All About Our Competition

Our Divisions

  • Inspire

    This level is for our dancers that may classify themselves as someone with a disability. This level is open to all age groups and is eligible for all adjudication awards, category placements, overall placements, and dancer of the year for this level. Dancers are limited to 2 solos at this level.

    Aspire

    ​This level is for our dancers that may be new to dancing and not yet training at the Excel or Elite Levels. This level is open to all age groups and is eligible for all adjudication awards, category placements, overall placements, and dancer of the year for this level. Dancers are limited to 2 solos at this level.

    Excel

    ​This level is for our dancers that have some experience in dancing and train multiple times per week. These dancers are not beginners but may not feel as though they are ready for elite. This level is open to all age groups and is eligible for all adjudication awards, category placements, overall placements, and dancer of the year for this level. Dancers are limited to 2 solos at this level.

    Elite

    ​This level is for our dancers that have advanced experience in dancing and train multiple times per week. These dancers are not beginners and feel they have the training and technique to compete with the best. This level is open to all age groups and is eligible for all adjudication awards, category placements, overall placements, and dancer of the year for this level. Dancers are limited to 3 solos at this level.

  • Mini 3 to 6 years old

    Novice 7 to 9 years old

    Junior 10 to 12 years old

    Teen 13 to 15 years old

    Senior 16 to 19 years old

    Adult I 20-40 years old

    Adult II 40-60 years old

    Adult III 60 years old and older

    *All age limits are as of January 1st, 2025

  • Solo 1 Dancer

    Duet/Trio 2-3 Dancers

    Small Group 4-9 Dancers

    Large Group 10-19 Dancers

    Super Group 20+ Dancers

    Line 20+ Dancers

    Productions 10+ Dancers

Our Categories

  • A fusion of dance and acrobatic elements, this category combines strength, flexibility, and balance with fluid choreography. Dancers will perform tumbling passes, contortion moves, and other gymnastic techniques while integrating these into their dance routines.

  • The foundation of all dance forms, ballet emphasizes grace, precision, and discipline. Dancers perform classical ballet techniques, including pirouettes, arabesques, and controlled leaps, while showcasing their mastery of balance, poise, and fluid movement.

  • In this category, dancers portray a specific character or role through their movement and expressions. Choreography and costume choices are focused on storytelling, where technique is complemented by acting and dramatic flair.

  • A traditional American dance form, clogging involves rhythmic footwork performed in time to upbeat, lively music. This category emphasizes syncopated steps, precision, and energetic movement with a focus on footwork patterns.

  • A versatile and expressive category, contemporary dance blends elements of ballet, jazz, and modern techniques. Dancers are encouraged to explore a range of emotional and physical expression through innovative choreography and fluid movements.

  • This category celebrates the traditional and folk dances of different cultures and countries. Dancers showcase authentic choreography, costumes, and music from a specific culture, with attention to the unique movements and historical context of that dance form.

  • High-energy, urban, and street-style movements define this category. Dancers perform sharp isolations, popping, locking, and breaking, all set to current, rhythmic music. The focus is on power, creativity, and synchronization.

  • An exhilarating and spontaneous competition that challenges dancers to think on their feet and express their creativity in the moment. Participants will be given a random piece of music on stage, allowing them to showcase their unique style, versatility, and ability to interpret music in real time.

  • A dynamic category characterized by sharp, energetic, and technical movements. Jazz routines often include kicks, leaps, and turns, performed to upbeat music. Choreography emphasizes strength, flexibility, and rhythm.

  • Blending ballet and jazz, lyrical dance emphasizes emotional storytelling through movement. Dancers are expected to express the lyrics or mood of the song, incorporating fluid, graceful movements that highlight emotion and technique.

  • Rooted in a rebellion against classical ballet, modern dance focuses on free, expressive movement and the exploration of new forms. Dancers often utilize floor work, contraction, release, and improvisation to explore abstract concepts and emotions.

  • In this category, dancers combine acting and dancing to tell a story, often performing to music from Broadway or musical productions. Theatricality, expression, and character development are essential components, alongside strong dance technique.

  • This versatile category allows dancers to perform any style or combination of styles that don’t fit into the traditional categories. It’s perfect for innovative and experimental routines that blend multiple dance forms.

  • A specialized form of ballet, dancers perform en pointe, executing their movements on the tips of their toes. Pointe dancing requires strength, precision, and mastery of classical ballet technique, emphasizing balance, grace, and control.

  • This category focuses on cheer-style dance, incorporating strong, synchronized movements with the use of pom-poms. Routines are high-energy, precise, and include formations, jumps, and kicks, often performed to spirited, upbeat music.

  • Large group performances that involve elaborate staging, sets, and costumes. The production category focuses on storytelling or a theme through a combination of dance, music, and theatrical elements. Teams often perform longer routines and use intricate formations.

  • A combination of singing and dancing, this category showcases the performer’s versatility. Dancers are judged on both vocal and dance performance, with emphasis on synchronization, expression, and entertainment value.

  • In this percussive dance form, dancers create rhythmic patterns and sounds using tap shoes. Tap routines emphasize precise footwork, timing, and musicality, with complex rhythms often being performed at varying tempos.

