TESTIMONIALS

WE LOVE SSDC!

"Hello, we would like to thank you guys for such a great weekend! We had a great first experience with shooting stars and appreciate you all!
Some highlights for us…
Appropriate start/end times.
 I cannot stress this enough! We appreciated not starting before 8:30 ever and not being in the theatre at 10:30/11pm doing awards. We have had dancers scheduled on stage as late as 10:40 this season and it made those 7 am rehearsals very tough. Thank you for considering our staffs needs while scheduling.
Shorter sessions.
Less waiting around for people in only a few routines. I’m sure the judges appreciated the frequent mental breaks. I know when I’ve been on a panel and the session is 3+ hours it can be challenging.
The shorter sessions also provided more opportunity for special awards, most potential, choreo etc. When you only have 3 sessions in a day there is less of a chance for your kids to be called up.
Special awards and overalls,
We loved that every dancer got something for a special award. We have never had that happen before. The pictures online were a nice touch as well! We appreciated that for duets and trios multiple trophies were given.
Thank you soooo much for not combining over alls if there weren’t many in the category. Many comps will combine ages on site if there’s only say 3-4 kids eligible for an overall award. This provided opportunity for dancers who wouldn’t usually be acknowledged to have their special moment!
The award that was passed around from students at adjudication is such a unique idea. Our kids loved it.
Professional and organized.
The whole event was so well done. Very organized. Professional and welcoming atmosphere. Extra little touches like the staff walking people to dressing rooms, my bag that has my actual logo. Highlighting the program. Enough programs for the staff I have on hand. These extras don’t go unnoticed! The showcase with the glow sticks!! The vibe from the kids and other teachers/studio directors really made this event and that’s a reflection on how you guys are running things. When you put out positive inclusive energy people build from it. By Sunday my kids were making new best friends, myself and staff were enjoying the company of everyone.
INCLUSIVE!!!!! ️️️️️
We felt so validated at your competition for all of our efforts this season. Kids of mine who usually go unnoticed left with the biggest smiles. The showcase included every studio. The top kids got their highest overalls and validation that way, as it should be, but that other 80% of the people attending all felt like they mattered and did well. The way the extra awards, special awards, big awards at the end were spread out and not just going to that 20% highest talent was SO encouraging to our kids.
Thank you for running a 10 out of 10 event! We will definitely return in 2025'
- Dance Studio Owner

"You always put the dancers first. SSDC is truly a gift to the dance world!"
- Dance Studio Owner

​Thanks is simply not enough for the environment you provided for our dancers. Not only was it a safe environment, but it was a positive and supportive one where dancers could simply celebrate returning to the stage. Everyone was thrilled with how smoothly the event ran. Your kindness and willingness to go above and beyond to ensure staff, parents, and dancers are comfortable does not go unnoticed. - Dance Studio Owner

Thank you so much for another amazing competition! All our families and staff just love how inclusive, positive, organized and spectacular your competition is!!- Dancepirations Academy

We had such an amazing time this past weekend!  Your staff and event never disappoint and make it feel like coming home when we are at your competitions.  All of your hard work and planning does not go unnoticed and is valued more than you know.  Congratulations on 10 years!  And here’s to many more to come.  - Dance Parent

 Thank you for another great weekend of dance fun and positivity! We always feel like part of a big dance family at your competitions! Thank you to you and your family and staff for all of your hard work and continuously giving everyone such a great experience and memories - Isla Skye Dance Academy

A huge thank you for creating such a wonderful atmosphere of positivity and friendship in a competitive setting.  Our families and dancers had an incredible weekend in Port Hope at Shooting Stars.  Thank you to your staff who are always ready to help with anything in any way.  Thank you again and look forward to see you next year.
From all of us at PKS

I want to commend you on a fantastic dance competition this past weekend held at Hamilton Family Theatre..the dancing was great but beyond that you all provided such a positive, fun and encouraging atmosphere teaching these young people about a lot more than winning.. you made them all feel like winners..
​Dance Parent
Thank you once again for running such an amazing competition.  I’ve been teaching competitive dance for over 15 years (and rec dance for more years than I care to share, lol), and the weekends we spend with SSDC are the most positive experience I’ve had.  I just love the way you encourage such wonderful behaviour from all dancers right from the get-go.  I truly believe your outlook embodies the fact that there are far more important lessons to be learned from being a competitive dancer than to point your toes or jump high.
The lessons dancers learn stay with them for the rest of their lives, and it’s about so much more than winning (don’t get me wrong, I certainly love to win too , but it’s life lessons that make the big difference in a young person’s life).  My daughter has graduated from dance, but I continue to teach because it is so rewarding to be a part of this education for young people.
Your staff is simply amazing.  They dance with us backstage, are always so helpful, welcome questions, and genuinely seem to enjoy their job.  This is not the experience we have at other competitions, so please thank your staff from us.  It really makes a weekend at comp so much more enjoyable and stress-free. 
The extra steps you take for the teachers and directors are also appreciated.  The backstage passes (I felt like a Rockstar all weekend, lol), balloons in the changerooms, highlighted books, dedicated teacher seats (and more) are fantastic!
I hope you continue running competitions for years to come, because you certainly know what you are doing! 
From Melissa, Rebecca and the whole Revival Team



