AGE CATEGORIES
as of december 31, 2024
Mini … 6 yr. & younger
Petite … 7 to 8 yr.
Junior … 9 to 11 yr.
Teen … 12 to 14 yr.
Senior … 15 to 19 yr.
Adult … 19 yr. & older (Notify DX if you have a 19 year old who’d like to compete in the Adult category)
There will only be one skill level for adult categories. All will compete against each other.
Any routine with one or more adult age dancers will compete in the adult category
Adult categories are not eligible for Best of the Best high score of the day
DanceABILITIES … special needs dancers
Daddy/Daughter … one adult plus dancer(s)
“Of all the competitions we go to, your judge comments are by far the most useful and we can share them with our dancers. We so appreciate the critiques and how the judge’s feedback is very helpful and done in a positive manner.”
SIZE
Dancers may only occupy one spot in overalls. The highest scoring routine will be announced.
Solo … 1 person
Soloists may enter as many routines as they desire.
Duet … 2 people
Trio … 3 people
Small Group … 4 to 9 people
Large Group … 10 to 19 people
Line/Production … 20 + people
Times must be submitted for all production routines during registration to ensure DX allocates enough time on the schedule.
TIME
2:45 = routine time limit
NEW - All routines have a max performance time of two minutes and forty-five seconds (2:45) with the exception of productions.
NEW - Additional time may be requested and a music fee will be applied.
30 seconds = $20
60 seconds = $40
90 seconds = $60
SCORE CRITERIA
Technique – 35 pt.
Proper placement and knowledge of elements and skills, body awareness and control.
Choreography & Execution – 35 pt.
Execution of technique and choreography, musicality, spacial awareness, staging, formations, transitions, level of difficulty, visual effects and originality.
Showmanship – 20 pt.
Projection of energy, intensity, suitability, emotional connection and expression.
Costume – 10 pt.
Age appropriateness, attire and accessories stay in place.
SCORE REFLECTS THEIR PERFORMANCE
Please accept your dancer’s award as it’s intended; as a reflection of our adjudicator’s opinion on that day’s performance. DX congratulates all dancers, regardless of their award, for their hard work. Many thanks to the studios, teachers, directors and parents for their dedication that supports the growth of these dancers and people.
“Judging was tough, but fair. Thank you for not giving away high awards and making my dancers earn them.”
AWARD POINT SCALES
NOVICE LEVEL
(3 hr.or less PER week)
Platinum Elite — 280+
Platinum — 272–279.9
High Gold — 262–271.9
Gold — 252–261.9
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
(3.5 - 5 hr. PER week)
Platinum Elite — 282+
Platinum — 274–281.9
High Gold — 264–273.9
Gold — 254–263.9
ADVANCED LEVEL
(5.5 hr or more PER week)
Platinum Elite — 284+
Platinum — 276–283.9
High Gold — 266–275.9
Gold — 256–265.9
LEVELS
DX offers three (3) levels of difficulty based on instruction hours and/or competition experience. “Instruction” is defined as the total number of hours dancers receive training from the studio. This may include, but not limited to scheduled practice, technique, ballet, etc. The dancer may be bumped up to the next level for future competitions if the adjudicating panel feels the dancer is capable.
Novice: 3 hr. or less / limited comp experience
Intermediate: 3.5 to 5 hr. /moderate comp experience
Advanced: 5.5 hr. or more / substantial comp experience
NEW - There will only be one skill level for adult categories. All will compete against each other.
ENTERING THE CORRECT LEVEL
Because no competition can possibly know the number of hours individuals dance and/or the number of years he/she has competed, it is left to the studio to use their discretion when entering routines. Routines will be evaluated by the judges and may be moved to a higher skill level of competition. All decisions are final.
Duet routines will compete in the higher competition level.
In a mixed group routine if 20% of the dancers are selected at a higher level that group number will be bumped up to the higher competition level.
Judges will score routines based on how the dancer(s) performs for their specific age and skill level. With that said, what a 12 yr. old novice dancer is expected to do is completely different from the expectations of a 12 yr. old advanced dancer.
JUDGES
DX brings in qualified experts in the dance industry to adjudicate. Each judge is selected based on his/her expertise.
VIDEO CRITIQUES & SCORES
All judges will score and provide verbal critiques over video. Scores will be emailed directly to studios two days following the final day of competition. At this time, directors will also be able to access the verbal critiques by using their DanceBUG login here https://www.videojudge.com/login.php
GENRES/STYLES
Acro
Ballet
Character
Clogging
Contemporary
Hip Hop
Jazz
Kick
Lyrical
Modern
Musical Theatre
Open
Pointe
Pom
Tap
Be sure to select Daddy/Daughter or DanceABILITIES (special needs) under style if competing in these FREE divisions.