New York City’s Largest Dance Social and Competition for Kids
Join us at The Jamaica Performing Arts Center on SUNDAY, JUNE 14th, 4:30 – 7:00 PM! The event is open to the public and will feature students from 2025-26 Dancing Classrooms’ programs, with opportunities for all to dance!
Experience this joyful celebration firsthand! Which school will win? Cheer on each “Color Team”: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Pink, Violet, and more!
WHEN
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 4:30 - 7:00 PM
WHERE
JCAL's Jamaica Performing Arts Center(walking distance from the E, F, J, Z, & LIRR trains)
WHO
Schools that participated in Dancing Classrooms’ Social Ballroom residency in 25-26 can sign up to compete as a team, represented by 12 students (6 pairs) from 4th and/or 5th grade.
There will be prizes for top teams, awarded by Celebrity Judges, plus fun giveaways!
Following the competition, everyone can join in a community Social Dance Party where students, families, and audience members can learn new dances and even get on stage to show off their moves!
This exciting event will feature special performances, celebrity guest judges, and dozens of students from Dancing Classrooms’ programs all across the NYC Metro area competing as school “color teams” to win bronze, silver, or gold in with their dancing!
Participating schools, please see the FAQ below for more information.
WHAT COLOR?
Come cheer on your favorite color and support each school team to see who brings home the trophy!
Want to know more? Email Mary@dancingclassrooms.org and follow us on social media @DancingClassroomsNYC to stay up to date with exciting updates!
What does Colors of the Rainbow look like?
Part 1 – The Showcase: The Showcase (aka the warmup) is a chance for our teams to take the stage and get a feel for the space. Dancing on the circle as a team with their schoolmates (see more about teams in the next tab), students will get to show off the dances learned as part of DC residencies on a stage in front of an audience, before the competition begins. During the Showcase, just like in our residencies, students will switch partners*, giving them opportunities to dance with students from other schools.
It’s important to note that the Showcase will not be judged; this is a great opportunity for students of all abilities and skill levels to dance their hearts out at this grand event!
*Accommodations will be made for students who are unable to rotate partners due to religious or access needs.
Part 2 – The Competition: Dancing Classrooms’ students from all across NYC compete in this two-round ballroom dance competition!
Judged by award-winning social dancers, school teams’ combined scores can win them Gold, Silver, or Bronze. Plus, each participating student will receive a prize!
Round 1 – Chosen Dance
5 student pairs from each school team compete, dancing choreography from 1st Year Social Ballroom residencies. Each pair of students pre-selects their chosen dance form, so each pair dances once in merengue, foxtrot, rumba, tango, or swing.
Round 2 – Dance By Chance
The same 5 student pairs each dance one more dance – this time the dance form is chosen by chance, out of a hat!
Round 3 – Judges Choice – The Team Captains
The final, 6th pair of students from each school team, the Team Captains, take the stage to dance a special Judges Choice dance (usually merengue or swing). This round may also serve as a tie-breaker if needed.
Part 3 – The Dance Party: Students, teachers, families, and the general public will be invited to dance, a la Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing. The Social Dance Party is a chance for any students from competing schools, as well as family members, to dance.
With interactive instruction led by DC Teaching Artists, Colors of the Rainbow participants and audience members will have a chance to dance their favorite dances from residencies along with new ones learned together.
As in past years, all Dancing Classrooms partner schools will have an opportunity to send a team of up to 12 (six partner pairs or “righties” and “lefties”) students in grades 4 or 5 to participate in the Colors of the Rainbow Team Match competition.
- Schools are responsible for choosing students for their team, with recommendations from their Teaching Artists, if desired.
- Students must have participated in a 1st Year Social Ballroom (Core) residency in the 2025-2026 school year.
- Students do not have to have been in the same class or even the same grade to be on the team or be partners.
- Students do not have to be of different gender identities or expressions (e.g. male-female) in order to be partners.
- Each pair should be prepared to dance two (2) dance genres in the competition (merengue, rumba, foxtrot, tango, swing).
