Competition Season 2015-2016
Momentum Dance Company is a competitive dance company that trains and competes under the
direction of Betsy Ann. The Company consist of 6 sub-companies including a MINI, PETITE, JUNIOR,
TEEN, SENIOR, and PRO company. Each team trains together 2-4 hours a week in Jazz,
Lyrical/Contemporary and Hip Hop. Mini & Petite Companies have 1 piece and Jumior, Teen, and
Senior Companies have 2 core pieces (styles will be determined once companies are formed) that
will compete at 3 competitions and 2 convention/competitions. Every team member has the option
of doing a solo, duet/ trio, participating in small groups as well as being in the company production
piece, if they decide to. Competition team is a great experience to cultivate team work, goal
setting, hard work, commitment and dedication.
Betsy’s goal for creating Momentum is to inspire dancers to reach new levels in their dancing, build
self-esteem and what it means to be part of a team! She was a “competition kid” for 10 years and
remained a choreographer and judge at competitive studios and competitions for 15 years after she
graduated from high school. Being a part of a competitive team taught her how important her role
was as part of a team. It gave me something she had to be accountable for that she was passionate
about and drove her to create goals at an early age. She hopes to do the same for the dancers of
this community!
Momentums Philosophy
At Momentum, I want to provide unique opportunities for my dancers, and help them to experience
many disciplines of dance. I want my dancers to strive for and achieve high goals, while at the same
time having fun. If your experience dancing at Momentum isn’t fun – it isn’t worth it! I want the
experience dancers have here to be a lasting part of growing up… to help them with whatever path
they choose to take, whether they choose to become a dancer or a doctor. It is my hope that the
lessons they learn and the friendships they make through Momentum will last a lifetime.
My competition mentality is a very positive one. It is not about the “trophy” or the “first place high
score.” It is about motivating, inspiring, and educating kids in a positive environment. MDC dancers
are learning, thinking, and being creative as well as training their bodies. They are learning important
time management skills. They are realizing the importance of teamwork and good sportsmanship.
They are developing self-confidence and positive self-esteem. They learn life lessons at MDC!
Competition is a venue for dancers to perform, to learn a positive work ethic, and to get constructive
feedback from knowledgeable judges with different backgrounds. They are learning to respect
other dancers, studios, and teachers for their talents! I want the dancers to focus on doing their BEST,
not winning. We want to congratulate them when they win and share their excitement, but also help
them learn from their losses and accept that they will not always win first place. Disappointment is a
part of life, but having a positive mindset will help you learn and grow from the
disappointment. Momentum instills that positive mindset. I believe a positive approach will help
produce a positive outcome… that there is always something higher to achieve. Dancers tend to be
perfectionists, but I don’t expect perfection. I simply hope they strive to be the best they can be and
that’s what I am here to help them do!
How does Competition differ from a Performance Based
Team?
Competition is a step above a Performance Troupe as we will be traveling outside of the community
to be judged/adjudicated and awarded medals against other dancers in California and surrounding
states. The experience is incredible for the dancers to bond, meet and be inspired by other dancers,
and create memories that will last a life time. Competitions teach dancers CONSTRUCTIVE criticism
and areas dancers can improve upon, outside from what their day-to-day instructors say. It is a fresh
perspective on dancing and keeps dancers on their toes. The reward for all the hard work is
incomparable
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Dances are judged for awards, overall awards, nominated for scholarships, and to attend
nationals
The exposure to dancing outside the community. Dancers get to see the skill level of other
studios/dancers/choreographers
Meet and develop friendships with other dancers/choreographers/teachers
Dancer’s receive more recognition and opportunities for their hard work
Requirements
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One hour of Jazz Technique and one hour of Hip Hop per week (same day)
*** training together outside of learning choreography is VERY IMPORTANT to a team! It starts in
the classroom!***
2 Hour choreography/rehearsal per week
---MINI TEAM AND PRO TEAM ARE ONLY REQUIRED TO HAVE 1 HOUR COMBINED TECH 1 HOUR
CHOREO PER WEEK---Solos/Duets/Trios additional Small Groups and Production number will
have choreography set based on availability of dancer & choreographer
Commitment to the team is a priority, the goal is to create an environment & mindset among
the dancers that they don’t WANT to miss rehearsals and competition team is a TOP PRIORITY
Doctors notes are required if missing a practice due to Illness or Injury, otherwise you must
come to class/rehearsal and watch
Out of Town is the only ‘excused’ absence
Solo’s/Duets/Trios/Small Groups/Production Number
As a company member you automatically qualify for additional solos, duets/trios, small groups
and the company production number if you indicated interest in any of these on your registration
form. Fee’s for additional dances are due
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Solo(s) or multiple solo’s in the technique of your choice is $300 per solo –scheduling based on
dancer/choreographers schedule
list of approved choreographers/guest choreographers) rate is TBA based on choreographer
Duet/Trio- Dancers may be assigned to a duet/trio (if marked on registration form) or may
request a duet/trio of choice. Dancers DO NOT need to come from the same company $150/per dancer per duet/trio
Small Groups- (4-9 Dancers) Dancers will be assigned to small groups (if marked interested on
registration form) with other dancers in specialty style of dance best fitted for that group.
