COMPETITION DETAIL

We recently attend as an extra comp for our season. A trial to see if we wanted to bring the entire team for next season. It was a very strange competition. I found it very odd that certain teams were dressed in cocktail attire for awards. Directors dressed for the Emmy's. At awards these groups won top scores. Either they were vey bold to think they were going to win or somehow... knew what the outcome would be. I was shocked along with other "normal" teams that participated in their team warm ups. Your average Directors were running around assisting their students with the 7:00am-12:00pm days...looking a bit tattered from the lengthy days...but certain Directors managed to look prepared for the top scoring routines. With the spread out confusing schedule it was next to impossible to even know who your students were competing against. The printed paper award for High points was less than stellar and Amazon Medals. I had more that a few critiques that had NO commentary at all. The titleists were clearly not the best dancers in their age groups. The front table seemed very busy figuring out ....something. We won't be returning as a TEAM for next season.

This used to be our favorite competition. Not anymore. This comp has changed drastically over the last few years and I hope our studio is done for good. They completely overbooked with these kids dancing from 7:30 a.m. until midnight then expected back at 7:30 again. There are advanced dancers DOMINATING the intermediate and novice levels, and I just watched a novice dancer throw an aerial. The amount of studios that are dishonest in their leveling is out of control. I guess if you bring 100 numbers you can just do whatever. I don't think one number has been bumped up to where it belonged. It's obvious money has become more important to USTD than their reputation. Shame on you.

We thought we would try USTD as a different comp this year and after calls and e-mails they seemed nice and we entered. In 40 years of dance comp experience this actual event was the most poorly run we have ever seen. The judging was so heavily weighted for the two studios with the most numbers at the expense of many more talented dancers at other studios and was clear to all in attendance. The judges lengthy comments during the award ceremonies trying to justify these decisions were so nonsensical that people in the audience were actually crossing their eyes.The general mood was awful by Saturday and Sunday people were already leaving. Dressing rooms were elevator rides or staircase runs through parking lots to get to the stage. Parents of the special 2 actually recording their dances all two days on their phones within two aisles of competition owner. Other studios were speaking among each other saying your dancers should have had that one or your girl had that cat. We know which numbers should win or are even close … these weren’t . This competition was a complete joke and a total waste. If you are considering this as a new comp for your studio don’t do it. It was an awful experience from start to finish.

This competition is an absolute joke. They advertise like it is this professional, fun positive experience and I see all students and team families can’t wait for it to end EXCEPT for one studio. The venue is ridiculous. You have you go outside to get to dressing rooms and they are packed to the brim. There are 14 or so studios here and the one studio that has the most dances winning literally everything. That would be fine if the favoritism wasn’t so blatant. They have their own hidden dressing room. The same studio is talking backstage incredibly loud while dancers are performing with the backstage crew doing nothing at all to control them. Their check must be big enough to ensure that they run this competition and not the USTD staff. Unless you have been coming to this competition for years, they will ignore you and not give you a chance at all. Disgustingly run.

This has been my all-time favorite dance competition since the 80s. There is never favoritism to any studio and they will disqualify for breaking rules, which is great. I hate it when at a competition when they look the other way because it's a big school bringing in lots of money. My students like dancing on a ballroom floor, as well as on a stage, so that is never an issue for us. The judging is always right. I like when my students don't automatically win high scores when they don't deserve it. Their nationals are so much fun, too. Their solo fees are much lower than most competitions and we are happy with the trophies and awards. Not everyone cares about the type, or size. We don't. We like the scoring and how they give out their awards. I am sure it's not for everyone, but they always have many studios returning, because they are fair, and have the best judges. The rest is just stuff. Keep on doing a great job, USTD!

We have attended USTD for the past 3 competition seasons. This is by far my least favorite competition. First and foremost, I absolutely despise the on ground staging. While it’s a great view for the judges, parents can’t see their children perform due to the terrible layout. The lighting on stage is awful with many dark spots on the stage. Judging is very inconsistent and at times and doesn't make sense (USTD caters to the larger studios). They have very long days as dances are spread out over the entire weekend with no consideration to ages of dancers. Additionally, if there aren’t enough entries in a category the don’t award high score awards or overalls. I mean come on… at $100+ per solo (not including other routines) USTD should be able to afford a darn trophy they purchase in bulk for pennies. For overalls, they give out card-stock printed posters with a vinyl banner going to first. All purchased in bulk and I’m sure very cheap at that. It’s not a dancers fault for how many entries entered a particular competition. Each dancer still works hard all season for the competition. To have no overalls and to received the same metal they have received for the past three years is disgraceful. At awards, they often just call the first name of a dancer. No routine number, no last name, no studio name. I saw multiple children with the same name stand up for an award out of confusion. I heard a parent from another studio say another studio claimed her dancer’s award because no other information besides the first name was called. The child ultimately received her award but not on stage as deserved. The title portion seems to be the focus of USTD, that portion seems more like a beauty pageant then it does a dance title. I do not recommend USTD.

