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Encore · Competitive Program
Responsibly Competitive.
Encore gives dancers a healthy outlet for growth and excellence through intensified training and competitive opportunities — while caring for each dancer’s physical, mental, and emotional health.
About the Program
E&E Values on the Competition Stage
Encore exemplifies the core values of E&E Dance Company: age-appropriate instruction, empathy and respect, and community engagement.
We maintain those principles through an emphasis on whole-dancer wellness — a balance of dance technique, performance, character development, and service requirements.
Encore staff believe the successes, challenges, and experiences of a responsibly competitive program support both character education and artistic development. Being responsibly competitive means each dancer’s physical, mental, and emotional health is cared for alongside their training and competitions.
Regional competitionsAligned with E&E’s ethics
Program Outline
What Encore Dancers Experience
Belonging to a Team
Build healthy connections and lasting friendships as part of a team.
A Variety of Training
A range of dance education, training, and performance opportunities across styles.
Positive Rehearsal Culture
Be part of a rehearsal environment built on encouragement, respect, and hard work.
Mindset Training
Develop a positive mindset for training, rehearsals, and performances.
Regional Competitions with Optional Travel Opportunities
Attend regional competitions whose ethics align with those of E&E Dance Company.
Service
Participate in community service and character development activities each season.
Commitment
Encore Student Journey
Training and participation requirements by age group.
Minis — Age 8
Regular Season Required
- Weekly combo class
- Weekly casting class(es)
- Weekly rehearsals
- Monthly Encore class
- 4 competitions
- 2 conventions + 1 optional
- 1 team service project
- Spring Showcase
- Stamina Saturday
- Dress Rehearsal
- Choreography Weekend
Optional
- Guest classes
- Private lessons
Summer Season Required
- Technique block
- RISE Summer Intensive
Juniors — Ages 9–11
Regular Season Required
- 1 weekly leveled ballet class
- 1 weekly leveled jazz class
- Weekly leveled casting class(es)
- Weekly PBT/pilates/flexibility/acro — minimum of 1
- Weekly rehearsals
- Monthly Encore class
- 4 competitions
- 2 conventions + 1 optional
- 1 team service project
- Spring Showcase
- Guest classes — minimum of 2
- Stamina Saturday
- Dress Rehearsal
- Choreography Weekend
Optional
- Training trips
- Private lessons
Summer Season Required
- Technique block
- RISE Summer Intensive
Pre-Teen/Teen — Ages 12–15
Regular Season Required
- 1 weekly leveled ballet class
- 1 weekly leveled jazz class
- Weekly leveled casting class(es)
- Weekly PBT/pilates/flexibility/acro — minimum of 2
- Weekly leaps and turns
- Weekly rehearsals
- Monthly Encore class
- 4 competitions + 1 optional for solo/duo/trio
- 3 conventions — 2 with competitions, 1 without
- 1 team service project
- Spring Showcase
- Guest classes — minimum of 2
- Stamina Saturday
- Dress Rehearsal
- Choreography Weekend
Optional
- Dance Pathways meetings
- Training trips
- Resume and biography building support
- Private lessons
Summer Season Required
- Technique block
- RISE Summer Intensive
Seniors — Ages 16–18
Regular Season Required
- 1 weekly leveled ballet class
- 1 weekly leveled jazz class
- Weekly leveled casting class(es)
- Weekly PBT/pilates/flexibility/acro — minimum of 2
- Weekly leaps and turns
- Weekly rehearsals
- Monthly Encore class
- 4 competitions + 1 optional for solo/duo/trio
- 3 conventions — 2 with competitions, 1 without
- 1 team service project
- Spring Showcase
- Guest classes — minimum of 2
- Stamina Saturday
- Dress Rehearsal
- Choreography Weekend
Optional
- Dance Pathways meetings
- Training trips
- Resume and biography building support
- College/continuing program prep support
- Private lessons
Summer Season Required
- Technique block
- RISE Summer Intensive
First-year team dancers and any dancer who Encore staff decide needs supplemental training are required to participate in our Collective program.
Common Questions
Encore FAQ
Is Encore right for my dancer?
Encore is for dancers who want intensified training and the experience of competing — and whose families are ready for the age-group and summer requirements above. If your dancer loves performing but isn’t ready to compete, our Dance Collective is a wonderful non-competitive next step.
How do dancers join Encore?
Auditions for our 2027–2028 team are May 15, 2027.
Placement is by audition and staff recommendation.
What does “responsibly competitive” mean?
We attend competitions whose ethics align with ours, keep costumes, music, and choreography age-appropriate, and balance competing with service, character development, and rest so dancers don’t burn out.
Who teaches and choreographs?
Encore is led by E&E faculty, including our Encore choreographers and Encore Culture Coordinator.
Interested in Encore?
Send us a note to ask about auditions, placement, and the season calendar. We’ll help you decide if it’s the right fit.