Comp. Info.

 

Dance America strives to provide all competitors and directors with a positive experience at our events.  We hire ONLY the very best judges with diverse backgrounds in all styles of dance/cheer/performing arts.  We offer all skill levels and age levels.  We offer many awards and EVERY studio/school goes home with a team trophy as well as individual awards for each participant.  No one leaves empty handed.  Everyone is important to us.  Our competitions run ON-TIME.  We promise to make this a fun and memorable event for everyone.

Ability levels – Please refer to the Ability Level requirements page.

Style of Dance – please refer to the Competition Categories page to see the different dance categories offered.  Dance America reserves the right to combine and/or split some categories based on the number of competitors entered.  We will notify you if there are any changes or combining of categories.

Competition Information

Routine LengthSolos, duos, and trios should be between 1:30 and 2:30 to avoid a penalty.  Team routines should be between 1:30 and 3:30.

If your routine is over 3:00, PLEASE CONTACT US ASAP with the routine length.  Robyn@danceamericausa.com or (801) 568-2762.

Age Category – All ages will automatically be calculated when you register your studio team members for any of our events.  Here are the age breakdowns that Dance America uses to create the performance schedule

MINI – 6yrs. & under

YOUTH – 7-8yrs.

JUNIOR – 9-10 yrs.

PRE-TEEN – 11-12 yrs.

TEEN – 13-14 yrs.

SENIOR – 15 yrs. & older

Costuming – Costuming needs to be kept appropriate for the age of the competitor.  Also, please make sure that costuming embellishments (fringe, feathers, rhinestones, belts, etc..) do not leave the performance floor covered with debris following your performance. YOU are responsible to clean up the performance floor quickly as to NOT disrupt the flow of the competition.

Props – All props MUST be covered with rubber, duct tape, carpet, and any other protective means to prevent any damage to the performance floor.  FINES will be assessed to the Studio/School/Individual for any damage done to the performance floor.  If using props in a JAZZ, LYRICAL, OR CONTEMPORARY category, the prop should NOT be a focal point of the routine and should NOT add a great deal of emphasis to the routine.

***NOTE*** If your Prop is LARGE, involves a lot of prop use and choreography, or is a focal point to the routine, then you should enter the OPEN category. Dance America reserves the right to move routines into an OPEN category if the judges feel that it has been entered into a Jazz, Lyrical, or Contemporary category, but has too much emphasis on a prop(s).

Dressing Spaces – Every Studio/School will have a designated dressing area to use during the event while you are competing.  Dressing spaces MUST be left CLEAN and free from DAMAGE.  The privilege of having a dressing space will be revoked if areas are left unclean or damaged. Fines will be assessed if there is extensive damage or uncleanliness.  If you choose NOT to have a dressing space, please let Dance America know by contacting us at 801-568-2762.

***ABSOLUTELY NO CHANGING COSTUMES IS ALLOWED IN THE PUBLIC RESTROOMS unless designated as a “dressing space” by the host school/facility***.

Judging Panel

The judging panel will consist of 3 qualified, experienced judging professionals.  Each routine will be evaluated by 3 judges for technical ability, choreography & creativity, performance delivery, and over-all impression. Audio and Video critiques will be provided to each studio participating in the competition.  All 3 judges will be audio adjudicating.

We have a fourth judge accessing that each performance has been entered in the correct skill level.  If the routine is not entered in the correct skill level, there will be a 6 point deduction (2 points per judge) for EACH skill level infraction taken from the routine’s total score.

Adjudication Ranking

  • Diamond – 97-100
  • Platinum – 95-96
  • High Gold – 93-94
  • Gold – 90-92
  • High Silver – 86-89
  • Silver – 80-86

Solo, Duos, Trios

  • Each Entry will receive an adjudication award
  • First Place Awards will be given in each Style/Category for each age group.
  • Overall High Point winners in each category will be awarded when there are two or more age divisions competing in that category.
  • Up to Top Ten Over-all Finalists will be recognized in each skill level (DA reserves the right to combine Skill Level Finalists based on the number of Soloists in each skill level).
  • The Top OVER-ALL Solo performance will receive a “Champion” award in each Skill Level.
  • The Top Duo/Trio will receive a High Point Award in each skill level.
  • Specialty Awards will be given in each Awards ceremony including – Judges Choice, Technique, Showmanship, Choreography, and Costume.

Studio Team

  • Each Studio Team performer will receive a participation award.
  • Each Studio also receives a team trophy award.
  • First Place Awards will be given in each Style/Category for each age group.
  • Overall High Point winners in each category will be awarded when there are two or more age divisions competing in that category.
  • The Top 3 Over-All scoring routines will be recognized in each Skill Level.
  • The OVER-ALL HIGH POINT WINNING routine will receive a Championship Trophy in each Skill Level
  • Over-All Specialty Awards will be awarded for each Skill Level including – Judges Choice, Technique, Showmanship, Choreography, and Costume.
  • Team Sweepstakes Awarded to the Highest Scoring Studio in Ten or more routines (top ten scores used for this calculation).