Headliners Dance Championships

What Headliners Dance Championships does

Headliners Dance Championships is a privately held, family-owned US dance competition company founded in 1989 by Shari Tomasiello and her mother Irma Ziegler in northern New Jersey. The company operates an event-driven business model centered on 50+ regional dance competitions held annually across the United States (spanning the Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and West Coast), culminating in an annual National Finals competition held at the Tropicana Hotel & Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. The primary customer channel is dance studios, which register their dancers through a web-based registration platform (reg.headlinersdance.com); individual dancers and their families represent the end-user participants, with 10,000+ dancers competing each season across novice through competitive skill levels.

The company's core product suite includes Regional Dance Competitions, National Championships, Fall Convention events (one-day master class programs), and Headliners Media (free high-resolution photos and videos hosted on SmugMug with password-protected studio access, uploaded approximately 2-3 business days post-event). The technology stack comprises a WordPress-based marketing website, a dedicated web registration platform, SmugMug for media hosting, and Vimeo for livestreaming of regional events. No proprietary AI, scoring automation, or advanced technology platform is disclosed. The company was first-to-market in the dance competition industry with both free photo/video media services and skill-level based competition divisions.

Revenue is generated primarily through transaction-based registration fees paid by studios and dancers for competition entries, National Finals participation, and convention attendance, supplemented by merchandise sales and scholarship partner relationships. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; studios must contact Headliners directly for competition pricing. The company maintains strategic partnerships with the Association of Dance Competitions and Conventions (ADCC), AMDA College of Performing Arts, Peridance Center, Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts, and Be Discovered, and operates The Headliner Foundation, a not-for-profit subsidiary providing scholarships to dancers. Headquartered in Point Pleasant, NJ with 18 employees, the company is led by CEO Shari Tomasiello and COO/National Director Rachel Hennin (third-generation family leadership).

Name

Headliners Dance Championships

Legal name

Headliners Dance Championships

Website

https://headlinersdance.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Headliners Dance Championships is a family-owned US dance competition company operating 50+ regional events annually plus National Finals and Fall Conventions, serving 10,000+ dancers and dance studios with registration, free media, and livestream services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dance Competition Services

NAICS

Other Performing Arts Companies (711190), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310), Dance Companies (71112)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Amateur & Grassroots Tournament Organizers (MPAKADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dance Festivals & Dance Series (MPAGADAJ), Event Operations & Venue Services (Box Office, FOH/BOH, Concessions) (MPAIAFAL), Professional & Association Conferences (MPAGAGAB), Regional Multi-Sport Games & Festival Organizers (MPAKADAK)

Keywords

• Dance competition services
• Regional dance tour
• National dance championships
• Dance convention workshops
• Performance media production

Headquarters

HQ city

Point Pleasant

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Regional Competition Fees: Registration fees for studios and dancers to participate in regional tour events held across the United States throughout the competition season (January to May/July).
2. National Championships: Fees for the annual National Finals event held in Atlantic City, NJ, featuring competition, master classes, special events, and awards with cash prizes and scholarships.
3. Fall Convention Events: One-day convention events featuring master classes, workshops, performances, awards, and scholarship opportunities in locations such as Taunton, MA and King of Prussia, PA.
4. Media and Photography Services: Free media services (photos and videos) provided to dancers and studios as part of competition registration, with unlimited downloads included.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Headliners Dance Championships operates a regional dance competition tour with 50+ events annually across the United States, culminating in an annual National Finals event held in Atlantic City, NJ. The company serves dance studios and their dancers through skill-level based competitions, Fall Convention workshops featuring master classes, free photo and video media services (Headliners Media), and Livestream viewing of events. Founded in 1989, Headliners is a family-run business now in its third generation of leadership, with 10,000+ dancers participating each season.

