Phoenix

dance competition

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Versastyle

RULES & REGULATIONS

Please read all the Rules and Regulations carefully. 

It is the responsibility of the studio to follow all of VSDC Rules and Regulations. In order to run a fair competition, we ask that every participant abide by the same rules.

Please ensure that the students, parents and teachers demonstrate respect and good sportsmanship. Kindly communicate to everyone attending to enjoy the competition to respect the rules and follow proper theatre etiquette.

ELIGIBILITY

ENTRY TYPES

Every entry must follow the number of dancers per category outline.

 

Entry Type Number of Dancers Maximum Time
Solo 1 3 minutes
Duo/Trio 2 or 3 3 minutes
Small Group 4 to 9 3:30 minutes
Large Group 10 to 16 4 minutes
Lines 17+ 5 minutes
Productions 20+ 10 minutes

 

Extended time may be requested for a fee, but this must be done prior to submitting entries – please email the VSDC Director to make your request.

Music

Please make sure all music is levelled and edited exactly from beginning to end to avoid any confusion.

 

Any entry exceeding the maximum time listed above that have not been approved by VSDC will be deducted one point for every five seconds over the time limit of a routine.

 

All music must be uploaded through your studio portal account at least three weeks before your event weekend. All music must be labeled in the following format: #ENTRY ID – ROUTINE TITLE – STUDIO NAME. There will be an administration fee applied to your account if the music is uploaded late.

 

VSDC is a family-friendly competition. Please assure music does not include explicit words (in any language), or referring to violence and/or other inappropriate content. If determined by VSDC director and/or judges that this has been violated, the routine will be scored, but not be given awards or overalls (and will not be included in our virtual event).

 

Please bring back-up music on a USB or a device with auxiliary input.

Age Division
Division Average Age (After Rounding Down)
Mini 8 and under
Junior 9 to 11
Intermediate 12 to 14
Senior 15 to 18
Advanced 19+

 

VSDC age divisions are determined by calculating the average age of performers as of January 1st of competing year.

 

How to determine age classification?

Add all the ages of the dancers in the routine and divide by the number of dancers and then round down to the whole number.

E.g. If the average age is 14.6, the routine would be considered age 14, INTERMEDIATE.

 

Please note, routines cannot drop more than one division lower than the age of the oldest dancer in the routine regardless of the average age. (Not applicable to Productions)

E.g. If you have a dancer that is age 18 in a routine, that routine cannot be considered a MINI or JUNIOR under any circumstances.

 

In the rare of event there is a discrepancy, VSDC may request identification and proof of age of the dancer at the competition. Please be prepared to present that information if requested.

Classification / Level

NOVICE

  • Soloist – Soloists must be competing for the first time
  • Duo/Trio – All dancers must be competing for the first time
  • Group – All dancers must be competing for the first time
  • Maximum age of dancer is 14

PRE-COMPETITIVE

  • All dancers train less than 6 hours per week and are 2nd or 3rd year competing
  • Duo/Trio/Group/Line/Productions may contain Novice dancers

COMPETITIVE

  • Dancers that train more than 6 hours per week
  • Group/Line/Productions may contain dancers from Pre-Competitive or Novice
  • Group/Line/Productions may contain dancers from Elite but cannot exceed 25% of the dancers
  • Solo, Duo/Trio entries may contain dancers from Pre-Competitive but not from Elite

ELITE

  • Dancers train more than 10 hours per week
  • Strongly recommend dancers have previously received an overall in competitive category at any competition
  • Group/Line/Productions may contain dancers from Competitive
  • Solo, Duo/Trio entries may contain dancers from Competitive

ADULT

  • Dancers are 19+
  • Group/Line/Productions may contain dancers from Pre-Competitive, Competitive or Elite, but cannot exceed 25% of dancers

PROFESSIONAL*

  • Dancers that get paid to dance professionally
  • Dancers are 19+

*Only eligible for Professional Overalls and Professional Grand Awards

Special Entry Tags

Entries with these special tags selected will only be competing against those in the same classification, age division and genre.

