The Challenge

Age Divisions

Average age is determined as of December 31st,  2024  Decimal points are dropped.

Age divisions are as follows:

Mini 8 Years and under

Junior 9-11 Years

Intermediate 12-14 Years

Senior 15-18 Years

Adult 19 Years and Over

Categories

Solo

1 dancer

Duet/Trio

2-3 dancers

Small Group

4-9 dancers

Large Group

10-14 dancers

Extended Line

15 or more dancers

Production

A routine that contains 15+ 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. 

Time Limits

Solo

3 1/2 minutes

Duet/Trio

3 1/2 minutes

Group

4 minutes

Line

4 minutes

Group/Line

4 minutes

Production

15 minutes

All times includes entrance and exits. [Must specify time during entry process].

Disciplines

Jazz

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.

Tap

Routine consists of tap technique.  The use of pre-recorded tap sounds is not permitted. 3 Acro tricks are permitted. These are defined as any trick in which the feet pass over the head or vice-versa.

Classical Ballet

Routine consists of classical ballet technique and is performed on demi-pointe.  No Acro tricks are permitted.

Pointe

Defined as ballet, but with the use of pointe shoes.  No Acro tricks are permitted.

Character Ballet

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.

Contemporary Ballet

Routine incorporates ballet technique infused with modern and contemporary style. No Acro tricks are permitted.

Lyrical

Routine incorporates a lyrical style.  The dance should have a theme or story to project through the selected music.  3 Acro tricks are permitted.

Modern

Choreography is based on the interpretation of the music using modern technique. 3 Acro tricks are permitted.

Contemporary

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.

Musical Theatre

The routine contains characterization through lip-synching, acting and choreography.

Song & Dance

The routine may contain characterization through singing, acting and choreography.  Microphones may be used but should be supplied by the participating studio.

Acro

Routine incorporates dance and gymnastics.  40% of the routine must be dance choreography.

Hip/Hop - Street Dance

Routine incorporates hip-hop style, street dancing, break-dancing, etc. routine must be dance choreography.

Open

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.  

Classifications

Novice - Competitive Level 1 and 2

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 75% novice.  Separate overalls will be awarded for the Novice categories in Competitive Level 1 & 2.

Competitive Level 1

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 75% 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 judgment when entering routines.) Separate overalls will be awarded for Competitive Level 1 categories.

Competitive Level 2

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.

Professional Dancers

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. 

Adult

Dancers 19 years or older. Adult dancers have separate overalls.  Their marks are not calculated in the top studio award.

Highschool Division

This is a separate classification open to all dancers competing with their local high schools.

Rules & Regulations

General Rules

1. There is no admission fee.

2. Programs are sold at each event.

3. The use of flash photography and videotaping is not permitted.

4. Dancers will not be allowed to dance ahead of their category. Contestants must perform as scheduled. A minimum of 15 minutes (5 numbers) will be scheduled for costume changes. Dancers or studios causing unwarranted delays to the set schedule may receive further deductions.

5. Elevation Dance Challenge is not responsible for any lost or stolen items or for any injury sustained at the event.

6. Cellular phones must be turned off during the competition.

7. No food, drink or smoking will be permitted within the theatre.

8. Each studio will be responsible for keeping their dressing room clean.

9. All participants and their families will conduct themselves in a sportsman like manner at all times.

10. Solo, Duet & Trio contestants may not compete against themselves in the same discipline. A second routine in the same discipline must dance in a higher age division. Group routines from the same studio may compete against each other [Note: only 1/2 can be the same dancers].

11. Props are permitted. No knives, swords, fire, food, confetti, liquid, gel, water, aerosol, or glitter may be used that would affect the dancing surface are permitted on stage. No Helium balloons, special fog or smoke. Props must be placed and removed within 2 minutes. Please refrain from wearing studio jackets while placing or removing props on stage. Props must be freestanding. Scenery or backdrops requiring the use of theatre fly bars or special lighting are not to be used. Larger props are to be handled by the studio. Elevation Dance Challenge staff is not responsible for any props. If the stage is littered after your performance, you should be prepared to remove it immediately following the routine.

