Scoring System:

• Participants will be judged using a point system.
• Each score will be based on 100 points

(35% technical ability, 25% synchronization/execution, 20% choreography/routine, 20% presentation/performance).

Ribbon   Score Range

Pure Inspiration 95 plus Ultimate Inspiration 92.00 to 94.99 Platinum    90.00 to 91.99 High Gold   87.00 to 89.99 Gold         85.00 to 86.99 High Silver   80.00 to 84.99 Silver    76.00 to 79.99 AWARDS & SCORING  Competition Rules (Current version 2023/02/20) Achievement

• All participants will receive a ribbon for each routine registered.
• 1st, 2nd & 3rd overall solo, duet/trio, small group, large group, extended line will receive a placement

ribbon and trophy in each classification: o Highest overall Novice categories in all age divisions. o Highest overall Competitive level 1 category in all age divisions o Highest overall Competitive level 2 categories in all age divisions (separate overalls for Acrobatics, Ballet, Musical Theatre, and Tap). o Highest overall production.  Productions will be judged together regardless of age division. (May be combined with Extended Line if not enough entries are received) Placements for Overalls

• Competitive Level 2 Overall Awards for placements 1st to 3rd
• Competitive Level 1 Overall Award for placements 1st to 3rd

* Overall placements may be combined due to the sizes of the categories and the competition. ** The competition reserves the right at all times to divisions and categories to create reasonable competition. ***Competitors cannot compete against themselves in categories. Solo, Duet/trio, and exact groupings of dancers eg. A Soloist may have two or more solos in an overall with three chances for placement, however, only the highest mark will place.  All entries marking will count towards overall studio top marks. Studio Standings & Awards

• Top 3 studios presented with prizes and large awards for Studio Standings in Comp level 2
• Top 2 studios presented with prizes and large awards for studio standing in comp level 1
•  Judges’ Choice Awards will be presented for “Outstanding Costume”, “Choreography Excellence” and “Most Entertaining”
• Personalized Special Awards and Teacher Choreography are given out at each awards ceremony.

Adjudication Video Each studio will receive a video adjudication with judges’ critiques.  Watch the dance and hear the judge’s comments at the same time.  Visit the  website for more details competitionwizard.ca Penalties: A penalty of 1 mark may be deducted from each of the judges for the following. 1. Routines that exceed time limits. 2. 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 Inspire n advance. 3. Tap sounds in music during tap routines. 4. Tumbling passes were not permitted. 5. Inappropriate elements (choreography, costuming, music, and/or dance themes that are deemed inappropriate for “general” audience viewing).  See our “Family Friendly Policy” in rules & regulations for more details. Judges: All competitors will be judged by a panel of qualified and competent adjudicators.  All participants, teachers, and parents agree that the time and method of judging will be solely within the discretion of the judging panel. Judges’ scorecards will be available at the end of the competition and will be only given to the studio director. Time Limits: Please ensure all routines are within accepted time limits.  All times include entrance and exits.  Must specify a time on all entries.  Category  Maximum Time Solos, Duet/Trios     3 minutes Groups     3.5 minutes Extended Lines     4 minutes Productions 10 minutes Adult Groups      3 minutes CLASSIFICATIONS & CATEGORIES Classifications: Student Choreography A dance choreographed by a student with no help from teachers or professionals of any kind. Professional/Teacher A dancer who is paid to perform and/or teach as a source of income.  Competitive dancers who are teaching assistants are still allowed to compete. Novice 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 of any dance style.  (Note:  If a dancer performed a tap solo last season & this year has a jazz solo, the dancer is not considered Novice).  A novice group or line must be a minimum of 75% novice.  Solo, duet & trio entries must be 100% novice.  The maximum age for novices is 16 years.  Separate overalls will be awarded for the novice categories. Competitive Level 1 A competitive level 1 dancer is a performer whose training is 6 hours or less per week.  A competitive level one group or line must be a minimum of 75% competitive level one dancer. Solo, duet & trio entries must be 100% competitive level 1.  Separate overalls will be awarded for competitive level 1 categories. Competitive  Level 2 A competitive dancer is a performer whose training is more than 6 hours per week.  A competitive group or line must be a minimum of 75% competitive.  Solo, duet & trio entries must be 100% competitive. Categories / Dance Styles:   Ballet Routines have classical ballet techniques characterized by grace and precision of movement .  (As ballet is the core to all dance movements, separate Overalls will be awarded if enough entries are received, the category may combine both Level 1 and 2 depending on entries). Pointe dancers must wear Pointe shoes while executing ballet techniques.  (Will be grouped with ballet for Overalls).   Pointe entries under 11 years old will not be accepted.

• Parts of Specialty Overalls may be grouped into regular overalls based on lack of competition and entries.  Eg 10 ballet soloists in Junior have a specialty overall, however, only one junior group is entered and that group competes in regular overalls.
• All entries in the specialty for CL1 & CL2 divisions will be considered for the Overall highest award for the Specialty grouping regardless of whether there is a specialty overall for it to compete in.