Product overview

Headliners Dance Championships operates as a unified event platform offering multiple interconnected products: the core Regional Dance Competitions (50+ events annually) and National Championships serve as the primary competition tier, while Fall Conventions provide supplementary training experiences. The company differentiates through included services like free Headliners Media (photos and videos), the Trophy or Charity Program for charitable giving, and The Headliner Foundation for scholarships. Additional offerings include Title Championships, Platinum Circle Dance Off, Awards Gala events, Master Classes, and Livestream viewing capabilities. The product suite is built around supporting dancers from first-time performers to advanced competitors through structured competitions and meaningful awards experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Regional Dance Competition Tour Structured, well-organized regional dance competitions with 50+ events annually across US locations, serving dancers of all ages and skill levels (novice, intermediate, competitive). Includes professional fair scoring systems, experienced judges, and positive supportive environments. Studios register their dancers through the company's web-based registration platform.
• National Championships Annual National Finals competition held in Atlantic City, NJ, featuring competition, master classes, Title Championship, Platinum Circle Dance Off, Awards Gala, and thousands of dollars in cash awards and scholarships. The culminating event for the regional tour season.
• Fall Conventions One-day convention events featuring master classes, workshops, performances, awards showcase, and scholarship opportunities in dance styles including hip hop, contemporary, jazz, musical theater, and more. Held at regional locations such as Taunton, MA and King of Prussia, PA.
• Headliners Media (Free Photos and Videos) Free high-resolution photo and video services for all registered dancers and studios, with unlimited downloads included. Media is uploaded to SmugMug approximately 2-3 business days after each event, with password-protected studio access.
• Livestream Online viewing of live and archived event streams through the Vimeo platform, enabling dancers, families, and studios who cannot attend in person to watch performances and award ceremonies remotely.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50+ regional events annually serving dancers across the US
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ADCC (Association of Dance Competitions and Conventions)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeadliners is a proud member of ADCC. At each Headliners event, the ADCC Studio of Excellence Award and a $500 scholarship check are presented to one studio that best exemplifies ADCC values of working together and striving for excellence.
• AMDA College of Performing ArtscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAMDA will award $750 scholarships to select senior level dancers for their High School Summer Conservatory in New York or Los Angeles. AMDA will join the panel at National Championships Audition Workshop to award Summer Conservatory and Partial Tuition Scholarships.
• Be DiscoveredminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBe Discovered awards partial scholarships to child and junior age divisions for world-renowned intensives in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, or Paris. Participants train with industry professionals and perform on iconic stages including Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, Disney Parks, and Broadway.
• Peridance CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeadliners partnered with Peridance, a premier dance training facility in NYC, to provide dancers attending Headliners events with opportunities to work with Broadway, TV and film professionals. Partnership includes Peridance's Teen Summer Intensive (June 29 - July 11, 2026) with $300 scholarship for ages 12-17.
• Norwalk Conservatory of the ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts whose programs prepare students for careers in performing arts. Includes Pre-College Intensive (Session I: July 6-17, 2026; Session II: July 27-August 7, 2026) and Conservatory Scholarships. Norwalk representatives will scout at select regionals and Nationals.
• The Headliner FoundationcoreOthersA not-for-profit subsidiary of Headliners that provides scholarships to dancers pursuing dance as a career and offers support to the broader dance community. Each year scholarships and opportunities are awarded to recognize dedication, talent, and drive to excel both on and off the stage.
• Breast Cancer Research FoundationminorOthersNonprofit that has raised $569.4 million to support clinical and translational breast cancer research worldwide. One of the charities supported through Headliners' Trophy or Charity Program where studios and dancers can donate trophy value instead of receiving physical awards.
• Mt. Pleasant Animal ShelterminorOthersAnimal shelter that ensures every adoptable cat and dog finds a forever home. Supported through Headliners' Trophy or Charity Program.
• Ellie Reynolds ALS FoundationminorOthersFoundation supporting people with ALS and caregivers by providing essential comforts and resources to improve quality of life at little or no cost. Supported through Headliners' Trophy or Charity Program.
• Blood Cancer UnitedminorOthersNonprofit dedicated to funding research and providing education and patient services to fight leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other blood cancers. Supported through Headliners' Trophy or Charity Program.
• The Organization for Autism ResearchminorOthersTop-rated autism charity focused on research, education, and resources supporting autistic individuals, families, and professionals. Supported through Headliners' Trophy or Charity Program.
• The Trevor ProjectminorOthersOrganization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth under 25, along with education, advocacy, and research. Supported through Headliners' Trophy or Charity Program.
• Wounded Warrior ProjectminorOthersOrganization empowering injured veterans and their families with lifelong programs supporting mental, physical, and economic well-being at no cost. Supported through Headliners' Trophy or Charity Program.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Velocity Dance Competition & Convention: Velocity runs both competition and convention formats across US regions, with skill-level divisions similar to Headliners. Direct competitor in the conventions and competition product line, targeting overlapping studio and dancer segments.
• KAR Dance Competition: KAR runs a touring dance competition with regional events and a national championship, emphasizing fair judging and a positive studio experience. Direct match on business model and customer base, marketing directly to studio owners in overlapping geographies.
• Showstopper Dance Competition: Showstopper is a long-standing US dance competition touring company operating regionals and nationals with multi-genre divisions. Direct peer on tour structure, customer (dance studios), and family-friendly brand positioning.
• Starbound National Talent Competition: Starbound operates a regional-to-national tour model with multi-discipline competition and convention products, similar in scale and product breadth to Headliners. Directly competes for the same dance studios and dancer families across US regions, with comparable pricing model (quote-based studio registration).
• NexStar Dance Competition: NexStar is a touring dance competition brand with skill-based divisions and convention programming. Direct competitor for studio registrations across multiple US regions, with a comparable product bundle (regional tour plus national finals).
• NYC Dance Alliance (NYCDA): NYCDA is a premiere dance competition brand with a regional tour culminating in a New York-based national event and convention programming. Direct peer with comparable target market (competitive-track dancers and studios) and scholarship/audition product.
• Hall of Fame Dance Challenge: Hall of Fame Dance Challenge is one of the largest US dance competition brands, running a regional tour culminating in a national finals at a major venue (e.g., Ocean City). Directly comparable to Headliners in regional-tour-to-nationals format, skill-level structure, scholarship model, and target studio/dancer base.
• Platinum National Dance Competition: Platinum is a national touring dance competition with regional events, scholarship programs, and adjudicated awards. Comparable tour-to-nationals structure and customer base of dance studios in the US.
• National Dance Showcase (NDS): National Dance Showcase is a regional-to-national dance competition touring the US, targeting dance studios with skill-divided events. Direct competitor with comparable product/market focus.

Others

• Association of Dance Competitions and Conventions (ADCC): ADCC is the industry trade association for dance competitions and conventions in North America. Headliners is a member organization; ADCC sets industry standards and runs the Studio of Excellence Award that Headliners events feature. Adjacent/ecosystem rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/HeadlinersDanceChampionships
• Facebookfacebook.com/HeadlinersDanceCompetition
• Instagraminstagram.com/headlinersdance/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/headliners-dance-championships

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Headliners Dance Championships