About Rhythms In Dance

Maryann Christopher
*Owner/Director*

I have been a part of the professional dance world and competition scene for almost 25 years. Since that point I have competed, judged, taught, and coached. I have taught Top Award winning numbers at numerous competitions. The only aspect I had not touched was running my own dance competition! At 28, I decided it was time to take a new step in my career and do something that would make me even more proud of the career I chose for myself. Because there were some parts of the dance competition business that left a bad taste in my mouth in the past, I figured that MY competition would try to eliminate those negative experiences for teachers and dancers like myself. I have been teaching in a dance studio environment at Linda Jean's Studio of Dance for the past 14 years. Prior to that, I was an assistant teacher, and aside from the classes I took, I also competed. I went to college at Monmouth University and graduated with a degree in Communication Arts and Radio/TV Production with a minor in Creative Writing and Musical Theatre, where I also took dance classes. My professional experiences include hair and print modeling, First Union Bank National Commercial, MTV, and performing with The NJ Shorecats Dance Team. I continue to take classes and workshops at Broadway Dance Center with Frank Hatchett, Bev, Rhapsody, Charles Kelly, and others. I am constantly expanding my education to keep on top of this ever changing industry. Currently I teach at Linda Jean's Studio of Dance, coach and choreograph for the award-winning dance team there, and run various workshops throughout NJ. As for Rhythms In Dance, for the past 5 years I have successfully gained recognition and praise for the way our competition is run. I believe that not only should the kids and teachers be treated fairly and criticized CONSTRUCTIVELY, but our stage should be one where performing and entertaining create enjoyment for those watching and those doing! Rhythm is our Business! Please feel free to browse the web site, which was created so that Rhythms In Dance could reach more aspiring dancers, competitive performers, and their teachers. You will find the schedule of our upcoming competitions, rules, applications, pictures from past events, and more!

Sincerely,

Our Staff

Entry Forms

All 3 Forms Must be Completed for Registration Process

Entry Form & Fees

Release Form

Routine Registration

Registration Fees are only Available to Teachers & Coaches - Please Call Rhythms In Dance (732) 493-0402

Quick Info DropDowns

Click The Category to Expand

Age Divisions

AGE DIVISONS:

Pee Wees

8 and under (4&under, 5, 6, 7-8)

JRs

9-12 (9-10, 11-12)

Seniors

13 and over (13-14, 15-16, 17-18, 18, 19-20, etc.)

Parent Division

Parents only!

Teacher Division

Awards

Competitive: Novice: PLATINUM = 300-291 300-286 GOLD = 290.9-276 285.9-271 SILVER = 275.9-261 270.9-256 BRONZE = 260.9-Below 255.9-Below



CASH AWARDS There must be at least 5 entries in each category / division to be eligible for cash awards

	PeeWee	Juniors	Seniors
Solo Duet/Trio Group/Line/Prod	$25.00 $25.00 $50.00	$25.00 $25.00 $50.00	$25.00 $25.00 $50.00

*Cash Awards awarded in Tap, Jazz, Lyrical/Ballet/Modern & HipHop.

2nd & 3rd place will be acknowledged with a medal.

Plus

Junior & Senior
Junior & Senior
Junior & Senior
Junior & Senior

Entertainment Award
Choreography Award
Technique Award
"Music Video" Award

* All winners of these awards will receive a plaque *

Special Awards

*Special Awards will be given to those numbers that the judges deem to have a unique or extraordinary quality to them.*

*The Diamond Award*

This award is given to the highest scoring Pee Wee number overall (NEW), Junior number overall and the highest scoring Senior number overall.

The DIAMOND AWARD Winners will walk away with :

Special Trophy

*100.00 (check awarded to teacher)

*50.00 Gift Certificate to a future Rhythms in Dance Competition

Categories of Dance

Jazz

Primarily jazz technique

Tap

Primarily tap technique

Ballet

Classical ballet technique and movement

Point

Point / toe technique

Hip Hop

Street style, break dancing, or MTV style

Musical Theatre

Any dance style interpreting a Broadway or movie musical

Lyrical Jazz / Modern

Demonstrate balance, extensions, isolations, and control to contemporary lyrical or modern style

Song and Dance

Must contain song and any style of listed dance

Acro / Gymnastics

Must contain acrobatics / gymnastics incorporating dance moves

Pom-Pom / Cheer dance

Sharp cheerleading style movements, may use poms, acrobatics allowed however no stunting tricks

Open

Any style that does not fit into any of the above or incorporates more than one style of dance

Clogging

Primarily clogging technique

Character

Portraying a certain obvious character

Competition Entry Information

Competition Entry Information and Entry Forms

TIME LIMITS:

Solo – 3:00 min.

Duet/Trio –3:00 min.

Small Group (4-9 dancers) – 3:30 min.

Large Group (10-19 dancers) – 3:30 min.

Line (20 and over) – 3:30 min.

Production: 5:00 – 8:00 min.

(must contain at least 10 dancers)

*Extended Time Limits – Please add $2.00 extra per performer*

ENTRY FEES:

*PLEASE NOTE: Fees are payable per person and are

non-refundable.

