Since 1989, Headliners Dance Competition, founded by CEO Shari Tomasiello and her mother, has stood out with a clear and heartfelt mission: to offer an educationally focused and goal-oriented dance competition experience. Their vision was to cultivate a fun, supportive, and inclusive environment for dancers of every size, level, and ability. As Headliners continues its impressive expansion, with the 2025 tour featuring 33 regional competitions, two national championships, and five conventions this fall, Tomasiello’s dedication to these core principles remains unwavering. “We have always been about the kids,” she emphasizes. “This isn’t just a job for us; it’s a true passion.”
Headliners’ dancer-centric approach is evident in the overwhelmingly positive feedback they’ve received. Over the past year, dancers, parents, and studios have lauded Tomasiello and her team for their professionalism, warmth, genuine enthusiasm for young dancers, and the fairness of their judging process. “We are always rooting for the dancers,” Tomasiello states, highlighting Headliners’ core values. “Our hope is that they focus less on the awards and more on the overall experience, the chance to learn and develop, and to forge new friendships and connections.”
Commitment to Affordable Competition Fees
Drawing from their own experiences as dance studio owners, Tomasiello, along with her two daughters who now co-manage the company, deeply understand the financial considerations involved in dance competitions. With this in mind, Headliners is committed to maintaining reasonable entry fees, ensuring accessibility for a wider range of dancers and studios. Notably, Headliners pioneered the practice of offering complimentary photos and videos to participants, a tradition Tomasiello proudly continues.
Dancers compete at a Headliners event
Streamlined Scheduling to Accommodate Busy Students
Understanding the complexities of studio schedules, Headliners has streamlined its registration process to proactively address potential scheduling conflicts. Studios are encouraged to indicate any scheduling needs during registration, allowing Headliners to create customized schedules for each event well in advance. These detailed schedules are then shared with participating studios weeks before the competition. Tomasiello also prioritizes students’ academic commitments when planning weekend events, ensuring start times accommodate school hours and aiming for reasonable Sunday finish times. “By carefully managing entries, we ensure events start after school,” she explains, emphasizing Headliners’ consideration for dancers’ overall well-being.
Dancers at a Headliners event
Fostering Growth Through Fair and Educational Judging
Headliners operates with a strong commitment to fairness and educational growth. While offering three distinct competitive levels, their judging panel actively ensures dancers are appropriately placed. If judges observe a routine entered at a level seemingly below the dancers’ skill set, they will adjust the routine to a more suitable category. “Studios should want to empower their dancers to achieve their fullest potential,” Tomasiello believes. “Our levels are structured to provide progressive opportunities, with the highest level including cash prizes and scholarships. We firmly believe that dance competitions can and should serve as a valuable tool to enhance dancers’ education.”
Dancers competing at a Headliners event
Investing in Dancers’ Futures Beyond the Stage
Headliners’ dedication to dancers extends beyond the competition stage through partnerships with esteemed organizations like AMDA, The Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts, and Peridance Center. These collaborations provide competitors with access to valuable scholarships, furthering their dance education and career aspirations. Furthermore, through Headliners’ innovative Trophy or Charity program, studios and dancers can choose to donate the monetary value of their awards to various charitable causes, including the Headliners Foundation. This foundation directly supports dancers attending Nationals who are pursuing higher education in dance or related fields by offering college scholarships.
Tomasiello underscores the broader life skills cultivated through dance training and competitions, skills that are invaluable regardless of a dancer’s professional aspirations. “Dance truly offers so much more than just technique,” she reflects. “It’s about the camaraderie, the teamwork, the resilience, the poise. These are skills that benefit you in every aspect of life moving forward.”
Dancers competing at a Headliners event
Expanding Horizons with the 2025 Tour and Conventions
As Headliners gears up for its 2025 tour, its growth trajectory continues upward, with new locations added on both the East and West Coasts culminating in National Championships in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Northern California. Headliners is also expanding its convention offerings, introducing classes in diverse styles such as floorwork, jazz funk, and Bollywood. This expansion of styles aligns with Headliners’ educational commitment, exposing dancers to techniques and genres they might not encounter in their regular studio classes. “Ultimately, it’s about ensuring every dancer who participates in our events feels proud of their achievements,” Tomasiello concludes. “Regardless of scores or awards, we want to celebrate their journey.”
Pre-registration to secure your spot for Headliners 2024 Conventions and 2025 Competitions is now open, with official online registration beginning July 15th. For more details on joining a Headliners event next year, please click here or reach out via email at [email protected].