12. Contestants grant permission to Elevation Dance Challenge to use their photos for advertising in connection with this competition.

13. Every competition will be held on a first come first serve basis and will have a limited number of entries. At Elevation Dance Challenge’s discretion, we reserve the right to refuse individual or studio entries.

14. No limit of entries per studio. However, a minimum of 5 groups and 15 entries in total must be registered in order to be included in the Top Studio Award in each the Competitive Level 1 and Competitive Level 2 divisions. Novice and Adult entries do not count towards the total number of routines.

15. Competitor must compete on scheduled day and time. Elevation Dance Challenge reserves the right to move a competition location/date or to add/subtract days due to unforeseen circumstances. If enough entries are not received by Elevation Dance Challenge, we reserve the right to cancel any competition.

16. You will receive confirmation of your entries from our office via email with a preliminary schedule. All changes are to be made at this time and emailed to the Elevation Dance Challenge office. The final schedule will be sent out a minimum two weeks prior to the event – although we do aim to provide a final schedule as early as four weeks prior to the event. No Changes permitted once the final schedule is sent.

17. All prize money is awarded to the studio only!

18. A studio representative must be present at award ceremonies to receive ribbons and special awards. Judges scores and studio awards reports will be emailed out following the event. Elevation Dance Challenge will not incur any shipping and/or mailing expenses.

19. A competitor making a second attempt to a routine may be judged, but not eligible for overalls, Novice division is excluded from this rule but only one 2nd attempt is allowed.

20. Only teachers and studio approved prop assistants can be backstage, all others will be asked to leave. Dancers are not allowed backstage, unless your routine is within the next 2 to 3 numbers. A backstage manager will be present at all times to monitor this in order to keep the wings clear for dancers performing.

21. At Elevation Dance Challenge the decisions of the judges are final.

22. All scores resulting in ties will be broken by the judges.

23. FAMILY FRIENDLY POLICY: Elevation Dance Challenge is dedicated to providing an environment that is FAMILY FRIENDLY. We realize that dance is an art form and crosses a broad range of styles and tastes. However, movements, music and costuming must be age appropriate and suitable for family viewing. If a routine or costuming is deemed too suggestive or not age appropriate, deductions will be taken. The use of dance themes such as rape, suicide, domestic violence, murder, sex, anorexia and dark undertones chosen and/or presented to audiences with a lack of “artistic discretion” is considered inappropriate. Again, we recognize this is extremely subjective and sensitive. Therefore, Elevation Dance Challenge will individually address these performances as they surface at each particular event. Any questions or concerns regarding routines should be brought to the attention of the show director, by teacher or studio director ONLY.

24. Upon entering Elevation Dance Challenge, it is agreed that teachers, competitors, parents, and relatives will not hold Elevation Dance Challenge directors, employees, the host facility and all involved in the competition responsible or liable for any damages, loss or personal injury which they may sustain while participating in any activity connected with this competition, no matter how caused, to either spectators or contestants. Dancers compete at their own risk.

25. Teachers and studio directors are responsible to ensure that all tricks and movements performed by their dancers are technically appropriate to each dancer’s level or ability. Elevation Dance Challenge and the host facility will not be held responsible for any injury that may be sustained during any dancers’ performances.

