Auditions for this year’s Competition and Performance Team are set for July 16 at the conclusion of Summer Dance Camp, a required program for anyone wishing to audition for the team.
Summer Dance Camp is open to all serious dancers ages 6 and up, not just those planning to audition for the competition team. Campers will warm up and strengthen, then work on skills including leaps, turns and progressions, before focusing on specific genres and combinations. The camp runs from 1-5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, July 6-15, with an optional open studio time from 1-5 p.m. Thursday, July 9. Tuition is $90 for ages 6-9 and $130 for ages 10-18. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. Applications for financial assistance are available in the main office, 3807 Woodlawn Road, Sterling. Applications and more information on programming are also available at the Academy’s website, woodlawnartsacademy.com.
Competition team auditions are free with the dance camp tuition. The team is for serious dancers ages 6-18 who want the chance to compete and perform.
“Our goal is to build well-rounded, confident and technically strong dancers, while providing great performance opportunities,” said Christy Zepezauer, one of the team’s directors and the Academy’s executive director.
The team is a full-year commitment, with team members required to participate in at least two technique classes at WDA, in addition to team workshops and competitions.
The 38-member 2025-2026 team participated in four regional competitions: StarQuest Dance Competition in Davenport, Iowa, in February; Legacy Dance Championships in Oswego and KAR Dance Competition in Dubuque, Iowa, both in March; and Rainbow Dance Competition in University Park in April.
The team won many awards during the season. The team was directed by Zepezauer, along with Erika Candella, Julia Cooper, Faith Engelkens, Ohnaka Garcia, Amy Hook, Taylor Masters, and Rhiannon Serrurier.
“We are so pleased with the growth and determination of our dancers throughout the year,” said Zepezauer. “We are so proud of their hard work and dedication, and are grateful for the outpouring of support from the community.”
Woodlawn Dance Academy is a program of Woodlawn Arts Academy in Sterling. WAA is an agency of United Way of Whiteside and Lee counties and is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council. Registration for the Academy’s school-year programs opens July 29 in person, by phone or online at woodlawnartsacademy.com. Online registration is not available for dance, theater productions, private lessons, and select other programs.
Photo caption “CompetitionAuditions”: Members of the 2025-26 Woodlawn Dance Academy Competition Team perform one of their award-winning dances. Team auditions for the 2026-27 school year will be on July 16, with a required Summer Dance Camp to learn audition routines starting July 6.
