Ovation Dance Challenge

Welcome to Ovation Dance Challenge, an exciting and innovative addition to the vibrant dance scene here in Brainerd, Minnesota. Unlike any other event, Ovation is a brand-new, multi-genre convention and competition that masterfully fuses the cutting-edge innovation of the convention world—encompassing styles like contemporary and jazz—with the electrifying fire and flair of international Latin ballroom. This unique combination creates a truly unparalleled experience for dancers and studios across the nation, and we are thrilled to bring this caliber of event right to our local community in Minnesota.

Ovation Dance Challenge, launching in the 2025–2026 season, is designed to deliver cutting-edge training and high-energy competition led by today's most sought-after dancers and choreographers. We believe in providing a platform where every dancer, regardless of their background or preferred style, can step into the spotlight, perform their routines, and receive valuable feedback from industry professionals. Our mission is to elevate the competitive dance experience, making it both challenging and profoundly rewarding. The positive atmosphere and inclusive nature of Ovation Dance are frequently lauded, with a strong emphasis on nurturing the whole child and treating every dancer like family. This commitment to fostering a supportive environment ensures that participants not only showcase their talents but also grow in confidence and passion for dance.

For dance studios, teachers, and dedicated dancers in Brainerd and across Minnesota, Ovation Dance Challenge offers a professional, organized, and inspiring event that seamlessly integrates into your season. We are committed to celebrating the dedication, passion, and artistry that define the dance world, and we invite you to be a part of this groundbreaking new chapter in competitive dance.

While Ovation Dance Challenge is a touring competition and convention, its central office and primary contact point are conveniently located at **416 S 7th St, Brainerd, MN 56401, USA**. This address serves as the administrative hub for the organization, allowing for direct communication and support for participating studios and dancers across the country, including our local Minnesota dance community.

For local participants in Brainerd and the surrounding areas, this central administrative location provides a direct point of contact for inquiries, registration support, and general information about the challenge. While the actual competition events tour to various major U.S. cities, including Minnesota stops in Minneapolis and Duluth for the 2026 tour, having the main office in Brainerd signifies a strong connection to our state. When an event is scheduled in Minnesota, the selected venue (such as Stillwater Area High School for a Minneapolis event) will be easily accessible to dancers and their families from across the region via Minnesota's well-maintained highway system. Parking and facility access at these event venues are typically designed to accommodate large groups, ensuring a smooth experience for attendees. The strategic placement of the administrative office in Brainerd, coupled with regional tour stops, ensures that Minnesota dancers have access to this elite-level competition experience right in their home state.

Ovation Dance Challenge offers a dynamic and comprehensive suite of services designed to provide a truly unparalleled experience for competitive dancers and studios. Our offerings fuse the best of convention-style training with high-stakes competition across multiple genres.

• Multi-Genre Dance Competition: Ovation features a competitive platform for various dance styles, including:

  • Jazz: Primarily jazz technique, utilizing up-tempo music.
  • Ballet: Primarily ballet or pointe technique, including classical steps and movements.
  • Hip Hop: Primarily hip hop technique.
  • Tap: Primarily tap technique (excluding clogging).
  • Contemporary: A fusion of many jazz styles with a strong emphasis on modern technique.
  • Lyrical: A combination of jazz and ballet techniques to slow music, incorporating emotional and storytelling elements.
  • Musical Theatre: Any routine interpreting a song from a Broadway or Movie Musical.
  • Specialty: Includes all other categories such as ethnic, acro/gymnastics, novelty, and clogging.
  • Showcase: Entries that wish to perform for critiques only (not scored for awards).
  • Improvisation: Spontaneous movement without premeditation, with dancers selecting a style and the DJ providing a random corresponding song.

• Elite-Level Latin Ballroom Competition: A unique offering, featuring a structured, high-level Latin ballroom competition judged by qualified professionals using traditional scoring systems. Styles include Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, and Jive, with singles and couples divisions.

• Combined Convention & Competition Format: Fuses cutting-edge training workshops with competitive performance opportunities, allowing dancers to expand their skills and compete in the same weekend.

• Tiered Competitive Divisions: Offers multi-level competition experience to accommodate all dancers: Novice, Intermediate, Elite, and Pro-Am levels.

• Professional Judging Panel: Routines are performed in front of a panel of experienced judges who provide valuable feedback based on criteria such as Technique (50%), Performance (20%), Choreography & Musicality (20%), and Overall Appearance (10%).

• Significant Prize Money and Scholarships: Ovation offers $25,000 in prize money, scholarships, and Nationals qualifications at every regional event, providing tangible rewards for high-scoring performances.

• Pathway to Nationals: Dancers can compete and qualify for the prestigious 2026 Nationals in San Diego, which joins forces with other top commercial conventions like Radix and KAOS, offering elevated events and broader industry access.

