NOVICE LEVEL
This category is ONLY for first time competitors that are new and inexperienced dancers. The assumed skill level is “beginning”. If we do not receive enough NOVICE LEVEL entries then NOVICE will be combined with BEGINNING LEVEL categories. Judges will judge this category the same as a BEGINNING LEVEL category based on the Routine Choreography, Execution, and Showmanship.
BEGINNING LEVEL
This category is for “beginning” dancers. Beginning dancers can be of any age, but must execute BEGINNING LEVEL skills within the routine. BEGINNING LEVEL skills include: Single Pirouettes, Chaine turns, Pique turns (singles), Chasses, Pas de Bourres, Straight Leaps, Stag leaps, Hops, Skips, and other beginning loco motor skills. If the dancer is trying to execute more INTERMEDIATE LEVEL skills within the routine, the judges will use their discretion as to whether penalties will be assessed based on whether the dancer has too many INTERMEDIATE LEVEL skills choreographed into the routine or not. Penalties will range from 1-5 points PER JUDGE and the judging panel MUST agree on how many points will be deducted from the over-all score. If the routine has some INTERMEDIATE LEVEL skills choreographed into the routine, but these skills are NOT executed very well, then the judges will not necessarily assess penalty points, but the judges will deduct points from the Execution portion of the judging sheet. The routine choreography MUST be focused on using BEGINNING LEVEL skills.
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
This category is for “intermediate” dancers. Intermediate dancers can be of any age, but must execute INTERMEDIATE LEVEL skills within the routine. INTERMEDIATE LEVEL skills include: Double Pirouettes, Pique turns (singles/doubles), Side leaps, Turning leaps, A le Seconde turns (straight leg turns in second position), Coupe turns (doubles), Intermediate turns sequenced together, variety of skills and footwork. If the dancer is trying to execute more ADVANCED LEVEL skills within the routine, the judges will use their discretion as to whether penalties will be assessed based on whether the dancer has too many ADVANCED LEVEL skills choreographed into the routine or not. Penalties will range from 1-5 points PER JUDGE and the judging panel MUST agree on how many points will be deducted from the over-all score. If the routine has some ADVANCED LEVEL skills choreographed into the routine, but these skills are NOT executed very well, then the judges will not necessarily assess penalty points, but the judges will deduct points from the Execution portion of the judging sheet. The routine choreography MUST be focused on using INTERMEDIATE LEVEL skills.
ADVANCED LEVEL
This category is for “advanced” dancers. ADVANCED LEVEL dancers can be of any age, but must execute ADVANCED skills within the routine. ADVANCED LEVEL skills include: Triple or Quad Pirouettes, Double/triple Pique turns, Side leaps/switch leaps, Turning leaps, a variety of leaps, Fouette turns, Turn Sequences/Combinations, a variety of advanced turns, advanced footwork, and intricate use of movement. No penalties will be assessed for using intermediate or beginning level skills within an ADVANCED LEVEL routine. The judges will base their scores on over-all technical ability, choreography content, musicality, and showmanship/connection to the piece.
Gymnastic Skills/Moves
Gymnastic skills/moves do NOT add to points given by the judges for having these skills in any skill level of routine. However, judges will still score those gymnastic skills based on how well they were executed within the routine – choreography, technique, execution.