Title Image

Gary Pate

Gary has been involved in show business, entertainment and dance since the age of five. He received his Associate of Arts Degree from Prince George’s College and his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Maryland. He has owned and directed one of the largest gymnastics and dance complexes on the East Coast and was the director and choreographer for Superstars Show Troupe, one of the country’s hottest performing groups.

 

Gary and his students have appeared on the hit TV shows, Star Search, The Today Show, P.M. Magazine, and Good Morning America, have performed at the Apollo Theater, Disney World, The White House for three U.S. Presidents, the National Theater, NFL and NBA half-time shows, and were invited to perform at the World Expo in Brisbane, Australia.

 

Gary has appeared on the cover of Dance Teacher Now, Dancer Magazine, and Performer’s Edge Magazine, and is one of the hottest practicing jazz and acrobatics teachers. He has taught for every major dance organization in the United States, including Dance Educators of America, Dance Masters of America, Dance Olympus, Dance Caravan, Canadian Dance Teachers, NADA and Professional Dance Teachers of America. Gary has taught Master Classes from coast to coast and from Canada to Puerto Rico, also bringing dynamic styles of teaching to private studios across the country. He has worked with great stars such as Sinbad, Celine Dion, Ricky Martin, Donald Trump, Michael Bolton, Gregory Peck, Lorrie Morgan, Don Rickles, Shari Lewis, “Downtown” Julie Brown, Stevie Wonder, Shania Twain, Heart and the Go Go’s. Many of Gary’s students have gone on to professional careers as dance teachers as well as Broadway and Vegas performers – such as J.C. from ‘N Sync.

 

One of the most highly sought after performing arts judges in the country, Gary has also served on the Board of Directors for Dance Educators of America, where he held the position of Competition Chairman. In this position, he built Dance Educators of America’s National Dance Competition into one of the biggest in the U.S. In 1992 Gary received the 3rd Annual Robert Christopher Award and in 1991, Mexico honored his achievements in the Art of Dance. Also, Gary has been the proud recipient of the coveted “Angel Award” presented by Gus Giordano at the Jazz Dance World Congress.

 

Since 1994, Gary has served on the executive committee for the Larry King Cardiac Foundation, helping to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to cover the costs of heart transplants for needy recipients around the world.

 

Gary began working in the talent competition business over 25 years ago, when he and his parents opened their very first “Starmaker Competition” in Washington, D.C., and has since gone on to lead the nation in establishing comprehensive and fair rules in the talent competition industry.

 

Gary, in his quest for discovering new talent, established STARPOWER NATIONAL TALENT COMPETITION in 1988 and has set a rapid pace in building this organization into one of the largest and most prestigious talent competitions in America. It is his goal to make Starpower an exciting, professional and fun-filled event, creating memories for a lifetime for performers, dance teachers and parents in attendance.

 

On a personal note, Gary loves being a father to his two daughters, Noelle & Jada and is proud to have Noelle a part of the Starpower team. He also loves being able to join his own family with his Starpower family he has created over the past two decades. Being a dance parent for a second time around with Jada, helps him relate to what the parents go through on a day to day basis and strives to always keep that in mind when organizing and planning Starpower events. Gary has truly worn all hats in the industry which has only helped him become the successful man he is today.

2024 SCHEDULE

Starpower Talent Competition


2024 Schedule

(DOWNLOAD 2024 SCHEDULE)
printer friendly

Alabama
Mar 16-17 | Mobile, AL

Venue: Mobile Civic Center
Deadline: Feb 14, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Arizona
Mar 22-24 | Gilbert, AZ

Venue: Higley Center for the Performing Arts
Deadline: Feb 21, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

California
Feb 23-25 | Redondo Beach, CA

Venue: Centinela Valley Center for the Arts
Deadline: Jan 24, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Mar 1-3 | Riverside, CA

Venue: Fox Performing Arts Center
Deadline: Jan 31, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Mar 8-10 | San Jose, CA

Venue: San Jose Civic
Deadline: Feb 7, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Mar 15-17 | Dublin, CA

Venue: Dublin High School
Deadline: Feb 14, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Mar 22-24 | Fresno, CA

Venue: Saroyan Theatre
Deadline: Feb 21, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

April 12-14 | Anaheim, CA

Venue: TBA
Deadline: TBA
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

May 17-19 | Escondido, CA

Venue: California Center for the Arts, Escondido
Deadline: Apr 17, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

TBA | San Diego, CA

Venue: TBA
Deadline: TBA
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Colorado
May 10-12 | Denver, CO

Venue: Westin Westminster
Deadline: Apr 10, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Connecticut
April 5-7 | Hartford, CT

Venue: Connecticut Convention Center
Deadline: Mar 6, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Apr 26-28 | Ledyard, CT