- One pair will be your Team Captains. Team Captains will step in to dance for any team members who are late or absent at the Competition and will dance a special Team Captain Judges Choice round, which may serve as a tie-breaker if needed.
Awards and prizes will be given in the following manner:
- All participating students will receive a medal or ribbon.
- Student pairs will receive a score in each round. Each pair’s score from a school team will be added together for one final team score. The top school teams will be awarded Gold, Silver, or Bronze prizes.
- Bronze, Silver, and Gold- level teams will receive trophies. One Gold-level team will receive the Sheila Hoerle Challenge Trophy.
- All participating schools/sites will be entered into a raffle to win additional prizes!
Guest judges familiar with Dancing Classrooms and partner dancing will be judging the Competition Round live.
There are four main criteria that are scored, listed in order of importance:
- STEPS (as they were taught by the Dancing Classrooms Teaching Artist)
- Is the pair displaying proper sequences and the footwork of steps?
- Is the pair moving in the direction of the steps?
- RHYTHM
- Are the partners on beat with the music?
- Are they doing the correct rhythm for the style
- FRAME
- Are the dancers confident in implementing a “crispy wings” dance frame with elbows together, lifted and away from the body?
- Is the posture of the dancers in line with the dance being danced?
- STYLE
- Is the pair “moving their pockets” demonstrating Latin motion for merengue, and rumba; and, using heel lead walking for foxtrot & tango?
- Does the pair display elegance in their dancing?
- Is the pair confident in their movements and engaged in their performance?
By its nature, judging is subjective and happens in the moment with each judge doing their best to score each team in each round. While many dancers perform at a high level, only a certain number of teams can be awarded prizes. It is important that all members of the school community celebrate the accomplishments of their dancers and model the elegance and respect that is the foundation of a Dancing Classrooms residency – whether the team wins best dance, or any other prize.
We DO NOT share final scores of team competitions with Schools, Teaching Artists, or even the Judges.
Meet the 2026 Judges
Inna Brayer is a seven-time U.S. 10-Dance National Champion, former professional dancer on Season 7 of Dancing with the Stars, and a distinguished educator holding an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Organizational Innovation. With over 30 years of experience in the ballroom dance industry, she has earned national and international recognition as a competitor, coach, and adjudicator. Beyond her competitive accomplishments, Dr. Brayer is deeply committed to advancing arts education and leadership development. She represented USA Dance, Inc. on ABC’s Good Morning America, where she discussed the National Championships and the physical, social, and academic benefits of ballroom dancing. She also served as choreographer for the Rutgers University Ballroom Dance Teams’ performance on Season 9 of Dancing with the Stars. As a coach, Dr. Brayer has trained dancers who have achieved top placements at national and international competitions. Off the dance floor, she has been actively involved with USA Dance as a DanceSport Delegate, Governing Council member, and DanceSport Council member. Passionate about integrating the arts into K12 education, Dr. Brayer is dedicated to expanding access to high-quality dance instruction and ensuring that arts education remains a vital part of every student’s academic experience.
Linda Camardo joined Dancing Classrooms Philly as a Teaching Artist in 2007 after retiring from her career as an art teacher. Upon moving to New York City with her husband in 2010, she continued her journey with Dancing Classrooms as the organization’s photographer, a Buddy Teaching Artist, and a supporter. Her dedication to and passion for the mission of Dancing Classrooms is built upon her experience as an art educator and Pro-Am International Latin Dancer. In addition to Dancing Classrooms, Linda, along with her husband, is active in several non-profit arts and community-based outreach programs in the city.
Eva Carrozza is the Manager for Dancing Classrooms National Network & Institute. She started at DC in 2004 as a Teaching Artist and then Senior Teaching Artist, and she has taught elementary, middle, and high school students. Eva served as guest faculty for ballroom at the School of American Ballet from 2006 until 2019. She has supported the development and revisions of our Social Ballroom Curriculum and is part of our training team for new Teaching Artists. Eva has extensive experience in Social Ballroom, Lindy Hop, and the Tango, and has taught and performed a variety of famous partner dances in clubs around the world, including La Belle Epoque, Milonga Rosa, La Nacional, Swing 46, 92nd Y, Lafayette Grill, and also outdoors at South Street Seaport and Midsummer Night Swing at Lincoln Center.
