Happy New Year! We are on the brink of season 12 and things are off and running. I want to make you aware of an up and coming dance magazine issue that is coming out in one of the major dance publications. A list of some kind will again determine the "Greatest Dance Studios" in the nation (hasn't this been done before?). This list is even going to break it down to "Greatest in Each State". Please do not fret and fear if your name is not listed, and don't look too hard for anything about us as we won't be there either. Why? I chose not to participate. Although I am not sure how they will tell you they determined these rankings, the truth is they asked each competition director to give them a list of what he or she thought was the "greatest" studios that compete with them. My first question to the sales person from this magazine was, “How am I to determine this? Do you want me to send you a list of our national winners that my paid judges determined to be the best of last year?” The answer was no. Instead they wanted each director to use his or her own criteria for determining the list. How does one in our position do this?! Do I list in the #1 spot the studio that donated thousands of dollars to our charities last year? Do I place at #1 the studio with the students who clap and cheer for everyone on stage? Do I place at #1 the studio whose seniors waited around to congratulate the national overall winners’ teacher because they were so moved by the performance and in awe? Should #1 go to the studio whose teacher tells them all "I love you" before they go on stage. How about the studio that won the Spirit trophy almost everyday at nationals. I could go in so many different directions. It could be that the #1 studio was the one with the most acts, the most Elites, the most kids, the nicest parents, the best prop dads, the fanciest costumes, the studio that attended the most TOP events, had the most energy, kept their dressing rooms clean, or picked up their trash in the auditorium. Could I rule out the studios whose kids used the “F” word on stage, or sat in the balcony so they could talk about each other? How should I factor in the teachers who complain, parents who complain, kids who cross their arms in Top 10 line ups, parents who take photos or video when they shouldn’t? I suppose I could’ve let Mr. Kris (backstage) determine the #1 studio by who laughs at him the most, who wants photos for their websites, who makes him t-shirts, or better yet, who brings the staff snacks and Starbucks. My point is this: Every studio has its own unique characteristics and we think you’re all great in many ways. It would be impossible for me to develop a list that would fairly assign the title of “Greatest”. So once again, I apologize if you are not listed. Please know you are all appreciated and #1 in our book! It doesn't matter if you bring 1 act or 100 acts to TOP, you are all great! Hope to see you all soon! Kim