Hey Dance Fam,
A couple of seasons ago, I let myself be swayed.
A handful of my dancers were begging for the competition experience. They’d seen the glitz, the trophies, the TikToks—and honestly, I wanted to honor their curiosity. So, we gave it a shot. We created a Competition Class at Elements Urban Arts Collective—one routine, one guest choreographer, and six months of dedicated rehearsals. Our dancers were 11 to 13 years old, but because two had just turned 13, the entire group got bumped into the 13–16 age bracket at the comp.
But let me tell you—we showed up. Our Hip Hop piece was clean, creative, and true to form. We performed at a well-known regional competition, and out of 13 entries across all styles, we placed third, just three points from first. That’s right—three.
The judges’ feedback? “It’s refreshing to see authentic Hip Hop choreography.” “Your dancers are so young, but they’re bringing the energy, the style, the intention.”
And yet—despite the talent, the work, the placement—my dancers walked away feeling… bad. They didn’t feel like they belonged. The competition environment was high-pressure, cliquey, and honestly, kind of toxic. The dressing rooms? Rough. The looks, the whispers, the not-so-subtle side-eyes from other teams? It stung. And here’s the kicker—at awards, the dancers were ineligible for a Hip Hop standout unless they also scored high in ballet. (Ballet? In a Hip Hop category?! The math ain’t mathin’.)
That night, alone in my hotel room, I sat with a pit in my stomach. I realized: this isn’t who we are. That world didn’t serve our dancers, our culture, or our mission. I brought them into a space that didn’t see them—and that’s on me.
We don’t do competitions anymore. Not because we can’t hang—clearly, we can—but because we choose something deeper, something better aligned with our values.
So Let’s Be Clear: What Is a Competition Team?
Pros:
-Structure and goal-setting
-External feedback
-Big-stage exposure
Cons:
-Price: Costs including travel, comp fees, required classes, can $8–10K/year (yep, really😵💫)
-Scholarships? Rare. If you can’t pay, you can’t play.
-Often favors Eurocentric aesthetics and training (read: ballet over breaking)
-High-pressure culture that can crush a dancer’s spirit
Why We Chose a Hip Hop Performance Company Instead
Here’s the tea: We do this for the culture. Hip Hop was never about trophies—it’s about telling your story, moving the crowd, and using dance to connect, resist, celebrate, and elevate.
At EDC, our dancers perform. We train hard, take risks, and get out in the community. We focus on growth, not gold medals. And our dancers? They leave with more than just clean counts—they leave with confidence, purpose, and a deep understanding of Hip Hop as an art form.
What Makes EDC Different?
We’re all Hip Hop, all day. From technique to freestyle, our focus is on developing powerful, versatile Hip Hop artists.
We’ve got three divisions:
Elementary Company (3rd–6th grade)
Junior Company (6th–8th)
Senior Company (8th–12th)
We perform, we don’t compete. From showcases to festivals to community events—our kids hit real stages, not score sheets.
We grow artists, not egos. Dancers learn leadership, teamwork, self-discipline, and how to use dance as a tool for self-expression.
Ready to Join the Crew?
Auditions are Friday, June 13—but we highly recommend dancers attend our EDC Intensive, June 9–12, to get prepared and put their best foot forward.
During the intensive, dancers will:
✅ Train daily in Hip Hop technique
✅ Learn audition choreography
✅ Participate in a mock audition and get direct feedback
✅ Connect with our EDC faculty + future teammates
Oh, and here’s a little bonus: Dancers who complete the intensive and are accepted into EDC will receive up to $250 off tuition. Win-win.
In Closing…
Performance companies like EDC let dancers move with meaning. We don’t perform for trophies—we perform for truth, for culture, and for connection. So if your child wants to grow as a dancer and as a person, come rock with us. Because at Elements, we don’t compete. We create. We express. We move the crowd.
Got questions? Want to register for the Intensive or audition? Reach out re: the contact form!
❤️
Ms. Alana,
Founder/Director, Elements Urban Arts Collective