California Dance Classics

San Diego, CA

General

Reviewer:

Parent with Dancer Input

Dancer Age:

Competition experience:

More than 10

Event Details

Round:

Regional

Season:

2026

Location:

San Diego, CA

Traveled to compete:

Yes

Regional was the closest:

Yes

Regionals attended:

Who encouraged multiple regionals:

Entry affiliation:

School

Rules Easy to Access?

Yes

Did Dancer Miss School?

Yes

Days of school missed:

Attended master classes:

Yes

Master Classes

Master Class Types:

Technique

Distance from venue:

At the same venue

Received corrections:

Teacher engagement:

Very engaged, walking around the room.

Crowding:


Really Crowded	Plenty of Room to Move

Master Class Feedback

Technique:

Additional master class comments:

The technique classes are scored and part overall competition placement. Students wear numbers and it is a mandatory portion of the competition.

Performance Details

Venue name:

Joan Kroc Theatre

Venue description:

On the smaller side but clean, comfortable, plenty of seating.

Stage description:

There is Marley, it is not raked, no modified choreography

Off-stage warm-up space:

Only hallways to warm up in. It can be a little crowded but no issues when needing to pass by.

Dressing rooms:

2 large rooms for the ladies. Separate male room.

Parents in dressing rooms:

Yes

Male dressing room:

Yes

Parents backstage:

Onstage warm-up:

Open stage can be very crowded. It is a big group and a smaller stage.

Schedule adherence:

Tended to mostly run on time

Staff communication:

Excellent

Parent seminar offered:

Judging

Judging rubric clarity:

Unsure

Judges' attentiveness:

Yes, all judges were actively watching

Feedback turnaround:

Ballet teacher sent them out only upon request. We are unsure how long she had them.

Type of Feedback:

Audio commentary over a performance video

Feedback helpfulness:


Not Helpful At All	Extremely Helpful

Main takeaway:

There are some interesting opinions that can vary greatly between the 3 judges. For example one judge said he loved the prop and it was unique and an excellent use of prop. The 3rd judge said she didn’t like it and thought it distracted from the over all dance. There have been many comments on getting stronger, many comments on “beautiful long lines”, comments on feet. Any comments dancer has received on body have been what would be considered praise, however body comments are common.

Scoring felt fair:

Yes

Awards & Scholarships

Awards ceremony:

Awards ceremony is very long. The lady who runs CDC seems to be very sweet and kind however, she takes a very long time to get through everything. She give all students in the top 3 a chance to speak. It can take hours at the end of your very long weekend into the night. This competition has 2 award ceremonies. One is for your child’s category and one is overall at the end.

Won an award or training offer:

Yes

Festival offer:

Gala offer:

Award or Training Offer Description:

A short stay and placed 2nd place.

Final Comments

Best aspect:

Class is taken into count, not just stage performance.

Worst aspect:

Very long awards ceremonies.

Competition culture:

Friendly, fun, relaxed.

Attendee culture:

The kids really love CDC. It’s a favorite among the locals.

Suggested changes:

Having a stage manager for the award ceremonies. Maybe a time limit for the overall awards at the end.

Cost vs. expectation:


Significantly More	Significantly Less

Time worth it:


Not Worth It	Worth Every Minute

Overall rating:

Anything else?

This is an enjoyable comp with a friendly vibe.