Your competition by far has been the most friendly, supportive, family oriented and most importantly - dancer oriented event I have ever attended. The awards ceremonies were so creative and fun for all. As a director, I really appreciated the little details that may have not cost a ton - but I can clearly see where the entry fees are going. Your staff seems so happy and well taken care of - it was just an overall great experience.
I'd like to mention that we are a newer, growing studio and have recently started having dancers from other studios join the team this season and those families have had the most feedback explaining that having competed for 10 years, 13 years and even 14 years - and this is the most enjoyable competition weekend they have ever had and your event was a huge part of that.
Shereeka Gray - House of FAME

"I attended your Ajax 2019 Competition as a choreographer/teacher. I first of all want to thank you for making the event so fun and family-based. Everyone on our team left feeling very uplifted and eager to work hard in the studio. It is so wonderful to attend a competition that cares so much about the KIDS and making sure dancers, whether they are novice, part-time or full-time dancers, leave feeling accomplished and valued. Thank you!"
- Sarah Rorabeck, Chrome Dance Center

Thank you so much Nia!! We just absolutely love your competitions. The parents always say you are just the sweetest. Your competition is always organized, thoughtful, positive, inspiring and so much fun!!
​-Dance Studio Owner

Thank YOU so much for providing an incredible competition for kids to dance! I absolutely loved the energy and vibe of the entire event and I cannot wait to work with you again in the future. 
Samantha Schleese - Adjudicator

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this competition. Thank you for making all the dancers feel like they matter and that they were all doing a great job.You believed in them and in turn they believed in themselves. That life lesson is so important! So impressed!
- Dance Parent

Fantastic - well organized - so much fun - love all the games at adjudication - love the medals - SUCH A WONDERFUL COMP!!!
- Dance Parent

Once again, Thank you to you and your team for putting on such a wonderful and friendly event. I just can't believe how incredible the weekend was. Congratulations to you!!! SSDC is back!!! and better than ever!!!
-Laurie Jamieson - Chrome Dance Centre

​​"Thank you for a great weekend. Your staff were just so kind and helpful!" 
- Lisa, Fascination Dance Studio

"Love this comp! Friendly staff, great feedback, fun atmosphere. Medals are much better than ribbons!"
- Dance Parent

Just wanted to drop a note to say thank you for the weekend of dance.  We really appreciate all of the details and special touches you and your team put in.  Also, after listening to some of the judges critiques so far...we would like to send our thanks for them giving so much feedback.  Sometimes we get stuck with judges not correcting or talking much at all and we have so far found that all three truly were invested in each piece to give their feedback.  We sooo appreciate that!!!!
​-District Dance Company
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“Thank you for a wonderful weekend.  I had such a great time at your competition. I thought you and your team did a great job…Marisa was a great MC. She had such enthusiasm in her voice and kept things rolling. All of your staff and runners were great.”
- Jaslyn Eteli, Adjudicator  

“We had a blast last Saturday!! The kids really enjoyed everything and are asking to come back next season. Parents also thought it was well run. We found the judge’s comments very helpful. They actually gave us ideas and ways to change things as opposed to just saying something isn’t working… We will be having the pizza party in May …there will be photos sent for sure…. Thanks again for a great start to our season.”
Melissa Beeby, Revolutions Dance Studio
(winners of Studio spirit award and a pizza party)   

“Thank you once again for a great experience with you this past weekend. My girls and their families really enjoyed themselves!
- Angel Junkin, Dancing Angels Academy  

“Thank you for hosting the great dance competition in Lindsay. Both of my daughters had a great time and it was very well organized.”
- Dance Parent  

“We really enjoyed your competition. You all did a great job! We will for sure be attending next year.”
- Amanda Whitney, Spotlight Dace Productions

  “I enjoyed yesterday so much I went to your website to see when your next competition was and I saw that it is this weekend! Is there any possible way you could fit my solos in? …I would really love to attend”
- Independent Dancer (and yes- we did fit her in)

  “Thank you so much. I’m honored to be one of the first judges for your competition! It was a pleasure to work with you and your team. I’ll definitely be recommending your competition to my fellow teachers and studio owners – I loved how many awards you gave out! All the best!”
- Camille Dziewurski, Adjudicator

