Studio of the Year 2026 – Las Vegas

The Studio of the Year Award is given to a studio that demonstrates excellence in dance education throughout a variety of dance styles and age divisions. Studios competing for the Studio of the Year Award must enter a routine in each of the categories listed below. If a studio has more than one routine in a specific category, they must select which single routine they are entering for the Studio of the Year Award. Each studio will need to fill out a studio nomination form, listing exactly which twelve routines will be counted towards the Studio of the Year Award. These selected routines will compete during the regular Finals Competition. The studios with the five highest combined scores (The Top 5) will move on to re-compete all 12 routines during the Studio of the Year Dance-Off. At the Studio of the Year Dance-Off, all performed routines will be ranked by a special panel of judges. The studio that ranks the highest will receive the Studio of the Year Award and $25,000!! All other studios in the top 5 will receive $5,000. The Studio of the Year Winner and Runners-up will be announced during The Dance Awards Show.

Fine Print...

• Studio of the Year is happening in Las Vegas ONLY.
• There is no extra charge to submit for the Studio of the Year Award.
• Solo & Duo/Trios are not eligible. Each routine must be a Group, Line, Extended Line or Production.
• Each routine does not need to include the same dancers, although it may.
• Ballet routines must use ballet or pointe shoes.
• Each routine must be entered in its appropriate performance division. Everything shouldn’t look like contemporary! Routines entered incorrectly may be penalized or disqualified at the Event Producer’s discretion. If you have a question about a certain routine, please contact our offices prior to registration.
• Only 4 of each studio’s 12 Studio of the Year nominated routines can be choreographed by an “outside choreographer”.
• An "outside choreographer" is someone who does not teach consistent classes at the studio. Consistent class teachers are defined as teachers/choreographers who teach at the studio (In-Person not Virtual or on Zoom) at least twice a month (at least a week apart) for the 8 months leading up to The Dance Awards. Any concerns or clarifications with this rule will be resolved at the Event Producer’s discretion.
• Studio of the Year nominated routines are not allowed to "age up."
• Any dancer aged 5-19 can compete in a routine for the Studio of the Year Award if they train consistently at the studio for the 8 months leading up to The Dance Awards AND pre-qualify as part of a group routine at one regional event during the 2025-2026 season. Dancers can be professionals (being paid to dance on TV, Broadway, at the studio, etc.) if they still train consistently at the studio. Any concerns or clarifications with this rule will be resolved at the Event Producer’s discretion.
• Studio of the Year Nominations can be changed up until the first routine (of any kind) competes at The Dance Awards. Once competition at The Dance Awards has started, there can be no changes to nominations for any reason.
• Starting with the 2018 Studio of the Year Award Winners, a studio must wait 2 years (2 full tour seasons) to compete again for the Studio of the Year Award. For example, if you won in 2018, you must wait until 2021 to compete again.
• The 2026 Las Vegas Studio of the Year Award Winner will each receive a check for their Studio of the Year Award money ($25,000). Please note that this award money shall supersede any other studio prize money from The Dance Awards, forfeiting any smaller group prize amounts won throughout the week. For example: "ABC Dance Studio" (SOTY Winner) wins a total of $6,500 in prize money from a combination of High Score Awards, Studio Awards, Best Performance Awards, etc. "ABC Dance Studio" forfeits that $6,500 in exchange for the Studio of the Year Award grand prize of $25,000. HOWEVER, "ABC Dance Studio" will still receive any individual cash awards (High Score Solos, Best Dancers, Best Choreographers or Best Costume Designer etc.).
• The 2026 Las Vegas Studio of the Year Award Runners-Up will each receive a check for their Studio of the Year Award money ($5,000). Please note that the 4 SOTY Runners-Up can win a maximum amount of $7500. This $7,500 award money shall supersede any other studio prize money from The Dance Awards, possibly forfeiting some smaller group prize amounts won throughout the week. For example: "ABC Dance Studio" (SOTY Winner) wins a total of $6,500 in prize money from a combination of High Score Awards, Studio Awards, Best Performance Awards, etc. "ABC Dance Studio" forfeits anything over $7,500. HOWEVER, "ABC Dance Studio" will still receive any individual cash awards (High Score Solos, Best Dancers, Best Choreographers or Best Costume Designer etc.).
• All prizes, stipends, scholarships, or other benefits may be considered taxable income under U.S. law.
• Winners are solely responsible for any and all federal, state, or local taxes associated with their prize(s).
• Foreign participants may be required to complete applicable IRS forms (such as Form W-8BEN) prior to receiving any prize or stipend.
• Under U.S. tax regulations and certain international tax treaties, DanceOne may be required to withhold and remit U.S. taxes from payments made to foreign participants — even if the participant provides a completed W-8 form.
• DanceOne will issue required tax forms (such as Form 1042-S for foreign recipients or Form 1099-MISC for U.S. recipients) in accordance with U.S. law.
• Any monetary stipends or prize payments will be distributed by December 31, 2026, unless otherwise stated in writing.
• DanceOne reserves the right to revoke participation, awards, or future invitations if a dancer, parent, or studio engages in unprofessional, disruptive, or unsafe conduct.
• Participation in all DanceOne events is voluntary and at the participant’s own risk.
• DanceOne, its affiliates, sponsors, and staff are not liable for any personal injury, property damage, loss, or other claims arising from participation, travel, or attendance at any event.
• DanceOne reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel any rule, award, or opportunity at any time without notice, in its sole discretion.
• All decisions of the DanceOne Producers and Directors are final and binding.

Important Note

We are constantly striving to make the Studio of the Year experience the best it can be. To that end, we have outlined rules that we think are important to the integrity of the competition. Please understand it is difficult to have a rule for every situation. Any concerns or clarifications with these rules will be resolved at the Event Producer’s discretion.

Studio of the Year Perks

• As a “thank you” to all studios vying for the Studio of the Year Award, we will be hosting a special Studio of the Year Wine Tasting & Dinner in Las Vegas. Join Mike, Michael, Kristen, Ronnie and Tony along with the rest of the artists for a wine tasting and sit-down dinner. All past Studio of the Year Winners are also invited.
• All studios vying for Studio of the Year and past Winners will receive a special gift box at the SOTY Wine Tasting & Dinner.
• All studios performing in the Studio of The Year Dance-Off will receive 8 reserved seats (per studio) for their teachers during the Studio of the Year Dance-Off.
• All past SOTY Winners will also receive reserved seating for the Studio of The Year Dance-Off.