Ovation Announces National Dance Competition "ONE DANCE. ONE CHANCE."

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Aug. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ovation, the only network devoted to arts culture, has launched a national dance competition -- "ONE DANCE. ONE CHANCE." -- offering US dance groups, classes, ensembles, troupes and crews with students ages 13 and up a chance to win a scholarship and national television exposure.  The competition is now live at www.ovationtv.com/dancecontest.

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"'ONE DANCE. ONE CHANCE.' is a fantastic example of Ovation's ongoing commitment to supporting the next generation of artists and our enthusiasm for dance as an inspiring, engaging art form," said Gaynor Strachan Chun, SVP, Marketing, Ovation.

To participate in the competition, US dance groups, classes, ensembles, troupes and crews with at least three members should submit a 1-3 minute video of a recent performance to www.ovationtv.com/dancecontest now through December 1, 2011.  Submissions must be made by the dance group's teacher, professor, instructor and/or coach.  The contest is open to all dance styles.  Submissions should be in .mp4, .wmv, .flv or .mov format and no larger than 100MB in size.  Among the eligible entries received, the semi-finalists will be chosen based on creativity/originality, form, technical dance skills and group choreography.

A panel of accredited dance teachers will choose 25 semi-finalists.  The semi-finalists will then be judged by an independent panel of professional dancers and choreographers, who will choose four finalists and the Grand Prize winner.  The semi-finalists will also be eligible for the Viewer's Choice Award via online voting.  The finalists, Viewer's Choice winner and Grand Prize winner will be announced January 2012.  

Each finalist group, plus the Viewer's Choice winner, will receive a $1,000 grant or scholarship for their school or ensemble.  The Grand Prize winner will receive a $10,000 grant or scholarship for their school or ensemble, plus a :30-second spot on Ovation.  Reaching an audience of over 44 million households, the winning group will receive national exposure and recognition.

For contest rules and more information, go to www.ovationtv.com/dancecontest.  

About Ovation:

Ovation is the only multi-platform network devoted to arts culture. Ovation gives its viewers access to the artists who define our cultural landscape through its one-of-a-kind mix of hand-picked documentaries, series, movies, and specials.

The channel reaches a national audience of 44 million households through carriage on cable systems, DirecTV (channel 274), Dish Network (channel 157) and Verizon FiOS (channel 188) nationally.  Ovation is also available in HD and VOD (both in standard and high definition).  Ovation extends its linear channel experience for viewers online via its popular website, www.ovationtv.com.  In addition to offering contests, trivia, facts and supplemental video online, the network has created an award-winning online community (www.ovationtv.com/community) for everyone from passionate artists to curious creative's who want to share their work and their thoughts.  To date, over 160,000 pieces of original art have been uploaded to the site by members.

SOURCE Ovation