STEP UP

REGISTRATION GUIDELINES

 

Overall Eligibility:

Step Up Dance Competitions are open to studios/teams that fit the following guidelines:

-Recreational Classes who have chosen to compete.

-Small Competitive Programs, with 1-3 hours of training per week. Auditions may exist but may be very inclusive. 

-Small Elite Competitive Programs with 4+ hours of training per week, including quality ballet classes. This could include club teams from pre-professional programs.* 

*Routines from this type of studio usually need to register up one level from the technical recommendations, because the level of artistry, choreography, and execution puts them on a higher level. 

 

Please use the RSVP form on the Home Page to tell us a bit about your studio. All studios will be vetted to ensure fair competition. Studios who frequent the convention circuits are likely not the right fit for our competition. If your studio offers a bit of everything (some mixed levels), please contact us for placement or adjudication-only options. 

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Divisions & Level Guidelines

Age: 

The average age of the dancers on each team or solo. Ages will be combined to create a competitive field. i.e. Dancers ages 3-4 or 4-5 may be combined. 

 

Difficulty Level: 

These lists are not all-inclusive. Use your best judgment and register with integrity. When in doubt, choose the higher division. If your dancer's movement quality, artistry, choreography or execution are strong, choose the higher division. Step Up utilizes a level judge to ensure fair levels, and categories are frequently reorganized at competition. 

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BEGINNING 

The beginning category is for dancers and teams who are developing basic dance skills such as Chaines, Piques, Single Pirouettes, Straight Leg Leaps and other basic steps, performed at a novice or beginning level (not polished). 

NOT BEGINNING TECHNIQUE: Double Pirouettes, Switch Leaps, Fouette/A La Seconde

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BEGINNING PLUS

The Beginning II category is for dancers and teams who are performing beginning skills with confidence and polished execution. It is also for dancers who are developing their technique on skills such as double pirouettes, tilt jumps, side leaps, and other similar steps.

NOT BEGINNING II TECHNIQUE: A La Secondes or Fouettes in solos (teams may spotlight ONLY one dancer performing this skill), Switch Leaps, Triple Pirouettes

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INTERMEDIATE

The Intermediate category is for dancers and teams who may be executing clean Double Pirouettes, basic A La Seconde and Fouette Combinations, and all types of leaps. Triple pirouettes may be performed, but may need improvement. Note: dancers and teams performing choreography with only intermediate skills but with strong execution and very developed body control, dynamics, and challenging choreography should register for the advanced category at Step Up Competition.

NOT ALLOWED: Team Quadruple Pirouette OR Full Team Changing Spot in A La Secondes /Fouettes. Spotlight features of these skills are allowed. Use your discretion.

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ADVANCED:
Anything may be performed in the advanced level including clean triple & quadruple pirouettes, spot-changing or other advanced fouettes/a la seconde, and any combination of kicks, leaps, and choreography.

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TUMBLING/ACRO:
Dances will be judged on their dance technique and performance. Tumbling that enhances the
performance is welcome in the dance categories. Dances that FEATURE tumbling should be
entered in the OPEN category as an Acro piece. This does not apply to Hip Hop, Character, or
Show/Production styles.

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Competition Style Categories:

Jazz
Character
Lyrical
Contemporary
Hip Hop
Ballet/Pointe
Open (Acro, Tap, Ballroom, or other...please describe)

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Other Rules:

Solos/Duos/Trios music should be a minimum of 1:30-3:00 maximum.
Teams music should be between 1:45-3:30 (except in Show/Production)
ALL COSTUMES, MUSIC, AND CHOREOGRAPHY SHOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AUDIENCE MEMBERS. No explicit lyrics or overly-suggestive costumes or choreography.
ALL PROPS MUST BE COVERED TO AVOID SCRATCHING THE FLOOR.