Competitive Dance

Our competition team is made up of dancers who demonstrate drive, passion, and strong technique. As a team sport, this program emphasizes commitment, collaboration, and supporting one another—on and off the stage. These dedicated dancers train several times a week through team practices, technique classes, and conditioning sessions.

We compete at events across the Midwest and participate in more community performances than our recreational dancers. From halftime shows and parades to lake events, expos, and more, our dancers gain valuable experience by performing for a variety of audiences. We believe that performing for others is one of the most powerful ways to grow as a dancer—and as a team!

If a dancer plans to miss a practice, they must notify all instructors in advance. Important school dates and extracurricular conflicts should be communicated during the start-of-season team meeting.

All team members are required to attend Step By Step events and performances. Even if a dancer is not performing in a specific routine, they are expected to stay and support their teammates.

At Step By Step, we maintain a zero-tolerance policy for bullying, hate speech, or unnecessary drama. If you or your child experience any issues, please report them directly to the studio owner or class teacher. Disrespect toward fellow team members, instructors, parents, or families may result in removal from the team.

Step By Step’s competition team is invitation-only. We typically select in-house dancers with one to two years of experience, but we also consider experienced dancers. All potential team members with prior experience will participate in a trial period, taking classes with our current team dancers and completing an evaluation conducted by our instructors.

At Step By Step, dancers are placed into teams based on both age and ability to ensure they are challenged appropriately and grow confidently. (Want to know more about our group placements? Just ask!)

All team members are required to take the following weekly classes:

• Team Classes (specific to their assigned group)

• Stretch, Leaps & Turns

• Conditioning

• Ballet
  Tumbling is optional but encouraged.

In addition, dancers must attend our monthly Production practices. Only two excused absences from Production practices are allowed per season.

Mini and Petite team members are required to compete in a minimum of three routines:

• Group Jazz

• Group Tap

• Large Group/Production

Solos, duets, and trios may be requested by families or suggested by instructors based on readiness and commitment.

Junior, Teen, and Senior team members must compete in at least five routines:

• Group Jazz

• Lyrical or Contemporary

• Hip Hop

• Tap

• Large Group/Production

Solos, duets, and trios are also available by request or teacher recommendation.

We attend 3–4 competitions each year, and all team members are required to attend every competition, event, performance, and our June recital. Any potential conflicts must be discussed at the Team Meeting at the beginning of the season.

Past performances have included:

• Kenosha Kingfish Game

• Taste of Wisconsin

• Local Parades

• Community Expos

• Lake Fest

• Milwaukee Bucks Game

• Milwaukee Wave Game

• Milwaukee Milkmen Game

• Annual Studio Recital

• Holiday Show (held every other year)