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. 

 

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. If your studio is a mixed bag and you would like to attend, please contact us for options (such as adjudication only).

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Divisions & Level Guidelines

Age: 

The average age of the dancers on each team or solo. 

 

Difficulty Level: 

These lists are not all-inclusive. Use your best judgment and register with integrity. When in doubt, choose the higher division. Step Up utilizes a level judge to ensure follow-through on regulations. Those teams who are bumped up due to incorrectly registering too low will NOT be eligible to receive overall awards. Everyone will be held to the same guidelines to ensure you compete against those other dancers and teams who are truly your same level. This ensures the best competition for everyone.

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BEGINNING
The beginning category is for dancers and teams who are working on basic dance
skills such as Chaines, Piques, Single Pirouettes, Straight Leg Leaps and other basic steps.

NOT ALLOWED: Double Pirouettes, Tilt Jumps, Renverse, Switch Leaps, Firebird.

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BEGINNING II

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

NOT ALLOWED: A La Secondes or Fouettes (teams may spotlight ONLY one dancer performing this skill), Renverse, Switch Leaps, Triple Pirouettes, Firebird

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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 very developed body control and dynamics may be better suited for the advanced category.

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.