spotlight’s Group Rate: $194
Cutoff Date: June 15, 2026
LA QUINTA RESORT + CLUB / 760.564.4111
La Quinta Resort + Club, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, is a 45-acre desert escape with a rich history, offering Spanish-style casitas, 41 pools, and seven restaurants. It features a spa, golf courses, tennis courts, and event spaces, with a focus on luxury and relaxation. The resort, originally opened in 1926, has evolved into a popular destination for Hollywood elite and travelers seeking a unique experience.
49-499 Eisenhower Drive / La Quinta, Ca 92253
Hotel will require a deposit of (1) night room and tax when making the reservation. Guests will not be allowed to make more than (3) reservations when booking accommodations for the duration of the Event in the same name and credit card. In the event that an individual cancellation occurs after the cutoff date of Monday, June 15, 2026, 5:00pm PST, at which time the entire reservation becomes full pre-payment and is non-refundable, the full amount of the reservation will be charged.
CITY AMBASSADOR:
Office Staff Gallery
elite choreographer:
meet your judges:
leadership team:
OUR OTHER 2026 NATIONALS COMPETITIONS:
City Image Gallery
NATIONALS NEED-TO-KNOW INFO
QUALIFICATION:
RECEIVE A DIAMOND, RUBY, OR EMERALD PLACEMENT AT A REGIONAL EVENT, OR BY VIDEO QUALIFICATION. DANCER SUBSTITUTIONS AT A NATIONAL EVENT IS PERMITTED WHEN 50% OF THE ORIGINAL PARTICIPANTS ARE RETAINED FOR DUO/TRIO, 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 in-person events during the regional season, routines can qualify for Nationals by registering via Video Qualification. Routines will receive one judge critique and a digital adjudication award. Login to your DanceCompGenie account for rates and deadlines (when available).
PHOTOGENIC REGISTRATION
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 Photogenic contest at our National 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 did not enter, at a Regional event they 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 1.
national title contestants
TITLE CONTESTANTS EARNING A DIAMOND OR RUBY ON THEIR TITLE SOLO AT THE REGIONAL EVENT QUALIFY TO COMPETE FOR THE NATIONAL TITLE, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THE CONTESTANT WON TITLE AT A REGIONAL EVENT.
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 Event, or by Video Qualification.
Previous Year’s National Titleholders are ineligible to compete in the current year, unless moving to a new Age Division.
Title registration must be completed prior to the start of the event and will not be accepted at the event.
National Title Competition includes:
• Solo performance and on-stage Title interview
• Participation in the Spotlight Elite
• An off-stage, group interview - participants should dress in business casual attire.
• Title Promenade - participants attend all rehearsals and will dress in formal attire for the performance.
spotlight elite performance team
National Title Competitors, Regional Junior and Senior Dance Down Finalists, as well as Regional Top 10 Elite Gems soloists are eligible to participate in Spotlight Elite. This exclusive performance team will be featured in the Championship Extravaganza on the final day of competition. A registration fee is required for Dance Down Finalists and Regional Top 10 Elite Gems soloists; however, this fee is already included in the National Title Competitor fee. Must be 8 years or older to participate. Dancers registered in the Novice Gems and Future Gems Divisions are ineligible to participate.
free master classes
Free Master Classes taught by leading dance professionals will be offered at all of our National Events! An email will be sent to all studios when registration becomes available (approximately two weeks prior to the start of the competition). These classes are extremely popular and fill up fast; once capacity is reached, registration will be closed. Dancers should register for one level of classes only. If they would like to participate in other levels, please arrive at the master class at least ten minutes early and see the attending spotlight staff. National title contestants receive priority registration for Master Classes and should not pre-register.
the blacklight party!
Dancers, teachers and parents are welcome to our annual Blacklight Dance Party hosted by your favorite Spotlight DJ’s! Admission to the party is a Spotlight t-shirt, available for purchase at The Spotlight Boutique. Win awesome prizes and dance the night away with Spotlight Staff and Judges!
parent dance down
Spotlight’s Parent Dance Down is the most entertaining activity during Nationals! A theme will be announced prior to the event, and parents are encouraged to dress the part. FREE tickets can be picked up at The Spotlight Boutique. Compete to become the Parent Dance Down Champion, or win for Best Costume!
“cut above” dancers
MASTER CLASSES, REHEARSALS, + PERFORMANCE:
Dancers taking Master Classes have the chance to perform in the Championship Extravaganza as a Cut Above Dancer. Instructors will invite dancers from each class, designated in registration as Cut Above, to perform the choreography during the Championship Extravaganza. Attendance at Cut Above” rehearsals is mandatory, and participating dancers will purchase an exclusive top from The Spotlight Boutique for their costume. National Title Competitors will be ineligible to participate in these performances, but are invited to participate in the master classes.
future gems championship finals + extravaganza
The Novice + Future Gems Championship Finals will occur midweek, per the schedule. Top scoring Novice + Future Gems Group and Line routines will be invited to re-compete for Diamond Class Overall Awards. Future Gems Diamond Overall Solos, Duos, and Trios will be invited to exhibit their winning routine at the Championship Finals. 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 the Ruby Class.
The Novice + Future Gems National Championship Extravaganza takes place following the Championship Finals. This fabulous awards ceremony will include judge, staff, and studio introduction, and performances from the Cut Above Dancers. VIP priority seating tickets will be available for purchase at The Spotlight Boutique.
elite gems championship finals + extravaganza
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. 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.
The Elite Gems National Championship Extravaganza takes place following the Championship Finals. This fabulous awards ceremony will include judge, staff, and studio introductions, performances from the Spotlight Elite and the Cut Above Dancers, as well as our exquisite Title Promenade! VIP priority seating tickets will be available for purchase at The Spotlight Boutique – all National Title Contestants will receive two complimentary VIP priority seating tickets.