OPUS
Best Artist
Best Artist
Gracyn French

AVAILABLE TITLES

  • Best Contemporary Artist

  • Best Hip-Hop Artist

  • Best Musical Theatre Artist

  • Best Jazz Artist

  • Best Tap Artist

  • Best Ballet Artist

  • Best Ballroom Artist

ELIGIBILITY

Best Artist titles are open to all Mini, Junior, Teen and Senior dancers attending OPUS, provided they are also competing with a studio in at least one group routine. This title competition is not divided by gender, only by age division. Each Best Artist title will recognize two winners: one Mini/Junior Winner and one Teen/Senior Winner. Dancers may compete for one Best Artist title only, allowing each artist to showcase the style that best represents them.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

  • Register for the Best Artist title competition during the OPUS online registration process. Compete a Finals solo in a specific style (Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre, Jazz, Tap, Ballet or Ballroom). Standard Finals solo fee applies.
  • Participate in the corresponding audition (there will be an audition class for each title).
  • To win a Best Artist Title, a dancer must receive a Platinum or higher in the Finals Competition.

SCHEDULE

Dancers competing for a Best Artist title will perform their Finals solo during the regularly scheduled Finals solo competition. The Best Artist audition portion may take place at any time throughout the week. Tentative schedules can be found on each Location page in the main menu above. Detailed event schedules will be released approximately two weeks prior to the event.

FEE

There is an additional fee to be considered for this award. This is in addition to the Finals Solo fee.

FINE PRINT

General

  • Ages: Open to Mini and Junior dancers (ages 8-12) and Teen and Senior dancers (ages 13–19).
  • All ages are calculated as of January 1, 2027.
  • Dancers competing for Artist of the Year are also eligible to compete for a Best Artist title.
  • Dancers may compete for and win Best Artist titles across multiple years; however, they may not win the same genre two years in a row.
  • All Best Artist title contenders must also be part of a Finals group routine.
  • Dancers may compete in only one OPUS location: Las Vegas or Orlando.
  • The solo submitted for the Best Artist title must be different from the Artist of the Year solo.
  • Dancers must be registered for the full Nationals Workshop to be eligible for a Best Artist title.
  • Independent entries are not eligible for the Best Artist competition.
  • In the event of a tie, placements will stand. (i.e., ties will not be broken, and more than 10 dancers may be recognized.)
  • Dancers who win a Best Artist title may not switch studios (without permission of original studio) or go Independent for one full year. Doing so will result in forfeiture of the scholarship and all Best Artist privileges.
  • All Best Artist honors and associated awards are granted at the discretion of the studio the dancer qualified with.
  • Auditions are closed to parents. Only registered teachers and studio owners are permitted to observe.
  • Tickets are required for all guests attending the closing night Gala. Best Artist finalists who wish to watch any portion of the Gala from the audience must also purchase a ticket.

Etiquette & Participation

  • Best Artists serve as ambassadors of OPUS and are held to the highest standards. All competitors must adhere to a code of conduct. OPUS reserves the right to disqualify or revoke the title at any time if these standards are not upheld.

Recognition

  • At the AOTY Dance-Off, the Top 10 finalists from each age division will be recognized.
  • At the Gala, the Top 3 Best Artist finalists from each age division will be recognized on stage and then the Winners will be announced.