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Performance Showcase
- AVA Dance Company
- Jan 10
- 4 min read
Our annual Performance Showcase is your chance to go beyond a typical dance class and learn routines to perform on stage for friends, family and our community!
Showcase is an 8 week long program that consists of dancers learning 2 large group numbers in selected styles, an opening number and finale piece. The large group numbers are determined by which "Series" you elect to participate in (ex: Series 1 will perform a Hip Hop and Heels piece, Series 2 will perform Pom and Jazz, etc). This also means that you'll rehearse with the same group of dancers for the duration of the program and then come together with the other Series to put on the final show!
Participating dancers also have the opportunity to perform in a small group, duo/trio or as a soloist.
This is our favorite event of the year because it allows a diverse group of dancers with the opportunity to continue or discover their passion for performing on stage. It also creates a unique relationship between the dancer and instructor, who otherwise teach monthly drop-in classes with us.
"There’s something so special about performing for a live audience and I am speechless for all of the support from our community! I am beyond honored to continue to provide a safe space for adults to keep dancing," AVA's Founder/Director, Leah Mariner, shares.
2026's show marks our largest cast ever, featuring 90 dancers and the choreography of 10+ instructors. Showcase truly takes a village to create and we're proud that the entire team is comprised of members of our community.
Keep an eye out around November for details regarding how you can participate in our Performance Showcase! Rehearsals historically begin in January with the show being in the spring.
Watch Our Previous Showcases
2025's Showcase
For the first time we offered 5 Series, allowing 80 dancers to perform with us!
2023's Showcase
This milestone show doubled the amount of Series we offered, featuring 64 dancers.
2019's Showcase
Our first ever show featured 48 dancers and also marked our first public performance!
Showcase Testimonials
"Being part of Showcase has been an incredibly fulfilling experience. As an adult, I often find myself juggling multiple responsibilities—work, family, and daily life—leaving little time for things I truly enjoy, like dancing. This opportunity allowed me to carve out dedicated time for myself and prioritize something I always want to do, but often pushed aside due to life's demands. What I gained from this experience went far beyond just the time spent dancing. It gave me the chance to connect with an amazing group of adults from all walks of life—moms, lawyers, teachers, healthcare workers like myself and so many more. It was truly inspiring to share the stage with women who, like me, are doing their best to balance their lives while still embracing the joy that dance brings. One of the most heartwarming parts of this journey was the side conversations we had backstage about what dance teams or routines were like in our “prime.” It was wonderful to reminisce and laugh together about our past experiences, and those moments truly brought us closer as a group. Showcase was a reminder that it’s possible to pursue your passions, no matter your stage in life, and that the connections made along the way are as rewarding as the dance itself. The entire experience has been incredibly uplifting, and I feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to not only dance but also form meaningful relationships with such an inspiring group." - Danielle L., 2025 Showcase
"AVA's Performance Showcase is one of the best things I've done in my adult life. It's so hard to find performance opportunities as an adult, much less one that so closely replicated the experience I had being a competition dancer growing up and that gave me the opportunity to choreograph for the first time. All of the dancers and AVA staff are so friendly, welcoming, and supportive, which made everything that much better. It feels like this company strikes the perfect balance of taking the show and the desire to produce great dances seriously while also having fun and recognizing that it's a recreational show. Thank you AVA!" - Abby G., 2025 Showcase
"AVA's Showcase has been the highlight of my time in the DMV area thus far. Through AVA performances and classes, I have met so many amazing women and have felt so appreciated as a dancer and an artist. I really feel like AVA teachers, choreographers, and staff meet you where you are in life and embrace the diversity of experiences people bring into the studio, all while creating an uplifting environment where I am not afraid to make mistakes and try new things. I appreciate how much thought goes into everything AVA puts out; it is truly unmatched. Thank you AVA for welcoming me into your family 💜." - Olivia C., 2024 Showcase
"When I signed up for AVA’s showcase, I didn’t know anybody and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I am writing this 8 weeks later with a full heart. All of the instructors, choreographers, and dancers have been so welcoming and kind. I am so glad to have rediscovered my love for dance through this extremely supportive community. As I spend more time at Ava, I can increasingly feel it becoming a home away from home. I am so happy I found this studio and all the wonderful people that come along with it! I can’t wait for more!" - Olivia M., 2024 Showcase
"Participating in AVA’s Performance Showcase was the greatest thing I have done for myself in a long time. Life is busy, and it can be hard to commit to something every week, but it was SO incredibly worth it to be able to perform onstage for family and friends again. The whole experience reminded me how important it is to keep doing what we all love to do- which is dance!!" - Casey C., 2023 Showcase
"Dancing in the Showcase was the highlight of my adult dance life. After a ten year break, AVA has provided me a place to learn and exercise each week, and I have never felt more supported both to grow as a dancer and as a person with all my dance friends. Thank you AVA and Leah for creating a space like this for us!!" - Maggie C., 2023 Showcase
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