Style
Jazz – Contains jazz technique.
Tap – Routine must contain 80% tap technique. Music must not contain pre-recorded tap sounds.
Acrobatics – Acrobatics/gymnastics set to any style of music. A routine using controlled moves such as walkovers, handstands, limbers, etc. The routine must contain dance steps.
Ballet – Display classical or contemporary ballet technique.
Pointe – Display classical or contemporary ballet technique with strong pointe work.
Character Ballet – Must portray a theme throughout using 60% ballet technique.
Modern – Free style with any theme. Music is expressed using modern dance movements in a balletic form.
Lyrical – A combination of jazz and ballet. A routine that tells the story of the music while demonstrating emotion, balance, extension, control and technique. (Not to be confused with contemporary.)
Contemporary – An intricate combination of modern, jazz and lyrical, originating from a ballet foundation. Contemporary incorporates shapes, levels, accents and emotions into the routine. (Not to be confused with lyrical.)
Musical Theatre – Uses an idea or theme from a musical, song, television show, etc. Lip synching is encouraged. Any form of dance is acceptable.
Song & Dance – There are no percentages for the amount of dance versus the amount of singing. It is up to the teacher/dancer’s individual interpretation. No lipsynching or lead vocals in the music.
Vocal – Competitors who have a “strictly vocal” routine should enter in this category. No lip synching or lead vocals in the music.
Hip Hop – Freestyle dance which does not necessarily contain technical dance steps.
Open – Any routine not falling into one of the other categories. No trick limitations.
Production – A Routine in any style of dance containing a theme or a story.
Category
Novice – This category applies to contestants who have never competed before in a competition. A novice group or line must be a minimum of 75% novice. A contestant may enter in a novice category as a solo, duet/trio if they have never competed before in a solo, duet/trio. Entries must be 100% novice. The maximum age for novice is 14.
Part Time Competitive – Part time contestants are dancers of all ages who train 6 or under 6 hours a week. This applies to all members of the group. Separate overalls will be awarded for this division.
Competitive – This category applies to serious competitive dancers. Full time competitive contestants are dancers of all ages who train more than 6 hours a week.
Presentation – This allows participants to perform on stage. Participants in this category will receive the adjudicator’s comments as well as an award. Participants will not receive a mark and are not eligible for overall awards.
Pro/Teacher – All dancers graduated from high school who receives financial gain or compensation for classroom services of any type such as assisting, choreographing, or instructing must compete in this category. Only teachers who are still active on a competitive dance team within their studio are entitled to dance in a regular category. Dancers in this category are not eligible for overall awards.
Adult – To be considered an adult you must be at least 28 years of age +. Dancers in this category are not eligible for overall awards.
Age Divisions (Age entered as of December 31)
5 & Under, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 plus
Calculating age groups; add all ages, divide by the number of performers and drop the decimal point.
Mini 8 & under
Junior 9 – 11
Intermediate 12 – 14
Senior 15 plus
Entry Types / Time Limits
Solo – 3 minutes
Duet/Trio (2 – 3 dancers) – 3 minutes
Small Group (4 – 9 dancers) – 3 minutes 45 seconds
Large Group (10 – 16 dancers) – 3 minutes 45 seconds
Extended Line (17 or more dancers) – 4 minutes
Production (12 or more dancers) – 10 minutes
Time limits are created for scheduling purposes. Any routines exceeding the time limits must be approved by Believe Dance Competitions Inc.
