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Please Read Carefully Before Registering

Each studio can compete any number of routines.  Dancers may compete in more than one city. Only 1st (Gold), 2nd (Silver) & 3rd (Bronze) place winners will be awarded.

Registration Services

Insanely busy? Technologically challenged? Or just plain don’t want to fill out all your registration information? Let us handle it for you!

Dance League is now offering registration services for just $75!

*Studios bringing 50+ dancers (does not include teachers or observers) may receive complimentary registration services.

All you have to do is email [email protected] with your registration information and we will get it done for you! Simple as that.

Age Divisions

Contestants shall compete at their actual age the date of competition. Please pay attention to the date
of your city’s competition and any and all competitors.

  • Mini – 4-8 years of age
  • Junior – 9-11 years of age
  • Teen – 12-14 years of age
  • Senior – 15 years and older

Average age (for any division other than a solo): To find the average age of an entry, add all the dancers’ ages together and divide by the number of dancers in the dance. Drop any digits to the right of the decimal point and be sure not to round.  i.e. If the average age is 11.8, drop the number to the right of the decimal point. The routine would then compete in the Junior division, Age 11.

General Divisions, Fees & Time Limits

General Division

Early Tuition (Before Jan. 1st)

General Tuition  (After Jan. 1st)

Time Limit
max. minutes

SOLO • 1 DANCER

$105

$115

2:45

DUET/TRIO • 2-3 DANCERS

$50

$60

2:45

GROUP • 4-8 DANCERS

$40

$50

3

LINE • 9-14 DANCERS

$40

$50

3

PRODUCTION • 15+ DANCERS

$35

$40

5

*A one point (-1) deduction will be made for each second over the time limit. Time limitations will be strictly enforced.

**Additional fees for productions longer than 5 minutes. Please contact us for more info.

***No cash refunds will be issued. A credit for a future Dance League event will be issued if necessary. All credits given are at the discretion of The Dance League Directors.

EARLY TUITION per dancer paid & postmarked by January 1st.  GENERAL TUITION per dancer paid & postmarked by January 1st.

Online Registration Notes

When registering for your workshop through the Dance League website, make sure you select the “Yes, I will be competing” option. Once your registration is complete, the link to submit your competition entries will be in your confirmation email.

Performance Categories

  • Ballet must consist of ballet or pointe technique with classical variation or contemporary ballet movements.  All ballet entries are judged together in ballet category only (classical, modern, abstract, and character). IMPORTANT: ENTRIES MUST WEAR BALLET OR POINTE SHOES TO BE ENTERED IN THE BALLET CATEGORY.
  • Lyrical dancers interpret the lyrics, mood, and content of the music.  All entries are judged together in lyrical category only.  Routine should demonstrate balance, extension, isolations and control. Only three gymnastics/acro tricks allowed.
  • Jazz routine displaying jazz technique, utilizing up-tempo music with no more than 50% of any other style of dance moves.  All entries judged are together in jazz category only. Only three gymnastics/acro tricks allowed.
  • Contemporary routine incorporating lyrical, jazz, modern, concert style techniques or even some hip-hop movement, fused with modern elements.  All entries are judged together in contemporary category only. Only three gymnastics/acro tricks allowed.
  • Hip Hop routine consisting primarily of street, contemporary jazz-funk and hip hop technique. The music must not contain inappropriate lyrics or it will be scored lower by the judges or disqualified for inappropriate content.  All entries are judged together in hip hop category only.
  • Tap routine must contain tap technique and primarily tap work. It is preferred tap sounds NOT be on tape. Dancers must wear tap shoes for at least 75% of time in the number.  Clogging may not compete in this genre.  All entries are judged together in tap category only.  Only three gymnastics/acro tricks allowed.
  • Musical Theatre routine featuring any style of dance interpreting a song from a Broadway show or movie musical. Or a routine portraying a recognizable character.  Only three gymnastics/acro tricks allowed. No singing allowed, lip-syncing OK.  All entries judged together in musical theatre category only.
  • Open Any style of dance or combination of different styles listed in our Performance Categories (Genres).  Acro/Gymnastic (four or more gymnastic tricks), Clogging, and Ethnic Dance all compete in this category.  All entries judged together in open category only.
  • Showcase This is a non-competitive category for those teachers who wish to have their numbers perform on stage for critique only. No awards. Critique tapes will be given to the teacher on Sunday morning. Regular 
competition fees apply.  Showcase category can have unlimited gymnastics/acro tricks.

The Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, and Contemporary categories can contain only three gymnastics/acro tricks. The Ballet and Pointe categories can contain no gymnastics/acro tricks in an effort to allow the classical ballet steps to be the emphasis of the routine. Gymnastics and acrobatic tricks are defined as: back walkovers, front walkovers, backhand springs, back tucks, etc. Any lift (being defined as supported by another dancer with any body part) is not defined as a trick. A gymnastic pass completed by 2 or more dancers at the same time would constitute one trick. If that same pass or another trick is completed a second time within the routine, this would constitute the second trick. Any routine entered incorrectly in a category either with too many tricks or too few tricks will be moved to the appropriate category by the judges. Judges decision is final. For further information about what constitutes a “gymnastic/acrobatic” trick, please email or call for a more detailed explanation.

Music

All music for your studio must be submitted at least 2 days prior to the event in one of two ways. You may upload your music on your competition entry form or to the dropbox folder sent to you the week of the event. You will be sent a link to a dropbox folder that will contain only your studio’s music. This folder is under Dance League’s account and does not require you to purchase extra space on your personal account.

It is encouraged for studios bring extra backup CDs to keep in their possession during the competition. Dance League’s sound technician will not adjust the speed of the music or make edits in the music.  We advise against the use of Re-Writable CD’s, since they have a tendency not to work in all CD players.

Props

General props accepted, however they must be freestanding. Scenery or backdrops requiring the use of theater fly bars may not be used.  No dangerous or oversized props.  No air horns or similar devices are allowed.  Special fog or smoke is not permitted unless specifically approved by The Dance League.  Fire, swords and knives on stage are prohibited. Simulated weapons with dull, safe edges are acceptable with approval of The Dance League Staff and Stage Managers. No liquid, gel, aerosol, glitter, or similar substance that would affect the dancing surface is allowed unless specifically approved by The Dance League. Performers must leave the stage as it was when they started their entry without any “litter”.  If the stage is “littered” during a routine please be prepared to clean it up immediately after the routine is finished with the broom provided. Safety is always our main priority.  Where there is a safety concern, please speak to a The Dance League Staff at our booth.  The Dance League reserves the right to disallow the use of any oversized or dangerous props.

Judging

The Dance League requires judges to have knowledge in the basic techniques of the major dance disciplines – Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Acrobatic and Tap. After evaluating the basic techniques, according to the age of the dancer, an assessment is made. Other items may enter into each evaluation – ability to properly execute the movements, balance, control, stretch, fluidity, and musical timing. In addition, when it comes to the dancers ability to perform the choreography the following is also considered – use of music and musical phrasing, use of space, dimensions or levels, appropriateness of the technical level for the age of the dancers, emotional content, age appropriate in concept, movement and style, creativity, and originality.

Judges will score on the following criteria:

  • TECHNIQUE: 20pts (training, skill, level, age appropriate)
  • ARTISTRY: 15pts (execution, showmanship, presentation)
  • CONCEPT: 10pts (choreography, originality, staging, costume, props)
  • OVERALL: 5pts (final assessment, overall performance)

50 points per judge x 3 judges = 150 per event

Dance League awards the top 3 scores based on our scoring system with a Gold, Silver and Bronze medal. When only one number is competing in a Category, it will compete against a scoring system.

Award  | Total Score
Bronze  | 102-116
Silver  | 117-129
Gold  | 130-150

*IMPORTANT: In the case of a tie for any placing, the tie will be determined and awarded by the highest technique score first, by artistry score second, and by a judges’ poll third. The Dance League will provide the judges critiques and score sheets. Please collect these at the front registration desk the day after competition. The Dance League is not responsible for any score sheets or critiques left behind after the event.

Judges Critiques

ONLY COMPETITION TEACHERS may pick up score sheets and their music at the Dance League Booth, the morning following competition starting at 8:00 a.m. Judge’s critiques will be uploaded to a dropbox folder and a link will be shared to the email address associated with your registration.  Any questions regarding competition should be addressed at that time. NO QUESTIONS WILL BE HANDLED DURING THE COMPETITION. By entering The Dance League Competitions you accept that the decision of the judges is final.

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General Rules and Information

Please read carefully to make sure your entries will not be disqualified or have any deductions.

