In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Samantha O’Neil, founder of DECA Dance Competition and Unconvention, to explore how her values-driven, family-oriented approach is reshaping the competition experience for dancers, teachers, and parents alike.
From creating events that reduce stress for studio owners to offering live critiques, meaningful awards, and culturally diverse classes like African and Bollywood dance, Samantha shares the story behind DECA’s rise as a true outlier in the dance industry.
We talk about:
-
Why DECA feels different—and easier—for studio owners and families
-
How Samantha’s own dance and teaching experience shaped her vision
-
What it means to run a truly family-run business
-
DECA’s unique “Unconvention” and its focus on live music and underrepresented dance styles
-
The intentional feedback, fairness, and educational integrity built into every event
-
What’s next for DECA, including new offerings for dance parents
Whether you’re a studio owner, dance teacher, or parent, this conversation will leave you hopeful about the future of dance competitions—and how compassion, values, and creativity can lead the way.
Connect with DECA Dance:
🌐 decadancecompetition.com
📷 Instagram: @decadancecomp
▶️ YouTube: DECA Dance Comp
Popular Podcasts
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.