DANCE CATEGORIES
JAZZ
A routine consisting primarily of jazz technique and performance.
Routine must not contain more than 3 acrobatic tricks or tumbling passes.
LYRICAL
A routine that tells the story of the music while demonstrating passion, emotion, balance, technique, extension and control. Illusions, front and back rolls are allowed, as well as partner lifts that may end up with partner's feet over their heads. Routine must not contain more than 3 acrobatic tricks or tumbling passes.
TAP
Routine must consist primarily of tap technique using percussive footwork that marks out precise rhythmic patterns on the floor. Music must not contain tap sounds.
BALLET/DEMI-POINTE
Routine must consist of ballet technique while incorporating classical movements and steps.
POINTE BALLET
Routine must consist of pointe or toe technique while incorporating classical movement and steps. Routine can be incorporated to classic or contemporary music but must use pointe shoes.
DEMI-CHARACTER
A routine portraying a recognizable character or stereotype and must consist of ballet technique and be set to classical style music. Character can be from a TV show, play, movie or stage show.
CONTEMPORARY
A routine with fluid and unlimited personal style; not associated with any specific dance
Technique; May or may not tell a story. Incorporates shapes, levels, accents and emotions into the routine; Inspired by the “new generation” of choreographers and present day styles of dance; May involve balance, floor-work, fall and recovery and improvisation with emphasis on the connection between mind and body. Routine must not contain more than 3 acrobatic tricks or tumbling passes.
MODERN
A free style with any theme; Music is expressed using modern dance movements in a balletic form. The routine should demonstrate balance, control and extensions using contemporary style of “Modern Dance” technique. Strong interpretative and expression of emotional intense movements of the lyrics and/or music should be displayed. Routine must not contain more than 3 acrobatic tricks or tumbling passes.
HIP HOP
Freestyle dance which does not necessarily contain technical dance steps; Funk, Hip-Hop, Break Dance, Street Dance and Free Style are permitted in this category. Dances should be age appropriate. Please refrain from using music with explicit lyrics.
MUSICAL THEATRE
A routine portraying a character(s) while telling a story. Lip synching is allowed. All styles of dance are acceptable, however the routine should suit the Musical Theatre style - for example, if this character would not be doing acro tricks on the Broadway stage, they are not necessary in the competitive musical theatre routine.
SONG & DANCE
Routine must consist of vocals and dance. No lip synching or lyrics in the music. Microphones are permitted. If you require wireless headsets, please discuss with us so we can arrange to supply, set up and sound check.
ACRO
A routine that consists primarily of acrobatic technique such as walkovers, balancing, tumbling etc. that display the use of control, strength and flexibility and generally include an inversion (i.e hips pass above the head). They may also include complex and dynamic partnering, poses and postures.
Routine should contain a suggested minimum of 6 acrobatic tricks to be considered for this category.
Please Note:
OPEN
Any routine which does not fit into any of our dance categories or is a combination of two or more of our dance categories; May be combined with another category for Overalls.
SPECIALTY
Dances that involve seated dance, arial-acro, circus, clogging, ethnic, novelty dances and ballroom.
PRODUCTION
Routine can incorporate any style(s) of dance or acrobatics but must have a theme or story that is portrayed throughout the entire performance. Production routines will all compete against each other in their own category.
IMPROV SOLO
This is a great opportunity for dancers who are thinking of becoming professional as well as a great introduction to auditions or choreography. The judges will provide a piece of music suitable for the age and level of the dancer. The dancer will listen to the piece of music once on stage, then perform their interpretation of the music for their adjudication. This is a lot of fun and a great learning experience. These solos will have their own special awards category.
A routine consisting primarily of jazz technique and performance.
Routine must not contain more than 3 acrobatic tricks or tumbling passes.
LYRICAL
A routine that tells the story of the music while demonstrating passion, emotion, balance, technique, extension and control. Illusions, front and back rolls are allowed, as well as partner lifts that may end up with partner's feet over their heads. Routine must not contain more than 3 acrobatic tricks or tumbling passes.
TAP
Routine must consist primarily of tap technique using percussive footwork that marks out precise rhythmic patterns on the floor. Music must not contain tap sounds.
BALLET/DEMI-POINTE
Routine must consist of ballet technique while incorporating classical movements and steps.
POINTE BALLET
Routine must consist of pointe or toe technique while incorporating classical movement and steps. Routine can be incorporated to classic or contemporary music but must use pointe shoes.
DEMI-CHARACTER
A routine portraying a recognizable character or stereotype and must consist of ballet technique and be set to classical style music. Character can be from a TV show, play, movie or stage show.
CONTEMPORARY
A routine with fluid and unlimited personal style; not associated with any specific dance
Technique; May or may not tell a story. Incorporates shapes, levels, accents and emotions into the routine; Inspired by the “new generation” of choreographers and present day styles of dance; May involve balance, floor-work, fall and recovery and improvisation with emphasis on the connection between mind and body. Routine must not contain more than 3 acrobatic tricks or tumbling passes.
MODERN
A free style with any theme; Music is expressed using modern dance movements in a balletic form. The routine should demonstrate balance, control and extensions using contemporary style of “Modern Dance” technique. Strong interpretative and expression of emotional intense movements of the lyrics and/or music should be displayed. Routine must not contain more than 3 acrobatic tricks or tumbling passes.
HIP HOP
Freestyle dance which does not necessarily contain technical dance steps; Funk, Hip-Hop, Break Dance, Street Dance and Free Style are permitted in this category. Dances should be age appropriate. Please refrain from using music with explicit lyrics.
MUSICAL THEATRE
A routine portraying a character(s) while telling a story. Lip synching is allowed. All styles of dance are acceptable, however the routine should suit the Musical Theatre style - for example, if this character would not be doing acro tricks on the Broadway stage, they are not necessary in the competitive musical theatre routine.
SONG & DANCE
Routine must consist of vocals and dance. No lip synching or lyrics in the music. Microphones are permitted. If you require wireless headsets, please discuss with us so we can arrange to supply, set up and sound check.
ACRO
A routine that consists primarily of acrobatic technique such as walkovers, balancing, tumbling etc. that display the use of control, strength and flexibility and generally include an inversion (i.e hips pass above the head). They may also include complex and dynamic partnering, poses and postures.
Routine should contain a suggested minimum of 6 acrobatic tricks to be considered for this category.
Please Note:
- A tumbling pass is considered 1 trick
- Use of athletic contemporary style floor work, partnering and postures are not considered acrobatic tricks
- Choreographers should exercise their artistic direction when addressing this guideline
OPEN
Any routine which does not fit into any of our dance categories or is a combination of two or more of our dance categories; May be combined with another category for Overalls.
SPECIALTY
Dances that involve seated dance, arial-acro, circus, clogging, ethnic, novelty dances and ballroom.
PRODUCTION
Routine can incorporate any style(s) of dance or acrobatics but must have a theme or story that is portrayed throughout the entire performance. Production routines will all compete against each other in their own category.
IMPROV SOLO
This is a great opportunity for dancers who are thinking of becoming professional as well as a great introduction to auditions or choreography. The judges will provide a piece of music suitable for the age and level of the dancer. The dancer will listen to the piece of music once on stage, then perform their interpretation of the music for their adjudication. This is a lot of fun and a great learning experience. These solos will have their own special awards category.
QUESTIONS? EMAIL NIA AT SSDCOMP@GMAIL.COM