Round One
Audition & Improv
- Juniors & Pre-Teens: Top 10 perform an audition and improv combo.
- Teens & Seniors: Top 10 compete in an improv competition.
Hollywood Invitational
Dancer of the Year
The best of the best compete for the ultimate title.
The best of the best compete for the ultimate title of Dancer of the Year.
Hollywood Vibe and Hollywood Dance Jamz each crown their own National Dancer of the Year — one winner per convention, in every age division. Same night. Two companies. Two champions.
Dancers who earned a qualifying scholarship at a regional city are invited to compete. Everything below — eligibility, scoring, the dance-off, fees, and awards — is what you need to know before Nationals.
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Eligibility & Competition Rules
Regional scholarship winners are invited to compete for the title of National Dancer of the Year.
- Contestants must perform one solo in the Dancer of the Year competition.
- Dancer of the Year contestants may also enter one solo in the National Finals competition — the same solo may be used in both. Dancer of the Year solos are not considered for overall awards; they are evaluated solely for Dancer of the Year consideration.
- Dancer of the Year solos do not need to have pre-qualified at a regional event.
- One Dancer of the Year is awarded in each age division. Hollywood Vibe and Hollywood Dance Jamz each crown their own winner.
- Eligible dancers may compete for either Hollywood Vibe Dancer of the Year or Hollywood Dance Jamz Dancer of the Year — not both.
- If a dancer wins the title of National Dancer of the Year, they must maintain their dance studio commitments. The dancer represents the studio where they earned the title and must continue their studio training.
Scoring Criteria
Every finalist is evaluated across three weighted categories before the Closing Night Gala dance-off.
33%
Dancer of the Year Solo
33%
Class Etiquette & Participation
33%
Audition
Dancer of the Year Dance-Off
The most exciting night of Nationals. Two rounds. One title.
Round Two
Final Solo
- Mini: Top 3 compete in a one-minute solo.
- Juniors & Pre-Teens: Top 3 compete in a one-minute solo.
- Teens & Seniors: Top 5 compete in a one-minute solo.
Winners are announced live at the Closing Night Gala.
Awards
| Division | Winner | Runners-Up |
|---|---|---|
| Senior | $750 | $100 |
| Teen | $750 | $100 |
| Pre-Teen | $750 | $100 |
| Junior | $500 | $100 |
| Mini | $350 | $100 |
Dancers of the Year must complete their contracts before full prize money is received.
Entry Fees
Dancer of the Year entry is a lump-sum fee. Performance awards do not apply to this entry.
Standard Entry
$470
Includes Dancer of the Year solo, HV attire, costuming, and a general admission Gala ticket for the dancer. Dinner upgrade available.
Regional Dancer of the Year
$390
Discounted entry for dancers who received the Regional Dancer of the Year title at a qualifying regional event.
Registration & Policies
Registration
- Dancer of the Year contestants do not need a registered teacher present to compete, but must have permission from the studio they qualified with and must register under that studio name.
- Dancers may not register as independent if they received their scholarship under a studio name.
- Dancers who wish to attend the Closing Night Gala show and dinner must purchase a Gala ticket.
National Dancer of the Year winners must commit to assisting at least three Hollywood Vibe weekends in the 2025–2026 season and must be present at one of the 2026 National Finals.
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Past Winners
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One title. One night.