Cobourg

Hotel Name: Best Western Plus Cobourg

For Dates: April 24 - 27: Cobourg Community Centre

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.

Jen Cohen

Bio coming soon!

Teresa McMillan

Inspiring dancers to believe in themselves and to trust in their talent is the role of teacher and adjudicator that Teresa McMillan most enjoys. Whether recreational, competitive or professional, the moment a dancer realizes their goal is a shared moment of pure joy!

Teresa integrates many layers of education, utilizing her Honours Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees, to reach dancers on a deeper level. While a teacher and director/owner of highly successful competitive studios in Ontario and Manitoba, she pursued higher education, graduating from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s three-year Teacher Training Program with an Associate Degree, Cecchetti Council of Canada and ISTD; In Ontario: Licentiate Member with the Cecchetti Society of America, Charter Member of the Southern Ontario Chapter of the Cecchetti Council of America, Founding Member of Encore Performing Arts Company, as well as Competitive teacher for the Essex County Dancers Incorporated. Her dancers were the first in Canada to take ballet examinations with the American Academy of Ballet.

Opportunities for examining, guest teaching, dance festivals, competitions, teacher workshops and lectures, auditioning, producing award-winning choreography, as well as extensive travel to study with the best, have been highlights of her years in the performing arts. She proudly follows the careers of former students who continue to work throughout the US and Canada as professional dancers: Emmy-nominated Choreographers, touring with major artists, Broadway shows, film, theatre, examiners, choreographers for stage and film, studio and convention teachers and studio owners.

She is excited to share this wealth of experience with all the dancers this weekend.

Alia Ruemper

Alia is a fully certified ADAPT jazz & tap teacher and has completed her Canadian Dance Teachers Association (CDTA) Gold medal jazz and tap exams with Honours status. She has a BA Dance and a BKin General Kinesiology from the University of Calgary and completed her MSc in Dance Science (with distinction) at Laban in London, England. Alia is also Certified in the Acrobatic Arts syllabus, Progressing Ballet Technique and International Dance Teaching Standards.

Her Master thesis “Correlations Between General Joint Hypermobility and Joint Hypermobility Syndrome and Injury in Contemporary Dance Students” was published in the Journal of Dance Medicine and Science. She presented her thesis at the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science conference in The Hague, The Netherlands where she was received the “Student Research Award”. While she was completing her Masters degree in England she performed in a charity showcase of the musical, “Me and My Girl” at the famous London Palladium, and also participated in the Jack Petchey Theatre Challenge at Her Majesty’s Theatre.

The world of dance is constantly progressing and Alia strives to continue learning and educating herself. She has taken Lisa Howell’s Level 1 & 2 training courses, Lauren Ritchie’s Mental Skills and Mind Design training courses, The “Comix” Method Hip Hop and is a Level 2 certified adjudicator with Canadian Dance Leadership. She has also attended Dance Summit in NYC, Rhee Gold’s Dance Life in Arizona and Dance Teacher Web in Las Vegas. In 2020, Alia was named Dance Educator of the Year by Canada’s National Academy of Dance Education and also received the Heather Simpson Memorial Award. She is an active member of the Bridge Dance Project and Wild Rose Dance Arts. Dance is Alia’s passion and she is excited to be sharing her energy and feedback with the performers.