Founded on the idea of a balanced training schedule for growing dancers.

Offering a high level of dance training and exciting performance opportunities. 

Opting IN to performance experience, audience applause, and individual artistry and opting OUT of Dance Competitions. 

The OADC mission is to cultivate a team atmosphere where dancers can thrive in both a group and individual setting while maintaining a balanced life, positive body image, and high self-esteem during these key years in their lives. 

The Open Air Dance Company Program is a boutique dance training experience under the direction of Kerin Martinez & Ryan Miller and in partnership with a rotating selection of visiting dance professionals and master teachers. 

What age range is the Company program for? 

Open Air Dance Company is a performance company for dancers in the 2nd to 10th grade!

What makes Open Air Dance Company Different? 

We are Austin's only non-competitive dance team. 

At Open Air Dance Company, we understand that our dancers have activities and obligations outside of the studio and support them in their endeavors. Diverse experiences, talents, exposure, artistry & athleticism are welcome and encouraged!

Cross-training and rest days create stronger dancers and healthier muscles, joints, and tendons. 

Our schedule and weekly time commitment reinforces this belief.  

Our 2024 - 2025 Company classes run from September to April with our spring show held in April.  

We believe in attending summer camps, travel, family priorities, and scholastic focus at the busiest times of the year. 

Is Open Air Dance Company a Competitive Company? 

Open Air Dance Company is not a competitive company. 

Our primary focus is education, versatility, performance, and exposure to dance. 

A non-competitive company saves time and money and allows us the freedom to focus more time expanding skill set, strength, and experience.  Dancers will have more chances to pick up choreography quickly, and build artistry, confidence on stage, and gain self-esteem. 

For dancers who wish to take part in the optional solo, duet,  & trio opportunities:

Solos, duets and trios will perform in the Company Showcase and the Spring Show. They have the opportunity to showcase at the non-competitve convention we attend. (Providing constructive feedback by a panel of dance professionals.)

The experience is valuable to your specific dancer's educational development.

Solos, Duets, and Trios are optional. 

Solos, Duets and Trios must be set between May 1at and August 16th, 2024. (Prior to the start of the the upcoming season.)

What Events Does the Company Participate In? 

In addition to being featured performers in the end of year Spring Show, members of the Open Air Dance Company will aim to: 

• Perform at an NBA Basketball Halftime 

• Perform at Austin's Trail of Lights

• Take part in a holiday performance (optional - travel required)

• Perform in a Company Showcase 

• Attend a touring Broadway Show as a Team (Optional)

• 7th - 10th Grade Company Members are able to participate in the Assistant Teaching Program

• Attend a Dance Convention (Required for dancers in the 4th - 9th grade)

• Travel to NYC for an educational-based experience (optional) 

Open Air Dance Company Schedule:

Tentative outline for 2024-2025. (Subject to change)

Our younger Company members take one 75 minute class each week.

In addition, all of our Company Dancers will attend 1-3 Sunday Rehearsals in the Fall Semester, and 1-3 Weekend Rehearsals in the Spring Semester. (The Fall Rehearsals will be scheduled by June 15th. Our Spring Rehearsals will be scheduled by November 15th). 

All Company Dancers are required to attend choreography camp which will take place between September 3rd and September 15th. 

A Parent Meeting and Dancer Jacket Fitting will be held on May 10th. 

Company Dancers will have a Company welcome party on September 15th. 

Visiting Guest Faculty:

One highlight of the Company program is the Workshops with visiting Master Teachers. 

Our season 1 -3 line-up of Master Teachers included:

• Ryan Miller (2021-2022 Guest Instructor. 2022-2023 Professional Artist in Residence.)

• Elizabeth McGriff (September 2023)

• Shelley Scott (October 2021, February 2022, February 2024)

• Nicole Greene-Cramer (October 2021, May 2022, September 2022)

• Eugene Peabody (November 2021, April 2022)

• Taylor Brown (November 2021)

• Blitz (December 2021)

• Helen Estrella (January 2022, September 2022)

• Sara Arnold (November 2022, August 2023)

• Samuel Rutland Simpson (January 2023, August 2023)

Tuition & other fees: 

• Tuition will cover the company class, select Sunday rehearsals, and group dance choreography fees with the visiting guest faculty.

• Based on company size, hours in the studio and dancer age, tuition will range from $504 - $840 per semester. 

• Costume fee $320

• Company attire $75 - 100

• Company jacket (can be ordered large & worn multiple seasons) $217

• Company Dance Bag (can be used multiple seasons) $45 

• Recital fee approx $195/year

• Convention Wristband 

• Travel expenses (Required Convention Trip & Optional NYC Trip)

• Optional additional weekly classes available. 

• Solo/Duet/Trio choreography work is an optional additional add-on to Company. 

We aim for our team program to be forward thinking and harness the current trajectory of the dance world.

Joining the Company: 

Our application window for the 2024-2025 Company Season is open now. 

Thank you so much for your interest in the Open Air Dance Collective 2024-2025 Company Season!

First and foremost:  

At OADC we firmly believe that the application process for dancers applying to our Company program should be an education-forward experience. Auditions in the dance world happen in many ways.  Dancers submit videos, attend auditions in person, apply via live virtual auditions or by attending workshops and summer programs. 

We want to give dancers experience at a video submission application process and be able to take the time to deliver personalized feedback to each of our applicants. We invite dancers to take time to review and learn the material, work to grow in the routine and then send us their favorite take. We are looking to see the way that dancers will take on this project.  

Ultimately, we want to send them away from this process with more than just a scoresheet. 

Dancer instructions: 

Here are the steps for all new prospective members of Company

(And current members of the Company going into the 7th to 9th grade next season.) 

Step 1: Fill out this form!  (Available from April 8th to April 22nd, 2024, or until capacity is reached.)

Step 2: Pay the application fee. (Which will be billed to your parent portal).

Step 3: You'll receive the video of the audition combination for your age group. (Videos will be sent out beginning on Friday, April 12th!)

Step 4: Learn the audition combination at your own time and pace.  (Questions? E-mail us!  openairdancecollective@gmail.com. We are here to help you in this process.) 

Step 5: Get a friend or a parent to video you performing the combination!  

Step 6: Submit your video via e-mail or unlisted YouTube link by  April 26th at 6pm. 

Step 7: Our panel of dance professionals will review your video and send feedback, and placement recommendations by April 29th with educational panel feedback to follow! 

Dancer instructions: 

For current members of our Company in the 2nd to 5th grade (dancers who are going to be in the 3rd to 6th grade next season.)

Step 1: Fill out this form!  (Available from April 8th to April 22nd, 2024, or until capacity is reached.)

Step 2: Pay the application fee.

OPTIONAL: Complete steps 3-7 listed above. If you would like to learn the audition combination and receive feedback from our education panel, that is an opportunity available to you each season. However, as returning members to the Company going into the 3rd to 6th grade next season, you are not required to submit a video for placement. 

"You can win or lose a game. A game involves strategy, scoring points, outsmarting your opponents.

Dance is none of those things. I don't see the value in comparison for young dancers. Sure if teaches them 'drive', but shouldn't we teach them that true drive originates from within; it isn't fueled by how you measure up to others."

- Helen Estrella, Master Teacher, Director Of Boulder Jazz Dance Workshop and Motion Dance Center

Questions?

Please let us know YOUR questions about the OADC company program!

openairdancecollective@gmail.com

With excitement & gratitude, 

Miss Kerin & Mr Ryan