RULES

ENTRIES

Refunds or Rescheduling will be allowed if the venue cancels.
There is no limit to the number of entries a studio may enter.
All entries must be submitted with payment in full using cashier’s check or money order. Studio checks will only be accepted 28 days prior to event. There will be a $50 fee added to all returned checks. NO studio or personal checks will be accepted at the event.
All entries must be entered or postmarked at least 20 days in advance of the first day of competition. Late entries will be accepted after the 28 day deadline, but are subject to a $10.00 per entry late fee, until competition has been sold out.
All routines must be appropriate. This is a family event. Any routine deemed inappropriate by our staff will be disqualified.
All dancers/performers, teachers, parents and audience members should conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all times during the competition.
Dressing rooms will be assigned when at all possible.
There is a limit of 3 solos per performer at each regional event.
A 10 point deduction will be made for routines that are not completed on the first try. Technical difficulties, etc., will not be held against any performer.
Routines must be performed in the order in which they were scheduled. Only staff/backstage manager may change the order due to costume changes. Routines must be performed on their scheduled day.
Studio directors will be given a copy of the competition schedule one week prior to the event. All changes and/or corrections must be submitted before the stated deadline.
No dancing/instructing from the sides of stage or audience. Assisting may result in disqualification and/or point deduction.
Studio teachers will need to provide proof of age within 1 hour, if asked by a staff member.
Studio owners will need to have their dancers ready to perform one hour prior to their scheduled time. Failure to adhere to this guideline may result in a point deduction. A grace period of 4 dances will be allowed for costume changes. The backstage manager will approve these changes.

TYPES OF ENTRIES

Solo– 1 performer
Duet– 2 performers
Trio– 3 performers
Small Group– 4-9 performers
Large Group– 10-16 performers
Super Group/Line– 17 and up performers
Production– unlimited amount of performers and must have a theme

AGE DIVISIONS

Mini– age 6 and under
Petite– ages 7-9
Junior– ages 10-12
Teen– ages 13-15
Senior– ages 16-18
Elite - ages 19-20
Adult– ages 21 and up including teachers

AGE GUIDELINES

The age of the performer will be determined as of January 1. For duets, trios, and all groups including production, please average the ages of all the performers. If the average age contains a decimal; drop the decimal. For example, if the average age is 12.7 drop the .7. The average age would be 12 and that routine would compete as a junior entry. Please note: Bump rule will apply to all age groups and categories, EXCLUDING THE PRODUCTION CATEGORY. Duet/Trio and Group entries cannot compete in an age division more than one division younger than the oldest dancer; regardless of the average age. For example, if an 18 year old (senior) danced in a group with an average age of 10 (junior), the dance would be scored in the teen age category, since the teen category is one level down from the oldest dancer in the group.
Teachers are individuals who are compensated for teaching classes and/or choreography for 3 or more hours per week. Teachers must compete in the adult age division.

LEVELS OF COMPETITION

Competitive– For those students who dance 3 or fewer hours per week. Skills include single pirouettes, cartwheel, grande jete. These students are new to competing.
Advanced– For students that participate in class and/or extra rehearsals for 4-6 hours per week. Clean double pirouettes, double or triple fouettes and turns in second, walkovers, side aerials. These students are advancing in their dance training and their skills and technique demonstrate so.
Elite– For students that participate in class and/or extra rehearsals for 7 or more hours per week. Triple or more pirouettes, multiple fouettes/laterals, handsprings, clean side/front aerials, grand jete, turning discs, kip ups...
Routines containing a combination of levels should be entered in the level in which the majority of the dancers fall.
Staff has no way of knowing how many hours a student/performer dances, or how many years they have danced, it is up to their teachers to use their judgment and place them in the appropriate level. Our staff and judges feel confident that you as dance studio owners and instructors will be honest and fair when evaluating your routines. Judges WILL move routines to the appropriate category if they feel the routine has been misappropriated. ALL JUDGES DECISIONS ARE FINAL!!

