As Starbound National Talent Competition celebrates its thirty third season, the group is aware of what retains dance households coming again. “We’ve all the time been one of many leaders on this business, and thru listening to our purchasers’ suggestions and making adjustments, we proceed to set the usual larger,” says Sandra Coyte, founder and director.
With a calendar of greater than 50 Regional competitions and 5 Nationals, Starbound’s occasions mix the glamour and innovation of a large-scale manufacturing and theater expertise with the equity and private consideration you’d anticipate from a family-run firm. Starbound gives the business experience of a woman-owned enterprise based by a former dance instructor and studio proprietor.
The 2025–2026 Season is ready to be a banner yr for Starbound, with thrilling new alternatives for dancers and academics alike. The competitors is including Myrtle Seashore, South Carolina, and Charlotte, North Carolina to its roster—two vibrant locations positive to carry contemporary vitality to the tour.
Along with its in depth competitors classes, Starbound gives particular occasions and awards that carry much more pleasure to the season:
- Improv Dance Problem at each Regional, testing dancers’ creativity and musicality on the spot.
- Dance Scholarships to help promising dancers of their coaching journeys.
- The Star of Hope Award helps medical analysis within the struggle towards most cancers.
- The Bald Ballerina Award, in honor of Maggie Kudirka, celebrates power, resilience, and the great thing about dancing by adversity.
- Different Particular Awards, together with Viewers Selection, Choreography, Leisure, Diamond Award, Photogenic, Titles/Mr. & Mrs. Starbound, Costume Award, Judges Awards, Ignite Dynamites, Ambassadorship Packages, Nationwide Closing Invitationals, and New Face Award, to call a number of!
Dad and mom and academics may even recognize the chosen venue, assigned-by-studio dressing rooms, and dancers can look ahead to the rebranding and refreshed visible identification that retains the Starbound expertise trendy and interesting.
Starbound’s scoring system now breaks down a dancer’s rating into 4 classes: method, choreography, aesthetics, and efficiency. On the Tuesday following competitors weekend, academics can log in to Starbound’s virtual Teacher Center to view detailed rating breakdowns and video critiques. To make sure equity, Starbound has carried out skill-based leveling pointers that assist take the guesswork out of registration.
Coyte stays most pleased with the constant high quality Starbound has delivered for over three many years. “We had been the primary competitors to introduce rebates to the dance business for registering early,” she shares. Whereas pricing has modified with the occasions, the competitors continues to supply high-quality occasions that studios have come to anticipate.
Starbound additionally gives livestream protection of occasions, so family and friends can cheer from anyplace. Dancers and households can conveniently buy skilled images and movies by the Starbound app, Starbound Comp, to relive their performances anytime.
The competitors additionally prides itself on the experience of its employees. “All three judges on each panel are versatile consultants in a number of types of dance, and we all the time have at the very least one decide who’s educated in faucet,” Coyte says.
Starbound is dedicated to elevating cash for the Dancers Care Foundation. Since 2002, it has raised and donated $2,677,200 towards most cancers therapy and prevention within the dance neighborhood.
New for 2026—Starbound’s Subsequent Chapter Consists of:
- Starbound Nationals Highlight Collection: On-stage interviews and options highlighting dancers, choreographers, and studio administrators throughout Nationals occasions—streamed stay and shared on social media.
- Starbound Giveaway Incentives: Thrilling giveaways and unique prizes for registered studios and dancers all through the season, including additional enjoyable and rewards to the competitors expertise.
- Starbound Elite Shopper Standing: A VIP recognition program providing unique perks, early registration incentives, and particular occasion privileges for probably the most engaged studios.
- Shopper Getaway: Take part in Starbound Regional and Nationwide Competitions all through the season to earn factors towards an unique weekend getaway with the Starbound group.
- Ignite Dance Reside: A high-energy, one-day-only occasion the place newbie/intermediate and skilled/superior dancers take the highlight in an electrical, fast-paced setting designed by business icons.
Trying forward, the 2025-2026 season is shaping as much as be Starbound’s greatest but. Need in on an unforgettable expertise? Register now here or name the Starbound workplace at (609) 693-0563. Comply with Starbound on social media, @starboundcomp!
