Ballet 

A routine consisting of ballet technique incorporating classical or contemporary ballet steps and movements. 

Pointe Ballet 

These routines must consist of pointe or toe technique while incorporating classical movement and steps. Classical or contemporary music may be used but pointe shoes must be worn. 

Demi Character 

A routine portraying a recognizable character or stereotype and must incorporate ballet technique and be set to classical style music. 

Contemporary 

A routine incorporating lyrical or jazz movement with modern elements. Using unlimited personal style not associated with any specific dance technique. May or may not tell a story and involve balance, floor work and improvisation. 

Jazz 

A routine consisting of jazz technique and performance. It must not contain more than 3 acro tricks. 

Tap 

A routine consisting primarily of tap technique using percussive footwork that marks out rhythmic patterns on the floor. Pre-recorded tap sounds are not permitted. 

Lyrical 

Routine should have a combination of jazz, modern and ballet while using balance-controlled technique. The mood and feeling of the music should tell a story. 

Modern 

A routine consisting of modern technique, movement and choreography and should incorporate balance, control and extensions. Strong interpretation and expression of movements of the lyrics and/or music should be displayed. 

Musical Theatre 

Routine must portray a character through dance/movement and costume while telling a story. Lip synching and any form of dance are permitted. If dancers are singing for 50% or more of their performance, they must be in the Song & Dance category. 

Song and Dance 

A routine consisting of vocals and dance. No lip synching or lyrics in the music are permitted. Microphones are allowed. (If you require wireless headsets, your studio must supply and prepare set-up for the performance. Please allow ample time for set-up and testing prior to the performance.) 

Acro 

A routine consisting of acrobatic technique containing gymnastic passes, contortion, flexibility and dance choreography. 

Production 

This category must have a minimum of 12 dancers. The routine can incorporate any style of dance or acrobatics but must have a theme or story that is portrayed throughout the entire performance. Only one production per studio may be entered. All production numbers will compete against each other in their own category. 

Hip Hop 

This category uses contemporary dance which does not necessarily contain technical dance steps. Free-style, Funk, Hip-Hop, Break Dance and Street Dance are permitted. Dances should be age appropriate. (Please do not use music with explicit lyrics.) 

Open 

A routine not appropriate for the above categories or is a combination of two or more dance categories. Folk/Ethnic routines should be entered in this category i.e. Irish Dance etc. This category may be combined with another category for Overalls. 

Notes:

• Acro tricks are limited to three (3) in all styles except for Open, where the limite is five (5), and Acro, where there is no limit.
  • An acro trick is defined as a movement where the hips pass over the shoulders. Front and back rolls and illusions are NOT considered acro tricks.
  • Connected tumbling lines count as one trick, as do tricks executed by multiple dancers simultaneously.
  • Sequential tricks by multiple dancers would count as multiple tricks. 
• A penalty from each judge may be enforced or the routine may be “adjudicated only” at the Judges’ discretion if the above guidelines are not met.
• Competitors may enter as many divisions as they wish but should never compete against themselves. In the case of Duets/Trios/Groups, the same group of dancers may not compete against themselves in the same category unless 50% or more of the participants change. If this is the case, they must either move up to the next age level or enter one of the performances as “Open”.
• Due to insurance limitations, we do not currently allow aerial or gymnastic entries to compete at our events. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.