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COMPETITION GROUPS
The Studio of Performing Arts (SOPA) has a very large dance department with over 200 students, many of whom study dance anywhere from six to ten hours per week or more.
Students that are serious about dance and are interested in competing are eligible to audition for our studio competition groups. We hold auditions every year in May and begin learning competition dances in August.
The competition groups hold their annual show at the Clark Center each Spring and we take them to competition two times per year. These students are seasoned performers and love to share their talent with others, so they perform every chance they get. You will see them regularly at local events in the Village of Arroyo Grande. They also travel to rest homes and perform for the local residents.
In 2005, the studio established “SOPA Competition Group” an educational non-profit organization dedicated to offering performing arts students the opportunity to enhance their skills through live performance. By establishing this non-profit organization we are able to offer the students a multitude of training and performance opportunities. Please click on the “Become a Sponsor” link to learn more about sponsoring SOPA Competition Group.
Our competition group parents work hard too and hold monthly meetings along with the SOPA competition Group board to help with organization and fundraising events. The fundraisers help the dancers to raise money for costumes, competitions and various workshops throughout the year.
The four levels of competition groups are:
- Rising Stars – Directed by Madi Murphy-Sinclair & Shannon Lowrie
These students are between the ages of 8 and 10 and have to have at least one year of dance. Once they become a “Rising Star” they are required to take a minimum of four classes per week including ballet, tap and jazz.
- Shooting Stars – Directed by Kati Schell
These students are between the ages of 10 and 12 and have to have at least 2 or more years of dances. Once they become a “Shooting Star” they are required to take a minimum of five classes per week including 2 ballet, tap and jazz.
- STARZ – Directed by Carrie Yamate
These students are between the ages of 11 and 16 and must have at least 3 years of more of dance. As a Star they must take a minimum of five classes per week including 2 ballet, tap and jazz. Many of these students study ten or more hours per week and are our future Company members.
- Company – Directed by Shannon Lowrie
Our Company members consist of students ages 12 to 18 and have four years or more of dance and performing experience. These students take anywhere from 6-10 classes a week or more. For the most part, the studio is their second home.
- Syncopators – Directed by Shannon Lowrie
The Syncopators are our advanced level tap competition group. They are 12 years old and up and have some of the fasted moving feet on the Central Coast.
In 2006, the Syncopators won their first platinum award at the LA Dance Magic Competition in Santa Clara. In 2007 SOPA's musical theater number "Macavity" took a platinum award and received several gold medals.
Many of our students have gone on to pursue dance in college and or aspire to a professional career in the field. Check out our alumni page to find out what our past SOPA stars are up to these days.
SOPA Competition Group admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
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