Find Out Why We are
Your ULTIMATE competition choice.

The ULTIMATE in remembering that we need to keep competitions FAIR. Our division of levels matches students competitively at a level that reflects their weekly dance training experience (i.e. we divide our divisions into Connection Level One -5 hours or less of classes or Connection Level Two-6 or more hours of classes a week).

The ULTIMATE in AWARDS! Overall Awards sections for BOTH Connection Level One only AND Connection Level Two. ( MORE awards for MORE students, regardless of time spent in the studio.)

The ULTIMATE in EXCITEMENT! Our weekends are always upbeat and positive. Our adjudication sessions are like NO OTHER in their unique, high spirited FUN! The ULTIMATE in creating studio spirit! Throughout the weekend we post the standings of the collective marks for each studio. This spurs on students to try their best to win one of the 5 coveted ULTIMATE STUDIO awards determined by marks.

The ULTIMATE in EXCELLENT customer service. From your first phone call to the last award given out we strive to give you the best treatment possible. Your time is valuable and your business is appreciated.

The ULTIMATE in including parents. Even parents are rewarded with parent appreciation moments, and multiple door prizes.

The ULTIMATE in BALLET. We treat ballet with the respect it deserves with specialized judges, 9 awards for ballet numbers. Regardless of whether your studio is a hard core ballet studio or not, your ballet numbers stand a much higher chance of winning an overall award than at any other competition in Ontario!

The ULTIMATE in JUDGING STAFF. Our adjudicators are carefully selected for their extensive knowledge of dance, as either performers or teachers of children , or both. The ULTIMATE Dance Connection is committed to providing adjudications that are unbiased, constructive and encouraging. (click on Competition Info – Adjudication Selection Process to learn more)

The ULTIMATE in THEATRES. Professional venues are used with consideration for comfortable dressing rooms. Highly qualified organized ULTIMATE Dance Connection staff are on hand to help you with all your needs.

The ULTIMATE in good sportsmanship. We encourage this through our unique Buddy Connection program which connects students from different studios. (a student favourite!)

Adjudication Selection Process

Competition director Kiri-Lyn Muir, is not only herself a veteran dancer, choreographer & teacher, she has also adjudicated at over twenty dance competitions literally watching thousands of dance routines in the process. She uses her extensive contacts in the dance community to hand pick adjudicators who will give your students unbiased, encouraging and age appropriate critiques. One adjudicator on each panel will be chosen for their extensive knowledge of the dance field through their professional background as an elite performer in the industry. The rest of the adjudicating panel will be made up of dance teachers who are well versed in many forms of dance and have a profound understanding of the abilities of young dancers at all ages of their training. This combination of judges will serve to give a well rounded perspective to your students on ways that they can develop their skills and grow as dancers.

All adjudicators do their work behind the table 'blind', meaning that they have no knowledge of what studios are attending the competition. Unbiased assessments of all entries are a commitment we can guarantee.

Competition Director and Staff

KIRI-LYN MUIR – COMPETITION DIRECTOR

Kiri-Lyn has been a competition director for eight years. She is a huge fan of dance competitions because of the life skills they develop in children. (Perseverance, delayed gratification, time management, self confidence under pressure, goal setting, and an appreciation of the value of hard work).

She began her association with dance at the age of five when she took her first ballet class and has never looked back! A deans honour roll graduate with her BFA in dance from Ryerson University, Kiri-Lyn had landed her first big role as a professional dancer (Rumpelteaser in "Cats") before she had graduated. This opportunity led to many more appearances in professional productions such as "Joseph" (original cast with Donny Osmond), "Beauty and the Beast" (original Toronto company and U.S. National Tour), shows at both the Stratford and Shaw Festivals, and on Broadway in the musical "Show Boat".

She continues to be a sought after choreographer, having professionally choreographed over 35 productions across Ontario. Some of her favourite dance shows that she has created choreography for are "Oklahoma", "The Music Man", "Anne of Green Gables", "Cats", and "My Fair Lady".

Kiri-Lyn brings many years of adjudicating and teaching to her work as a competition director. As a judge at literally dozens of competitions, she has watched several thousand dance routines. She has taught ballet, tap, jazz and musical theatre to children as young as three, up to adult professional dancers, and has also entered many award winning routines into competitions around Ontario. These experiences help her to better serve and understand the needs of the students and teachers who participate in dance competitions today.

Kiri-Lyn uses her in depth knowledge of the dance industry and her extensive contacts in the world of dance to attract top notch, knowledgeable judges, instructors and staff to The Ultimate Dance Connection and Turning Point each year.

JENNIFER GIBSON – ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Jennifer is a native of Cobourg, Ontario where she began her dance study Theatre Dance Company at the young age of three. As her passion for dance grew she switched to an intensive competitive program at Vlad's Dance company in Richmond Hill. Following graduation, Jennifer moved to Los Angeles where she studied under top chorographers such as Wade Robson, Mia Micheal's and Eddie Garcia. While taking classes she received a contract with Carnival Cruise Lines. With this contract she has traveled Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and South America. After two years with this company she became a dance captain responsible for casting, schedules and chorography. In between contracts she has performed with "The Dance Company" and numerous performances in the GTA area.

After returning home to the GTA area, Jennifer started to develop her love for teaching. Which has brought her across Ontario including guest choreography, master classes, summer intensives and workshops. She has received multiple overall and choreography awards. She also attended Georgian College where she received a business diploma majoring in advertising. Jennifer is extremely excited to begin her career at The Ultimate Dance Connection and looks forward to sharing her passion for dance with all dancers that attended this Ultimate Competition.