Title Division – State Dance Champions will be offering a titles competition incorporated into solo competition. All solos in all levels will be considered for our State Champion Title Holder for a small additional fee. Selections will be made in each age group based upon improv score added to their solo score. Fee for Title Entry is $30.00

Acrobatic– routine containing acrobatic technique with dance steps to connect moves
Ballet– routine containing ballet technique- No acrobatic tricks
Baton– use of baton with dance steps to connect moves
Character– dance routine of any style that portrays a character-No vocals allowed
Clogging– routine using clogging technique and steps
Contemporary– blended modern and lyrical styles
Ethnic/Folk-routine using movement specific to a particular culture or nationality
Hip-Hop– routine consisting of primarily hip-hop technique-NO suggestive moves or inappropriate music
Jazz– routine using jazz technique and steps
Lyrical– routine containing interpretation of music using balance, extensions and control
Liturgical– routine which incorporates praise and worship
Modern– interpretative dance using balance and control
Musical Theatre– routine portraying a Broadway or movie character or theme-No vocals allowed- Lip syncing is allowed
Novelty– any routine not fitting into any other category-No Acrobatics
Open– routine consisting of more than one dance style-Unlimited acrobatics are allowed, but they must be connected by a series of dance moves
Photogenic– photos should be 5×7 or 8×10 and are accepted on their respective day of competition- Photos will be returned on the last day of competition with teacher’s score sheets
Pointe-routine with ballet steps using pointe shoes- No Acrobatics
Pom Pon– a routine using pom pons with dance moves- Acrobatics allowed but no stunts or tosses
Song and Dance– routine using vocals and dancing-No vocals on music CD
Tap– routine containing tap steps and technique. No tap sounds in music please
Variety– any style of dance with only 3 acrobatic tricks allowed
Unlimited acrobatics are only eligible to compete in the following categories: Acrobatics, Open and Pom Pon. Otherwise; only 3 acrobatic tricks are allowed per routine. Judges will be instructed to move routines containing more than 3 acrobatic tricks to one of the appropriate categories. A pass is considered one trick. It is considered one trick if multiple students do identical passes at the same time.

ENTRY FEES

Studio Owners may contact our office for detailed pricing.
Photogenic entries are $25.00 per entry. They are paid when the photos are submitted.

STUDIO REBATES

A 10% rebate of entry fees is available to studios whose entries are postmarked and paid in full 30 days prior to the first day of competition. A 5% rebate of entry fees is available to studios whose entries are postmarked and paid in full 20 days prior to the first day of competition.

TIME LIMITS

Solo & Duet/Trio- 3 minute maximum
Small Group- 3 minute maximum
Large Group- 4 minutes
Super Group/Line- 4 minutes maximum
Productions- 10 minutes (includes set up of props)
Extra time may be purchased for group entries. Please contact our office for clarification.

USE OF PROPS

Props-No use of live props, such as animals or people during a routine. No dangerous or destructive props such as fire, water, knives, guns, swords, glitter, confetti, paint, etc.
Props may be used in all categories. With the exception of production, please limit all set and removal of props to one minute.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOTAPING

All video recording and photography of any kind is PROHIBITED!! This is put in place to protect choreography and costumes of all studios. Failure to comply, could result in the disqualification of the routine. Epic staff reserves the right to remove the media being used or those using it from the event.
A professional photography and videographer will be available at most venues for dancers/performers to purchase their own photos and videos.

ADJUDICATED AWARDS

Diamond 290-300
High Platinum 270-289
Platinum 250-269
High Gold 235-249
Gold 220-234
Silver 150-219

SDC will provide a panel of competent judges consisting of teachers, choreographers, and/or working professionals.

Routines will be given a numerical score from each judge.
Judging will be based on technique, choreography, execution of choreography, presentation, costume and overall appeal.
Judges decisions are FINAL!!
If a tie in scoring occurs, the tie will be broken based on technique, then choreography, execution of choreography, presentation, costume and overall appeal. If a tie still exists, the judges will make the final decision.
A minimum point requirement must be met to receive 1st place in the event that only one entry is registered in that category.
When possible, SDC will provide critiques to each studio owner from all three judges for each routine. Critiques will be given in written, audio, and/or video format.
SDC will not be held responsible for music or score sheets left behind at competition.

AWARDS

Every entry/routine will be receive a trophy representing their adjudicated score.
Cash prizes and/or gift certificates will be given to select overall winners.
Special Awards: SDC Studio of the Day, Highest Score of the Day, Choreography Award, Judges Awards, Entertainment Award, and State Dance Champion.
All cash awards, gift certificates, and/or scholarships will be based on the number of total entries for the competition.
If there are 1-4 routines in a division – 1st place only will be awarded.
If there are 5-6 routines in a division – 1st – 3rd place will be awarded.
If there are 7-11 routines in a division – 1st – 5th place will be awarded.
If there are 12 or more routines in a division – 1st – 10th place will be awarded.

SCHEDULE
A detailed schedule will be sent to studios 7-10 days before the competition date.