Disciplines & Levels

Acro

A number that incorporates acrobatic elements throughout. All elements must be performed in a safe manner with appropriate spotters if necessary. (use years of gymnastics, jazz or acro, whichever is greater)

Classical Ballet

A number using Classical Ballet vocabulary and technique. Repertoire may be performed but needs to be listed, citing the source on the registration. (use years of ballet) 

Contemporary

Contemporary is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance genres. Contemporary dance places a strong emphasis on the connection between mind and body, with dancers being encouraged to explore their emotions through movement. (use years of contemporary or ballet – whichever is greater)

Contemporary Ballet

Contemporary Ballet incorporates classical ballet and modern technique while using ballet vocabulary and expansion of movement from modern dance. (use years of contemporary or ballet – whichever is greater)

Demi Character / Character Ballet

A number that focuses on the development of character and/or creating a story. Please list prop size and amounts and if there will be extra time needed. Music may or may not have lyrics. (use years of ballet)

Future Stars

Studios may choose to enter dancers aged 3–5 years into our Future Stars category. They will receive positive feedback from the adjudicator and will all be presented with a special Future Star medal during the onstage adjudication. The adjudicator will provide a written adjudication form – but will not apply a mark to it. Teachers will be allowed to assist the dancers on and off of the stage as well as provide cuing in the wings or dance with them onstage. *Please mark Future Stars in registration. (use years of dance training)

Hip Hop

A routine that incorporates Hip Hop techniques. It may have any series of tricks such as tumbling, lifts or stunts (as long as they are safe). (use years of hip hop or jazz – whichever is greater)

Improv

A fun and challenging category where dancers perform after listening to the randomly selected music only once. Time limits will be 45 seconds for the younger dancers and      1 minute for the older category. Dancers do not need costumes but will wear dancewear from class. (use years of dance training)  

Interpretive

An interpretation of music, a mood, feeling or an idea. (use years of ballet or contemporary – whichever is greater)

Jazz

A routine utilizing jazz technique and style and a variety of jazz vocabulary. May use a moderate amount of acro moves as long as they are performed safetly.  (use years of jazz)

Lyrical

An expressive dance using the technical elements of ballet and jazz. It focuses on musicality and emotion through movement with an emotional commitment to the lyrics or song. (use years of lyrical or ballet – whichever is greater)

Modern

A dance that uses modern technique involving an infinite variety of line and shape with full use of contraction and release, tension, and relaxation. A constantly evolving style of movement exploring use of space. (use years of modern or ballet – whichever is greater)

National

All National forms of dance accepted. (use years of national or ballet – whichever is greater)

Open

A number that does not fit the above categories that uses the same technical elements and development of feeling. (use years of ballet or contemporary – whichever is greater)

Pointe

Any Classical, Demi Char Ballet, or Contemporary number (please specify) where 51% or more of the dance is performed en pointe. Due to the Encore Dance Offs, it is important to use years of ballet. This will place the dancers in the most appropriate level of training so that our senior dancers are not dancing with our beginning dancers in the Encore. (use years of ballet training)

Production

A production must have 15 or more participants and must be between 5 and 10 minutes long. There must be at least one distinct change shown in the routine. (ie: music, costume, discipline, singing, etc.) Please fill out the age and years of training for all Productions. (use years of dance training)

Repertoire

(*New in 2025) A catalog of classical ballets that have been passed down for generations. A dancer or group may learn a piece of part thereof and perform. Please cite the source in your registration under notes.

Song and Dance

Any dance where singing continues past one line. Lyrics are NOT allowed in the Solo and Duet Categories. Lyrics with music are allowed in Song and Dance Group Categories. Students will be marked equally on voice and dance. (use years of dance training)

Student Choreography

Dancers must be Inter I – AA to enter this category. It must be solely choreographed by the performers themselves. Choreography notes do not need to be submitted. Can be solo, duet, trio, or group. (use years of entered dance training)

Tap

Tap sounds must not be pre-taped with music in the tap categories. (use years of tap)

Variety

Any dance that has choreography that is different in nature from the other categories (ie: cheerleading, free movement, lip syncing, etc.). It will be adjudicated for idea, choreography and entertainment value. (use years of dance training)

21 Category

Any Solo, Duet, Trio or Group entry that includes semi-professionals that are 21 years or over must enter the 21+ Category. All teachers, any age (teaching 6+ hours per week) must also enter in the 21+ Category. (may include former dancers/ semi-professionals) Exception to the rule would be older students entering a studio late, dancing in regular classes, that are not semi professional and dancing in the lower divisions of the competition.

Levels

Leave all ages & levels to 2 decimal points. The current season counts as one year.