AGE CATEGORIES
as of december 31, 2023
Mini … 6 yr. & younger
Petite … 7 to 8 yr.
Junior … 9 to 11 yr.
Teen … 12 to 14 yr.
Senior … 15 to 19 yr. (NEW - Adjusted to allow 19 yr. old)
Adult … 20 yr. & older (NEW - Adjusted to begin at 20 yr. old)
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
All routines have a max performance time of three (3 minutes) with the exception of productions.
Additional time may be requested for no additional fee. Approval for extension must be received prior to the scheduling phase of competition. A 5 pt. penalty will be assessed for routines going over the time limit without prior approval.
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
High Silver — 251.9 & below
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
(3.5 - 5 hr. PER week)
Platinum Elite — 282+
Platinum — 274–281.9
High Gold — 264–273.9
Gold — 254–263.9
High Silver — 253.9 & below
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
High Silver — 255.9 & below
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.
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
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.
In a mixed group routine if 30% of the dancers are selected as a higher division that group number must be bumped up to the higher division to compete.
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.
COMPETITION TITLE - New
Updated 1.18.23
DX will host a Title Competition at all Regionals for all age divisions. The Title category will coincide with the solo competition.
DX Mini Title Champion (6 yr. & younger)
DX Petite Title Champion (7-8 yr.)
DX Junior Title Champion (9-11 yr.)
DX Teen Title Champion (12-14 yr.)
DX Senior Title Champion (15-18 yr.)
PRIZE
$100 Cash Prize, Banner and elite Xtreme Title Champion gear.
Judging Criteria
Commitment to Story Line
Stage Presence
Age Appropriateness
Solo Total Score
Title Rules & Guidelines
A minimum of 5 solos must be registered in an age division to award a Title Champion.
Refunds will be given if the required number of entries is not met following the event.
Dancers may enter multiple routines for the Title competition.
Cost to enter the Title competition is $45 per routine, in addition to the solo fee.
Select Title Competition from the drop down after the routine is entered into the system.
All Title dancers will be judged during their solo performances.
Announcement will be made after all dancers have performed their solo in the age group. For example, after all junior novice, intermediate and advanced soloists have performed, then the announcement for Title Champion will be made.
DX will host a different Title opportunity at Nationals called Xtreme Title.
BEST COSTUME
DX will be awarding a “Best Costume” at all Regionals. Feel like you have an amazing costume that you’d like recognized? Here’s your chance.
PRIZE
$50 Cash Prize and Banner
BEST COSTUME Rules & Guidelines
A minimum of 3 entries must be registered.
Refunds will be given if the required number of entries is not met following the event.
Dancers may enter multiple routines for the Best Costume competition.
Cost to enter the Best Costume competition is $35 per routine, in addition to the solo fee.
Select Title - Best Costume from the drop down after the routine is entered into the system.
One routine per day will be awarded regardless of the number of dancers.
Best Costume recipients will receive a Costume Award for the group.
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.