| Category | Fee | Time Limits | # Dancers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | $115 | 3:00 | 1 |
| Duo/Trio | $65 | 3:00 | 2-3 |
| Group | $50 | 3:00 | 4-9 |
| Line | $50 | 4:00 | 10-15 |
| Extended Line | $50 | 5:00 | 16-24 |
| Production | $50 | 6:00 | 25+ |
| Age Divisions | Age |
|---|---|
| Senior | 15 & Up |
| Teen | 13 - 14 |
| Pre-Teen | 10 - 12 |
| Junior | 7 - 9 |
| Camp Dance | 3 - 6 |
| Style | Description |
|---|---|
| Ballet | Classical Ballet steps using slippers or pointe shoes including Classical or Pointe |
| Tap | Tap technique |
| Jazz | Any Jazz technique including up tempo |
| Lyrical | Lyrical technique with emphasis on the lyrics or mood of the music |
| Contemporary | Mix of styles with emphasis on Modern Technique or Ballet or Contemporary Movement |
| Musical Theatre | Any performance utilizing the style or interpretation of Broadway, Musical Theatre or Hollywood Choreography |
| Hip Hop | Hip Hop or Street Moves |
| Variety | Combination of any of the above styles – A routine that includes 4 or more tricks (a trick is considered any movement when dancers feet go over their head). Or Acro-Gymnastics – Novelty – Clogging – Ethnic – Pom-Poms – Ballroom. |
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| Technique | 40 Points |
| Choreography | 20 Points |
| Stage Presence | 20 Points |
| Overall Impact | 20 Points |
Admission to DanceMakers competition is absolutely free! All registered attendees, as well as family and friends, are welcome to watch at no cost. Come and support your dancers!
VIP Seating will be available for teachers at competition.
All competing dancers must be registered for the full weekend of convention in order to participate in competition. Convention wristbands must be worn while competing.
All competing dancers must have studio representation in order to participate in competition. DanceMakers does not accept independent competition registrations.
Dancers are only able to be registered and compete under one studio.
Teachers and/or professional dancers are not permitted to compete.
Teachers will be responsible for producing birth certificates to verify age, should challenges or questions arise.
There are no refunds or credits for competition fees.
Choreographers and all attendees automatically give permission to DanceMakers to use all photos and videos for advertising and publicity.
All entrances and exits must be done from stage left or right. No entrances or exits from front or back of stage.
Talking, lip syncing and singing are acceptable. Microphones are prohibited.
If a routine performing was choreographed by one of the judges, that judge will only critique and their scores will be dropped and replaced with the head judge’s scores.
Competition and convention could sell out prior to the event’s cut off date! The majority of our events will sell out and it is recommended to complete the registration process as soon as possible. DanceMakers can close competition at any point, even before the cut off date.
Friday competition start times may vary. It is possible for competition to start as early as 8 am. We will start in solo competition moving from the youngest age category to the oldest. After completing the solo competition it is possible, but not guaranteed we will move into other routines such as duo/trio and groups starting in the youngest age divisions. If any routine that is scheduled on Friday is unable to perform due to school, DanceMakers is happy to provide a full refund to the studio for those routines.
In an effort to maintain the values of the DanceMakers atmosphere and a family competition, DanceMakers expects that all routines be age, music and costume appropriate. All of these issues are subjective. We are aware that our guidelines may be too strict for some sensibilities and not strict enough for others. There is a fine line that we take very seriously. Routines may be disqualified or receive a lower score if our judges feel a routine is inappropriate. This will always be addressed in the judges critiques that the studio receives.
See your DanceMakers city page for any group competition limitations.
For solo competition, dancers are limited to one solo routine per regional city. Dancers may compete a different solo per attended city. All qualified solos are eligible to compete at Nationals.
Dancers may compete in more than one number. Any dancer may compete against themselves in any age division, category and subject.
Dancers and routines may compete in more than one regional city. However, group routines that won “Overall High Score” or solo routines that won “Age Division High Score” during the regional season cannot win again.
Online submission of music is now accepted! Please log into your DanceMakers registration account to upload. MP3 or MP4 files are accepted. Once uploaded you can preview all music! DanceMakers does still accept CDs, but much prefers online submission. If you decide to bring a CD please make sure all music is on ONE CD, in competition order, and is labeled with your studio name.
In efforts to cut down on our environmental footprint, we will be uploading all judges’ critiques and scores to your online registration portal. All critiques will be uploaded by the Tuesday following your event, at 9 am EST.
Photo and video during competition are strictly prohibited. Advanced technology of video on cell phones, cameras, etc has forced us to prohibit all camera use during competition. This includes ALL still photography, with or without flash. This is to protect the rights of the choreographer as well as your children’s safety, and to make it possible for DanceMakers to offer a professional photography and video service. Any violations can result in routine and/or studio being disqualified.
DanceMakers welcomes general props to our competition! However, the use of props is the sole responsibility of the studio. Props must be placed and removed from the stage within 2 minutes combined by the studio. Violation of this rule will result in a 5 point reduction. It is also the studio’s responsibility to ensure the stage is left clean and clear following their performance. Teachers, dancers and parents are more than welcome to help with props as long as the judges cannot see any studio affiliation. Please refrain from using fire or helium balloons as well as props being thrown into the judges area and/or audience. DanceMakers cannot guarantee props over 8’h will fit on the stage.
Our stage is 40’ wide and 28’ deep, plus wings and is covered with marley.