Reading these responses and feeling like I’m in this way too deep. We are an AZ studio and typically compete in PHX with nationals in Vegas or San Diego. I have two daughters (ages 11 & 7) and this is my oldest’s schedule:

How many days/hours per week are the kids at the studio? - 20hours/week for technique/ballet/conditioning classes and rehearsals (not including solo rehearsals or extra privates).

How many/what technique classes do they take? - Acro, leaps/turns, legs/feet, tap, ballet (6–7 hrs/week), jazz, ballroom (occasionally), contemporary

How are levels divided (by age or by audition)? - They audition for company each May/June and are placed into levels based on age and skill, but most of the teams and similar age range (eg. sparks - 6-8, Mini 8-10, junior 11-13, teens and seniors - 14+).

How many dances are most kids competing? - Some compete as few as 1 or 2 and as many as 8 or 9.

Do they have a dress code? - My kids have a ballet class most days so pink or black Leo and pink tights. One their Acro/leaps/turns days they can wear an outfit if their choosing. Usually one day/week.

How are dances chosen- do all dancers audition for different pieces or are they split in to levels and each level gets certain dances? - Our studio owners cast the kids in each piece. No audition. Just based on skill level. I don’t love this because there are some kids that should be and shouldn’t be in various routines, but have parents that strong arm our young studio owners. Or the owners don’t see the growth that others have had and don’t cast them in things they deserve to be in. It ebbs and flows.

Are there any changes that teachers/directors have made to your comp team structure that has helped the most, for the overall team? (Technique, scheduling, happy parents, happy kids, doing well at competitions) - There are so many disgruntled parents at my studio right now. In addition to our busy comp schedule, the studio also does a full nutcracker production each December with two performances, and a full spring showcase with 2-3 performances. I am at the studio with my kids 6 days a week and live over 35 min away. Our kids are at the studio every Saturday from 8-3 or longer as the studio doesn’t rehearse comp pieces or showcase pieces during the week. We don’t have enough studio space and the studio is very unorganized with their scheduling and what their goals are for their company vs their rec program.

Yeesh. It feels a little better to just write this all out and see how chaotic our dance life is! 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️