What’s up Dance Team World! It’s Activate, coming to you from Minneapolis, Minnesota at the one and only Minnesota State Dance Tournament — and let me just say: this event is NEXT LEVEL. If you’ve ever been curious about why Minnesota is known as the dance state, buckle up. This deep dive covers everything you need to know.

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? The Most Organized System in the Country?

Let’s start with the wild facts:

• Minnesota dance teams are only allowed to compete in two styles: high kick and jazz.
• Teams aren’t allowed to travel out of state to any national dance team competitions.

Sound limiting? Not at all. Because despite these rules, Minnesota has built one of the most impressive, respected, and well-run dance sport systems I’ve seen in my entire career.

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? Dance as a Sport: A Minnesota Milestone

Though dance team competitions began in California in the 1960s, it’s Minnesota that fully turned dance into a school-sanctioned sport. Thanks to the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL), dance is treated with the same structure and seriousness as any other athletic discipline.

Before MSHSL took over, the Minnesota Association of Dance Teams and Judges Association of Minnesota had already created a powerful foundation. Their system became so strong that MSHSL eventually integrated it — leading to the fair, equitable, and elite structure the state now enjoys.

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? How to Qualify for State

The tournament spans two days: one day for high kick and one for jazz.

But to get to the Target Center in Minneapolis, teams must first place top 3 at their Section Meet.

Quick breakdown:

• Teams are divided into three classes (A, AA, AAA) based on school size
• Each class has four sections based on geographic region
• The top 3 teams from each section (12 per division) advance to State

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? Minnesota’s Season Structure

Dance is one of many seasonal school sports. Students can participate in:

• Fall, Winter, or Spring athletics
• Dance team meets follow a sports-style structure, including terms like “meets” instead of “competitions.”

Despite only having jazz and kick, teams incorporate other styles — lyrical, contemporary, even hip-hop — within their routines.

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?️ Tournament Vibes at the Target Center

Each tournament day has three sessions — one per class — making it easier for families to attend without having to stay all day. Spectators go all out: costumes, themed outfits, and wild school spirit.

Some of my favorites:

• Spectators in French berets and baguettes
• Dance dads dressed like Freddie Mercury

Teams get assigned seat blocks in the arena, and spectators rotate in and out based on competition schedule. The system is smooth and well-managed.

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?‍? The Scoring System

Here’s where it gets even more unique:

• Eight judges score each routine (yes, eight!)
• Scores are converted into rank points, and the lowest scores advance

Once all 12 teams have performed, there’s a break. Then the top 6 teams with the lowest rank totals move to finals. After finals, scores are re-tabulated to determine the top 3 teams in each division.

Top 3 teams receive:

• Individual medals for each dancer
• A beautiful wooden trophy to bring home

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? Behind-the-Scenes Limitations

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to film backstage. Professional cameras weren’t allowed, and trust me — I tried! Still, the action from the audience side was incredible.

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? Thank You, Minnesota

Huge thanks to:

• Jenny Raiche, former Eastview Lightning Dance Team coach & Miss Dance Team Minnesota director, for hooking me up with tickets
• The retired Minnesota dance judges who shared their knowledge and let me sit with them during competition

Minnesota has created a structure that emphasizes fairness, respect, and community — one that lets every high school dance program shine. Even though it had just snowed before I arrived and I was freezing the whole time… this event showed me what dance team can truly be when treated as an official school sport.

The talent? Absolutely through the roof.

And yes, I’m already planning to come back next year.

Thanks, Minnesota.

— Activate
DanceTeamWorld.com