Solo *Studio Owners: Contact for 2009 prices*

Duet/Trio

Small Group

Large Group

Line

Production

Costume

ENTRY DEADLINE:

30 days prior to competition date.

IMPORTANT: Entries will only be processed if accompanied by a certified check or money order. Payments accepted from studio only, unless it is an independent entry. If independent please note on entry form.

*All pertinent details will be forwarded to studio director 1 week prior to competition date.

Make checks and money orders out to:

Rhythms In Dance INC.

200 Wall Street

West long Branch, NJ 07764

Meet The Judges

One thing that stays consistent throughout this competition is Equality and Fairness. This is why I only hire judges who are well rounded in all the major dance areas-tap, jazz, ballet and hip hop. I never thought it was fair to competitors OR to the judges to have someone who was not familiar with the technique behind hip hop or the steps in tap to judge that particular type of dance. If all my judges had some sort of training or experience in each major style of dance, the scores and comments would be more fair. I am sure you have had a non-hip hop oriented judge tell your students to point their toes and lift their passes in their funky hip hop numbers. AND I bet you said “WHAT?!” when you read that comment!

Here are just a few of Rhythms In Dance's accomplished panel of Judges...

Andrea Kron

Andrea Kron is back for her 5th year with Rhythms In Dance Competition! A 2004 Dance NJ member, Andrea received her Certificate of Dance from Alvin Ailey American Dance Center where she was part of the student company and toured the east coast. She has studied with Kevin Rotardier, Milton Myers, Ann Reinking, Tony Stevens, and Dorit Koppel. She currently teaches at Broadway Dance Center in NYC and has taught at Studio Maestro in NYC. She also guest teaches and coaches privately. Her performance credits include NBC Upfront Presentation at Radio City Music Hall, Disney’s Hercules Parade at the New Amsterdam Theatre in NYC. The Man I Love, Tango Negro, Christmas Spectacular, The Nutcracker, and Cool Hand Luke. Her choreography has been seen at New York University in the Masters Music Program, at The Strand Theatre, Evergreen Playhouse, and throughout NY in Guys & Dolls, A Chorus Line, Grease, Godspell, and Bye Bye Birdie. Her training includes Ballet, Theatre Dance, Jazz, Modern, Tap, and Latin Ballroom.

Lisa Maietta

Lisa Maietta is welcomed back to Rhythms In Dance for her 3rd year! Lisa currently teaches Jazz, Tap, and Hip Hop at STEPS School on Broadway. Her extensive training includes Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop/Funk, Ballet, and Acrobatics on scholarship at Broadway Dance Center and STEPS on Broadway. She has performed as “Cha-Cha” in the National Tour of Grease, and “Frenchy” in the European Tour. She has rejoined the National Tour of Grease as Swing Dancer and Dance Captain for 2009. Her other Regional Theatre credits include 42nd Street, Anything Goes, West Side Story, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Footloose, The Music Man, Singing in the Rain, My One and Only, and Oklahoma. Her choreography has been seen at Naples Dinner Theatre, and Preston High School, Salesian High School, and Manhattanville College.

Barbara Vari

Barbara Vari is returning to Rhythms In Dance for her 4th season! Barbara has been teaching and choreographing for the past 21 years. She is currently a choreographer for the award winning Pure Energy Dance Company. Barbara has studied under Frank Hatchett, Jermaine Brown, and Chris Dupree. Barbara’s training includes Jazz, Tap, Ballet, and Hip-Hop. In her spare time, she teaches master classes and judges throughout the tri-state area. Her Jazz and Hip-Hop workshops are a huge hit at the studios!

Rules & Regulations

Rules and Regulations No video taping – No flash photography. No cell phones. No food or drink in dressing areas. Contestants must conduct themselves in a proper manner at all times. Contestants must perform as scheduled unless there is a “back to back” issue. Please let stage manager know and we will do our best to fix the problem. Props are permitted, except NO knives, swords, or fire.

MUSIC REQUIREMENTS Each CD / Tape must have song title / studio / and performance number on it. .5 points will be deducted for every 5 seconds over time limits Music must be properly cued. No profanity or obscene gestures in music or performance.

Other Rules Tumbling is allowable only in hip-hop / open / acro-gymnastics / pom-pom cheer dance. Only 2 gymnastics tricks are allowed in Jazz and Lyrical. In all other categories they are not allowed. (* a trick is considered a full rotation of the body passing over the head in an inverted position) Teachers only are allowed in the teachers division. No coaching from backstage or you will be disqualified. We encourage our participants to cheer on their teams and performers! The team showing the most courtesy backstage to other students and Rhythms In Dance staff will receive special recognition.*

Testimonials

Rhythms in Dance Competitions are a wonderful experience! This is our fourth year attending and it has been nothing but positive for all of my students and staff! We will continue to be a part of the Rhythms in Dance family! It is a great competition! ADRIENNE KELLETT, DANCATION STUDIO OF DANCE AND THEATRE, OLD BRIDGE, NJ

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