Conventions

Brand Directory

The major convention brands

Each touring convention has its own personality — some are education-forward, some are a direct pipeline to commercial work, some are the hip-hop authority. There's no single 'best' one; the right fit depends on a dancer's goals, styles, and level. Here's an honest, neutral rundown.

NUVO

Education-forward, tours Canadian and US cities. Known for its Breakout Artist scholarship. Best for serious competitive dancers and educators.

JUMP

Eight styles, welcoming atmosphere, a strong closing show. Well-rounded and a good entry point for studios newer to the convention scene.

Radix

Cutting-edge contemporary and jazz with industry-leading faculty. Best for pre-professional, contemporary-heavy dancers.

Tremaine

Legacy credibility and the Dancer of the Year title; often sells out. Best for serious competitive dancers chasing legacy recognition.

NYCDA

NYC industry ties and strong college BFA recruiting. Best for pre-professional, college-bound, and musical-theatre dancers.

LA Dance Magic

Plugged into the LA commercial scene and the music-video pipeline. Best for dancers aiming at commercial work.

The PULSE

Taught by working commercial choreographers — a real bridge to music-video and tour work. Best for pre-pros moving toward industry jobs.

24Seven

Home of The Dance Awards championship pathway and Best Dancer recognition. Best for elite-level studios.

Adrenaline

High-energy, welcoming, approachable. A balanced experience for studios new to conventions.

Monsters of Hip-Hop

THE hip-hop authority, with Disney/Universal casting connections. Convention-only. Best for a commercial/hip-hop career track, all ages.

KĀOS

A newer, cutting-edge hip-hop alternative. Convention-only. Best for hip-hop-focused dancers and studios newer to the scene.

How to read this

Most of these run a convention (classes) and a competition in the same weekend; Monsters and KĀOS are convention-only. 'Best for' is a starting point, not a rule — plenty of well-rounded dancers thrive at any of them.

Choosing between them

  • Match the brand to the goal — commercial pipeline (PULSE, LA Dance Magic, Monsters) vs. concert/pre-pro (Radix, NYCDA) vs. well-rounded (JUMP, Adrenaline).
  • Consider faculty — the touring faculty is the real product. Look up who teaches the cities near you.
  • Factor in level — some rooms move fast; a dancer in over their head has a rough weekend.
  • Talk to your studio — most studios attend as a group and have a brand they trust.

KC stays neutral

We don't take a cut from any convention or steer you toward one. This directory exists so families can choose what genuinely fits their dancer.

New to all of this?

Start with the basics, then read the first-convention survival guide.

What Is a Convention?