COMPETITIONS
Competing is a big part of what we do. Below you can read about where we have competed in the past and how our auditions work. Our society has grown hugely over the years and this shows when we tend to be the biggest university at competitions! Competitions are so much fun and really bring our society together as a family. To see a full list of our competitive styles, click here.
Want to see the squads perform for yourself?
Go to our Gallery page.
2021/22 Competitions
Sunday 13th February- Sussex Dance Competition (All squads)
Saturday 12th March- Surrey Dance Competition (All squads)
Friday 18th March to Sunday 20th March - Loughborough Dance Comp (Ballet, Tap, Adv Jazz, Adv Contemporary, Adv Hip Hop, Nov Hip-Hop and Wildcard)
Tuesday 29th March - Varsity at Kent (all squads)
Competition Squad Auditions
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Every October we hold our auditions for each style to determine our competition squad members. The audition itself is run by the choreographer(s) of that style and they decide on who they would like in their squad. Auditions run every year so make sure you look out for them on our social media. If you don't want to compete or don't make it into our competition squads - don't worry! You can still dance with us by joining our weekly classes or attending our workshops.
We promise auditions aren't something to be nervous about! The best way to prepare is to attend our taster sessions during the first two weeks of term. This will not only help you to make friends first, but it will also allow the choreographer to get an idea of your skill level and maybe even give you some advice before audition day.
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The actual auditions tend to run as follows:
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Register online and check in when you reach the venue
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Warm up led by choreographer
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Corner work or perhaps some drills
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Learn a short routine taught by choreographers
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Time to practise the routine and ask questions
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Perform in smaller groups
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Results are sent out by email that weekend.
Varsity - UKC vs CCCU
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As of 2018, we now join the official Varsity week with all the other sports at Kent. Together with Christchurch University, we hold a competition where our competitive squads compete against the CCCU dance squads. We won all years so far, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022!!
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Southern Competitions 1 and 2 - February/March
Competitions we have previously attended include: Southampton, Sussex, Bucks New Uni, KCL, Bournemouth and Surrey.
How do they work?
These smaller competitions last one day and we all travel together on the coach early in the morning and back in the evening. Up to 15 universities may compete at these events from around the country. Categories usually come in 'novice' and 'advanced' of each style (ballet, jazz, tap etc). Each dancer pays for their coach and ticket which the Kent Dance Competition Coordinator will arrange for you (our Treasurer is here to help with all things money too). At the end of the day they give out awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place along with special awards like Best Costume, Best Choreography, and Best Performer.
ADV CONTEMP
2021/22
BALLET
2021/22
Loughborough Dance Competition
Lough is the biggest inter-university dance competition in the country. We love attending each year and it's a big event for our society. Unfortunately, we are so big that not all our squads get to attend as they only allow 7 and we normally have 10.
How does it work?
This comp lasts all weekend so we travel up from Kent on the Friday night and stay in a hotel. Lough include all the genres as well as a Latin section. Just like the others, they have awards for each category and additional ones too. It is a huge event which is live streamed and provides professional photography as well as famous dancers as judges. The competition is tough but we love attending for an unforgettable weekend of fun memories.
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Awards
In March 2019, we came away with 1st place in Ballet, and the overall award for Best Team Spirt out of 23 universities!
In March 2020, we came 3rd place with our Ballet Squad and 3rd place with our Advanced Hip Hop Squad, as well as the award for Best Male going to one of our hip hop choreographers, Jake Watts!
In March 2022, we achieved 1st place in Ballet, 3rd place Tap and 3rd Place Advanced Contemporary!
These are all amazing achievements as this competition is so tough and we are so proud.
TAP
2019/20