COMPETITION GUIDELINES
Your go-to resourse for everything you need to know about Elite Dance Challenge's guidlines.
Here, you’ll find details on age divisions, classifications, dance styles, time limits, and group sizes all laid out to help you prepare and register with confidence.
Competition Gudelines
Age Divisions
All ages are determined as of December 31st, 2025
Mini 8 and under
Junior 9 to 12 Years
Teen 13 to 14
Senior 15 and Over
Performance Sizes
Solo - 1 Dancer
Duet/Trio - 2 to 3 Dancers
Small Group - 5 to 9 Dancers
Large Group - 10 to 15 Dancers
Line - 16 to 24 Dancers
Time Limits
Solo 3:00 min max
Duet/Trio 3:00 min max
Small Group 4:00 min max
Large Group 4:00 min max
Lines 5:00 min max
Production 10:00 min max
Classifications
Novice
Division 1
Division 2
Professional
Adult
(See Breakdown Below)
Classifications
NOVICE
Solo - A Dancer(s) in their first season of competition or first year competing as a soloist.
Novice Groups/Lines – 75% or more of the dancers performing have never performed a solo, duo/trio or group in previous competition seasons.
Separate overalls awards are awarded for Novice Categories.
If you're unsure of your dancer(s) classification, please contact us to discuss.
DIVISION 1
Dancer(s) who dance in the studio (choreography included) less than 6 per week.
Division 1 Dancer(s) can be in a maximum 9 routines. If a dancer in Division 1 is in more than 9 routines that dancer, their groups, solos, duo/trios will automatically be bumped to Division 2 to maintain the integrity of our classification system.
Dancer(s) should be 100% D1 to compete in this division otherwise under the discretion of the competition director.
If you have a dancer or routine that you’re unsure of please call or email to discuss proper placement.
Separate overall awards are awarded for Division 1
(Please not this Division is not to be considered Novice for your DIVISION 2 dancers or a place to put your dancers who might not excel in a certain genre)
Elite Dance Challenge reserves the right to classify, bump up or move routines to best respect our divisional guidelines. Elite Dance Challenge reserves the right to update and or add rules, regulations and guidelines at any time.
DIVISION 2
A Dancer (s) who have previously competed in a competitive dance season.
Dancer(s) who train in the studio more than 6 hours per/week including choreography.
PROFESSIONAL
A dancer who earns a living by teaching or performing dance.
Dancers in this category are not eligible for overall awards.
ADULT
Any non-professional adult performance.
Adult performances are not eligible for overall awards
Styles of Dance
Classical Ballet: Displays classical ballet technique. Ballet shoes or soft blocks are to be worn.
Pointe: Classical Ballet technique with the emphasis on strong pointe work.
Ballet Variation: a classical ballet solo performed on demi point or pointe that highlights a dancer’s technique, artistry, and character interpretation, usually from a full-length ballet.
Contemporary Ballet: Blends classical ballet technique with elements of contemporary dance. It allows for greater freedom of movement, expression, and innovation while maintaining a foundation in ballet vocabulary.
Character: Must portray a theme throughout using 60% ballet technique performed on demi pointe or pointe.
Jazz: Must consist of jazz style, technique and movements, containing no more than 3 Acro tricks.
Lyrical: Routine must demonstrate expressive interpretation of the lyrics of the music through movement. Routine should demonstrate emotion, balance, extension, control, and technique. Think telling a story with your body.
Contemporary: A routine that is a combination of strong ballet fundamentals with modern and jazz techniques utilizing strength, flexibility, alignment, breath, contraction, suspension, tension, and relaxation while emphasizing artistic expression.
Classic Modern: Routine should demonstrate balance, control and extensions using Modern Dance technique.
Tap: Routine must contain 80% tap technique. Music may not contain tap sounds.
Musical Theatre: Portraying a theme. The routine must have a 60% dance and 40% other (acting or mime). Characterization through lip-syncing, props, and minimal vocalization are permitted.
Song and Dance: Routines must primarily consist of vocals, incorporating any style(s) of dance and must have a theme or story throughout.
Only Solo/Duo/Trios will be permitted for the use of a mic. For Groups we will up the tap and overhead microphones. (Elite Dance Challenge will schedule a sound check and dancer(s) must be present)
Hip-Hop: Routine can include Crump, Break-dance, Funk, Street Dancing, Free Style Choreography.
Acro: The routines shall not exceed 60% acrobatics (with a min. of 4 acrobatic tricks or tumbling run/passes) and contain at least 40% dance movement.
Production: Routine incorporating any style(s) of dance and must have a theme or story throughout.
Open: Any dance that does not fit into any of the above categories.