Complexions’ Kelly Marsh IV in Rhoden’s Rise

The newest addition to the dance competition industry is The Élite Dance Tournament. Joffrey Ballet School and Complexions Contemporary Ballet have partnered to award more than $180,000 in cash prizes and scholarships, an apprenticeship with Complexions and a position in the Joffrey Concert Group. The Élite tour begins in February 2015 with six U.S. cities, each offering master classes in ballet, jazz and contemporary. Winners from each regional event compete in a final round in May. Judges and instructors include Complexions co-artistic directors Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson; JBS faculty Michael Blake, Jo Matos and Davis Robertson (DT, June 2014); University of Southern California Glorya Kaufman School of Dance director Jodie Gates (DT, September 2014); “So You Think You Can Dance” creator and judge Nigel Lythgoe; and former American Ballet Theatre principal Ethan Stiefel.

Photo by Sharen Bradford, courtesy of Complexions Contemporary Ballet