Dance Trophies & Medals: Shows, Competitions & Exams
Dance trophies and medals mean a lot to young dancers. For many children, a medal at their first show or a trophy at the end of the year is the moment they feel like a real performer. Getting it right is about matching the award to the occasion, whether that is a festival, a competition, an exam result or the annual show.
We supply a lot of dance schools, with dance figures, street dance designs and dance medals plus a large range of star and multisport trophies that suit dance awards. This guide helps dance teachers and competition organisers choose sensible categories, quantities and budgets.
Whether you run a small local school or a large festival with dozens of sections, the same principles apply: count carefully, keep designs consistent and make sure every dancer feels celebrated. We have included a worked budget and engraving examples you can adapt for your own event.
Awards for dance school shows and end of year
For the annual show or end-of-year celebration, many schools give every dancer a medal and present trophies for a handful of special categories. This keeps every child included while still giving older pupils something to aim for.
- Dancer of the Year (by age group or class)
- Most Improved Dancer
- Star Performer or Showstopper
- Best Attitude or Hardest Worker
- Teacher's Award
- Style-specific awards: Best Ballet, Tap, Modern, Street, Jazz or Contemporary
- Commitment Award for perfect attendance
Awards for dance competitions and festivals
Competitions need careful counting. Every section usually needs 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards at minimum, and many festivals also give highly commended or participation medals. Multiply your number of sections by the placings you award, then add a few spares for ties.
- Section placings: trophies for 1st to 3rd, medals for 4th to 6th or highly commended.
- Overall titles: Champion Soloist, Best Duet or Trio, Best Troupe.
- Special awards: Adjudicator's Award, Most Promising Dancer, Best Costume.
- Participation medals for every entrant in the youngest age groups.
Dance exam awards
Exam results are a big milestone. A medal engraved with the grade and the year makes a lasting keepsake. Some schools present a small trophy for distinction results and medals for all passes, which recognises effort without making anyone feel left out.
Medals are the practical choice here because you can order the same design in volume. Our medals range from £1.25 to £9.75 and typically cost around £2, before bulk discounts.
If you hold exam sessions several times a year, it can be worth ordering a batch of the same medal design in one go and having the grade and year engraved as results come in. That keeps the look consistent across sessions, so a dancer who collects medals through the grades ends up with a matching set to be proud of.
Budgeting and quantities
Here is a simple example. A dance school with 120 pupils gives every dancer a medal at the summer show and presents 15 trophies for special categories. At typical prices, that is around 120 medals at about £2 each plus 15 trophies at about £7 each, before bulk discount.
Because the order is well over 100 items, it qualifies for our largest progressive discount. We beat catalogue prices, and the bigger your order, the bigger your discount.
Engraving ideas for dance awards
Keep engraving short so it fits neatly. Check the number of lines and characters per line listed on each product.
- 'Dancer of the Year 2026 · Junior Ballet'
- '1st Place · Solo Tap · Under 10s · 2026'
- 'Most Improved · Street Dance · 2026'
- 'Grade 3 Modern · Distinction · 2026'
- 'Summer Showcase 2026 · Star Performer'
Making presentations work for young dancers
Handing out awards to a stage full of excited children takes some organising. A calm, well-planned presentation keeps the show running on time and makes sure every dancer gets their moment in front of the audience.
If you are giving medals to every dancer, bring each class on together at the end of their final number and present the medals in a line. Trophies for special categories work best at the very end of the show, when parents are waiting and the whole school is on stage for the finale.
- Sort medals into labelled bags or boxes by class before the show.
- Give each class teacher their bag so they can hand them out quickly on stage.
- Keep trophies hidden backstage so the special awards stay a surprise.
- Announce the reason for each trophy, not just the name, so the audience understands why it was won.
- For competitions, keep a printed results sheet by the awards table so placings can be checked before anything is handed out.
- Have a few spare unengraved medals for new starters or dancers who joined late.
Planning your order
Standard orders are usually dispatched in 3–7 working days, and larger bulk orders typically take 10–14 working days. Summer shows and festival season are busy, so we recommend ordering at least 4 weeks ahead. Send your list of sections and quantities on WhatsApp for a free quote, and we will help you check you have not missed a category.
Get a free quote for dance trophies and medals
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Frequently asked questions
How much do dance trophies cost?
Dance figure trophies start from £2, and star or multisport designs suit bigger awards. Prices shown are before bulk discount, so larger orders for shows and competitions work out cheaper per item.
What awards do dance competitions give?
Most competitions award trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each section, with medals for highly commended or lower placings. Many also present overall titles such as Champion Soloist or Best Troupe, plus participation medals for younger entrants.
Should every dancer get a medal at a show?
Many dance schools give every pupil a medal at the annual show to celebrate taking part, then present trophies for a few special categories. It keeps younger dancers motivated and is affordable at around £2 per medal before discounts.
What should I engrave on a dance trophy?
Include the award or placing, the dance style or section, the age group if relevant and the year. For example: '1st Place · Solo Tap · Under 10s · 2026'. Keep it short so it fits the plate.
How far ahead should I order dance competition trophies?
Aim for at least 4 weeks before the event, especially in the summer show and festival season. Standard items are usually dispatched in 3–7 working days, while large orders typically take 10–14 working days.