Gatineau #1

Hotel Name:  Four Points by Sheraton Hotel and Conference Centre Gatineau-Ottawa

For Dates: March 21 – 24: Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau

Hotel Name: Best Western PLUS Gatineau Ottawa Hotel and Conference 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.

Nicole Byfield

Nicole Byfield, hailing from Burlington, Ontario, has been igniting stages with her unparalleled talent and passion for over 30 years. Her journey as a dancer began at the tender age of 3, and she has since become a powerhouse in the industry, mastering diverse styles including jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, and lyrical.

Nicole's innovative and one-of-a-kind approach to dance has earned her widespread recognition, and she now shares her expertise through dynamic workshops and classes that inspire dancers to push their boundaries and reach new heights. Her choreography has been celebrated in regional and national competitions, with her students consistently winning overall awards and scholarships, and even pursuing dance at the university level.

A sought-after adjudicator across Canada for over a decade, Nicole's feedback is known for its positivity and constructiveness, reflecting her unwavering commitment to effective communication and extensive knowledge across all dance styles. She is a respected member of the Canadian Dance Teachers Association Stage Division (Tap) and the Professional Adjudicators Alliance, giving back to the dance community on the other side of the stage.

Nicole's talent extends beyond the dance floor, as she has also made her mark in the entertainment industry. She has been a proud member of esteemed tap companies such as What's On? Tap!, Bringing Tap Back, and GeoMetriX Dance, and has graced music videos, films, and high-profile events, including performances with the renowned Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and even working as a Foley artist in Guillermo del Toro's Golden Globe-winning film, The Shape of Water.

With her infectious energy and unwavering commitment to her craft, Nicole continues to inspire and motivate young dancers to become the best version of themselves. Her ultimate goal is to instill positive and healthy attitudes in the next generation of aspiring dancers, leaving an indelible mark on the dance world for years to come! @nicolembyfield

Sarah Cherewko

Sarah's passion for dance is clear and quite contagious. She brings an unmatched enthusiasm to her work and leads by example with authenticity and
vulnerability. Originally from Calgary, AB, Sarah trained extensively in RAD and Cecchetti ballet, Al Gilbert tap, ADAPT tap and jazz, lyrical, modern, acro, contemporary, musical theater and hip hop while dancing competitively until the age of seventeen. Throughout her youth as part of a non-profit touring performance company, she had had the opportunity to perform in England, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Morocco and at 18, signed her first of many contracts as a dancer with Carnival Cruise Lines. After moving to Montreal in 2011, her passion for teaching grew stronger and she transitioned out of performing and began working exclusively as a teacher, choreographer and competitive adjudicator. Sarah's goal as an adjudicator is to help dancers foster faith in their creativity and confidence in their uniqueness.

As a certified Acrobatic Arts teacher, Sarah prides herself on providing a safe, fun and positive classroom environment where students can feel comfortable to explore movement, technique and ultimately experience vulnerability and personal
growth. Sarah, now an accomplished teacher with twenty plus years of experience is an award winning and high score choreographer, a sought after adjudicator at many Canadian dance competitions and in her free time is studying to become a youth counsellor.

"They say dance like nobody's watching. I think that implies that we are afraid or ashamed to dance in front of people. I say dance like everybody is watching, dance like your children are watching, your ancestors, your family. Dance for those who are hurting, those who can't dance, those who lost loved ones, and for those that suffer injustices throughout the world. Let every step be a prayer for humanity!" -Supaman

Bailey Woodman

Bailey Woodman is an accomplished dance artist from Toronto, Ontario where she started dancing at the age of 3.
Bailey has been privileged to work professionally on stage, television and in film around the world. Her professional career began at age sixteen as a dancer at Canada’s Wonderland. From there, she performed on Royal Caribbean as an original cast member where she met her mentor, Genevieve Dorion-Coupal. Since then, she has been a part of two original casts with Cirque Du Soleil; SAND and Tout Écartille. Bailey has also collaborated with The 7 Fingers on two original shows. Most recently, Bailey became the Resident Director with The 7 Fingers where she is responsible for teaching and casting, Ships In The Night.
Some of Bailey’s other credits include: Canada’s 150th Celebration on Parliament Hill, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Chateurs Masqués, Veronic Voices (European Tour), Untitled DanceShowPartyThing (dir. Tony-nominated Sam Pinkelton), Invictus Games Closing Ceremonies (dance captain), Lip Sync Battle: Face a Face and La Voix to name a few.

Bailey’s masterclasses and choreography have taken her all across Canada fostering the next generation of dancers. Bailey is an Associate Member of the Royal Academy of Dance, a certified level two adjudicator with Canadian Dance Leadership and an Acro Dance adjudicator with Acrobatic Arts. Bailey also holds certifications with CanFit Pro and Canadian Yoga Alliance.
Bailey inspires through her never-ending supply of positive energy and passion for storytelling. IG: @baileywoodman