Venue: Foxwoods Resort
Deadline: Mar 27, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Florida
Feb 16-18 | Orlando, FL

Venue: Osceola Performing Arts Center
Deadline: Jan 17, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Mar 1-3 | Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Venue: Charles F Dodge City Center
Deadline: Jan 31, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Mar 22-24 | Miami, FL

Venue: Double Tree Miami
Deadline: Feb 21, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

April 5-7 | Ft. Myers, FL

Venue: Florida Southwestern State College
Deadline: Feb 21, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Apr 5-7 | Lakeland, FL

Venue: The Lakeland Center (RP Funding Center)
Deadline: Mar 6, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Apr 19-21 | Jacksonville, FL

Venue: University of N FL Fine Arts
Deadline: Mar 20, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Apr 19-21 | West Palm Beach, FL

Venue: Palm Beach County Convention Center
Deadline: Mar 20, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Georgia
Mar 15-17 | Atlanta, GA

Venue: Clayton Performing Arts Center
Deadline: Feb 14, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Hawaii
Mar 8-10 | Honolulu, HI

Venue: Leeward Theatre
Deadline: Feb 7, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Illinois
Mar 22-24 | Collinsville, IL

Venue: Gateway Convention Center
Deadline: Feb 21, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Apr 5-7 | Aurora, IL

Venue: Oswego East High School
Deadline: Mar 6, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Indiana
Apr 19-21 | Indianapolis, IN

Venue: Warren Central High School
Deadline: Mar 20, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Iowa
February 9-11 | Davenport, IA

Venue: Adler Theatre
Deadline: Jan 10, 2024
Click Here To Register
Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Kansas
March 22-24 | Wichita, KS

Venue: TBA
Deadline: Feb 21, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Louisiana
Mar 8-10 | Baton Rouge, LA

Venue: Raising Canes River Center
Deadline: Feb 7, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Maryland
Apr 12-14 | Laurel, MD

Venue: Laurel High School
Deadline: Mar 13, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Apr 26-28 | Upper Marlboro, MD

Venue: Prince George’s Equestrian Center
Deadline: Mar 27, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Massachusetts
Feb 16-18 | Andover, MA

Venue: J Everett Collins PAC
Deadline: Jan 31, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Feb 23-25 | Lowell, MA

Venue: Lowell Memorial Auditorium
Deadline: Jan 24, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

May 3-5 | Springfield, MA

Venue: Mass Mutual Center
Deadline: Apr 3, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Michigan
Apr 5-7 | Detroit, MI

Venue: Suburban Collection Showcase
Deadline: Mar 06, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Minnesota
Apr 19-21 | Minneapolis, MN

Venue: Minneapolis Convention Center
Deadline: Mar 20, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Mississippi
March 23-24 | Biloxi, MS

Venue: Mississippi Coast Coliseum
Deadline: Apr 10, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Missouri
Feb 16-18 | Kansas City, MO

Venue: Hyvee Arena
Deadline: Jan 17, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Nebraska
Apr 12-14 | Omaha, NE

Venue: CHI Health Convention Center
Deadline: Mar 6, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Nevada
Aprl 12-14 | Las Vegas, NV

Venue: Westgate Las Vegas
Deadline: Mar 13, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

New Jersey
Feb 2-4 | Sewell, NJ

Venue: Republic Bank Performing Arts Center (formerly Investors Bank PAC)
Deadline: Jan 3, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Mar 1-3 | East Brunswick, NJ (I)

Venue: Jo Ann Magistro PAC @ Hammarskjold Middle School
Deadline: Jan 31, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Mar 1-3 | Meadowlands, NJ (I)

Venue: Meadowlands Expo Center
Deadline: Jan 31, 2024
Click Here To Register
Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Mar 8-10 | Meadowlands, NJ (II)

Venue: Meadowlands Expo Center
Deadline: Feb 7, 2024
Click Here To Register
Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

March 15-17 | Sparta, NJ (I)

Venue: Sussex County Tech School
Deadline: Feb 14, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Apr 12-14 | East Brunswick, NJ (II)

Venue: Jo Ann Magistro PAC @ Hammarskjold Middle School
Deadline: Mar 13, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Apr 19-21 | Freehold, NJ

Venue: iPlay America
Deadline: Mar 20, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Apr 19-21 | Manahawkin, NJ

Venue: Stafford Township Arts Center
Deadline: Mar 20, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Apr 19-21 | Meadowlands, NJ (II)

Venue: Meadowlands Expo Center
Deadline: Mar 20, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

May 3-7 | East Brunswick, NJ (II)

Venue: Jo Ann Magistro PAC @ Hammarskjold Middle School
Deadline: Apr 3, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

May 11-12 | Meadowlands, NJ (IV)

Venue: Meadowlands Expo Center
Deadline: Apr 10, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

