“Nationals was the highlight of my summer, year after year! ADA has shaped me into the person I am today.”
– Michaela Marfori, past 2-time ADA National Winner, currently in West Side Story on Broadway
Join us july 17-22, 2021!
Rhode Island Convention Center
Providence, RI
IMPORTANT UPDATE! See above venue and date change. 2021 regional qualification not required for the 2021 National Championship competition. More details on the process for America’s Dancer of the Year coming soon.
Providence combines the accessibility and friendliness of a small town with the culture and fun of a big city. With a thriving arts community, outstanding hotels, a renowned restaurant scene, and so many things to do, Providence is the perfect family friendly place to visit. It will be a great week for you and your families!
Nearby accommodation suggestions
Courtyard by Marriott Providence Downtown
Why the ADA National Championships?
If you’re looking for a summer event to inspire and motivate your dancers, the ADA National Championships is for you. With only one national final event, ADA brings you a caliber of talent unparalleled in the industry. It’s a true National Championship!
The camaraderie and respect among the dancers and teachers creates an atmosphere that keeps studios coming back year after year. At the ADA National Championship, you can count on an organized and friendly staff dedicated to making the event a perfect family vacation. Whether it’s the competition, the Dancer of the Year events, or the highly acclaimed Video Awards Gala, your studio will experience a professional production of the highest standards.
With education at the top of the agenda, ADA offers every dancer the opportunity to take classes with some of the world’s most respected master teachers and choreographers. Our full line up of 25+ classes is available to dancers with their registration fee! At ADA, it’s about bringing the best teachers and dancers together to learn from each other.
Studios who attend the ADA National Championships can count on going home with a group of dancers who are motivated to be the best they can be!
National Championship Convention
ADA offers a full convention at our National Championships! With their Registration Fee, all dancers gain access to 25+ classes throughout the week in all ages and genres. These classes are not to be missed! Our faculty of industry professionals creates an exhilarating experience for every dancer. We offer special workshops, Teacher seminars, audition readiness classes…and more! ADA in Class Ambassadors for Fall workshops are nominated by the faculty out of the convention classes.
What You Can Expect
National championship Competition
Daily Convention Classes
Dance Off
Video Awards Gala
…and more!
The Dance Off
The top scoring entries from each category (Solo, Duo/Trio, Small Group, Large Group, etc.) in each room (team) of competition will perform once again in the exciting National Championship Dance Off!
Dance Off participants are determined by the performance score only from the National Championship Competition.
High score entries in each category are announced at the Video Awards Gala! It is a night not to be missed. Gala tickets are included in each dancers’ registration fee.
9 & Under dance off
The top 3 Solos, and the top 10 Duo-Production entries from each team compete in the Dance Off for a $1,000.00 Cash Scholarship.
12 & Under dance off
The top 5 highest scoring entries from each category (solo, duo/trio, small group, large group, etc.) from each team of competition will compete in the Dance Off.
13 & Over dance off
The top 7 highest scoring entries from each category (solo, duo/trio, small group, large group, etc.) from each team of competition will compete in the Dance Off.
Dance-Off Regulations
No soloist will perform more than once in the Dance Off. Duos cannot be the same dancers. NEW FOR 2021: No studio is allowed more than 2 entries in any one category, with the exception of soloists.
Cash award winners are determined by their Dance Off performance.
The Dance Off will be judged by the Dance Off and Title Panel.
National Dance Off Cash Scholarships!
9 & Under
Dance Off Winners
- 1st Place Duo-Production: $1,000
- 2nd Place Duo-Production: $300
- 3rd Place Duo-Production: $200
- 1st Place Solo: $300
- 2nd Place Solo: $200
- 3rd Place Solo: $100
12 & Under
Dance Off Winners
- 1st Place Production, Class, Large Group: $500
- 2nd Place Production, Class, Large Group: $300
- 3rd Place Production, Class, Large Group: $200
- 1st Place Small Group: $400
- 2nd Place Small Group: $200
- 3rd Place Small Group: $500
- 1st Place Duo/Trio: $250
- 2nd Place Duo/Trio: $150
- 3rd Place Duo/Trio: $100
13 & over
Dance Off Winners
- 1st Place Production, Class, Large Group: $500
- 2nd Place Production, Class, Large Group: $300
- 3rd Place Production, Class, Large Group: $200
- 1st Place Small Group: $400
- 2nd Place Small Group: $200
- 3rd Place Small Group: $500
- 1st Place Duo/Trio: $250
- 2nd Place Duo/Trio: $150
- 3rd Place Duo/Trio: $100
The Elite Six
From the Dance-Off entries, the Elite Six is chosen (in 12 & Under and 13 & Over) to re-compete at our Video Awards Gala!
The top 6 highest scoring Duo-Production entries and top 6 highest scoring Solos will be announced immediately following the Dance Off. They will then dance again for a packed Video Awards Gala audience.
Making the Elite Six is HUGE – it means you are the top 6 out of thousands of performances!
The Elite Six is tabulated live for the audience by use of a skating system. Each judge holds up a card with a number on it (1-6) for how they rank each entry!
The winner is determined by a majority of 1’s or a majority of the lowest numbers, based on the skating system.
This tabulation method is not only exciting and exhilarating, but it is also completely transparent for the performers and the audience!
Elite Six Cash Scholarships
Elite Six Solos
1st Place: $300.00 Scholarship
2nd Place: $200.00 Scholarship
3rd Place: $100.00 Scholarship
Elite Six Groups
1st Place: $5,000.00 Scholarship
2nd Place: $3,000.00 Scholarship
3rd Place: $2,000.00 Scholarship
4th, 5th, 6th place: $500.00 Scholarship
National Choreography Awards
America’s Choreographer of the Year
A $2,000.00 cash scholarship!
The routine must have qualified at a regional event, won a Diamond Choreography Award in that regional, and be in the National Dance Off. America’s Choreographer of the Year is awarded in 12 & Under and 13 & Over.