Tap  Technique using percussive footwork that marks out precise rhythmic patterns on the floor.  (A separate Overalls will be awarded, if enough entries are received, the category may combine both Level 1 and 2 depending on entries)

• Parts of Specialty Overalls may be grouped into regular overalls based on lack of competition and entries.  Eg 10 Tap soloists in Junior have a specialty overall, however, only one junior group is entered and that group competes in regular overalls.
• All entries in the specialty for CL1 & CL2 divisions will be considered for the Overall highest award for the Specialty grouping regardless of whether there is a specialty overall for it to compete in.

Acrobatic Dance Routine using controlled acrobatic moves such as aerials, walkovers, hand and elbow stands, etc.  The routine must include other dance elements & steps.  (Separate Overalls will be awarded in this category if enough entries are received, the category may combine both Levels 1 and 2 depending on entries).

• Parts of Specialty Overalls may be grouped into regular overalls based on lack of competition and entries.  Eg 10 Acro soloists in Junior have a specialty overall, however, only one junior group is entered and that group competes in regular overalls.
• All entries in the specialty for CL1 & CL2 divisions will be considered for the Overall highest award for the Specialty grouping regardless of whether there is a specialty overall for it to compete in.

Open Routines can contain any dance combination, which does not fit into any other categories.  A maximum of 5 acrobatic tricks are allowed.  (Will be grouped with jazz, lyrical, modern, contemporary & hip-hop for Overalls). Jazz Routines must contain standard jazz technique and performance (extensions, elevations, turns, etc.)  No tumbling passes allowed *.  (Will be grouped with open, lyrical, modern, contemporary & hip-hop for Overalls). Lyrical Routines must have control and technique while expressing and interpreting the music while telling a story.  No tumbling passes are allowed *.  (Will be grouped with open, jazz, modern, contemporary & hip-hop for Overalls). Modern Routine may have one or more styles of modern technique using specific body movements with the use of contraction and release and abstract style.  (Will be grouped with open, jazz, lyrical, contemporary & hip-hop for Overalls). Contemporary Routine with fluid and unlimited personal style, not associated with any specific dance techniques.  Dancer(s) must show strong emotional commitment.  May involve balance, floor work, fall and recovery, and improvisation with emphasis on the connection between mind and body.  (Will be grouped with open, jazz, lyrical, modern, & hip-hop for Overalls). Hip-Hop Routines to hip-hop music using dance techniques like music video style, street dancing, and break dancing.  (Spinning on performers’ heads is not permitted).  Dances should be age appropriate. (Will be grouped with open, jazz, lyrical, modern, & contemporary for Overalls). Musical Theatre A routine portraying a character(s) while telling a story.  Lip-synching is allowed.  Other styles of dance are acceptable to include.  (A separate Overalls will be awarded if enough entries are received, the category may combine both Level 1 and 2 depending on entries).

• Parts of Specialty Overalls may be grouped into regular overalls based on lack of competition and entries.  Eg 10 Musical Theatre soloists in Junior have a specialty overall, however, only one junior group is entered and that group competes in regular overalls.
• All entries in the specialty for CL1 & CL2 divisions will be considered for the Overall highest award for the Specialty grouping regardless of whether there is a specialty overall for it to compete in.

Song & Dance Performers must sing their own vocals while incorporating dance.  No lip-synching or lyrics in the music.  (Can be grouped with Musical theatre in overalls). Vocal Performers must sing their own vocals.  No lip-synching or lyrics in the music.  (Can be grouped with Musical theatre in overalls). Production Routines with 17 + dancers that tells a story through music and has a theme.  Any style of dance is acceptable.  (Separate overalls will be awarded). Acrobatics:  Any gymnastic style moves with the performer’s feet above their head.  Partner lifts are exempt from this definition unless the partner is thrown to perform a trick.

1. * Rule amendment March 1st, 2018 Acrobatic Trick Exemption for Jazz and Lyrical Categories has been updated to better reflect the current competitive dance world.  This exemption now will state that “Tumbling Passes” will be disallowed from these two categories, which are defined as two or more head-over-heels tricks in immediate succession.  ie: Tucks, handsprings, aerials etc.  Where the completion of these tricks requires the entire body to be upside-down and without contact with the stage.

Age Divisions:

Age is entered as of Dec.31, 2012. When calculating the average age for groups, add all ages, divide by the number of performers, and drop the decimal point.  All categories will compete in their own age divisions unless age divisions are grouped due to lack of sufficient entries to create categories.  Age   Division 6 & Under Cutie 7,8,9  Small Fry 10,11,12 Junior 13,14,15 Intermediate 16,17,18,19 Senior 20 & over Young Adult Group Categories: All routines will compete by category and dance style.  Overalls will be awarded per classification, dance style, category & age division.  Category Participants Solo  1 Dancer Duet  2 Dancers Trio  3 Dancers Small Group 4 to 9 Dancers Large Group 10 to 16 Dancers Extended Line 17+ Dancers Production  17+ Dancers

Cash Awards

All cash awards are distributed at the discretion of the competition and when awarded, for Studio Standing, Overalls, Individual performance, choreography or special award; they are distributed in the name of the studio under which the registration has been entered to be used at their sole discretion.

Overalls

To Qualify for Overalls in both Competitive 1 and Competitive 2 Levels, a studio must register at least 5 group numbers per competition.