May 17-19 | East Brunswick, NJ (IV)

Venue: Jo Ann Magistro PAC @ Hammarskjold Middle School
Deadline: Apr 17, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

May 17-19 | Sparta, NJ (II)

Venue: Sussex County Tech School
Deadline: Apr 17, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

New Mexico
Apr 5-7 | Albuquerque, NM

Venue: Kiva Auditorium
Deadline: Mar 6, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

New York
Mar 8-10 | Syracuse, NY

Venue: Landmark Theater
Deadline: Feb 7, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Apr 5-7 | Long Island (East Islip HS), NY

Venue: East Islip High School
Deadline: Mar 6, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Apr 12-14 | Long Island, NY

Venue: 2 Venues
Deadline: Mar 13, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

May 3-5 | Niagara Falls, NY

Venue: Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls
Deadline: Apr 3, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

North Carolina
Mar 8-10 | Raleigh/Durham, NC

Venue: Durham Convention Center
Deadline: Feb 7, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

May 3-5 | Concord, NC

Venue: Cabarrus Arena & Event Center
Deadline: Apr 3, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Ohio
May 10-12 | Columbus, OH

Venue: Columbus Convention Center
Deadline: Apr 10, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

May 24-26 | Sandusky, OH

Venue: Kalahari Resorts Sandusky
Deadline: Apr 24, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Oklahoma
Feb 23-25 | Tulsa, OK

Venue: Cox Business Center/Tulsa Convention Center
Deadline: Jan 24, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Oregon
Mar 15-17 | Portland, OR

Venue: Oregon Convention Center
Deadline: Feb 14, 2024
Click Here To Register
Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Pennsylvania
Mar 15-17 | Pittsburgh, PA (I)

Venue: Cornell High School
Deadline: Feb 14, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Apr 5-7 | Pittsburgh, PA (II)

Venue: Cornell High School
Deadline: Mar 6, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Apr 26-28 | Oaks, PA

Venue: Greater Philadelphia Expo Center
Deadline: Mar 27, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

May 24-26 | Lancaster, PA

Venue: Wyndham Lancaster Resort and Convention Center
Deadline: Apr 24, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Rhode Island
April 5-7 | Providence, RI

Venue: The Vets RI
Deadline: Mar 06, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

South Carolina
Apr 26-28 | Spartanburg, SC

Venue: Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium
Deadline: Mar 27, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Tennessee
Mar 8-10 | Murfreesboro, TN

Venue: Tucker Theater @ Middle TN State University
Deadline: Feb 7, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

May 18-19 | Memphis, TN

Venue: Renasant Convention Center
Deadline: Apr 19, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Texas
Apr 5-7 | Fort Worth, TX

Venue: Will Rogers Memorial Auditorium
Deadline: Mar 6, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Apr 19-21 | Austin, TX

Venue: Palmer Event Center
Deadline: Mar 20, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

April 26-28 | Houston, TX

Venue: Morton Ranch HS PAC
Deadline: Mar 27, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Virginia
April 12-14 | Woodbridge, VA (I)

Venue: Hylton High School / Forest Park High School
Deadline: Mar 13, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

May 3-5 | Woodbridge, VA (II) (2 Locations)

Venue: 2 Locations
Deadline: Apr 3, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

May 10-12 | Hampton Roads, VA

Venue: Hampton Roads Convention Center
Deadline: Apr 10, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Washington
Apr 26-28 | Seattle, WA

Venue: Highline Performing Arts Center
Deadline: Mar 27, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

West Virginia
Mar 15-17 | Charleston, WV

Venue: Municipal Auditorium
Deadline: Feb 14, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Wisconsin
Mar 22-24 | Madison, WI

Venue: River Arts Center
Deadline: Feb 21, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

Wyoming
Mar 1-3 | Gillette, WY

Venue: The Cam-Plex
Deadline: Jan 31, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com


2024 Nationals

June 17-21 | Las Vegas, NV

Venue: Westgate Las Vegas
Deadline: May 17, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

June 24-28 | Atlantic City, NJ

Venue: Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City
Deadline: May 24, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

June 27-July 1 | Branson, MO

Venue: Branson Convention Center
Deadline: May 27, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

July 1-5 | Hershey, PA

Venue: Hershey Lodge
Deadline: June 1, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

July 2-6 | Orlando, FL

Venue: Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
Deadline: May 31, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

July 2-6 | Wisconsin Dells, WI

Venue: Kalahari Resort Wisconsin Dells
Deadline: May 31, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

July 10-14 | Ocean City, MD

Venue: Roland E Powell Convention Center
Deadline: Jun 10, 2024
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com

July 15-19 | Myrtle Beach, SC

Venue: Myrtle Beach Convention Center
Deadline: Jun 11, 2023
Click Here To Register

Point Of Contact:
daniella@starpowertalent.com