 

FIRST-TIME SOLOIST

  • Soloist – First time competing a solo
  • Will also be classified as: Novice, pre-competitive or competitive

STUDENT CHOREOGRAPHY

  • Soloist – Self Choreography
  • Will also be: Novice, pre-competitive, competitive or elite
Dance styles

ACRO: A combination of gymnastics, acrobatic tricks and dance choreography. The routine should have a strong balance of both dance and tricks.

 

BALLET: Classical ballet with a high form of technique. Ballet shoes are required. Acrobatic tricks are not permitted. Pointe shoes are prohibited.

 

CHARACTER BALLET: This routine must incorporate ballet technique and movement portraying a character or specific theme through choreography, costume and story telling. Pointe shoes are prohibited.

 

CONTEMPORARY BALLET: Classical ballet and modern dance combined to create a contemporary routine. Ballet shoes are not required. Pointe shoes prohibited.

 

CONTEMPORARY BALLET POINTE: Classical ballet and modern dance combined to create a contemporary pointe routine. Pointe shoes are required.

 

CONTEMPORARY: Incorporation of technique and free movement vocabulary that conveys creativity and emotion.

 

HIP HOP: Culmination of street style movement, technique, tricks, vocabulary and creativity.

 

JAZZ: This performance must contain traditional jazz movement and technique.

 

LYRICAL: Fusion of ballet and jazz technique that tells a story through emotion, dance and movement.

 

MODERN: Interpretive movements that make use of modern technique and approach

 

MUSICAL THEATRE: Routine that also incorporates lip-syncing, acting and story telling through dance movement.

 

OPEN: Combination of any dance styles. For routines that do not fit any particular category.

 

POINTE: Ballet pointe technique that is danced while wearing pointe shoes.

 

SONG & DANCE: Live singing while performing dance choreography. Studio must provide their own microphone/headsets for vocalists.

 

STREET STYLES: Hip Hop routines that contain heavy emphasis on vocabulary and technique of street style such as breakin’, locking, popping, house, waacking etc.

 

TAP: Routine that uses tap technique. Tap shoes are required. Pre-recorded tap sounds are not permitted.

 

Disclaimer:

Excessive use of tricks/stunts unless used creatively and compliment the routine may detract from your final score. It is strongly recommended that careful consideration is taken when choreographing tricks/stunts into your routine.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Health & Safety

At VSDC we take health and safety very seriously. We will always follow what the current government protocols that may be in place and will need equal cooperation from all of our studios. Due to events of the past (Covid-19) the uncertainty of what those protocols may be is unclear at this time and will be addressed to you closer to the start of your registered event.

Photography and Videos Release

Dancers, choreographers, teachers, directors, students, and attendees automatically grant permission to Versastyle Dance Competition and its directors to use, without any compensation, their image, videos and likeness for publicity and promotional purposes, including but not limited to advertisements, television, videotaping and broadcasting, social media, web, or print.

Re-Dancing

Dancers that experience technical difficulties (i.e. music issues) can re-dance.

 

First-time Soloist, Novice, Pre-Competitive or Mini routines that do not complete their routine will be permitted to re-dance. They will still receive an award according to their score.

 

Junior, Intermediate, Senior and Advance dancers who do not complete their routine and/or choose to re-dance will be eligible for placement in the category. However, overalls will be awarded at the judges and/or competition director’s discretion.

 

Note:

VSDC reserves the right to make changes to this policy

Props / Restricted Items

All studios are required to inform VDSC if there are large prop pieces being used in their routine upon registration, failure to do so, may result in prop being denied entry into the venue. On site, studios are responsible for their own props. Please note, that some venues may have limited space and/or props are only allowed to be brought in during designated times.

 

No dangerous props are to be used on stage (e.g. fire, weapons, or knives)

No props may be over 9ft in height.

No glitter or paint (any staining items).

With the exception of rosin, the use of baby powder and other similar agents is not tolerated.

VSDC has the right to restrict the use of specific props.

 

If a prop or set piece significantly damages the venue. Charges may be incurred which will be the responsibility of the studio that caused the damage.

