? Inside the Iowa State Dance Team Championships: The Nation’s Largest High School Dance Competition
By Activate | Dance Team World
If you think your state dance championship is big… think again. After attending the Iowa State Dance Team Championships in Des Moines, I can confidently say that Iowa hosts the largest and most comprehensive state-run dance team competition in the entire United States.
This event is on another level — with over 300 school teams competing, four simultaneous performance stages, and an incredibly organized structure that makes the whole weekend run like a dream.
Let me take you behind the scenes of this unforgettable experience.
? Venue: Wells Fargo Arena & Hy-Vee Hall = Dance Heaven
Most performances take place inside the iconic Wells Fargo Arena — a massive, professional-grade venue perfect for hosting the sheer volume of teams attending from across Iowa. Just across the street, connected by a pedestrian bridge, you’ll find Hy-Vee Hall, which houses not one, not two, but three additional performance stages!
Yes, you read that right: Iowa runs four competition stages simultaneously.
Downstairs at Hy-Vee, there’s also plenty of dressing room space, a dedicated warm-up hall, and even a whole underground hallway system that connects the venues for competitors moving to and from the performance areas. (And yes, I totally got lost down there once or twice — it’s a whole city!)
Along the way, teams stop for official photos, coaches catch up with one another, and the whole atmosphere feels inclusive, organized, and community-focused.
? Unique Divisions That Set Iowa Apart
What makes the Iowa State Dance Championships (ISDTA) so refreshing is its respect for the diverse genres and traditions unique to Iowa’s dance team culture. Here are just a few standout divisions:
- Lights Division: The arena goes dark, and teams perform using only glow-in-the-dark or LED-lit props. The vibe is electric (literally).
- Hoopla Division: A traditional, Iowa-loved style that’s fun, energetic, and totally unique.
- Color Guard Flag Solos: Yes, they offer solo categories for flag performances — something most states don’t.
- Beyond Limits Division: My favorite. This inclusive solo category is designed specifically for students with disabilities, and it deserves to be replicated nationwide.
Of course, you’ll still find all the expected divisions like pom, lyrical, jazz, hip-hop, and solo categories — but Iowa’s Pom Division in particular is highly competitive and packed with precision, technique, and innovation.
? Not Just for High School — Iowa’s College Teams Compete Too
Here’s something else you might not know: the ISDTA Championships also serve as the official state competition for Iowa’s college and university dance teams. So in addition to witnessing high school talent, you’ll also get to see collegiate teams bringing next-level performances.
? Production, Live Stream, and Event Merch
The logistics of this event were unreal:
- Merch available before and during the event
- Live streaming of all four stages for families at home
- Custom tabulation software built in-house by Iowa to keep scoring accurate and efficient
- And let’s not forget the most experienced judging panels I’ve seen at a state-level competition — many of whom introduced themselves to me before awards. The professionalism was top-tier.
? Awards, Scholarships & Recognition
The awards ceremony ran longer than I’m used to (especially coming from the West Coast), but I didn’t mind one bit. That’s because Iowa takes time to not only hand out trophies — but also to award academic scholarships, special recognitions, and honors that truly celebrate the full student-athlete experience.
It was formal, yes — but incredibly meaningful.
? From Miss Drill to a National Leader
This competition has come a long way. What started in 1973 as Miss Drill Team Iowa has evolved into the ISDTA powerhouse it is today. And much of that credit goes to the dedicated leaders, staff, and volunteers who’ve built this from the ground up.
Special shoutout to Executive Director Andrea Dana for running one of the most efficient, exciting, and inclusive events I’ve ever attended.
? My Favorite Moment? Meeting Legends IRL
Fun side note — it was here at ISDTA where I finally met Laura King, co-owner of Dance Team Union, in person for the first time! This was just a few months before I traveled to cover their Nationals in Orlando. (Missed that recap? Check it out on my YouTube or Instagram!)
? Final Thoughts
I left Iowa feeling completely inspired. The scale. The inclusion. The excellence. The efficiency. This is the benchmarkfor how a state-level dance team championship should run — and honestly, other states should be taking notes.
Oh — and Iowa does all of this as a nonprofit.
Thank you, ISDTA. I’ll 100% be back in 2024. Y’all are amazing — and the talent? Truly next level.
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