Competition Company Teams2025-01-17T00:02:25-06:00

Dance Company

ROOTS Competition Company is an audition-based program for students ages 5-18

Saskia Harmon - Dance Studio Director

JESSICA STILLMAN
Competition Manager

welcome

Our ROOTS Competition Company Teams are designed for passionate dancers committed to their training and growth. We offer three levels, Core, Select, and Elite, catering to various skill levels and experiences.

At ROOTS, we don’t just focus on technique. We believe in nurturing the whole dancer, encompassing their mindset, nutrition, strength & conditioning, technique, and creativity. This holistic approach is at the heart of our philosophy, which we call D360.

Beyond the studio and competitions, ROOTS Company is a tight-knit community of dancers and parents—yes, even dad’s too.

If you’d like to join, auditions are held during our Intensive each Summer. We’d love to see you there!

-Jess

If you have any questions about our competition program, audition requirements, or prerequisites, feel free to contact us at company@rootsacademy.com or call/text us at 615-804-1177, extension 2. We’re happy to help!

Competition Overview

ROOTS Dance Company is our nationally awarded audition-based competitive dance program. Participation in the program is based on dancer evaluations and auditions done during our Summer Dance Intensive. Each dancer is assessed based on the following criteria:

  • Age and dance experience (must have at least two years of experience in the styles of jazz, ballet, and hip hop to audition)

  • Physical strength, abilities, and technical excellence
  • Exhibit a strong mind by embracing a growth mindset, strong character and the discipline to achieve personal and team goals

Training for teams begins in August and continues weekly until the end of the season in June. Conventions and competitions begin in November and run through June each year.

Interested in Competition but not ready to audition? 

Complete the form below to join our competition information email list.

Ages 4-7

Competition Teams

For dancers aged 4-7, we offer competitive programs including the Tiny Team (ages 4-5), Petite Team (ages 5-6), and Peewee Team (ages 6-7). Each team has weekly training and rehearsals, competing at regional competitions, with the Peewee Team also attending conventions and competing at the intermediate level.

Tiny Team

Prerequisites: Average Age 5; no competitive experience required

The Tiny Team is an invite-only group for dancers aged 4-5 who show a strong interest in competitive dance. Tinies take at least two weekly training classes and one routine rehearsal. They compete at the introductory level in regional competitions held throughout the year.

Petite Team

Prerequisites: Average Age 6; no competitive experience required

The Petite Team is for dancers aged 5-6 who show a strong interest in competitive dance. Petites take at least three weekly training classes and one routine rehearsal. They compete at the introductory level in regional competitions held throughout the year, which may involve travel.

Peewee Team

Prerequisites: Average age 7; 2 years of competitive experience required.

The Peewee Team is for dancers aged 6-7 with at least two years of competition experience. Peewees attend five weekly training classes and one rehearsal per routine. They participate in required dance conventions and compete at the intermediate level in regional competitions throughout the year, which may involve travel.

Ages 7-18

Competition Teams

We offer three competitive team levels: Core (introductory), Select (intermediate), and Elite (advanced). During our Summer Intensive, dancers are assessed on age, experience, physical strength, technique, and their growth mindset, character, and discipline to achieve personal and team goals.

Core Teams

Prerequisites: Age 7+ with 2+ years of dance training

Core teams are for dancers ages 7 and older with at least two years of experience in jazz, ballet, and hip hop. These teams attend three weekly training classes, participate in dance conventions, and compete at an introductory level in regional competitions throughout the year, which may include some travel.

Select Teams

Prerequisites: Age 7+ with 3+ years of competitive experience

Select teams are for intermediate to advanced dancers ages 7+ with at least three years of competitive experience. Dancers attend four weekly training classes and one rehearsal per routine. These teams participate in conventions, regional competitions, and nationals (every two years), which require travel.

Elite Teams

Prerequisites: Age 9+ with 3+ years of competitive experience

Elite teams are for advanced dancers ages 9 and older with at least three years of competitive experience. Dancers attend five weekly training classes and one rehearsal per routine. These teams participate in multiple required conventions, regional competitions, and nationals (held every two years), all of which involve travel.

For more detailed information about ROOTS Competition Company, click the button below…

Audition Details

Dancers auditioning for a 2025/2026 company team must attend the Summer Intensive for their age (as of January 1, 2026). Auditions will be held on the final day of the Intensive.

Dancers selected for company teams will attend our annual retreat during the first weekend of August, with choreography sessions the rest of the month. Classes and rehearsals will begin in September. Registered dancers will receive detailed audition information and the Intensive schedule closer to the event.

company mentors

company mentors
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Schedule & fees

While the company schedule may vary each year, here’s a general outline of what you can expect.

  • July: Company Intensive & Auditions

  • August: Annual Company Kick-off Retreat (first weekend)
  • August: Choreography Bootcamp & General Classes Begin
  • September: Company Classes Begin
  • October: Fall Break – Studio Closed
  • October/November: Convention(s)
  • November: Thanksgiving Week – Studio Closed

  • December: Christmas Break – Studio Closed
  • January – April: Regional Competitions

  • March: Spring Break – Studio Closed

  • May: Company Banquet

  • May/June: Annual Recital

  • June: Nationals or Trip (TBD each season)

Company fees are determined by class tuition, competition routines, electives, costumes, and competition participation fees. Each dancer’s fees will vary based on their level of participation. Due to the many factors involved, we do not post the fee schedule.

However, dancers registering for the Intensive will receive a complete fee schedule before Auditions. This information will allow you to assess your level of participation before committing to the company team if you pass the audition.

ROOTS Promise: We value the importance of family schedule planning. That’s why we commit to providing the full season schedule (August to July) at the start of each season. While unexpected changes may arise, we will always strive to give as much advance notice as possible.

competition routinesGraphic

Take a look at some of our past competition performances to get a feel for what it’s like to be a ROOTS competition dancer!

questions?

If you have any questions about our dance program, please don’t hesitate to call, text or email us. Our hours are Monday – Saturday from 12pm – 6pm.

SASKIA HARMON – Dance Director
JESSICA STILLMAN – Competition Manager
MELISSA BULLINGTON – Preschool Manager
JEN BURNS – Dance Operations Manager
KATHLEEN MCPHERSON – Dance Operations Coordinator

SASKIA HARMON
Dance Director
JESSICA STILLMAN
Competition Manager
MELISSA BULLINGTON
Preschool Manager
JEN BURNS
Dance Operations Manager
KATHLEEN MCPHERSON
Dance Operations Coordinator

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