What to Know About This Weekend’s NDA College Nationals

With the excitement of January’s Universal Dance Association (UDA) College Nationals dying down, dancers won’t have to wait long for their next obsession: National Dance Alliance (NDA) College Nationals are just around the corner. This year they’ll take place April 9–13 in Daytona, FL. 

Ever wonder what separates these two collegiate national championships, or what you should be looking out for in Daytona? Dance Spirit has got you covered.

UDA vs NDA

What separates UDA from NDA? For starters, while teams compete each dance style separately at UDA (think Hip Hop, Jazz, and Pom events), NDA is known for its Team Performance Division. This routine combines all three styles, giving teams a chance to show off their versatility. The Jazz, Pom, and Hip Hop divisions still exist on their own, along with this Team Performance Division.

Top Teams

Who should you be keeping an eye out for? D1A Hip Hop is likely to be an exciting race this year. The 20-time national champion University of Louisville Ladybirds is a strong contender, and a win this year would be the team’s first since 2018. And Boise State, having medaled for the past two years, would love to take home its first D1A Hip Hop National Title.

NDA Tradition

At NDA College Nationals, it’s customary for winning teams to run straight into the ocean in full hair, makeup, and costume while holding their trophies.

Exciting News

This year, a new feature of NDA College Nationals will debut. It’s called the Dance Grand Championship, and it consists of division winners competing in a final battle for the Grand Champion title in their respective styles. 

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