My studio decided to try USTD and we hated it. Our first problem was that we had no clue where our dressing room was bc no one told us. We got our critic videos 2 weeks from our 3rd comp, and none of us had any idea when we were going onstage. They didnt tell us when they were running late or early either. Second, the studios we were competing against were smaller like ours which is fair except for this one studio that was there. The kids did not go to school and trained 24/7. There were about 100+ kids in that studio. They were a very proffesional studio. Anyways, at awards the big studio took up more than half of the stage and the 4 small studios (5 including mine) all crammed in the corner. The big studio sat there with their matching bedazzled wonsies, 6 year olds with iphones taking selfies, glitter in their hair, and standing up and showig off their tricks everytime they got an award. 3rd problem, USTD took advantage of this and it was VERY obvious. The girl announcing our awards had her back turned to the 5 studios the ENTIRE ceremony. When she would call an entry from one of the 5 studios she didnt even LOOK at us. The big studio got like 3 judges awards from each judge, the staff hyped them up even if they got a bad score, and they placed in every place possible. I'm not joking. I know it sounds crazy but I am dead serious. In every division there was 10 places and 10-1st place was ALL THIS STUDIO. It was pretty obvious that USTD did this on purpose to please the "proffessionals". I am going to be honest, most of their routines werent really even that good. They mostly just did lifts, dramatic faces in poses, and walked around the stage. They had good technique but it was just boring and the same phrase was in literally every dance. It was not fair at all and I can say that for a fact. My studio Instructor emailed them and asked for an apolgy and to apoligize to the other studios and they never responded. I believe that everyone should feel like they are worth something. 6 girls quit within 1 week after we went to USTD because they had lost all confidence in themselves. And to be honest we all did. We had a studio meeting and we all sat in a classroom, feeling worthless, our directors talking and explaining everything to us and trying their best to make us feel better. yes your studio may have like a million kids and you guys dont go to school but that doesnt mean you get to show off and it ESPECIALLY doesnt mean that the competition encourages it. Even if it was the other way around and the big studio got zero attention it still would be wrong. Everyone deserves recognition for putting in all of their time and energy into a dance and performing in front of judges even if it wasnt their best they should still feel accomplished that they did it. None of my ranting usually makes sense so heres summary in English: A large high standard studio competed against 5 small studios. Large studios = lots of routines. A lot of routines = a lot of money. And well I think you get the point. They wanted the large studio to keep coming back so they gave them lots of attention and praise. I was taught that dance competitions are a learning expierience so I really think that all competitions should seperate dance studios and schools of the arts. It would be a lot more fair. Its like a cat and a tiger in a fight. The tiger wont learn anything to help him get better bc he knows hes stronger than his opponent so its easy for him. The cat wont learn anything bc they know the tiger will win bc well its a tiger! (I know that cheesy but thats how my intrucor explained it to me when I was little) My studio was treated awfully as well as the other small studios there. If you are a studio owner of a very proffesional, large, and highly competitve dance studio feel free to try it out but I do not recommend smaller studios to go here unless you want to lower your self esteem go for it. And USTD if you are reading this please change your actions. Even if your name sounds serious and proffesional doesnt mean that you disrespect studios that "dont represent your title" Thanks for reading if you made it this far I know its long and I have more things to say but I'll just leave this here. Thanks for coming to my TedTalk

Definite studio favorite. Appreciate the new intermediate level. Location is great. Well run.

It\'s been my favorite since it\'s inception, back in the 70s. It\'s only gotten better.

\"My studio has been attending USTD for several years! It is always my first choice for my dancers to receive the best competition experience. The judging is fair, accurate and encouraging. The staff is professional and personal all at the same time. The venues are always excellent. Every studio and dancer is important to Sean, the director as well as the rest of the staff. It is always the competition that my dancer\'s look forward too and know they will get the best education.

Regionals was phenomenal. The director was pleasant and friendly and very helpful. Nationals was also great!

Absolutely amazing competition! He is truly in it for the love of dance! Love how he treats everyone who is there all week for nationals including parents and teachers. I would highly recommend this competition to all dancers of all levels! Only downside is that for a nationals the trophies are very tiny which is why I did not give 5 stars but he does give out a lot of cash.

Good competition. This was our 3rd year going and we will most likely continue going. Staff was friendly, tough competitors,very organized and professional. We didn\'t notice any favoritism like in some other competitions. Two thumbs up!

Judging is very inconsistent and at times, doesn\'t make sense. Very long days as dances are spread out over the entire day and weekend.

For my own, personal experience, it\'s the best competition out there. Been going for many years and every year, it gets better.

Untouchable! No one is like them and I love that they have stuck with High Gold as their highest, and not ridiculous gems and moon rocks! LOL Very fair, they enforce their rules and policies, and don\'t reward inappropriate dances, too. They do so much for the community and hire amazing and fair judges. Yes, I have seen bronze still given out and I like that. If you don\'t dance well, you should not be getting high awards. It\'s been around a long time and hope it goes on forever. Can I give it 10 stars?

We loved going to competition. USTD is run by a family and you feel as if you are part of that family...Everyone makes you feel welcome to be part of the whole experience.

been to alot of different competitions and USTD is bar far the best. Competition is tough but I think that gives the kids a drive to do better. Judging is fair and the other studios that are there are so friendly. Nationals is the best!

An excellent competition, all around..they seem to really think of the competitors as individuals, not just a number to be judged. The people who run it are caring and friendly, the judging is constructive, not destructive. They foster an atmosphere where it is ok for the kids from other studios to actually become friends. The whole family has a good time and looks forward to attending.

I have two children that dance competitively. We have attended USTD as well as several other dance competitions. USTD is hands down everyone\'s favorite. The competition is professional, organized and the judging is fair. My children and the other students at the studio we attend always have a wonderful experience and have made lasting memories.

We do 1 regional a year and will be returning to USTD, as well as their Nationals. Our students, families, and teachers ALL have fun attending. Good people who care about everyone having fun.

I do not like this competition at all. The studios that go to this competition three times a season plus nationals, always win everything, despite the talent they are against. Went to one of these comps just to observe and there was a girl that was outstanding and blew the others away. she didnt even get a runner up title. all of the girls from the favorite studio placed. ive been noticing that a lot. USTD i would watch out for this and fix it ASAP

Ran on time...very well organized...awesome talent...very fair judges