Another school year is here, and I hope your dance programs are off to a great start!

This Back-to-School California Newsletter is packed with dates, resources, and opportunities to help you plan the year ahead, from competitions and national events to job openings, performance opportunities, and a few new Dance Team California updates.

My goal with these newsletters is simple: to make it easier for California dance educators & coaches to stay informed, discover new opportunities, and stay connected with what is happening across our community.

Scroll down for Back to School resources, dates & opportunities!

Kind Regards,

ACTIVATE ARROYO
Dance Teacher | Mark Keppel High School
Founder & President | Dance Team World
Non-Profit Education Foundation
activate@danceteamworld.com

🍎 CALIFORNIA DANCE JOBS:
WHO'S HIRING?

Know a dance educator or coach looking for their next school program?

California school districts continue posting dance teacher, dance instructor and coaching positions through EDJOIN for the current school year. Bookmark the search and check back regularly as new positions become available... or share the link with fellow colleagues in the dance team world.

Remember that "Teacher" jobs at public schools require a California teaching credential. But coach positions, assistant positions, choreographer positions, and private/charter school dance teacher positions do not require a credential. Keep this in mind while reviewing the MANY positions in California that are still looking to hire immediately.

DANCE TEAM CALIFORNIA IS BACK!

Two opportunities. One California dance community.

• NorCal: December 6, 2026 | Bay Area
• SoCal: December 13, 2026 | Orange County
• Solo competition for dancers in grades 6-12... All Styles!
• Special senior recognition and Team CA opportunities
• Pre-season critique showcase for group dances
• Featured guest judges & educational experiences
• Registration opens Sunday, September 13 @ 10AM... We're getting lots of interest this season. We expect to sell out + waiting list!

📅 BUILD YOUR 2026-27 COMPETITION CALENDAR

Search Competitions OR Post Your Own Regional Event
Trying to figure out where your team will compete this season? Use the Dance Team World Competition Finder to explore events and opportunities from competition producers throughout California and across the country.

🏆 2027 NATIONALS:
SAVE THESE DATES!

UDA National Dance Team Championship (Varsity Brands)
Event Dates (Division 2): 1/29-1/31
Event Dates (Division 1): 2/4-2/7
Location: Orlando, FL

NDA Nationals (Varsity Brands)
Event Dates: 2/12-2/15
Location: Orlando, FL

United Spirit Association Nationals (Varsity Brands)
Event Dates: 2/18-2/20
Location: Anaheim, CA

Contest of Champions Nationals
Event Dates: 2/26-2/28
Location: Orlando, FL

DTU National Championship
Event Dates: 3/5-3/7
Location: Orlando, FL

WCE Nationals
Event Dates: 3/5-3/7
Location: Long Beach, CA

CPD Hawaii National Showcase
Event Dates: 3/12
Location: Honolulu, HI

MDDTUSA Nationals
Event Dates: 3/12-3/13
Location: San Marcos, CA

CPD New York National Showcase
Event Dates: 3/13
Location: Honolulu, HI

American Dance/Drill Team Nationals
Event Dates: 3/19-3/20
Location: Denton, TX

CPD Texas National Showcase
Event Dates: 3/19-3/20
Location: Galveston Island, TX

MA Dance Nationals
Event Dates: 3/19-3/20
Location: Arlington, TX

DANCE TEAM WORLD National Championship
Event Dates: 3/19-3/21
Location: Las Vegas, NV

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT!

🎓 HELP STRENGTHEN DANCE TEAM JUDGING IN CALIFORNIA

California has an incredible dance community, but we also need more trained, qualified dance team judges and greater consistency in how our teams are evaluated.

The National Dance Coaches Association (NDCA) is a national organization connecting and supporting dance team professionals, and its online Judging Credential Program gives coaches, choreographers, current judges and aspiring adjudicators the opportunity to study scoring, feedback, technique, bias and judging best practices used throughout the country.

• Complete coursework online
• Learn from scoring systems and practices used across the country
• Develop stronger verbal and written feedback skills
• Participate in virtual training with experienced adjudicators
• Earn an NDCA judging credential that can strengthen your preparation when pursuing judging opportunities with competition organizations nationwide
• NDCA membership is required to participate

More California participation in the NDCA can help us build a stronger network of educated adjudicators and bring greater consistency, professionalism and shared best practices to competitions throughout our state.

BEYOND LIMITS ABILITIES PROGRAM

Looking for an opportunity for dancers with ability challenges?
Our Beyond Limits abilities dance program beings at our Dance Team California event on Sunday, December 13th. Click the banner above to email us and request more information on this inclusive program for students at your school, in your community, or who are part of your family & friends network.

Earlier this summer, we asked a pretty big question:

Is it finally time for California to create a true interscholastic state dance team tournament?

The conversation is still open, and we still want California coaches and directors at the table.

Visit danceteamworld.com to learn about our other non-profit programs:

• Master calendar of nationwide competition/camp dates
• Group travel planning assistance for competitions & team trips
• Scholarships for college & trade school
• Opportunities for students with disabilities/learning challenges
• Software support for independently-run regional dance competitions

Dance Team World Education Foundation 
Non-Profit Organization