Backstage

VSDC asks that studios assist in maintaining a clear backstage area. Studio directors and teachers are permitted backstage. Students may wait backstage up to three numbers before their performance, space permitting and at the discretion of the stage manager.

 

Parents are not permitted in the back stage area during the competition.

Respect

We kindly ask that all studios’ participants respect one another at all time, including interactions, shared space and personal belonging. VDSC does have a strict policy against any negativity (i.e. ‘booing’) towards any performers. We expect only positive re-enforcement throughout the entire experience. Harassment and unruly behaviour will not be tolerated and may result in eviction off the competition premises.

 

Music, costumes and choreography must be age-appropriate. Any performance that includes explicit words (in any language), or referring to violence and/or other inappropriate content as determined by VSDC and/or judges will be scored, but not be given awards or overalls (and will not be included in our virtual event).

Communication

Changes to these reminders and policies may be required due to venue regulations at the

time of the event. VSDC will inform you of all important changes and updates through our DISCORD community channel. Please ensure you check your channel, studio portal, our website, and our Instagram for the latest updates.

 

Please notify the stage manager of any holds needed.

Fine Print

• Each competitor may only compete for one studio.
• Competitors may not compete against themselves in a category (including groups). For example, if a performer has two competitive jazz groups in the exact same age division, classification and genre. One of the routines will have to compete in the higher up classification. age division or in a different genre.
• VSDC at their discretion, reserves the right to adjust the amount of all monetary awards.
• Videotaping and photography by spectators are prohibited at any VSDC event inside of the venue performance area. VSDC has the right to confiscate or delete any videos and photos taken of a performance. Failure to comply with the videotaping policy, or refusing to delete videos will result in disqualification of the entry.
• Advanced categorized entries will be eligible for only Advanced Grand Award.
• First-time soloist are still eligible for regulars overalls, but will also be be considered for “First-time soloist” overalls
• Categories may be separated into heats on the occasion that 12 or more entries fall into one particular category. Dancers will be placed in their heat and still compete for overalls.
• Duos/Trios cannot go down to Solo
• Substitutions of dancers are allowed if there is an injury, but it must be approved the Competition Director prior to performing. There must be at least 50% of the original dancers from the original qualifying entry and the average age must remain the same.
• A routine that performs out of session order, may result in not being eligible for placement or overalls.
• VSDC will not be held responsible for injuries, damage, or lost or stolen property over the duration of any VSDC event.
• Proof of age is not required, however if there is a discrepancy. There may be a request to provide documentation by the end of the competition. Failure to do so will result in disqualification for that specific entry.
• Performances are videotaped for judges’ critiques as well as sales and advertising purposes. VSDC reserves the right to use media captured taken at the venue for promotional purposes. The dance studio director’s have the responsibility to ensure that each of their dancers have submitted the required waiver to VSDC prior to the competition. A new waiver is required per dancer each year.
• Overall ties will be broken based on Technique & Foundation score
• All marks are final.
• In the event of an incorrect award being given by VSDC. An additional award will be given to the routine to rectify the mistake. At no time, will VSDC redact an incorrect award.
• Any changes that need to be made, must be made 30 days prior to the competition start date. All changes must be in writing and approved by VSDC. If a routine wishes to change their scheduled performance they must do so before the category competes, or they will not receive placement in their category and not be considered for an overall award. In the event that there are a significant number of dancers missing from a routine that causes a change in the division of the category, studios must notify VSDC prior to the category.
• Tap sounds on soundtracks of tap entries will result in being scored, but not be given awards or overalls.
• Any studio, dancer, or parent that damages the venue will be disqualified and may be liable for damages. All participants are responsible for cleaning their area and properly disposing of all garbage.
• All monetary prizes and VSDC credits are awarded directly to the studio.
• Independent entries are permitted and eligible for overalls and grand awards.
• REMIX, IMPULSE and OVERTIME will not be eligible for overalls and grand awards.

Note: VSDC reserves the right in its sole and unfettered discretion to make changes to the foregoing