OBSERVER BANDS

The AYA Summer Intensive will take place over three days with classes, panels and activities planned for each day of the convention. Summer Intensive will feature Primary, Pre Pro and Pro Level classes in addition to Teacher Only classes.

Styles offered: Summer Intensive may include but are not limited to: Contemporary, Jazz, Jazz Funk, Musical Theatre, Latin, Bollywood, African, Stepping, Improv, Hip Hop, Tap, Ballet, Modern, Lyrical, Across the Floor technique, Choreography, Dance Team , Pro Level Industry Heels and bonus classes.

REGISTRATION AND CHECK IN:

Studio registrations must be picked up by a studio representative. Registrations of 3 or less dancers and/or independent dancers are allowed to retrieve their welcome packets at check in when they arrive. 

TEACHER LANYARDS: 

Each studio registration is given THREE complementary lanyards to observe and participate in classes and panels. Additional teacher lanyards can be purchased via  Dance Comp Genie or by sending the AYA office an email to request additional teacher passes.

CONVENTION SCHEDULE: The draft schedule for the Summer Intensive will be  available to view on the SUMMER INTENSIVE page of our website. Please note, convention schedules are subject to change at the discretion of AYA. A copy of the schedule will be in welcome packets and posted outside each ballroom during the event. 

DANCER WRISTBANDS: 

Dancers will receive a wristband in their welcome packet. Dancers must wear their Summer Intensive bands during the entire convention including the Neon Lights Ball. Dancers do not need to wear their wristbands if they are competing in the Closing Show.

PARENT OBSERVER BANDS: Parent observer bands are required to watch and film intensive classes. Auditions and teacher classes are closed to all parents regardless of observer band purchase. Thank you in advance for your understanding.  Both the closing show and the industry panels will have open, first come first served seating.  

TRIBE AUDITION APPLICATIONS: If your dancer(s) received an invite to audition for The Tribe OR would like to audition, they must submit an audition application to be permitted into auditions. There is no separate fee to audition for the Tribe assistant program.

TRIBE ASSISTANT AUDITIONS: The summer intensive will feature two auditions; PRO TRIBE on Friday August 1st and the MINI TRIBE on Saturday August 2nd. Both auditions will be judged by a panel of convention faculty. Dancers will be taught 2-3 short combinations and will also be requested to improv in their preferred genre. If time allows, dancers will participate in a single interview question. Dancers should be prepared to spend up to two hours in the audition process.

Auditions are closed to parent observers. We thank you in advance for your understanding. Dancers who are invited to join The Tribe will be announced at the closing show. We will have "Signing Day"  photo op for Tribe invitees in the foyer following the closing show. Dancers who are not invited to The Tribe can request for a listing of areas for improvement via email following the event. Additionally, dancers who cannot attend the Closing Show will be notified via email in regard to their audition results following the intensive. Please allow 2-3 days for decision emails to be received if you can not be present for the closing show.

TRIBE INFO MEETING: Come have a chat with the owner of AYA about The Tribe and what is entailed in this unique opportunity! If your dancer is auditioning for The Tribe for the first time, you are welcome to attend this meeting and get more information about the upcoming tour! 

NEON NIGHTS HOMECOMING BALL: We are so excited to celebrate the end of our tour with the Neon Nights Ball! Dancers are encouraged to wear bright and/or multi colored attire to this event. Attire can be formal or simply creative. We will feature a best dressed contest @ 8:15 pm during the ball and we will crown our Best Dressed King or Queen. Dancers can sign up backstage at 7:45pm during the ball to participate. The ball will feature music, dancing, curated photo ops, refreshments, cash bar, giveaways and more. Dancers are encouraged to eat dinner during their evening break before the ball as a full meal will not be served and to bring money if they would like to purchase a beverage from the cash bar. 

IMPROV COMPETITION: The Summer Intensive will feature our annual Improv Competition! Dancers can sign up to participate at Registration from 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm on Friday. Dancers will compete in three levels : Primary Improv Competition, Pre Pro & Pro Improv Competition, Tribe Only Improv Competition. The winner of each Improv Competition will be awarded our Improv Champion Sash, Trophy, Scholarship Package and Website Feature. Awards will also be given for the 1st runner up in each division.   