Byron Easley is an Arts Professor and Co-Head of dance for the musical theatre training at the New School on Broadway/Tisch/NYU. Has also served as a full-time professor at the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama. Byron serves as a 2026 Tony Awards voter. He most recently choreographed Come From Away for the Guthrie Theatre, All Shook Up for the Goodspeed Opera House, and Tarell Alvin McCraney’s We Are Gathered at the Arena Stage. Choreography for New York Theater include: The Jonathan Larson Project (Orpheum Theater); Camelot (Lincoln Center Theater); Slave Play (Broadway & New York Theater Workshop); Waiting For Godot (Theatre for a New Audience); Richard III (New York Public Theater); X: Or Betty Shabazz V. The Nation [Lucille Lortel Award nomination]; The Bubbly Black Girl (New York City Encores); The Tempest (Harlem Classical Theater); Langston in Harlem [SDC’s Joe A. Callaway Award and an Audelco Award]. Choreography for other Regional Theaters include: Ballad of Johnny and June (La Jolla Playhouse); Choir Boy (Steppenwolf Theater); Gun & Powder (Signature Theater); Twelfth Night (Yale Repertory Theatre); Matilda (Onley Theater [Helen Hayes Nomination]); Unison, The Wiz and The Three Musketeers (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); Five Guys Named Moe (Arena Stage [Helen Hayes Nomination]); Jelly’s Last Jam and Sophisticated Ladies (Alliance Theater [Suzi Bass Awards]).
Charlie Hamowy is the co-founder of You Should Be Dancing…! Dance Center in New York City. established in 1999. YSBD! has become a significant social dance center in NYC and home school and event space for many of the Swing, Latin, Argentine Tango, and other dance styles in NYC.
Charlie is the creator and co-producer of the New York Lindy Exchange (established in 2022), which this year is being held Oct 9-11 at venues across the city. We honor the past and are dedicated to educating others in how African rhythm-based dances have evolved in the past and into the future.
Charlie is also an author, a CPA and CFP, and runs a well-respected investment management firm. He is an avid aviation enthusiast.
Edward Simon is a United States Professional American Ballroom (Smooth) Champion and World Showdance Finalist. He has choreographed for the TV show “So You Think You Can Dance!” and was the Assistant choreographer recently for the theater show “Take The Lead” about Dancing Classrooms founder Pierre Dulaine.
FAQs
The Showcase and Competition will be open to school teams who have participated in their first 4th or 5th grade DC Social Ballroom (in-school) residency during the 24-25 school year.
NOTE: 2nd Year/Semester residency students are not eligible to compete, but are encouraged to come and cheer their favorite color team.
Registration for the 2026 team match is now closed.
Only 1 team of 12 students can compete per school.
Yes! We would love for all students and staff to come show their school spirit and cheer on their team.
Yes! There will be two semi-final competition matches, one on June 10 and one on June 12. Schools should have already received their invitations to their designated semi-final. Please contact Mary @ dancingclassrooms.org if you have additional questions regarding semi-finals.
Teams are encouraged to dress funky and fabulous! Some teams chose to highlight their assigned team color. To make the experience extra special, DC will provide all teams participating in the competition with costume accessories and embellishments.
DC will provide all teams with special practice videos from our staff, students can use these videos.
Teams are judged on their presentation of Dancing Classrooms Social Ballroom (Year 1) choreography. This includes the style, precision, and teamwork, as well as the steps themselves. Participants will receive a detailed information packet that includes judging criteria in spring 2026.
The dance party is a chance for all students from your school, as well as family members, to show off their moves! DC Teaching Artists will lead everyone in the Stomp and other line dances, with chances to join students in dancing some of our favorite social dances like merengue, swing, and salsa.