Rules and Regulations
Age Divisions
Age as of December 31st, 2024
Average ages rounded down
Mini: 8 and Under
Junior: 9 to 11
Intermediate: 12 to 14
Senior: 15 to 19
Aspire: all ages
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Time Limits
Solo (1 dancer)- 3 minutes
Duet/Trio (2 or 3 dancers) - 3 minutes
Group (4 to 9 dancers) – 3.5 minutes
Line (10 to 16 dancers) – 4 minutes
Extended Line (17+ dancers) – 4.5 minutes
Production (15+ dancers) – 10 minutes
Levels
Novice
Solo – A dancer who has never competed in a solo
Duet – 100% of dancers who have never competed in a solo or duet
Trio- 2 of the 3 dancers have never competed in a solo, duet, trio or group
Group – 75% of dancers have never competed in a solo, duet, trio or group
Pre-Competitive
Dancers who train less than 6 hours per week
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Aspire
Dancers who have different physical, developmental, and/or cognitive needs
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**SEPARATE OVERALL AWARDS GIVEN TO EACH CATEGORY, DIVISION, LEVEL, AND GENRE!
Dance Categories
Acro; A routine that consists of primarily acrobatic technique; gymnastics and tumbling, while incorporating dance technique and choreography. Gymnastics tricks where the hips go over the head a number of times are permitted.
Ballet; A routine that contains classical Ballet technique and style.
*(Ballet shoes must be worn)
Contemporary/Modern; A routine that combines jazz, modern and ballet technique, but with sharper, more emotional, intensive movements than lyrical.
*(only three acro tricks permitted)
Hip Hop; A routine that is street-style based. Routine may include popping, locking, break dance, krumping, funk, hip hop or street styles.
*(only three acro tricks permitted)
Jazz; A routine that contains jazz technique and style.
*(only three acro tricks permitted)
Lyrical; A routine the combines jazz, modern and ballet technique while telling a story through movement and music.
*(only three acro tricks permitted)
Musical Theatre; A routine containing any style of dance while telling a story throughout the entire dance, with or without lip-singing.
*(only three acro tricks permitted)
Open; A routine that does not fit into any other dance discipline, or combines two or more styles.
*(maximum five acro tricks permitted)
Pointe; A routine containing classical ballet technique done en pointe.
Production; A routine that tells a story throughout the dance. Any style of dance and/or acro tricks permitted.
Tap; A routine containing tap and rhythm technique and sounds.
*(No pre-recorded sounds permitted)
*(No acro tricks permitted)
General Rules
Aspire Dance Challenge has the right to add, remove or cancel as required. If cancellation happens before competition begins, all registration fees will be refunded.
Decisions of adjudicators are final and cannot be appealed.
Absolutely no photos or videos are to be taken during the competition. Anyone doing so will result in your dance being disqualified.
Professional videos and photos will be available for purchase.
Aspire Dance Challenge is a family friendly competition. All dance numbers must be family friendly, in costume, content and song lyrics.
Failure to comply will result in point deductions or dance being disqualified.
Any dance exceeding the time limit will have a .5 point deduction for every 5 seconds over
Any Pre-Competitive dancer who leaves the stage during their performance, at their own accord, will be permitted to dance again but without adjudication. Any Novice and Aspire category dancers who leaves the stage during their performance, at their own accord, will be permitted to dance again with adjudication.
All dancers, teachers, guardians and guest are expected to display good sportsmanship and to be respectful of all other dancers, teachers, staff and guests.
Dancers are expected to be in costume and ready to perform 30 minutes prior to their assigned dance time.
Only dancers and teachers are allowed backstage
Dancers may not compete against themselves in the same dance category. Dancers may move up a division if they are participating in the same dance category.
All dancers, teachers, studios, guardians and guest understand that there is a risk with competitive dancing. No dancers, teachers, studio, guest, parents and/or guardians shall hold Aspire Dance Challenge responsible for any injury or illness sustained while attending Aspire Dance Challenge dance competition.
All dancers, teachers, parents, guardians and guest permit Aspire Dance Challenge to use any video or photos taken during the competition for publicity use.
All rules subject to change