Awards & Scoring

Awards

  • All competitors will be adjudicated and receive a ribbon for their achievement of either a bronze, silver, gold, emerald, diamond or platinum mark.
  • The top three competitors in each regular category will be recognized and placed. First place groups will receive a trophy for their studio and ribbons for their dancers. First place solo/duet/trio will receive medals for all participants.
  • Novice Competitive Level 1 & 2 classifications will be offered and rewarded in categories and overalls.
  • Highschool classification is offered and rewarded in categories and separate overalls.
  • Overall Competitive Level 1 & 2 awards will be presented to the top three marks in each age division in the categories of duet/trio, small group, large group, extended line. NEW THIS YEAR – TOP 10 Soloists will be awarded in each age division. For groups, dancers will each receive a pin for their placement and the studio will receive a trophy. Solos/Duets/Trios will each receive their own placement trophy..
  • Elevation Dance Challenge reserves the right to combine overall age divisions and categories based on the number of entries.
  • Overall age divisions are: Mini (8yrs and under), Junior (9-11yrs), Intermediate (12-14yrs), and Senior (15-18yrs), Adult (19yrs and over).
  • Special Awards will be presented at each awards ceremony.
  • Elevation Dance Challenge will award “Best of Style” awards in both Competitive Level 1 and Competitive Level 2 classifications!
  • Elevation Dance Challenge will present Judges Choice “Standout Routine” of each session!
  • Adjudicators Choice Awards will be presented at the last awards ceremony such as: Outstanding Choreography, Best Costume, Most Entertaining, Most Potential for both Competitive Level 1 and Competitive Level 2!
  • Studio Spirit Award will also be presented and is chosen by the staff of Elevation Dance Challenge.
  • Top Studio Award will be presented in BOTH the Competitive Level 1 and Competitive Level 2 classifications!!! This award is calculated by the average of ALL entries in the specified classification. Adult and Novice entries are not included in calculating the total average. A minimum of 5 groups and 15 entries in total must be registered in order to be included in the Top Studio Award in each the Competitive Level 1 and Competitive Level 2 divisions. Adult and Novice entries are not included in the total number of entries.

 

***A penalty of 1 mark may be deducted from each judge for the following:***

  • Routines that exceed time limits.
  • Dancing out of schedule. [Please check the schedule thoroughly as program times are sent out prior to the competition date]. Any changes must be addressed and approved by Elevation Dance Challenge in advance.
  • Tap sounds in music during tap routines.
  • Acrobatic tricks where not permitted.
  • Inappropriate elements (choreography, costuming, music and/or dance themes that are deemed
    inappropriate for "General" audience viewing).

Scoring

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

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Thank you for another wonderful event. We love Elevation simply put! The punctuality, awards sessions, backstage experience, food for the teachers...everything is awesome. Also LOVE the Milton theatre - I wish every comp we attended was there.
Sarah
Director, All 4 One Dance

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Milton

Hotel Info

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Milton
2750 High Point Dr, L9T 6P4
 
Elevation Dance – April 4-6
 
For a smooth reservation process, it is highly recommended that all guests use the below reservation link.
 
Reservations can also be made by contacting the hotel at 1-905-876-4955, asking for the “EDC” group code and providing their arrival date – guests are able to reserve this special rate until February 15th 2025.

Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel Suites

Hotel Info

Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel Suites
5875 Airport Rd.
Mississauga, On
L4V 1N1
 
Hotel reservation link coming soon.

Sheraton Hamilton Hotel

Hotel Info

Sheraton Hamilton Hotel
116 King St W, Hamilton, On
L8P 4V3
 
Elevation Dance – May 22 -24
 
For a smooth reservation process, it is highly recommended that all guests use the below reservation link.
 
Reservations can also be made by contacting our 24 hour, toll-free reservations at 1-888-627-8161 and asking for the “Elevation Dance May 22” group block – guests are able to reserve this special rate until April 22nd2025.

Sheraton Hamilton Hotel

Hotel Info

Sheraton Hamilton Hotel
116 King St W, Hamilton, On
L8P 4V3
 
Elevation Dance – May 1 -4:
 
For a smooth reservation process, it is highly recommended that all guests use the below reservation link.
 
Reservations can also be made by contacting our 24 hour, toll-free reservations at 1-888-627-8161 and asking for the “Elevation Dance May 1” group block – your guests are able to reserve this special rate until April 1st2025.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Milton

Hotel Info

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Milton
2750 High Point Dr, L9T 6P4
 
Elevation Dance – March 28-30
 
For a smooth reservation process, it is highly recommended that all guests use the below reservation link.
 
Reservations can also be made by contacting the hotel at 1-905-876-4955, asking for the “EDC” group code and providing their arrival date – guests are able to reserve this special rate until February 15th 2025.