Custom Competition Choreography: The Ultimate Guide for Dance Teams

If you've ever hired a choreographer to come in, throw some eight-counts at your team for two days, and leave you with music you later found out wasn't licensed — this one's for you! Custom competition choreography should be a whole process, not just a visit. Here's exactly how we do it at Choreography Wire, and why every step matters.

Step 1: The Intake Meeting

Before anyone books a flight or picks a song, we sit down with you virtually. This is where we dive into the real stuff — your team's skill level, your competition association, your category, your style, what's worked before, what hasn't, and what you actually want to walk away with.

This meeting exists because cookie-cutter competition choreo loses. Your routine needs to fit your team, not whoever we worked with last month. The intake is how we ensure what we build is actually tailored for you.

Step 2: The Music

This is where a lot of programs cut corners and pay for it later. We work with an incredible DJ partner who creates fully custom, licensed music for your routine. Not a playlist. Not a remix you found on YouTube. Licensed music that meets the requirements of your governing body, so you're not scrambling two weeks before competition because your audio got flagged.

We've worked with UDA, NDA, USA, NDTA, and DTU. We know what each association expects, and we make sure your music is built to those standards from the start. This attention to detail is crucial!

Step 3: Booking Your Days

Once the music is ready, we book your choreography days. Depending on your team's level and how quickly they pick up material, that's typically one to three days on-site with your program.

We do the work to figure out what your team actually needs before we book — not after. A team that picks up choreography fast doesn't need three days. A team building toward their first big competition might. We're not going to oversell you days you don't need or undersell you and leave your team underprepared.

We prefer to be there in person. There's nothing that replaces being in the room with your dancers, reading the energy, and adjusting in real-time. That said, we've done virtual choreography sessions too and can make it work when in-person isn't an option.

Step 4: What You Walk Away With

At the end of your choreography days, your team has a competition-ready routine built for your style, your category, and your association — plus fully licensed music that's yours to keep.

Not a routine that kind of fits. Not music you have to hope is compliant. A complete package, custom to your program, ready to take to the floor.

Why Custom Choreography Matters

Custom choreography isn't just about the moves. It's about the entire experience. When you invest in a tailored routine, you're investing in your team's confidence. You're giving them the tools they need to shine on stage.

Imagine your dancers stepping onto the floor, fully prepared and excited. They know their routine inside and out. They trust the music. They trust the choreography. That’s the power of custom work!

The Importance of Licensing

Let's talk about music licensing. It’s not just a box to check. It’s essential! Using unlicensed music can lead to disqualification. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where your hard work is jeopardized because of a music issue. We ensure everything is above board, so you can focus on what matters most: performing!

Tailored to Your Team

Every team is unique. Your dancers have their own strengths and styles. That's why our process is so personalized. We take the time to understand your team's dynamics. This ensures that the choreography resonates with your dancers and showcases their talents.

Ready to Elevate Your Performance?

If you're competing under UDA, NDA, USA, NDTA, or DTU — we know your world. We know what judges in those associations are looking for, and we build with that in mind from day one.

If you're a coach who wants your team to walk into competition confident in every element of their performance — the choreography, the music, the presentation — this is exactly what we do.

Ready to talk about your season? Get a quote here and we'll set up your intake meeting.

Choreography Wire is a professional choreography company based in Denver, Colorado. We offer custom competition choreography, home camps, and a video store with 75+ ready-to-teach routines for dance teams worldwide.