Average age is determined as of December 31st, 2025 Decimal points are dropped.
Age divisions are as follows:
Small Fry 5 Years and under *New this year*
Mini 6-8 Years
Junior 9-11 Years
Intermediate 12-14 Years
Senior 15-18 Years
Adult 19 Years and Over
Elevation Dance Challenge reserves the right to combine age divisions based on the number of entries received. Birth certificates should be available upon request.
1 dancer
2-3 dancers
4-9 dancers
10-15 dancers
16 or more dancers
16 or more dancers*
*A routine that contains 16+ dancers incorporating any style of dance with a theme or story which is portrayed throughout the entire dance.
*Must exceed the time limit of a group or line.
3 minutes
3 minutes
3.5 minutes
3.5 minutes
4 minutes
15 minutes
All times include entrance and exits. [Must specify time during entry process].
Routine consists of jazz technique. 3 Acro tricks are permitted. These are defined as any trick in which the feet pass over the head or vice-versa.
Routine consists of tap technique. The use of pre-recorded tap sounds is not permitted. 3 Acro tricks are permitted.
Routine consists of classical ballet technique and is performed on demi-pointe. No Acro tricks are permitted.
Defined as ballet, but with the use of pointe shoes. No Acro tricks are permitted.
Routine incorporates ballet technique, the portrayal of a character and is based on a story. This routine may be performed on demi-pointe or on pointe. 3 Acro tricks are permitted.
Routine incorporates ballet technique infused with modern and contemporary style. No Acro tricks are permitted.
Routine incorporates a lyrical style. The dance should have a theme or story to project through the selected music. 3 Acro tricks are permitted.
Choreography is based on the interpretation of the music using modern technique. 3 Acro tricks are permitted.
A routine that is a combination of strong ballet fundamentals combined with modern techniques. The routine should have a theme or story line to project through selected music. 3 Acro tricks are permitted.
The routine contains characterization through lip-synching, acting and choreography.
The routine may contain characterization through singing, acting and choreography. Microphones may be used but should be supplied by the participating studio.
Routine incorporates dance and gymnastics. 40% of the routine must be dance choreography.
Routine incorporates hip-hop style, street dancing, break-dancing, etc.
A routine that doesn’t fit into any of the above categories. No more than 5 Acro tricks will be permitted including all tricks in a tumbling line. This is not a category for second routines of the same discipline.
A novice dancer is a performer that is new to the competition scene. A Novice Soloist may have competed before but not in a solo, duet or trio of any dance style. (Note: If performed a novice tap solo last season and this year the same soloist is performing a jazz solo, the dancer is NOT considered Novice). A novice group or line must be a minimum of 75% novice. Solo, Duet or Trio entries must be 100% novice. Separate overalls will be awarded for the Novice categories in both Competitive Level 1 & 2. Novice marks are not calculated in the top studio award.
Competitive Level 1 dancers are performers whose training is 6 hours or less per week, and who do not perform in more than 8 competitive routines. The only exception for a 9th routine is a full studio extended line or production that does not train in the regular weekly schedule. A Competitive Level 1 group or line must be a minimum of 75% Competitive Level 1. Solo, Duet, or Trio entries must be 100% Competitive Level 1. Separate overalls will be awarded for Competitive Level 1 categories. (NOTE: Because no competition can possibly know how many hours a child dances or for how many years they have danced, teachers are left to their own sound knowledge when entering routines.) Separate overalls will be awarded for Competitive Level 1 categories.
Competitive Level 2 dancers are performers whose training is 6 hours or more per week. Separate overalls will be awarded for Competitive Level 2 categories. Competitive Level 1 dancers who would like to challenge themselves are permitted to “dance up” in the Competitive Level 2 classification.
A dancer who is paid for performing and/or teaching as a source of primary income. Professional dancers are not considered for overalls or calculated in the top studio award. Competitive dancers 18yrs and under who are teachers / assistants are still allowed to dance on a competitive basis within their own studio and are entitled to dance in a regular category.
Dancers 19 years or older. Adult dancers have separate overalls. Their marks are not calculated in the top studio award.
There will be a panel of 3 judges, from the dance community. Judges will give each routine a critique and a mark out of 100 points. Routines are marked on: technical difficulty, execution, musicality, personality, overall performance level and costuming. Marking from the judges is as follows:
Gold 85-86.9 points
Emerald 87-89.9 points
Diamond 90-92.9 points
Platinum 93 + points
![[object Object]](https://elevationdancechallenge.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/top-dance-competitions.webp)