as: Starbound National Talent Contest celebrating its 31st season, the team knows what keeps dance families coming back. “We have always been one of the leaders in this industry, and by listening to our customers’ feedback and making changes, we continue to set the bar higher,” says Sandra Coit, Founder and Director.
with: calendar: of more than 70 regional competitions and five nationals, Starbound’s events combine the glamor and innovation of a large-scale production and theatrical experience with the propriety and personal attention you’d expect from a family-owned company. Starbound offers the industry expertise of a woman-owned business founded by a former dance teacher and studio owner.
2025 will be an eventful year for Starbound with new and exciting opportunities for dancers and teachers alike. First, they’ll be adding even more cities to their extensive roster (including stops in Omaha, Nebraska and Jacksonville, Florida). Dancers can look forward to the addition of an improv competition to each regional event, while parents and teachers will appreciate the new locker rooms distributed by studio. Starbound also rebranded to keep up with the times while maintaining the integrity of a name dancers can trust.
Starbound’s scoring system is also being revamped. The dancer’s score will be divided into four categories. technique, choreography, aesthetics and performance. On the Tuesday following the race weekend, teachers can enter: Starbound Virtual Teacher Center and see score breakdowns for each routine as well as video critiques. Finally, to address the current hot topic of leveling the competition, Starbound will also add specific, skill-based guidelines that ensure fairness and help take the guesswork out of routine sign-ups.
Even with all these exciting features, Coyte remains most proud of what has remained the same in Starbound over the past three decades. “We’ve always aimed to keep our prices simple and affordable,” she shares. “Our entry fees are the same no matter when you register, and we were the first competition in the dance industry to introduce early bird discounts.” Starbound knows that affordability matters to its families, and Coyte notes that while prices are not increased this year, the competition is producing the same high-quality events that studios expect. Additionally, free photos and videos have been a longtime hallmark of Starbound, and events are also streamed live.
The competition also prides itself on the expertise of its staff. “All three judges on each panel are versatile experts in multiple dance styles, and we always have at least one judge who is familiar with tap,” says Coit.
Starbound is also committed to raising money for Dancers Care Foundation. Since 2002, the company has donated more than $2.6 million to cancer treatment and prevention in the dance community.
Looking ahead, the 2025 season is shaping up to be Starbound’s best yet. Do you want to have fun? Registration: now for upcoming events. Call us about our early bird incentives, such as the following: When your studio enters dancers in two regional events, you’ll receive a 20 percent discount off the price of the National Finals, or deposit your 2025 entries by September 30, 2024 and receive 20 percent discount. Contact us for details!
