Headliners Mailbag
We receive many wonderful letters each year. Here is a small sampling of the letters we received this season:
We'd love to hear from you, too. Please feel free to leave us your feedback.
Too many times, people stop what they are doing to focus on the negative. I was just thinking about our positive experience at Headliners in Lawrenceville, NJ so I wanted to stop what I was doing to tell you. While my daughter did do extremely well, it's not about that. To begin, the talent level amongst the teams was greater than that we usually encounter. The support and camaraderie was palpable across the board - not just amongst our own team, but with ALL the teams. It was competition in a true sense where the motto 'may the best 'man' win was fully supported - no sour grapes! That's very rare in the competitive scene these days!
Mary Ann Gardella, NJ
I wanted to take a moment to tell you all what a wonderful weekend APA had in Lowell. As a Studio Owner, Teacher and Choreographer it was rewarding to see dancers receive appropriate awards. I feel the judges were right on the mark with their scoring. I saw dancers excited to get a Gold. I saw dancers pushing themselves to receive that Gold. It has been many years since this has happened. I know many other competitions hand out Golds, Platinums, Double/Triple Platinum, Diamond etc like they are going out of style. I don't think this teaches the dancers anything about competition and what they should and could get out of the competition experience. In fact I feel it takes away from the experience. Honest scoring, which you had, will help dancers grow and work harder. THANK YOU!!! Shari when we talked this weekend, I told you we have our Silver dances (ers) and our Elite Gold dances (ers) and it was GREAT to see them get what they deserved! Again keep up the GREAT WORK! Again THANK YOU all for an AMAZING, HONEST and INSPIRING weekend.
Bryan Steele, Academy of Performing Arts, MA
Thank you for a lovely event. We have always participated in another competition as it is one of the few competitions that come to our area (Northern Nevada). One of our younger teachers suggested we attend Headliners as she felt it would be a good experience for our dancers and I'm very glad we did. As a parent I have an uneasiness about the Spotlight competition as they seem to reward those studios with inappropriate costumes and songs. Often there is very little "dance" technique and more tricks and gymnastics and the events feel more like a sporting event as opposed to a dance competition. Headliners focuses more on dance technique. Our small studio was also the recipient of several judges choice awards. I can't tell you how much it meant to our girls to be recognized by a judge, this recognition has given them a new excitement for dance. My daughter who doesn't quite "fit" the body image of a dancer but is a very dedicated dancer was recognized by Kyle and I'm sure she will never forget his comments. Thank you for a wonderful experience, we'll see you next year.
Susie Giurlani, Ayako's Dance Studio, Carson City, Nevada
I just wanted to say thanks again for bringing Dean College to my attention through Headliners...if it wasn't for that i probably wouldn't have applied and be here having such a great time and learning so much and loving it every step of the way =] so thanks again, and I hope this competition year is a great one for Headliners!
Rachel Isajewicz, student
I wanted to thank everyone from Headliners that was involved in the Team USA auditions, as well as the National Competition. My husband and I entered our daughter as an independent entry and the Headliners staff could not have been more accommodating. We loved every minute of both experiences. Thank you for helping our little one along the road towards her dream. We look forward to seeing you again in Woodbridge, Virginia followed by a trip to Atlantic City.
Mary Childers (Gianna's mom)
Thank you so much! We LOVE your competition, it is wonderfully organized, fair judging, and a great experience :-)
Danielle J. Drouin, Owner, Drouin Dance Center, MA
We had such a wonderful time this weekend. You run an incredible show! Your staff is outstanding! I don't know how you do it but the weekend was incredibly smooth and lots of fun. We really enjoyed it. Thank you for all your hard work!"
Carmen Barton, Academy of Dance Arts, NY
I want to give you a BIG THANK YOU!!!!! Your Nationals was the first for my students and you made it a great experience for them. Your panel of judges are superb!!!! You are fair to every studio that enters and the talent at your competition was by far above the rest. Thank you for keeping it family oriented, professional and above all respectful to the art of dance.
Erica Harkins, Erica's Dance Academy, MA
This year was our first year attending Headliners. We have been competing for 19 years and your competition was amazing. Too many out there reward everyone for just being there. Special awards for wearing a gold costume, special awards for matching your shoes to your costume, ugh. Your special awards felt VERY special. I felt like the judges put some time and energy into them. Thank you for not following the trend of everyone wins!! Even the kids are on to it, they know when they deserve an award or not. Everyone on staff, judges, stage crew, etc, were warm friendly and encouraging. Even though it was our first year, we felt like we had competed in your competition for years. Thank you for the wonderful experience. We will be back next year.
Denise Mele, Danceology, Canada
THANK YOU ~~~ And...Thank you for your honesty and integrity. You run an absolutely wonderful competition.
Debbie Rogers, Dancers Edge by Rogers, PA
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