There’s a common saying that something gets even better the second time around. We will all find out if that's true once these mesmerizing teams from around the world take the Dance Worlds stage for the second year in the Contemporary/Lyrical divisions this year. 

Every year, categories grow at Worlds and it looks like more teams will be competing in this style in 2018. Dance fans everywhere were excited to hear the announcement of the new in 2017. In the past, teams who chose to bring more of a lyrical style routine would still compete in the Jazz category. 

As the Contemporary/Lyrical movement became more popular, the decision was necessary to allow this style to grow in the all star dance community. This has allowed clarity for choreographers and dancers alike to be able to embrace the scoresheet and impress the world-renowned judges.

Since there was a new category in 2017, USASF was able to award new champions. Let’s take a look at last year’s top teams and what may come for this year.

Dance Dynamics took home the first-ever gold globes in the entire category. 

Yes, that means before this weekend, there is only one program to have won in the Contemporary/Lyrical competition at the Dance Worlds both Senior and Open. 

Their Senior routine featured a lot of soul-baring and teamwork. The pace and the movement had a perfect build of intensity, and the audience was able to capture the heartfelt theme of the routine. Dance Dynamics are strong in the Contemporary/Lyrical division because they bring a true storyline to the stage. 

Watch this routine from last year and take a look at the beautiful costumes and facial expressions that help understand the meaning of the routine more. 

[Watch] Dance Dynamics 2017 Winning Senior Routine

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The Open champion routine from Dance Dynamics featured a female and male lead wearing different costumes, and their relationship gave you all the feels.

[Watch] Dance Dynamics 2017 Winning Open Routine

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Dancin Bluebonnets brought home second place in Senior Contemporary/Lyrical in 2017 and have already been counting down the days until they can bring a new routine to the stage. Their lyrical routines have always brought great technique. Technical skills are a great way to show judges difficulty and the Dancin Bluebonnets have never steered far from showing these off. They know how to turn in unison and are excited to bring another emotional routine.

[Watch] Dancin Bluebonnets 2017 Senior Contemporary/Lyrical

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The Bluebonnets took home the bronze in the Open division, which kept both of these teams in the top three of the Contemporary/Lyrical category. Another fun fact about Dance Dynamics and Dancin Bluebonnets: They are neighbors dancing in the same Texas town and even support each other during tough times.

Dance Precisions was the team that brought a great breath of fresh air to the division. Taking home the bronze, this team came to the stage with one of the most thought out musicality performances.

This team won’t be joining us at Worlds this year, but they are worth mentioning because they claimed top three without a single pirouette or strong turning section that most teams shape their routines around. The fully embraced the contemporary style throughout and we are bound to see more teams try to execute this for 2018.

[Watch] Dance Precisions 2017 Senior Routine

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Be sure to look out for the Vision Dance Center in 2018. Before the Jazz and Lyrical category split, they tended to lean toward more of a lyrical style. So when the new division was created last year they were able to dive completely in. They took home fourth in Senior last year and are bringing an Open Lyrical team for the first time this weekend.

Mt Eden Ballet Academy from New Zealand brought home the silver medal in Open Contemporary/Lyrical with a beautiful routine!

[Watch] Mt Eden Ballet Academy 2017 Open Silver Medalists

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A few other must-watch teams are the Golden Hawks from Japan and Music City All Stars from the USA. The Golden Hawks do so well with expression and Music City will bring a very visual routine with their amazing staging.

The beautiful category will bring music to life and all the emotions and you wouldn’t want to catch these routines any other way but live. Be sure to tune in for the Dance Worlds.

By Megan Miles

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