Dance Worlds… And All That Jazz

There will be four Jazz categories at this year’s World Championships: Senior Small, Senior Large, Open, and Open Coed.

Apr 16, 2019 by Leanza Pieroni

Get excited, because The Dance Worlds 2019 is about to unleash performances as you’ve never seen… and all that Jazz. This is a category unlike any other because the teams’ styles can be so drastically different, yet somehow thrive under the same dance umbrella.

Jazz routines are meant to be sharp, crisp, and have an aggressive feel, while also allowing for softer moments. Musical theater might be the most well-known version of Jazz, but the other variations are broad and exciting. You get everything from high energy with speedy movement to moody and slower, deep, meaningful choreography that hits you in your soul.

You won't see many “jazz hands” in these divisions (although you might see a few), but you will see plenty of kicks, turns, dynamic arm movements, and formation changes to leave you breathless.

There will be four Jazz categories at this year’s World Championships: Senior Small, Senior Large, Open, and Open Coed.

The reigning champions in Senior Small Jazz are back for more, hailing from Champion Legacy. After taking the title last season and losing a significant group of seniors, Owner and Head Coach Angela Nieman had no doubts that they’d be back for more this season.

She told us, “Their work ethic and talent has carried over to this year’s 2019 Worlds team”. With experience, learned leadership, and the title propelling them forward make sure to catch the performance of Champion Legacy as they aim to repeat this season.

2018 GOLD MEDALISTS: Champion Legacy - Sr Small Jazz

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Also, in Senior Small Jazz, which is the largest of the 4 divisions by a long shot, we have a slew of teams that either medaled last season or were just outside of the podium placements.

The Vision Dance Center is coming off of a silver medal finish last season and will be looking to challenge Champion Legacy for the top spot. Also, directly from the 2018 podium is Melbourne Florida’s Dance Mania All Stars. They finished with the bronze last year and will have their sights set on even more this year.

Barely missing the podium last season in fifth place and looking to reach the medals will be California’s own, South Coast Freestyle. And if that wasn’t enough, the silver medalists from the Senior Large Jazz division last year, the Dancin’ BlueBonnets, will be vying for the Small title as well. Finally, never to be counted out, make sure you keep an eye on Dance Dynamics, Golden Motion, and Wildfire Dance Studio to make a run for the podium in this jam-packed division!

Senior Large Jazz is a significantly smaller division (ironically) but contains as much talent as the Small division. The reigning champions, Dancer’s Edge, are back once again to reach the top spot once again. They will be a formidable competitor and will not give up the title without a jazzy fight.

2018 GOLD MEDALISTS: Dancer's Edge - Sr Large Jazz

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Dance Dynamics, last year’s bronze medalists, are sharply throwing their hats back into the ring once again and will be ones to watch as Dancer’s Edge’s biggest threats. Music City All Stars placed 5^th last season and will certainly have their eyes on the prize in 2019. After being so close to the podium, they’ll be jazzed to prove themselves as a medal contender. Other main teams to watch in this division will be Brookfield Center for the Arts, PowerWorx Dance, and Studio L Dance Company. You can’t count any team out, and you definitely don’t want to miss this division battle it out.

On to the Open divisions!

These divisions are different from the Senior divisions because they are ages fourteen and up, which allows for a whole different set of vibes and entertainment. In Open Jazz, all three medalists from 2018 are back once again, ready for a rematch. The bronze medalists, The Vision Dance Center, will be sure to show that they not only belong on the podium again but that they are worthy of it all. The reigning silver medalists, Dance Dynamics, will be performing with a fire worthy of the gold. And the reigning World Champions, the Dancin’ Bluebonnets, will be arriving in Orlando in style to claim another ring.

All of those teams will be fending off the advances of the international teams in attendance.

2018 GOLD MEDALIST: Dancin’ Bluebonnets - Open Jazz

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Last season, the fourth and fifth spots went to Top Dance from Mexico, and Ultimate Dance Center from Australia, respectively. There’s little doubt that the international presence will be felt in force in this division once again this season.

Last, but certainly not least, we bring out the coed teams. The Open Coed Jazz division boasts one of the largest international presences out of all of the divisions at Worlds. In 2018, the first, fourth, and fifth spots went to non-USA teams. The top spot went to the thrilling Dance Factory from Mexico.

2018 GOLD MEDALIST: Dance Factory Mexico - Open Coed Jazz

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Strut Performing Arts took home the silver medal, and Music City All Stars took home the bronze. Rounding out the top five was RS Studio Allstars from Mexico and Elite Dance Center from Chile. Teams representing for Central and South America took this division by storm last season, and it will be exciting to see what they bring this year. Also entering this division is the undeniable Dancin’ Bluebonnets. The Bluebonnets will be attempting to claim both open divisions, which would be an incredible feat! Make sure to follow along as this fascinating division unfolds.

Some routines will be quirky. Some routines will be very serious. Some routines will be full of downright strange body movements (in the absolute best possible way). You will not see two Jazz routines that are the same, which is what makes this category so exciting! Personalities will be out in full force, and the rules of what is “normal” will be challenged.

One thing is sure: We are all jazzed up to see how these divisions turn out at The Dance Worlds 2019!

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Written By: Thomas Parrott