  • Combining dance movements with baton twirling or other props (e.g., ribbons, hoops), this category focuses on coordination, dexterity, and fluidity. Dancers must execute complex tricks while maintaining control and incorporating dance choreography.

“Dance is the hidden language of the soul.”
— Martha Graham

Our Registration Process

  • Once an event is announced a registration date will be set. Once that event is open, dancers may register for the event and be place into the event. Registrations may be done by the studios and the individuals. We do encourage our dancers to register with their studio.

  • Entry fees are available to view through our portal on the registration website through Dancebug. We accept studios and individual entries. Individual entries will incur an additional charge when registering.

    Early Registration will end 60 days before the end. Late fees will incur at 29 days before the event and will increase by $15 every 7 days until the day of the event. There will be no entries within 7 days (No exceptions).

    The deadline for entry fees will be no late than 30 days before the event.

    Payments will be accepted through our Dance Bug Portal. We will not accept personal checks for our events. If this is an issue for you please contact us and we will try to accommodate your payment needs.

    For Discount information for studio entry please contact us for more information.

  • Entry fees are non-refundable past the registration deadline date. Credits will not be given to dancers who miss your performances for reasons other than illness, personal injury, and other medical related issues. These issues will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

    Dancers who request a refund before the deadline date will receive a partial refund of 80% of the entry fee returned to them. This is to cover any credit card charges and administration fees.

Competition Information

  • Our check-in in process begins 30 mins before the start of the event. Dancers who are scheduled later in the day should try to arrive 60-90 mins before their "call to start" time. Changing areas are on a first come basis but we do encourage participants to leave the changing areas once they are done with their changes for the day. We cannot guarantee studio specific spaces.

  • All dancers will be given a call-to-start time, in which they need to be behind the curtain where they are allowed to warm-up their dance. Only dancers with this call time should be behind the curtain. Coaches will be able to be in a designated spot to help their dancers but only authorized crew and dancers are allowed back stage.

  • Solo 2:45 minutes (+/- 10 seconds)

    Duet/Trio/Quad 3:00 minutes (+/- 10 seconds)

    Small Group 3:00 minutes (+/- 10 seconds)

    Large Group 4:00 minutes (+/- 10 seconds)

    Super Group 8 minutes (+/- 10 seconds)

    Line 5 minutes (+/- 10 seconds)

    Production 8 minutes (+/- 10 seconds)

    If your dancer needs an extended amount of time please contact us for more information.

  • Music should be imported into your dancebug account at least 15 days before the competition. We do ask that you bring a backup in case of an error.

  • The schedule for the events will be sent out no later than 15 days before the start of the event. If you are aware of any scheduling issues please contact us immediately for changes. We cannot guarantee or promise any accommodations.

  • Any one who is viewing the competition that is not a dancer, studio owner, or dance instructor for a participant in the competition must pay to observe. All observers will receive a wrist band to signify that they are allowed in the venue. If you wish to volunteer for the event this ticket pricing may be waived.

  • All dancers will be assessed during the competition and may be bumped to a more appropriate level. This decision will be reviewed and must be unanimous amongst the judges. 

    ​Dancers must compete at the same level for all solos, dancers in duets of different levels must compete at the level of the higher level dancer. Trios and Quads must compete at the level of the majority. 

    ​Groups will be based on the registered dancers entry and must be at the level of at least 50% of the dancers.

    Duets will be based on the oldest dancer in the routine for age division placements.

    Trios will be based on the average age of the trio dancers for placing.

Our Judging System

  • Diamond: 280-300

    Gold: 260-279.9

    Silver: 240-259.9

    Bronze: 220-239.9

  • Diamond: 290-300

    Gold: 280-289.9

    Silver: 270-279.9

    Bronze: 260-269.9

  • Our Judging panel consist of 3 expert judges who are scoring the dancers based on the dancers Technique, Performance, and Overall Impression. Each Judge has a score of 100 to fulfil per dancer. The Technique and Performance scores are 40 points each and the overall is 20 points.

Our Award System

  • Awards are given to all dancers who place in the top of their category. Awards are based on the age and level division but not the category.

    Dancers of all level divisions will compete against one another. They will be broken down into Solos, Duets/Trios, Small Groups, Large Groups /Supergroups, Lines, & Productions.

    Dancers who place in the Diamond Placement will be eligible for competition scholarships and cash prizes (only given at National Championships).

    Cash Prize announcements will be announced at the National Competition.

  • Titles are only given out at Nationals. Dancers who compete at our Regional events are eligible for National Titles if they compete in a prior competition and place in the Bronze-Diamond Categories at one of our events. Dancers will automatically be enrolled into the title pool based on their age and division level. There is no additional dancing needed to be placed into the title category. Title winners are eligible for cash prizes and scholarships.

  • All dancers who compete at our competition and place in the Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Diamond levels will be placed in the title category. Dancers who have competed in all of our events will be eligible to be nominated as our dancer of the year, which includes having the best score and having great sportsmanship.

    Judges will announce other fun awards at our competition.