16th Annual GK Dance & Scholarship Competition

Saturday, April 22, 2023

Bedford High School Auditorium

 

 

 

What it’s all about…
The GK Dance and Scholarship Competition is an exciting celebration of all styles of dance. This event is held in memory of my mother, Gail Koppenhaver, who tragically passed away in 2002. My mother was my dance instructor, as well as my best friend and hero. Her vibrant personality and never-fading smile inspired all of her dance students in addition to all of those who knew her.
 
Kristen Kauffman

 

 
Dance Studio Owners/Instructors: Contact Kristen at by text at 814-233-6390 or email gkdancecompany@yahoo.com for the digital entry form. 
 
Dance Competition Categories
 
Levels
Recreational:  For students who participate in dance classes 3 or less hours a week. This level should be used for dancers who have no or little competition experience. 
Competitive: For students who participate in dance classes 3-6 hours per week. This level should be used for dancers who have some competition experience. 
Elite: For students who participate in dance classes 6 or more hours per week. This level should be used for dancers who have several years of competition experience.
 
 
Age Divisions
(All ages are based on dancer's age as of January 1, 2023)
 
Mini
5 years old and under
 
Petite
6-8 years old
 
Junior
9-11 years old
 
Teen
12-14 years old
 
Senior
15-18 years old
 
Adult
19-24 years old

Senior Adult
25+ years old
 
Scholarship
See scholarship rules for more information
 
 
 
                                                         
Dance Category
Acro
Ballet
Ballroom
Character
Clogging
Contemporary
Jazz
Lyrical
Musical Theatre
Open
Pointe
Photogenic
Tap
Vocal
 
 
Group Sizes

Solo-1 dancer

Duo/Trio-2-3 dancers

Small Group-4-9 dancers

 

Large Group-10-14 dancers

 

Line/Production-15+ dancers

 

 
Entry Fee Information
All entry fees are per person/per routine.
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
Solo: $40
Title Solo: $60
Duet/Trio: $25
Groups/Productions: $20
Photogenic: $20
 
 
 
 
AWARDS
Adjudicated Awards
All routines will receive an adjudicated award.  Dancers may donate their adjudicated trophy amounts back to the scholarship account. 
 

 

Division   Diamond Platinum High Gold Gold 
           
Recreational   300-282 281.9-266 265.9-251 250.9-210
Competitive   300-284 283.9-270 269.9-255 254.9-210
Elite   300-284 283.9-270 269.9-255 254.9-210
 
 
Top Awards
 
Ms./Mr. GK Title Awards
Any soloist may enter the Title competition. The Title of Miss/Mr. GK will be awarded in each age division. The Title will be awarded to the highest score in showmanship/performance. All three levels of competition will be combined in the Title contest. 
 
 
Overall Awards
The top 3 scores per age division/group size will automatically be awarded per level.  The top 40% of routines will be awarded. (For example, if there are 10 entries for petite soloist--awards will be given to the top 4 dancers.)
 
 
Highest Score Awards
Highest score awards will be given in each level/age division.

 
Special Awards
Judge Awards-
Each judge will present special judge awards. 
 
Papa Ron Award-
Chosen by my one and only, Papa Ron!  He will choose a studio/routine to give his award. As a PIAA referree, sportsmanship and kindness to others play a key role in his decision.
 
One More Time Award-
This is my only award that I give away.  My mother was always known as to making her dancers perform a routine "One More Time" to perfect it.  One dance per session (11 and under; 12 and over) will be awarded the "One More Time" award as a routine that I just truly loved and would like to see performed one more time.
 