  “This competition was awesome! The dancers loved all the awards and how they were made to feel so special. My daughter is 8 and danced with Dancing Angels Academy; she said that she really liked how all scores were announced with such enthusiasm. She said some comps announce the scores with more enthusiasm the higher the score. Yesterday the Silver awards were announced just as greatly as the “Shooting Stars” Thank you for that. It helps build these young dancers up so much.”
- Proud Dance Mom

  “I just wanted to thank you so much for yesterday; it was such a great experience. I was so surprised to hear that it was your first competition ever, because it was so well run! I was very honored to perform in the showcase and thank you for all of my awards!  Make sure to tell all of the back stage girls that they were amazing also.”
- Dancer

  “Congratulations again on a job well done! I hope you are very proud of yourself and your family! You guys did an awesome job and really made those students feel like absolute champs today. I am so happy to have gotten to be a part of that.”
- Katie Martin, Adjudicator

  “Your staff were all extremely friendly and helpful and the vibe was so positive”
- Dance Parent

"You guys put on such a great event! A very memorable day for our studio! Thanks for all your hard work..."
- Cheryl Oudshoorn, Spot On Dance Studio

"Thanks very much for the great day. From the we walked in, to the warm welcome by your staff at the front door, walking us to our change room to get us settled in. This competition was well organized and FUN for the dancers and spectators. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
- Lori, Dance Parent

We love the facebook page and how the photos went up so fast!...Thank you so very much!!! All in all it was a wonderful day. Our whole family had a great time. We look forward to seeing Shooting Stars again next year.
- Mark Jessop, Dance Parent

Just wanted to say that the competition was well done and the supportive messages to the dancer were great!
- Leanne-Anthony-Bailey, Teacher at Dancebridge Dance Studio

Best Competition Ever!!!! See you next year!
- Alancia, Angela Maracle Studios

Great competition and Marisa was a fabulous Master of Ceremonies. Fantastic job Thank You!!!!
- Tracy Merriman, Dance Parent

I cannot say enough about how wonderfully organized and tidy your group was. You get my "favourite dance competition" award!
- Sue Glover, Business Manager of Capitol Theatre Port Hope

I just wanted to write a not to say thank you again for having me at Shooting Stars Port hope this past weekend. I had a wonderful time! Definitely the most relaxed and easy-going atmosphere I've worked a competition in, which was very much appreciated. I particularly loved the number of scholarships, awards and special mentions you offer at the awards sessions and the timing of those sessions; Perfect! I'll definitely be recommending your events; I don't easily give endorsements, but you've earned it.
- Stephanie Bergeron, Adjudicator

The Shooting Stars Competition in Port Hope at the Capitol Theatre was outstanding from beginning to end. We received the dance schedule earlier than previous competitions which was very helpful for planning. The start times were amazing! Most dancers were able to attend a full day of school on Friday.  Saturday morning started at 10:00 am allowing the families to get a good night’s rest and have time for breakfast. The threatre and change rooms were excellent. There were snacks, beverages, souvenirs, clothing and a professional photographer available at all times. Most importantly, the schedule was on time, the music was a perfect volume and the adjudications were fun, motivating, inspiring and playful. There were medals for each dancer, plenty of special awards and lots of trophies.  The kids loved them! Why do (some) competitions give out ribbons instead of medals!?! There was staff available to offer assistance throughout the entire weekend. Overall, the atmosphere was relaxing, comfortable and positive. What amazing weekend.  I hope our studio comes back every year! Thanks,
- Sandy Neprily, Dance Parent

I just wanted to thank you and your family and staff again for a fabulous, positive weekend!! All of my students are completely thrilled with their experience and are already talking about your competition for next year!! Your positivity is truly what the dance world needs. Being a small studio we have encountered some big studios that have been very nasty at other comps. It was amazing that each and every person that we communicated with from every studio was so positive, encouraging and supportive at your comp.
​- Isla Peddle, Isla Skye Dance Academy

My daughter danced this past weekend in Lindsay. She had a bit of a hiccup in her solo, forgot it partway through and ran off stage. I knew how upset she would be, but in the short time I got back to her, she told me (through tears) that someone from the competition had told her she could try it again. She got calmed down and boosted back up by her FSDA team and then hit the stage again. At the awards ceremony she was awarded the "Perform, Celebrate, Grow" award for getting back up and doing it again.
- Dance Parent

I just wanted to say thank you so much for truly caring about the dancers as children and human beings. She was so proud of herself and was beaming when she received the award. It reiterated that it is important to get back out there and try again and that it's ok to make mistakes. Now, instead of thinking of it as the competition that she forgot her solo and ran off stage, she remembers it for receiving the award for being brave and getting back up and trying it again. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
​- Dance Mom