Every Journey event is packed with unforgettable moments for our guests! Whether you’re shopping the Merch Booth for must-have tour merch, grabbing a selfie at one of our photo ops, or just hanging out in the audience vibing to our custom-curated music, you’ll feel the magnetic energy all around. Add in our interactive judges, the friendliest team members, and exciting awards ceremonies, and you’ve got the recipe for some Journey Magic.
But don’t just take our word for it—come check it out for yourself!
From the moment you create your Studio Center account, our Customer Care team is with you every step of the way. Each studio is paired with a dedicated representative to help with everything—from reserving event space to viewing scores and feedback after the competition. At Journey, you always have someone ready to support you.
Every Journey event is staffed with a fully trained, background-checked team that’s ready to serve. From the moment you walk in, you’ll be greeted with a smile, supported throughout the day, and sent off with a goodbye at the end of the night. Our friendly, caring team makes sure every dancer, teacher, and parent feels safe, valued, and celebrated all weekend long.
Journey is proud to be one of only five events nationwide certified by the Youth Protection Association for Dance (YPAD). This certification shows our commitment to young dancers’ safety and wellness through extensive team training, comprehensive background checks, and CPR and First Aid certification. With policies that protect inclusivity, equity, and family-first values, we’re proud to create an environment where dancers and families can celebrate, connect, and thrive—knowing their well-being always comes first.
At Journey, fairness isn’t optional—it’s a promise. We celebrate and recognize every studio, big or small, ensuring that every dancer’s hard work is valued and every performance gets its moment in the spotlight.
We are proudly size-blind. Whether you bring one routine or one hundred, you and your dancers are treated with the same respect, enthusiasm, and celebration. Because every studio deserves the full Journey experience.
Studio directors & teachers—what’s the first thing you usually do when you arrive at a competition? You grab a program and start highlighting, right? Not at Journey!
We’re proud to be the first in the industry to give you unlimited programs already pre-highlighted with your studio’s routines. This time-saving perk lets you skip the prep, cut the stress, and dive straight into the fun, the dancing, and the celebration.
What can we say? We love to spoil our studio directors! Every director receives a special welcome gift at check-in—a little something to say thank you for all the hard work, love, and dedication you put into bringing your dancers to Journey.
Every Journey event features a dedicated teacher lounge stocked with snacks and drinks—a quiet retreat where teachers can relax and recharge away from the excitement of competition weekend. We know how much running around you do to keep everything in order, so we created a space where you can escape the madness, catch your breath, and enjoy a well-deserved break.
At every Journey event, the first two rows are reserved for studio directors, teachers, and choreographers—guaranteeing them a front-row view of their dancers’ performances. We know directors and teachers are constantly running from backstage check-ins to the auditorium, so we make sure their seats are waiting for them—so they can relax, watch, and enjoy their dancers on the Journey stage.
Journey judges aren’t just experts—they’re engaging, warm, and enthusiastic, bringing encouragement and inspiration to every event. Their goal is simple: to help dancers feel confident, celebrated, and motivated to do their very best.
Behind the scenes, our judges go through a rigorous screening and intensive hiring process to ensure they meet our high standards. Every judge—whether new or returning—completes specialized training where we align on Journey’s philosophy, what makes a strong critique, and how to deliver our signature Judge’s Shoutout awards.
To keep the quality consistent, our onsite leadership team also spot-checks critiques throughout the weekend, ensuring feedback is always thoughtful, constructive, and at the level Journey is known for.
At every Journey event, dancers receive high-quality judges’ feedback designed to inspire growth. Our judges celebrate each dancer’s strengths while offering constructive, actionable feedback that can be taken back to the studio to keep improving.
Best of all? Critiques are delivered right after the event wraps, so studios don’t have to wait—feedback is in their hands fast, while the experience is still fresh.
It’s hard not to get swept up in the good vibes at a Journey event. Guests rave about the electric atmosphere—fueled by music, celebration, and the positivity of our entire team. Even in the most competitive moments, you’ll feel the camaraderie between studios and dancers. That’s the kind of energy that makes every Journey weekend truly unforgettable.
Journey’s awards are more than recognition—they’re a celebration. Every ceremony is packed with energy, fun, and hype, while staying quick and on-time so the party never drags.
We kick things off with a pre-awards party on stage, then roll right into Judge’s Shoutouts, adjudications, overalls, and extra awards. Our on-stage Journey Personalities are trained to deliver ceremonies that celebrate every dancer’s hard work with excitement and positivity, making each moment unforgettable.
The Journey stage is equipped with five professional tap microphones, ensuring every step is captured with crystal-clear sound for an unforgettable performance. Each microphone is carefully monitored throughout the routine and professionally mixed—not only so the audience hears every sound in the moment, but also so your performance videos play back with perfect clarity.
Journey events feature multiple exciting photo opportunities all weekend long—giving dancers, teachers, and families the perfect chance to capture and remember every special moment. We take pride in having the best lobby presentation in the industry, filled with bold event signage, ring lights, balloon displays, and more. Why? Because you deserve it.
Journey offers affordable, trendy merch designed for every style—from classic staples to bold statement pieces—so dancers, teachers, and families can show their love for the competition in style. Every item is carefully designed to make sure there’s something for everyone to take home as a keepsake from the weekend. With a variety of size-friendly options, our merch makes it easy for every guest to find the perfect piece to remember their Journey experience.
With Journey’s password-protected livestream, friends and family can join the celebration from home—cheering on every performance in real time. Safe, secure, and full of energy, our livestreams let everyone be part of the unforgettable moments, no matter where they are.
Journey takes social media coverage to the next level—posting nonstop throughout the weekend to capture the excitement of every event and shine a spotlight on all the studios in attendance. From daily recap videos and story updates to performance clips and dancer interviews, our coverage keeps the energy alive long after the music stops.
And let’s be real—it’s always exciting to see if you made it onto our socials!
What’s a party without great music? At Journey, we take pride in our carefully curated playlists that keep the energy high between every performance. From today’s top hits to fresh remixes of your favorite throwbacks, our music keeps the vibe alive and the audience partying all weekend long.
At Journey, our physical awards are redesigned and upgraded every season to keep things fresh and exciting. Every dancer in a solo, duo, or trio receives a medal, and every dancer in a group routine receives a pin. Categories with three or more entries are recognized with First in Category Plates, while overalls are celebrated with placement plates.
On top of that, our specialty awards feature beautiful acrylics and trophies—memorable keepsakes dancers, studios, and families will treasure long after the weekend ends.
Every Journey event includes free, professional photos and videos of every routine—captured with high-quality clarity and style so dancers and families can relive the magic long after the weekend ends. No extra fees, no hidden costs—just memories that are yours to keep, share, and celebrate forever.