Hamilton

Hotel Name: Hampton by Hilton

For Dates: March 27 - 30: 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.

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.

Most recently, Nicole has captivated audiences with her weekly feature "Dance Q&A with Nicole Dymianiw" on The DanceBug Show, showcasing her unmatched expertise and passion for dance. Her past segments have been a treasure trove of knowledge, available on TheDanceBugChannel.com.

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

David Lafleur

David Lafleur (he/him) is a Tap dance artist based in the National Capital Region with experience across Canada as a teacher, choreographer, and adjudicator. He holds a master’s degree in human kinetics with a specialization in neuroscience from the University of Ottawa.

David’s professional dance journey began when he met his mentor, Ryan Foley. His career highlights include training at The School at Jacob’s Pillow Tap Dance Program, performing in Dianne Montgomery’s Fall For Dance North World Premiere, being a main cast member of Rhythm and Sound since 2017, and presenting original work at the National Arts Centre. With Toffan Rhythm Projects, David has performed at the Toronto International Tap Dance Festival and worked as part of the TRI Summer Youth Intensive faculty.

In 2021, David co-founded (in)sight with Ella Steele, a Tap dance collective dedicated to sharing innovative, multi-disciplinary work. Together, they create theatre productions, short films, and in situ pieces, collaborating with artists across various practices to showcase the versatility of Tap dance. This season, they toured their work, Mirror/Water/Doorway, in theatres across Québec.

David is grateful for the many opportunities he has received and is passionate about sharing his love of dance with the community.

@french_david

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.