• Industry Access & Professional Development: Opportunities to train with world-class choreographers and celebrity dancers from both the ballroom and commercial dance worlds (e.g., Derek & Julianne Hough, Val Chmerkovskiy & Jenna Johnson, Talia Favia).

• State-of-the-Art Production: Each event features a professional quality audio system, innovative set designs, theatrical stage lighting, and video projection graphics and effects, providing a "one of a kind" backdrop for every performance.

• Professional Photo and Video Services: Ovation offers professional competition photo and video services at each event, including high-quality HD videos for viewing and purchase, and live video feeds for audience viewing.

• Online Registration and Studio Support: Provides state-of-the-art, easily navigable online registration for entries. Offers Loyalty Discounts and Early Registration Discounts to studio directors, aiming to make their job "profitable and easy."

Ovation Dance Challenge distinguishes itself as a premier dance competition and convention in the Minnesota region and nationally through a variety of exceptional features and highlights. These elements create an unparalleled experience for dancers, teachers, and studio owners.

• Unique Fusion of Genres: Ovation is a pioneering event that seamlessly blends traditional multi-genre dance competition (jazz, ballet, hip-hop, contemporary, etc.) with elite-level international Latin ballroom. This "new kind of training environment" expands dancers' horizons by exposing them to both commercial dance genres and the disciplined world of ballroom within the same weekend.

• Industry-Leading Faculty and Celebrity Guests: Dancers get the extraordinary opportunity to train with and be judged by world-class choreographers and celebrity dancers, including renowned figures like Derek & Julianne Hough, Val Chmerkovskiy & Jenna Johnson, and Talia Favia. This level of access to top-tier talent is a significant highlight for aspiring dancers.

• Substantial Awards and Prize Money: Ovation raises the stakes with significant monetary awards. With $25,000 in prize money, scholarships, and Nationals qualifications awarded at every regional event, dancers are truly incentivized and rewarded for their hard work and excellence.

• Cutting-Edge Production and Technical Expertise: The event boasts a state-of-the-art sound system, innovative set designs, theatrical stage lighting, and dynamic video projection graphics. This "one of a kind" backdrop and high-quality production value elevate the performance experience for both dancers and the audience.

• Transparent and Fair Judging: Ovation emphasizes a professional judging staff of "trained and experienced dance professionals." Scoring criteria (Technique 50%, Performance 20%, Choreography & Musicality 20%, Overall Appearance 10%) are clear, and adjudicated awards (OVATION, Platinum, High Gold, Gold, High Silver) are based on combined scores, ensuring a fair assessment.

• Streamlined Experience for Studio Owners: Ovation is "committed to making your job, as a Studio Owner, profitable and easy." This includes easily navigable online registration, loyalty discounts, and early registration discounts, demonstrating a strong understanding of studio needs.

• Pathway to Elite National Events: Qualifying for Ovation Nationals in San Diego offers access to elevated events like KAOS and Radix, connecting dancers to a broader network of top commercial conventions in the industry.

• Professional Media Services: The availability of professional quality HD videos and photos for viewing and purchase allows dancers and studios to capture and cherish their competitive experience.

• The "Show" Experience: The Friday night "The Show" is highlighted as an inspiring, high-energy production featuring elite artists and special guests, designed to energize and set the tone for the weekend ahead, creating a memorable cultural event.

For detailed information regarding tour dates, registration, rules, or any other inquiries about the unparalleled experience offered by Ovation Dance Challenge, please feel free to reach out to us using the contact details provided below. We eagerly await the opportunity to connect with you and welcome you to the next generation of dance competitions.

Address: 416 S 7th St, Brainerd, MN 56401, USA

Phone: (888) 637-9550

Mobile Phone: +1 888-637-9550

For dance studios, teachers, and aspiring dancers across Minnesota, Ovation Dance Challenge represents an extraordinary opportunity that is truly suitable for locals. While its administrative hub is in Brainerd, the competition's regional tour stops, including those in Minneapolis and Duluth for the 2026 season, ensure convenient access for dancers throughout the state. This means Minnesota dancers don't have to travel far to experience a top-tier national competition. What makes Ovation particularly suitable is its unique blend of multi-genre dance with elite Latin ballroom, offering a fresh and comprehensive training experience that is not commonly found elsewhere. The presence of world-class choreographers and celebrity dancers provides an unparalleled chance for local talent to learn from the best in the industry. Furthermore, the significant prize money, scholarships, and clear pathway to national championships offer tangible rewards and strong incentives for dedicated Minnesota dancers. The state-of-the-art production, professional judging, and studio-friendly online registration all contribute to a seamless and highly rewarding experience. For anyone in Minnesota passionate about dance and seeking a competitive environment that prioritizes excellence, growth, and unparalleled opportunities, Ovation Dance Challenge is an ideal and highly recommended choice, right here in our home state.

Ovation Dance Challenge

416 S 7th St, Brainerd, MN 56401, USA