  • You must be able to provide proof of age for each contestant if necessary.  Please have birth certificates with you at the event in the case The Dance League must review.  DO NOT FAX OR MAIL YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATES TO THE DANCE LEAGUE OFFICE.
  • Teachers and professionals may not compete; that is one who owns or operates a dance studio, receives payment for instruction or choreography, and does not attend primary education.
  • All competing dancers must be registered for the entire workshop in the city where they are competing.
  • Dancers may compete in more than one number in their category and age division.
  • Students of teachers owning several studios may compete for one of that teacher’s studios only.
  • Dancers studying regularly at different studios, owned by different teachers, may compete for each studio, if each teacher is registered. MAY COMPETE UNDER ONE STUDIO PER REGISTERED TEACHER.
  • Dancers may compete in more than one city.
  • No use of fire, glass or live animals on stage.
  • Stage must be left clean by performers.
  • No coaching from audience.
  • General lifts OK.
  • Please write separate checks for competition entries and convention registration. Both checks must be submitted simultaneously.
  • Dance shoes are strongly suggested to be worn in ALL ballrooms, back stage, hall- ways, and while competing at ALL times. Dancers who dance without shoes, do so at their own risk. The Dance League is not responsible for dancers who choose not to wear shoes.
  • The competition stage is approximately 24’ x 40’.
  • Only 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners (Gold, Silver, Bronze) will be awarded.
  • In some cities there may be FRIDAY NIGHT COMPETITION.
  • Regional competitions will be limited to time available. If quota is reached before competition cut-off date, your entry may not be accepted.
  • Courteous behavior must be exhibited at all times at event.
  • All competitors must dress in dressing room assigned by The Dance League or risk the possibility of disqualification.
  • Except for technical difficulties on the part of The Dance League, re-performance of any routine will be adjudicated only.
  • Adjudicated-only (Showcase) routines are not eligible for top scores. All judging decisions are final.
  • No cash refunds will be issued. A credit for a future Dance League event will be issued if necessary. All credits given are at the discretion of The Dance League Directors.
  • Routines are expected to perform in the order they are scheduled. In all cases, routines must be performed during the awards session in which they are scheduled. If the routine cannot perform during the awards session in which they are scheduled for any reason, we will be glad to: 1) Give a studio credit for a future Dance League event, or 2) It can be performed for judges’ adjudication only. The routine would not be eligible for any overall awards. It will be announced on stage at the end of the regular awards and the earned award given.
  • If dance movements or costuming are deemed to be too suggestive or otherwise inappropriate for our family audience, or if the music contains vulgar or inappropriate lyrics, the routine will be scored lower or can be disqualified by the judges.
  • A 10 point deduction will be made for routines that are not completed.
  • Sportsmanlike behavior is expected at all times onstage, backstage, and in the dressing rooms. Failure to display proper decorum for all participants and staff members could result in immediate disqualification.
  • Contestants will be judged by a panel of competent judges, and all entrants agree that the time, manner, and method of judging the contest shall be solely within the discretion of the directors and producers of The Dance League and that all decisions of the judges are final.
  • Contestants and studio/team staff by virtue of entering The Dance League event give their permission and consent to the directors of The Dance League to use their images or photographs and/or appear in videos, television, or any other electronic media for advertising, news coverage or any other commercial use of our events.
  • Any performer competing in dance competitions takes certain inherent risks. These include, but are not limited to sprains, bruises, pulled muscles, and broken bones. Participation in this competition indicates the acceptance of such risks by performers. Therefore by virtue of entering this event, it is agreed that participants will not hold The Dance League or its officers, directors, officials, staff or employees responsible for injuries sustained or illnesses contracted by them while in attendance and/or participating in any activity related to The Dance League. The Dance League and the hosting facility are not responsible for personal injury to either contestants or spectators. The Dance League is not responsible for lost or stolen property. Do not leave your property and valuables unattended in the dressing rooms.
  • Every solo, duet, trio, or group routine must be ready to compete when their number is called. We will work with costume change conflicts; however, if you do not notify the backstage manager or sound personnel, you risk major point deduction. The Dance League staff makes all efforts to insure the competition runs on time according to the time schedule that is sent to all entrants. Each entry should be ready to perform ONE HOUR prior to the listed time in the event the competition runs early.

Dance League Survey

Very Satified 97
Would Recommend Us 98
First Timers 45
Love Our Teachers 91
Love Our Competition 94

This convention is not only about the performance but the technique of that performance. Love how the teachers get down on the floor and works with the dancers! The sharing is professional experiences and information is part of this convention. True training for all dancers at all levels!

Paula, Parent

My entire company and parents said it was the BEST convention they have ever been to and I agree! Wonderful staff and faculty, very well-organized competition, and excellent customer service! Bravo, Desiree!!! …and thank you!!!

Tara, Parent

I have to say my daughters absolutely LOVED this event!! I can give a very unbiased review because I am a mother of twin dancers. Although they are twins they both had very different experiences and both want to return.

Dale, Parent