Competition Guidelines 

AGE DIVISIONS

 All ages are determined as of December 31st, 2023

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Mini 8 and under

Junior 9 to 12 Years

Teen 13 to 14

Senior 15 and Over

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CLASSIFICATIONS

 

NOVICE

A Dancer(s) in their first season of competition.

Novice Groups/Line must be 75% novice, 

Duet/Trio: Dancer(s) must be in their first year of competition 

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Separate overall awards are awarded for Novice Categories.

If you're unsure of your dancer(s) classification, please contact us to discuss.​

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DIVISION 1

Dancer(s) who train less than 6 per week and are in 8 or less routines.  

Dancer(s) must be 100% D1 to compete in this division. 

 

Separate overall awards are awarded for Select Categories.

(Please not this Division is not Novice for your DIVISION 2 dancers) 

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Elite Dance Challenge reserves the right to properly update entries to fit within our Divisional Rules and Regulations. 

 

DIVISION 2

A Dancer (s) who have previously competed in a competitive dance season.

Dancer(s) Training more than 6 hours per/week. 

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PROFESSIONAL

A dancer who earns a living by teaching or performing dance.
Dancers in this category are not eligible for overall awards.

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ADULT

Any non-professional adult performance.

Adult performances are not eligible for overall awards

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PERFORMANCE SIZES AND TIME LIMITS

 

Solo - 1 Dancer 3:00 min max

Duet/Trio - 2 to 3 Dancers   3:00 min max

Small Group - 5 to 9 Dancers 4:00 min max

Large Group - 10 to 15 Dancers 4:00 min max

Line - 16 to 24 Dancers 5:00 min max

Extended Line - 25 or More Dancers   5:00 min max

Production - 16 or More Dancers 10:00 min max

 

DISCIPLINES

 

Ballet:

Display classical or contemporary ballet technique. Ballet shoes or soft blocks are to be worn.

 

Pointe:

Classical Ballet technique with the emphasis on strong pointe work.

 

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 mic’d.  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.