COMPETITION DETAIL

So our dance director insisted on this one. I think only the studios affiliated with DEA or DMA competes here. I give this comp a NO, please wake up it's 2018. It's time to upgrade your dance styles, music, judges, and equipment. This competition has got to be a joke and for money making purposes only. The kids didn't really enjoy it. It was small and boring. Awards were cheap. Even the classes were boring, old, and not modern. Other studios in attendance were smaller ones we don't see anywhere else, with kids who did not look like comp dancers so little to any real competition here. Like others said down below there were no backdrop, photos, merchandise, or trinkets. Just didn't feel like a competition, but more of a last minute throw together school talent show. Music was being played on a laptop, no backstage crew, and the judging is just blah. It seems judges really liked the kids/routines who mouthed to Broadway music with very little dancing and the really old 80's songs. Lots of obvious bent knees and recital looking pieces were being awarded with special awards. The one thing I did like was that the highest scoring adjudication platinum were not given away like candy. It's actually quite funny because our studio I would say is certainly not the best in town, but the few studios who were in attendance were not very competitive so we clearly looked very good. So good I felt embarrassed the whole day almost like we were taking away these other dancer's limelight. Our kids clearly didn't belong there. It was an unfair advantage. Although we did and placed great here, it didn't feel great. Don't do this one if you have a choice and if you are looking for real challenges and competitors to help your dancer grow look elsewhere.

I have been wanting to review many competitions for sometime now and my experience at DEA finally pushed me to do so. My daughter and I attend between 8-15 competitions a year and travel all over the country to do so. Our experience of this competition was really under par. First the way the spread out all solos duo/trios and groups and all ages mixed in over 2 days judged by the same judges is a recipe for inconsistent judging and results. Groups that typically win at comps such as jump novo and nycda placed 3-4 places under groups that generally don't place at all at those competitions and honestly are just not as good. Some solos of kids the first day placed above our consistently top placing kids who danced on the 2nd day. I am not even comparing our studio to others only to our own. There many very obvious errors in their placement. The schedule and the back stage communication was terrible. Apparently a parent on Friday volunteered to be the back stage manager not even a DEA staff and she had an outdated schedule. Not her fault but totally disorganized. My daughter reported that classes were not well taught and the choreography was not challenging or interesting enough to encourage her to wanting to return in the future. The finally awards just continued to reward the same 3-4 kids from our studio who had placed first in solos. So any other kids who danced well in classes or placed the top 5 did not get any recognition at all. Ignoring kids who danced extremely well and would benefit the DEA organization did not get any further encouragement to want to attend another regional let alone their nationals. I not recommend attending DEA. They need to update their teaching staff, judging staff, organization, and awards.

not bad, not 100% good. judging seemed a little off

I have been to several of these and generally have a good experience with the workshops. The kids enjoy them and the teachers are pretty good. The competitions are run differently from city to city. Some are better than others. I have seen the judging very messed up rewarding same placing to different numbers but not because of ties. Just errors. Usually smaller competitions but still pretty good.

We were very happy with our experience. It was very organized. The dancers had a great time.

The judging seemed biased toward one particular team. The judges were really harsh/stingy about scores with everyone except that one team. I understand that platinums have to be earned but the judging needed to be a little more fair. The dances ran really behind making for a super long day for some of the girls that are in multiple dances. I think the only good thing about this competition was the dance genie app. This helped you to know what dance you were on and when your dance was actually scheduled to go on sine they were so behind. Overall, my dancer was happy with her score, but we did notice/hear of others that were upset with the judging. And s/n the second place teen solo should have been first because she was WAY better than the first place winner (and no I am not in any way related to her). She was amazing and should have totally won first overall

first time at this competition, and was told it was just like sheer. but was nothing like sheer talent. the judges were very harsh and scoring did not seem fair. in workshops they did not choose scholarship winners based on how they danced that day they choose soloists from the competition. unfair for children who do not have solos. ran behind, and lots of difficulties with music.

Wonderful competition all around - great venue, fair judging with excellent, thoughtful critiques, wonderful classes - you know it has been a good one when you are still in a good mood after being on site for over 12 hours!

Great competition excellent classes

Great competition. They are catching up with their technology (which was lacking in previous years). They recognize dancers for achievements outside of dance (Power of Dance Awards) and that is very heart warming. The master classes were great.

DEA is great. A very organized competition that our studio enjoys attending every year. The workshops have very good teachers and the judges always have good quality comments.

Love DEA. The styles are more old than others, but they are very nice. Good teachers.

A top notch organization. I love the convention.

The classes were great. I can say the level of competition was not very challenging.

Master classes are amazing for teachers and students both!! The competition is graded fair but not as far along in terms of technology. But it was a great experience.

LOVE THE INSTRUCTORS

DEA is not the flashiest competition, but their judging and critiques are very fair. They are big on technique and class. The master classes were fabulous! The teachers were dynamic, professional and very good at what they do. I loved that they recognized the children\'s achievements outside of dance as well (they got to know the kids during classes and gave recognition to kids who have achieved and excelled in other areas besides dance- it was heartwarming). Every dancer felt valued at that competition and that is worth more than any award!

Attended one time and that was enough for me. Behind in technology compared to the other competitions, ran two hours behind so our students were ready on time and then just sat forever, judges critiques were unusable. Told us our little kids were \"a waste of time\" and we should have left them at home. Will not return to DEA.

We haven\'t attended this one in a couple of years although we used to attended regularly. I always felt like judging was fair and critiques were technique focused with good suggestions for improvement. Workshop experiences were positive and I always felt like my child learned a lot. Somewhat pricier because of the requirement to attend the workshops also. I didn\'t mind that but some parents didn\'t like that aspect.

We always attend, but they need some updating. Good organization.

Have always liked and supported DEA, but they have fallen back in technology at their shows. Like to see them update.

I am planning on going to DEA this year. I know 10 years ago it was not the best. I understand they have had many changes.

this past year was our first time attending DEA, and it was not impressive at all. the employees were late arriving to the venue and they had no backdrop or even stage lights. Our studios showcase is more professional than our comp in Denver was. And it was hard to judge as to who was awarded a scholarship during the intensive.

Ever since Vickie Sheer left DEA, it just isnt the same. I reccoment Sheer Talent LTD because it is how the old DEA used to be. It is fair and cooperative.

Went for the first time this year. I was worried at first because an hour before the competition, they had not arrived or set up for the competition. There was no backdrop or photographer, and it was hard to find someone to check in with. However, the workshops were AMAZING and lots of scholarships were given out instead of glitz and glam. In the end, I was very happy with it. The judges were fair and gave great critiques.

This is a very organized competition that our studio enjoys attending every year. The workshops have very good teachers and the judges always have good quality comments. We just love coming to DEA.