Hamilton

Hotel Name: Courtyard by Marriott Hamilton

For Dates: April 18-21: Hamilton Convention Centre, Hamilton

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.

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

Jen Mills

Jen has studied ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap, hip hop and classical piano extensively since the age of three. Since that time, she has taken part in various competitions and performances as well as completing her major exams in Cecchetti, RAD, and Vaganova ballet techniques; as well as the Royal Conservatory of Music. Jen has toured with TERPICHICOIRE 1, commissioned by the Minister of Education of Romania as an instructor, choreographer, and performer. As well as promotional work for Calvin Klein, Lancôme and Elizabeth Arden, Jen has taught swing for The Big Bad Voodoo Daddies, and performed as a principal dancer in Bill Robertson’s film, The Mystic Village. Other performances include The Grey Cup 1999- 2006, Miss Hawaiian Tropic, Blue Rodeo, Tanya Tucker, Dwight Yoakam, and the Calgary Stampede.

Jen is living her passion as the Artistic Director and owner of Hyperflex Dance Studio in Edmonton. For over 30 years, she has been a teacher and choreographer, as well as a guest choreographer and judge throughout Canada and the United States. She also takes her experience and attention to detail into the gymnastics and figure skating worlds as the dance and artistic coach to many Olympic hopefuls.
Jen’s expertise has allowed her to work with many talented dancers and help them grow not only as dancers but as amazing people. Her dancers have credits such as; Janet Jackson 'State of the World' tour, Janet Jackson's ‘Unbreakable’ tour, Dancing with the Stars Juniors, multiple appearances and performances on the ‘Ellen Degeneres Show’, ‘America’s got Talent’, and The BET awards. As well, she has had multiple students on seasons 1 and 2 of J-Lo’s ‘World of Dance’. Her dancers have gone on to be accepted in the prestigious Joffrey Ballet School, Young American’s, Harbour Dance Center; receive ‘protégé’ status at The Pulse on Tour, become members of Imma Beast as well as Brian Freidman’s ‘Sugar and Spice’ crew, be accepted into professional divisions of the ABT, Alberta Ballet and GOH Ballet. Performances and campaigns for her students also include MC Hammer, Ciara, Lil Nas, Chris Brown, The Kid’s Choice awards, H and M, and Nike Global Campaigns, Adidas, Puma, Old Navy, FIFA World Cup, Fashion with Compassion, The Harlem Globetrotters, Sketchers, and Target.

Jen continues to strive to pursue excellence in the art of dance both for herself and her students.

Emily Paulic

Emily is a dance teacher and choreographer with a passion for all genres of dance. She has both trained and taught in the competitive dance world for many years in the styles of Acro, Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Hip hop, Lyrical, and Musical Theatre. She has been recognized for her unique and creative choreography at competitions over the years. Emily is a certified Jazz and Tap Instructor with the ADAPT syllabus teacher training program. Rooted from a long love for the acro genre, she is also a certified AcroDance Syllabus Instructor with the Acro Dance Teachers Association. As a dancer, Emily has continued her training over the years with various industry professionals, and training programs in Toronto, community performances, and was a dancer and choreographer with the Ryerson Dance Pak. Emily has a Bachelor of Design in Fashion which has helped her to combine dance with costume design into her business Emilina Design, where she works with dancers and studios to create unique custom costumes. She is also working in the film industry, having worked in the costume department on movies and television shows with large production companies like Disney, Sony, and Fox TV. Emily strives to share her passion and enthusiasm for dance, through her various avenues within the dance and entertainment industry. She hopes to continue to support and encourage young dancers to be the best versions of themselves, and to always stay inspired through dance.