Belleville

Hotel Name: Best Western Belleville

For Dates: April 11 – 14: The Empire Theatre, Belleville

ARRIVAL

• The building will open 1 hour prior to the first performance of the day. 

PROGRAMS

• Programs will be made available for download, free of charge, through our website approximately 2 weeks prior to the event.  
• For a program including all updates from Studios (title changes, etc.), we recommend downloading 1 day prior to the event.
• Hard Copy programs will not be sold at the event

AWARDS PIN

• Every dancer receives a custom Shine Awards Pin to display your ribbons on your Team Jacket! ONE per dancer available at the Shine Shop.

LIVE STREAMING

• This event will have a live stream available through our website
• A code to watch will be provided to your Studio prior to the event
• We may run up to 15min early from the scheduled times -- remember to tune in early

FOOD DRIVE

• We are very excited to continue our annual Food Drive where all proceeds are donated to a local food bank.  To date, we have collectively raised 22,825 lbs of food!!
• Please remind your dancers to bring at least 2 items of non-perishable food for our drive.

PHOTOGRAPHY

• For the privacy & safety of the dancers, there is no photography or videography allowed during performances 
• As a reminder, your entry fees include all your photos and videos!
• Media will be available approximately 1-2 weeks after the event through a link sent to your Studio
• Tag us in your favourite photos!  @shinedancecompetitions, #ShineDanceCompetitions #ShineFamily

STUDIO NAME/LOGO

• In an effort to keep your studio’s identity from the judges during performances, we ask that you please cover your studio logo when placing props on the stage.  *
• Your performance costume should not contain your Studio's Name
• Your dancers are certainly encouraged to wear their studio attire during awards ceremonies

STAGE ETIQUETTE

• Substances which alter the condition of the stage, and may affect the dancing surface for other competitors are prohibited (e.g. tossing sparkles, baby powder, water/liquid, body paint, etc.).  If it cannot be easily swept off the stage quickly, it should not be put on the stage.  Dances in violation of this rule may result in not being allowed on stage, have a deduction, and/or deemed "adjudicated only", at the discretion of Shine Dance Competitions.
• If the stage is littered after your performance (ex: feathers, paper, props, etc.). you must be ready for the immediate removal of the items. We will have a flat broom backstage.
• Helium balloons are not to be released on-stage as it is costly to get them down and they may pop during another performance if left on the ceiling. They may be used if they are on a weight and not released.
  • Released balloons may result in a deduction or the routine being ‘adjudicated only’

JUDGING

• Expertise in Dance and Age-Appropriateness: Our judges are selected for their deep understanding of dance and their ability to assess performances based on age and training levels.

• Diverse Perspectives and Subjectivity: Our judging panel consists of individuals with diverse backgrounds, training, and life experiences. Given the subjective nature of performances, it's natural to observe variations in scores, sometimes exceeding 3 points.

• Encouraging Dynamism and Excitement: We empower our judges to utilize their marking scales while providing valuable feedback in their adjudications. This approach fosters a dynamic and thrilling competition atmosphere, enriching the experience for participants and audiences alike.

Your support of our judges and their expertise contributes to the positive and enriching experience we strive to create for all participants. Thank you for being part of our dance community where we can learn and grow from different perspectives.

Layla Cornacchia

Layla Cornacchia has been apart of the dance community since the age of 5. She began her dance training in Ballet, Jazz, and Tap at the age of 5 and eventually went on to find a passion for many styles such as Hip Hop, Modern, lyrical, contemporary, acro, and musical theatre. Layla’s successes in the competitive dance world inspired her to continue her education at the prestigious Randolph Academy For The Performing Arts in Toronto where she trained in Acting, Dancing, And Singing and landed principle roles in productions such as The Last Days Of Judas Iscariot (The Annex Theatre) and Legally Blonde: The Musical (The Randolph Theatre)

Layla has been teaching since the age of 15, and teaches dancers from ages 3-18. She has pursued a professional career in both acting and dancing. Most recently, Layla was featured in a print ad (Mcain Foods International) and had a principal role in the true crime TV series Unexpected Killer season 1 & 2 (Oxygen Network) as well as a principal role on the TV Series Haunted Hospitals (T&E Network)
Layla is a fully certified Acrobatic Arts teacher (Module 1 through 3), a graduate of Associated Dance Arts For Professional Teachers (ADAPT) Program, and has most recently completed her Alixa Flexibility courses modules 1 through 4. Layla is an award winning choreographer and has created unique and successful routines for reputable studios across Canada. Layla is a proud member of the Professional Adjudicators Alliance, and Above all Layla aspires to uplift and inspire the dancers she works with.

Amanda Mak

Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Amanda has been dancing for more than thirty
years. Growing up as a competitive dancer provided her with opportunities to perform
all over the world including the USA, England, Scotland, Australia, and New Zealand.
Amanda has formal training in many styles of dance including ballet, jazz, lyrical, musical theatre, and specializes in tap. She has trained throughout Canada and the USA, having studied extensively under tap masters in NYC. Amanda was chosen as a soloist and member of the Canadian National Tap Team to compete at the International Dance Organization's World Tap Dance Championships held in Reisa, Germany. She has performed for tap shows in LA, NYC, and was a dancer in the opening number for the internationally televised Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon.

Amanda has been teaching dance to children of all ages and abilities for the past twenty years. From an early age, it was clear that she loved children and sharing her passion for dance with them. She has known for a long time that teaching, interacting with her students, and watching them grow is where her heart lies. In addition to preparing her students for competitions and shows, Amanda has sat as an examiner, been on scholarship adjudication panels, and adjudicated at numerous dance competitions.

Arlene Murchison Doggart

Arlene Murchison Doggart has been dancing since the age of 3, studying and training in tap, jazz, ballet, acro, modern, lyrical, contemporary, musical theatre, pointe, hip hop and song and dance. While training at a prestigious local studio, she completed all exams with the Canadian Dance Teachers Association (CDTA) in tap, jazz and ballet with the highest honors. Getting a chance to dance and take classes with choreographers like Mia Michaels, David De Marie and Brian Foley opened the door to winning scholarships and awards like top dancer, most potential dancer and overall highest score.

Arlene got her full teachers certification with CDTA in 1991 and Dance Masters of America (DMA) and Canadian Dance Masters of America (CDMA) in 1993. She has also has been certified as a level one gymnastic coach, first aid responder and has choreographed on ice for Canadian figure skaters and worked with national, Olympic rhythmic gymnasts. Arlene has also taught hip hop in the public and private school systems.

Opening her own studio in 2000 in Newmarket, winning 15 consecutive years of Readers Choice awards for Best studio, she became involved with community events and fundraising opportunities. Taking her dancers to competitions across Canada and the US has given multiple opportunities for them and some of her students have won titles such as: Miss Dance Canada, Mister Dancefest, Miss CanDance, Little Mister Starpower, Master Dance Canada, Petite Miss Dance Canada, Junior Mister OnStage New York, Junior Dancer of the Year (ADA), Teen Dancer of the Year (ADA), Junior Miss Dancefest, 1st runner up Junior Miss Dancefest, 1st runner up Master Dance of America and 1st runner up Senior Mister Bedazzled. Arlene has also won multiple choreography awards and special awards.
She teaches tap, jazz, ballet, acro, modern, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, musical theatre, pointe, song and dance at the recreational and competitive levels to all ages.

Arlene’s students have gone on to professional careers with Cirque De Soleil, on Broadway in Billy Elliot and The Sound of Music, Shaw Festival, movies, the television show Degrassi, So You think You Can Dance Canada, in commercials, music videos and even now owning their own dance studios and adjudicating.