Ovation Announces National Dance Competition "So You Think Your School Can Dance"

Ovation Announces National Dance Competition "So You Think Your School Can Dance"

Competition for Dance Schools and Ensembles with Students Ages 13 and up Kicks off August 1

CHICAGO, July 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- During Dance/USA's 2011 Annual Conference taking place now through Saturday in Chicago, conference co-sponsor Ovation, the only network devoted to arts culture, announced that it will launch a national dance competition on August 1. "So You Think Your School Can Dance" offers dance schools and ensembles with students ages 13 and up a chance to win a scholarship and national television exposure. The announcement was made by Gaynor Strachan Chun, SVP of Marketing, Ovation following remarks by Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

"Ovation is excited to be partnering with Dance/USA to support their annual conference and get the word out to dance schools and groups across the country about this opportunity," said Ms. Strachan Chun. "This competition is a fantastic example of Ovation's ongoing commitment to supporting the next generation of artists and our enthusiasm for dance as an inspiring, engaging art form."

The dance competition coincides with Ovation's enhanced encore presentations of So You Think You Can Dance, which will be presented with exclusive "extras" accompanying each episode, both on air and on line at www.ovationtv.com. Ovation has acquired seasons 6-8 of the show and will kick off with season six, airing weekly from Friday to Monday at 8p.m.ET/PT beginning August 5.

To participate in the "So You Think Your School Can Dance" contest, dance schools and groups with at least three members should submit a 1-4 minute video of a recent performance to www.ovationtv.com between August 1 and December 1. Submissions must be made by the dance group's teacher, professor, instructor and/or coach. The contest is open to all dance forms, including but not limited to Modern, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Ballroom, Salsa, Latin and Folk. Submissions should be in .mp4, .wmv, .flv or .mov format and no larger than 100MB in size.

Ovation will select no more than 20 dance performances as semi-finalists on or around December 16, 2011. Among the eligible entries received, the semi-finalists will be chosen based on creativity/originality, form, technical dance skills and group choreography. The semi-finalists will then be judged by an independent panel of professional dancers and choreographers who will choose four finalists plus the "Best in Show." The semi-finalists will also be eligible for the Viewer's Choice Award. For this category, the semi-finalist receiving the most votes between January 4, 2012 and January 18, 2012 on the contest web page will win.

On January 30, 2012, Ovation will announce the four finalists, the winner of the Viewers' Choice Award, and the "Best in Show." Each winning group will receive a $1,000 grant or scholarship for their dance company, class, school or ensemble. The "Best in Show" winner will receive a $10,000 grant or scholarship, plus a :30 spot on Ovation.

"Our theme to this year's conference is 'Design It. Dance It. Be the Architect of Your Future.' and this contest is a great illustration of how dancers and dance organizations can use multiple resources available to them to further careers in dance," said Amy Fitterer, Executive Director, Dance/USA. "We are grateful to Ovation for their support and look forward to working with them to promote 'So You Think Your School Can Dance.'"

A complete schedule for So You Think You Can Dance on Ovation is available at www.ovationtv.com.

About Ovation:

Ovation is the only multi-platform network devoted to arts culture. Ovation gives its viewers access to the artists who define our cultural landscape through its one-of-a-kind mix of hand-picked documentaries, series, movies, and specials.

The channel reaches a national audience of 44 million households through carriage on cable systems, DirecTV (channel 274), Dish Network (channel 157) and Telco systems nationally. Ovation is also available in HD and VOD (both in standard and high definition). Ovation extends its linear channel experience for viewers online via its popular website, www.ovationtv.com. In addition to offering contests, trivia, facts and supplemental video online, the network has created an award-winning online community (www.ovationtv.com/community) for everyone from passionate artists to curious creative's who want to share their work and their thoughts. To date, over 160,000 pieces of original art have been uploaded to the site by members.

About Dance/USA

Dance/USA is the national service organization for the professional dance field. We believe that dance is essential to a healthy society, demonstrating the infinite possibilities for human expression and potential, and facilitating communication within and across cultures. Dance/USA sustains and advances professional dance by addressing the needs, concerns, and interests of artists, administrators, and organizations. By providing services and national leadership, Dance/USA enhances the infrastructure for dance creation, education, and dissemination.

Established in 1982, Dance/USA is a membership organization serving a broad cross-section of professional dance (currently over 440 ballet, modern, ethnic, jazz, and tap companies, dance service and presenting organizations, individuals, and related organizations). With an informed understanding of local dance communities and an eagle-eye view of dance nationally, we occupy a unique position in the field. By working primarily in the interests of our membership, Dance/USA strengthens the dance field as a whole and the performing arts field in general. Dance/USA's priorities include advocating for dance, providing information & research on the field, convening & networking, and building leadership among dance professionals. Learn more about Dance/USA and our branch offices, Dance/NYC and Dance/UP, by visiting our website, www.danceusa.org

SOURCE Ovation

Ovation

CONTACT: Patricia Frith of Patricia Frith Marketing, +1-818-876-0480, pfmarketing@roadrunner.com, for Ovation

Web Site: http://www.ovationtv.com

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