Subject: DanceOn Network and Joffrey Ballet School Team Up to Offer the Ultimate Audition Opportunity for Dance Hopefuls

Joffrey Ballet School, a world-renowned dance center offering the most versatile and highest quality training, will once again present Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker this holiday season with 355 dancers – the largest cast in the school’s 61-year history. Returning to the Skirball Performing Arts Center, Joffrey Ballet School will perform five performances of the holiday favorite with three casts, December 14 – 16, 2014. In addition to delighting in the timeless tale of The Nutcracker, audiences will also enjoy its rich legacy of culture, with dances inspired by Spain, Arabia, China and Russia.

Founded in 1953 by Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino, Joffrey Ballet School maintains the vision of its founders to transform passionate dance students into versatile, individualistic artists able to collaborate and evolve fluidly in a fast-changing society. With an accredited dance program that offers two core pieces of study – ballet and jazz/contemporary – Joffrey is known for its diverse curriculum as well as being the largest summer intensive training program in the country. As Joffrey celebrates its 61st anniversary, it remains at the forefront of American dance education, instilling a passion for dance in children, youth, adults, pre-professionals and professionals. Graduates of the School have gone on to dance for major classical ballet, modern and contemporary companies, both in the United States and abroad.

In addition, DanceOn Network has signed a multi-year deal with the school as an official channel partner, and will work with them on their overall digital video strategy. To launch the partnership, DanceOn and Joffrey Ballet School, two of the top dance organizations, have teamed up to create a YouTube video influencer campaign and contest promoting the first annual Elite Dance Tournament, presented by Joffrey Ballet School and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. The video series features dancers from Complexions and the Joffrey Ballet Concert Group. Complexions co-founder and co-artistic director Desmond Richardson, who the New York Times has described as “one of the great modern dancers of his time,” is also featured in the videos.

Through a series of inspirational videos, contestants will learn iconic, beautiful and challenging dance moves from Desmond Richardson and Davis Robertson, Joffrey Ballet Concert Group’s Artistic Director. The first four episodes of the series will launch on DanceOn and Joffrey Ballet School YouTube channels on November 12, 2014. The second four episodes will launch onDecember 3, 2014.

Participants will need to submit their videos recreating the dance steps for a chance to win at www.danceon.com/joffreyballetschoolcontest.  The first half of the series runs through November 26, 2014, with the first four winners announced on December 1, 2014. The second half of the series will run through December 17, 2014, with the remaining four winners announced December 22, 2014. All eight winners will receive a two-week scholarship to the prestigious Joffrey Ballet summer intensive program.

The Grand Prize Winner, selected from the eight winners and chosen by Desmond Richardson, will be announced on January 5, 2015 and will receive a top-tier ballet solo package of four master classes, round-trip airfare to Los Angeles, a position to compete in the finals at the Elite Dance Tournament and a chance to meet guest judge Nigel Lythgoe. In its inaugural year, the tournament will provide an apprenticeship with Complexions Dance Company; a full-time position with the Joffrey Concert Group; and $180,000 in cash and scholarships, including $10,000 each for the ultimate dancer, studio and choreographer.

Details about the competition and how to submit videos can be found a www.danceon.com/joffreyballetschoolcontest.

Friday, December 12, 2014 – 7 p.m.

Saturday, December 13, 2014 – 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Sunday, December 14, 2014 – 1 p.m. & 5 p.m.