SCAVENGER HUNT: Visit registration to grab a scavenger hunt form and join your friends for a riddle-filled hunt throughout the convention ballroom area. Each dancer or group, if working together, can request ONE hint at registration if they get stuck. Visit registration once you have completed your form and select a prize out of the mystery box! 

INDUSTRY PANELS: The summer intensive will feature industry panels with our faculty. Topics for panels will be announced no less than 30 days prior to the intensive. Seating is first come, first served for all panels. Parents and teachers are welcome and strongly encouraged to attend.

CLOSING SHOW: The closing show will feature routines from The Tribe, attending studios and choreography taught in convention classes. At the end of select classes, the faculty will award invitations to perform their choreography in the closing show. Dancers who are picked for the closing show must attend tech rehearsal to be allowed to participate. Classes featuring this symbol ( ** ) will be featured in the closing show. Dancers should come to Summer Intensive with a black and white outfit to wear for the closing show in the event they are invited to perform.

The closing show will conclude with our convention scholarship presentation, sponsored awards and the announcement of the 2025-2026 Tribe. The mainstage and step and repeat will remain open for 30 minutes following the show for photo opportunities. 

BEST OF THE BEST SHOWDOWN: On the final day of the Intensive, we are beyond excited to host the BEST OF THE BEST showdown! Each attending studio is invited to submit ONE routine to represent their company in the Showdown. All routines will compete head to head for the opportunity to be crowned the Best Of The Best. Awards will be given for artistry, choreography, concept, entertainment, emotional execution, musicality and more. This event will conclude with the awarding of our Summer Intensive Showdown winner and our 2025 Season Absolute Artist.

ORDER OF PERFORMANCE: The Best Of The Best order of performance will be released on July 15th by midnight CST once information from competing routines has been received by AYA. 

SAFETY: On site security will be available for the Summer Intensive. If you are in need of assistance, please speak to management or visit Registration. Additionally, first aid will be made available at Registration. Dancers may help themselves to any first aid items. 

- Participants may register for either a three-, two- or one-day convention pass for the Summer Intensive. Registration fees can be paid at the time of registration, or a $175 refundable studio deposit may be submitted to reserve a spot for this summer event. 

- Full and Half regional scholarships are not valid for Summer Intensive. Quarter Summer Intensive Tribe scholarships are permitted to be redeemed for this event. 

- The convention schedule for this event will be posted no later than 7 days before the event. Convention schedule and closing show order subject to change. Sample list of events is located at the bottom of this webpage.

Tribe Assistant auditions for the 2025-2026 season will be held during the AYA Summer Intensive. Registration to attend the intensive required to audition. 

TRIBE FAQ'S:

- Dancers who are unable to attend the summer intensive Tribe audition will be permitted to submit a video audition with permission from ownership. Video submissions will only be reviewed if all spots are not filled at the summer intensive. Video submissions will only be accepted until submission capacity has been reached. Please email activateyourartistry@gmail.com by March 30, 2025 to submit a video audition request. 

- Summer Intensive auditions will consist of a technical dance combination, industry/urban dance combination, improv in dancers preferred style and faculty interview.

- Tribe invitation scholarships entitle the recipient to 25% off summer intensive registration. 

- Dancers must submit a headshot and full body action photo when registering to audition. Photos can be professional or self-shot. No competition photos or convention photos permitted. Due to copyright, photos must not contain banners or logos from other companies. Photos will be shared on social media of dancers who are selected to join The Tribe. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

- Dancers who are invited to The Tribe will be announced at the closing ceremony of the summer intensive on the final day of the event.

- There is no fee to participate in the Tribe Assistant Program if selected. Tribe Assistants are compensated with a Full tuition scholarship for the season as work-study, social media features, website features and complimentary Tribe attire. Tribe assistants are also invited to perform in the opening number at each event, participate in virtual events, photo shoots and in studio conventions. Travel and accommodations are the responsibility of each assistant and/or their guardian.

- Pro Tribe Assistants are typically age 12-college age. Dancers younger than 12 years old by the start of the season will be considered for the Mini Tribe. Dancers over the age of 18 may apply for a paid Industry Tribe contracts.

- Pro Tribe Assistants must be able to commit to no less than two tour cities to be considered for a seasonal contract. Mini Tribe Assistants must be able to commit to at least one tour city to be considered for a seasonal contract.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?? Send us a message or email.

We are happy to answer any and all questions!