DanceOn and Joffrey Ballet School Announce New Partnership

DanceOn Network has signed a multi-year deal with the Joffrey Ballet School as an official channel partner, and will work with them on their overall digital video strategy. To launch the partnership, DanceOn and Joffrey Ballet School, two of the top dance organizations, have teamed up to create a YouTube video influencer campaign and contest promoting the first annual Elite Dance Tournament, presented by Joffrey Ballet School and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. The video series features dancers from Complexions and the Joffrey Ballet Concert Group. Complexions co-founder and co-artistic director Desmond Richardson, who the New York Times has described as "one of the great modern dancers of his time," is also featured in the videos.

Through a series of inspirational videos, contestants will learn iconic, beautiful and challenging dance moves from Desmond Richardson and Davis Robertson, Joffrey Ballet Concert Group's Artistic Director. The first four episodes of the series will launch on DanceOn and Joffrey Ballet School YouTube channels on November 12, 2014. The second four episodes will launch on December 3, 2014.

Participants will need to submit their videos recreating the dance steps for a chance to win at www.danceon.com/joffreyballetschoolcontest. The first half of the series runs through November 26, 2014, with the first four winners announced on December 1, 2014. The second half of the series will run through December 17, 2014, with the remaining four winners announced December 22, 2014. All eight winners will receive a two-week scholarship to the prestigious Joffrey Ballet summer intensive program.

The Grand Prize Winner, selected from the eight winners and chosen by Desmond Richardson, will be announced on January 5, 2015 and will receive a top-tier ballet solo package of four master classes, round-trip airfare to Los Angeles, a position to compete in the finals at the Elite Dance Tournament and a chance to meet guest judge Nigel Lythgoe. In its

inaugural year, the tournament will provide an apprenticeship with Complexions Dance Company; a full-time position with the Joffrey Concert Group; and $180,000 in cash and scholarships, including $10,000 each for the ultimate dancer, studio and choreographer.

"We are excited to bring the Joffrey Ballet School on as a channel partner and to work with them to offer a once in a lifetime opportunity for ballet and dance enthusiasts from around the world," said CEO of DanceOn Amanda Taylor. "For the first time ever, we are helping bring the ballet and contemporary dance communities together and are thrilled to be part of eight dance hopefuls having the chance to hone their craft with the support of Joffrey Ballet School.

"We look forward to this long-term partnership with DanceOn to find opportunities through new media to connect to the next generation of dance professionals," said Joffrey Ballet School's executive director Christopher D'Addario. "DanceOn is impressive with a wide range of clientele and the team has already provided valuable insights and strategies to support the growth of our programs. We can't wait to see the videos dancers submit during this competition and for the opportunity to see their creativity in more than just the execution of the moves."

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