With precision and finesse, a dancer lifts her leg from the ground with toes pointed outward, each member of her team moving in unison, fluid and graceful with passion flowing into every motion. She has been anticipating this moment for months, the Universal Dance Association college nationals, or the “Super Bowl of dance.”
The UDA was founded in 1980 by Jeff Webb and Kris Shepard, originally named “Universal Dance Camps” which would host camps for what were then known as “drill teams.” To make them more appealing to new dancers, the term “dance teams” was coined. Today, the UDA provides high-quality training and fierce competition to dancers across the country.
“I didn’t know about UDA until I joined the dance team in high school,” junior and dancer Angelina Zhou said. “ I watch it every competition season on Youtube because it inspires me to keep working hard.”
Categories of dance performed at nationals include Jazz, Pom, Hip-Hop and Game Day. Although each style is intricate, they have different characteristics that set them apart. Jazz prioritizes fluid movement while Hip-Hop is all about high energy and complex footwork, Pom includes sharp movements and clean acrobatics and Game Day is a test of spirit and boldness.
“Quote about dance styles”
The UDA college nationals were hosted at Disney World in Orlando on Jan. 17-19, a two-day experience with some of the most talented college-level dancers in the nation. After an intense battle on the floor, 11 teams won in 12 divisions, Minnesota State University securing two first-place wins. In the 2024 national championship, an OSU victory in the Jazz category caused controversy. In previous years, Ohio State University and the University of Minnesota have had an intense rivalry. The University of Minnesota’s routine included some of the most difficult choreography ever performed at UDA college nationals which led to some watchers believing they deserved the victory. OSU held a captivating performance to “My Way” by Frank Sinatra and secured their victory.
While glory and prestige come to winners of the intense competition, making a mistake can be fatal to a dancer’s reputation. Despite being a talented dancer, Zhou believes that the fear of poorly executing a move would cause her too much anxiety.
“I wouldn’t like to compete in college nationals because there’s too much pressure involved,” Zhou said. “If you make a mistake, many people will be posting about it on social media”
The UDA college nationals provide a way for dance teams to connect and celebrate their hard work and difficult practices amid the fierce competition. Many dance teams across the country look up to this competition and watch it yearly as the ultimate showcase of artistry and skill. The accomplishment of becoming a dancer on one of the top college teams in the nation serves as an inspiration for many young, high-achieving dancers.