 

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GK DANCE COMPETITION 2022 RULES/GUIDELINES
1. All registrations, entry fees (in the form of one check), and t-shirt orders (in the form of one check) are due by April 1, 2023. Checks should be made out to GK Dance Scholarship.
Please mail all information and payment to: 
Kristen Kauffman
5212 Forest Ave.
        Bedford, PA 15522 
 
2. Each performance in the solo, duet, trio, ensemble, small group and large group must be 3.5 minutes or less. Any performance over 3.5 minutes will be disqualified. Production performances must be 8 minutes or less. 
3. To determine which category to enter a performance, please use the average age of the performers in your group.  Ages should be as of January 1, 2023.
4.  Performance scores will be determined by 3 judges. A judge may not score any performances from any studio they are affiliated with.
5.  ONE participation trophy will be awarded to each dancer for the competition. (We will not be awarding a trophy per routine as we have in the past in an effort to raise more funds for the scholarships. You may opt to donate the cost of your participation trophy back toward the scholarship account.)
6.  All performers will receive a participation award and will be recognized at the end of the competition.
7.  All performances will be performed at on the stage at Bedford High School.
8.  Video of the performances is permitted however please be sure to only record your own studio's performances to protect the creativity of each studio's choreography.
9.  Shirt orders are due on April 1, 2023--shirt designs will be listed on the GK Dance Company Facebook page. All scholarship contestants will receive a free t-shirt.
10. If for some reason, a contestant cannot compete due to illness, or extenuating circumstances, no refund will be given. 
11. GK Dance Company, Kristen and Kauffman, and the Bedford Area School District will not be held liable for personal injury or property loss to any contestant, parent, instructor, spectator, or anyone attending our event.
12.  All instructors and participants agree that the time, manner, method, and results of our judging will be at the sole discretion of our judging panel. Score sheets will be made available to instructors only after the award ceremonies.
13. Any performer must complete her/his routine in order to qualify for judging. 
14. THERE WILL BE NO COACHING FROM BACKSTAGE OR THE AUDIENCE BY ANY PARTY. If we observe this happening, the routine will be disqualified.
15. Each studio owner/instructor will be required to sign a waiver upon entry of the competition releasing GK Dance Company, Kristen Kauffman, and the Bedford High School from all liability.
16.  No refunds. No exceptions.
17.  Any tied scores will be determined by our judging panel.
18.  All choreography and performances should reflect family values and must be age appropriate. No suggestive movements or costuming is permitted.
19.  There is no limit to the number of entries a studio may enter.
20.  Teachers are only permitted to compete in the adult category.
21.  There will be a $30.00 charge for all returned checks. 
22.  No glitter of any kind may be worn.  This includes loose glitter, glittered makeup, spray or hairspray.  If any glitter is spotted by any staff members, the studio will be disqualified.
23. Previous participating studios will be contacted first and will have first privileges in entering routines.  The competition is limited to the first 150 routines entered.  This competition is a privately run competition and is organized at the discretion of the director.

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Scholarship Information
Scholarship Rules & Regulations
Any dance student enrolled in his/her senior year/12th grade year of high school may compete for the scholarship.
The participant must present a solo performance during the GK dance competition. (See Competition Rules and Regulations.)
The participant must submit a written essay describing the following:
o    Personal history of involvement in dance
o    Influential people in his/her life in relation to dance
o    Future plans/goals
o    Benefits of dance study in today’s society
o    Be sure to include: 
§   Your Name
§   Your Dance Studio & Instructor
§   The title of your Solo Dance
 
v All essays must be submitted by April 1, 2023 to gkdancecompany@yahoo.com.
v The scholarship essay and solo performance dance will be combined for a final score. (Dance-70%, Essay-30%)
v The participant with the highest overall score will be the recipient of the GK Scholarship.
v The amount of the scholarship is unknown as of this time. Donations will be accepted from dance studios or individuals, in addition to competition fees, to raise money for the scholarship. 
v Scholarship money will be distributed AFTER proof of completion of ONE-FULL year (2 semesters) of a college. Proof can consist of a financial statement or transcript.
v If for some reason, a scholarship recipient does not complete his/her full year of college within 18 months of the competition, the scholarship monies will be distributed to the next highest scoring participant.
v If you have any questions regarding the scholarship, please contact Kristen Kauffman at 814-233-6390.