Dancers DO NOT need to come from same company - $100/per dancer per small group
Production Number- (15+ Dancers) All company members qualify to be in the production
number if they so choose. This is usually a longer piece, 4-5 minutes in length, and can have a
variety of styles within the single piece - $100/per dancer
Competitions & Conventions
All conventions will be the OUTSIDE of the Santa Barbara community. All Dancers & families are
responsible for their own transportation and accommodations for the competition weekend. Car
pooling and room sharing is encouraged and also makes the experience so much fun! Betsy will
always be willing to take as many students as possible with her (Momma D and Carter will be at every
event with a hotel room )
Convention/Competitions include 2 days of Master classes with Choreographers, as well as evening
Competitions. They have now added the opportunity for SOLOISTS to compete on the Friday Night
before convention begins! YAY!
CONVENTIONS
PULSE ON TOUR Dance Convention (www.The PulseonTour.com)
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Las Vegas, NV December 5&6th 2016
San Diego, CA February 13 &14th, 2016
NUVO Dance Convention (www.goNuvo.com ) Long Beach, CA JANUARY 9-11, 2015
(Travis Wall, Stacy Tookey, Dana Foglia, Ray Leeper, Mark Meismer)
JUMP Dance Convention (www.JumpTour.com) Long Beach, CA MAY 8-10 2015
(Mia Michaels, Mandy Moore, Melanie Moore, Wildabeast, Kenny Warmland, Misha Gabriel, Bobby
Newburry, Doug Caldwell)
VELOCITY Dance Convention (www.velocitydanceconvention.com) – Garden Grove, CA March 2022nd, 2015
COMPETITIONS
Showstopper Dance Competition- Anaheim, CA February 13-15, 2015 ---Nationals Anaheim, CA July
15-19, 2015
Hall of Fame Dance Competition – Redondo Beach, CA March 19-22, 2015---Nationals Las Vegas July
5-9, 2015 (Palms Place)
Starpower Dance Competition – Long Beach, CA May 1-3, 2015
MOVE Dance Competition- Pasadena, CA May 29-31, 2015---- Nationals PALM SPRINGS, CA July 7-11,
2015
**World of Dance - Los Angeles, CA August 15, 2015
Kids Artistic Review ( Multiple dates in May Redondo, Anaheim, Escondido, Rainbow Dance
Competition ( Multiple dates in May)
Events
I believe allowing our young dancers to experience dance events outside of the community is also
incredibly important for them to learn more about the art form, what their goals could be, expanding
their vocabulary, as well as a further bonding event for the company outside of competition. Next
years dates/events will be published later in the year…NOT MANDATORY
MDC Day at the Beach- Season kick off at the beach with pizza, drinks, sun and fun. This is an event
created for company members to bond with one another, parents to meet and really begin to form
the bond tat keeps our company running smooth all year!
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BIG SIS/LIL SIS BIG BRO/LIL BRO will be annouunved
Company pictures will be taken
Company Sleepover- Before our first competition in January we will have a company sleepover with
all 5 companies (MINI-SENIOR) to practice, perform, share and use as a dress rehearsal for the
company members to get ready for their competition debut!
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Hair & Makeup will be taught and done by each dancer so they know requirements for
competition
ALL Dances will be performed (some as dress rehearsal)
Games/food/bonding/loads upon loads of silliness and fun
Company Concert
This show is held in December as DRESS REHEARSAL for the dancers before heading into their first
competition. We had great success with 2 sold out shows this year and will be kicking off next year
with these shows again at Center Stage Theater on December 17th & 18th, with a tech rehearsal
December 16th . Many family members and friends do not get to make it to competitions to see
members compete, and this is a great, convenient way for everyone to see what the dancers have
been working so hard on all year. ALL company pieces will be performed (solos, duets, trios, large
and small groups as well as production piece)
Extras
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Team Warm Ups/Sweats/zip-up hoodies/Tanks/Leggings to wear at Competitions over
Costumes, As well as garment bags/duffle bags/water bottles will be available for purchase
Travel to LA as company for classes and training at IDA, Movement Lifestyle, EDGE, Millennium
Master Classes brought exclusively to MDC company members not open to public. (Tera Perez
(J.LO) Graham Breitenstein (Lady Gaga) Della Hamby (Nicki Minaj) Also provides opportunity
to perform competition dances for critiques before or during competition season
SBCC Basketball Game Halftime performance
Kids Parade Fiesta Saturday, August 8, 2015
World of Dance Attendance (possible compete) August 15, 2015