Fly Dance Competition
Accepts Independents“Independent performers may compete. Independents are subject to a one-time fee per registration.”
New York
New York Dance Competitions That Accept Independent Entries
13 independent-friendly competitions with upcoming events in New York. Solo, duo, and unaffiliated dancers welcome — with verbatim policy quotes you can verify yourself.
Policies change. Always confirm with the competition directly before registering. Source URLs last verified: April 2026.
Competitions in New York that accept independent entries
4 companiesBelieve National Talent Competition
Accepts Independents“Independents cannot compete at the same event if their studio is also registered to compete at the same event.”
24 Seven Dance Convention
Accepts Independents“Independents cannot compete at the same event if their studio is also registered to compete at the same event.”
DreamMaker
Accepts Independents“Independents cannot compete at the same event if their studio is also registered to compete at the same event.”
Conditional acceptance
9 companiesStarbound National Talent Competition
Conditional“Paper entry forms must be submitted for all INDEPENDENT entries.”
Encore Dance Competition For the Stars
Conditional“We do not accept independent dancers. All dancers must be registered under a studio name and we require a minimum of TWO participating students from each studio. [Rule] This rule does not apply to soloists that have qualified for Grand Finals and are attending without their studio.”
Jump Dance Convention
Conditional“Jump defines independent dancers as dancers not associated with a physical dance studio and not taking consistent classes in a structured program. Independent dancers are not eligible to compete in Jump's Competition. All competition routines must be entered under a studio name. Jump does not accept entries independently of a studio. This includes solos.”
That's Entertainment Performing Arts Competition
Conditional“A minimum entry fee is required for live competitions; independents are not accepted. No minimums for virtual competitions, and independents are accepted. Independents are accepted (Regionals Only)”
Dancers Inc.
Conditional“All entries must be submitted by a dance studio / director. Independent entries will only be accepted if approved by a studio director.”
Turn It Up Dance Challenge
Conditional“A minimum entry fee is required for live competitions; independents are not accepted. No minimums for virtual competitions, and independents are accepted. Independents are accepted (Regionals Only) [conventions].”
Beast Dance Competition
Conditional“Independent competitors are not permitted at Royal Dance Alliance Competitions, however, are still permitted at Royal Dance Alliance’s Conventions.”
STEP UP 2 DANCE
Conditional“CONVENTION: Independents may enter Convention workshop. COMPETITION: We accept solos from dance schools who are not registering groups. If your studio is not attending & you would like to perform, ask your Studio Owner to enter your solo or we can do that for you with your Dance Studio permission.”
The Royal Dance Competition
Conditional“Competitors must represent only one studio in a single season. Independent competitors are not permitted at TRDC Competitions, however, are still permitted at TRDC Conventions.”
Other states with independent-friendly competitions
Florida (13)Illinois (12)Pennsylvania (11)New Jersey (10)Ohio (10)California (9)Arizona (9)Texas (8)Nevada (8)Massachusetts (8)Michigan (7)Indiana (7)
Browse the full national listFrequently asked questions
What counts as an independent dance competition entry?
An independent entry is a solo, duo, or small-group routine registered by a dancer (or dancer's family) without a studio submitting the registration. Requirements vary by competition — some welcome independents outright, some require a studio owner to approve the registration, and some require full studio affiliation with multiple routines.
Can I compete in a dance competition without a studio?
It depends on the competition. Some dance competitions like Nexus Dance Conventions, Fluid Dance Conventions, and Full Out Dance Production explicitly welcome independent registrations. Others require studio submission. DanceFinder has classified every major North American competition — see the YES and SOMETIMES lists on this page.
What if my studio doesn't attend a competition I want to enter?
Some competitions (including the Star Dance Alliance family — Starpower, Nexstar, Revolution, and others) let you enter as an independent when your studio is NOT registered at that event. If your studio IS competing, you generally must compete under your studio's banner. Always check the specific competition's current rules.
Do independent dancers pay different fees than studio-affiliated dancers?
Some competitions charge the same fees for independents; others add a small independent-entry premium. A few reserve certain awards, scholarships, or overall titles for studio-affiliated dancers only. Check the specific competition's rules for fee structure and award eligibility.
How recent is this independent-entries data?
All classifications were verified in April 2026 with verbatim quotes from each competition's own rules or FAQ page. Source URLs are recorded so you can re-check before registering. DanceFinder re-verifies policies periodically, but always confirm directly with the competition before entering.
Are duets, trios, and small groups eligible as independent entries?
Most competitions that accept independents allow solos, duos, and trios. Small groups and larger formats often require studio registration. The verbatim quote in each provider card explains the specific eligibility at each competition.
Why are some competitions marked 'Contact Directly' (unclear)?
About 136 competitions do not publish their independent-entry policy on a publicly accessible web page — their rules are behind studio-owner login portals or in registration-only PDFs. We excluded these from the featured list and recommend emailing the competition organizers directly.
Always verify before registering. Competition rules change between seasons. DanceFinder records the verbatim quote and source URL we verified on the date shown — always confirm directly with the competition before registering or paying any fees.