Rules & Regulations

High Demand encourages studio directors and instructors to use their best judgment in choosing the competition division for all dancers and performances, because no one knows your dancers’ levels and abilities better than the professionals that teach them in the classroom. Please choose applicable competitive divisions carefully so that your dancers are challenged and tabulated fairly amongst their peers. In the event our judging panel feels a performance is under placed or placed in error, HD management will address the issue immediately onsite with the studio director or representative present for proper placement and fair tabulation.

Please note that High Demand does not believe in providing division guidelines based on a dancers number of years dancing or hours in the studio per week and advises placement based on the following general guidelines based on skill sets:

Novice Division: this division is for beginner level dancers that have no competitive dance experience and are new to competing. These dancers have very limited technical training and a basic understanding of the fundamentals of dance and dance terminology. Dancers in this division are eligible for overalls and the Ultimate Award within the division, but limited to division appropriate special awards and scholarships. Dancers in this division are not eligible to compete in the Performer of the Year Title Competition and are not included in the High Demand Award, which goes to the highest scoring studio at every event.

Example: Dancers in this division are working on single pirouettes.

Apprentice Division: this division is for intermediate level dancers that have some competitive dance experience, but still room to improve. These dancers have limited technical training and are starting to grasp a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of dance and dance terminology.

Example: Dancers in this division are working on double pirouettes.

Advanced Division: this division is for advanced level dancers that have years of competitive dance experience, and/or are up for the most challenging competition. These dancers have disciplined technical training and a deep understanding of the fundamentals of dance and dance terminology, which is also made evident in the execution of their performance.

Example: Dancers in this division are working on triple pirouettes.

Additional Guidelines:

Solos: dancers must compete in the division if they are registered and cannot have solos in different divisions.

For example, a soloist can not have a contemporary solo in the apprentice division and a tap solo in the advanced division.

Duos/Trios, Small Groups, Large Groups & Lines: no more than 50% of the dancers may be from a higher division.

For example, if there are 5 apprentice dancers and 6 advanced dancers it must be registered as an advanced large group. The same goes if there is a 50/50 split with 5 apprentice dancers and 5 advanced dancers.

Productions: all productions will compete against each other in the same division. Awards will be given in the 12 & Under and 13 & Over Production Divisions.

All division placements will be based on the dancers’ age on the day of competing event. Group performances will be based on the average age of all dancers combined with all decimals dropped.

Example: if the average age of a small group is 15.8, the performance will compete in the 15 year old (teen) division.

Bump Rule: Entries may compete no more than one age division lower than the oldest dancer in the routine, with the exception of the production division.

For example, if a senior dancer (16 yrs. old) and a petite dancer (7 yrs. old) have a duet, the entry must compete in the teen division regardless of the average age being 11.5 (junior division).

In addition, all dancers are required to provide proof of age on site at competing event.

Mini 6 & under

Petite 7-9

Junior 10-12

Teen 13-15

Senior 16-19

Adult* 20 +

*Please note that any entry competing in the adult division is only eligible to receive an adjudication and overall award. Adult entries are exempt from all special awards, scholarships and are not eligible to be nominated in the HD Dance-Off.

• Acro (performance containing more than two acro tricks or passes*)
• Ballet
• Clogging
• Contemporary
• Folk/Ethnic
• Hip-hop
• Jazz
• Lyrical
• Modern
• Musical Theatre
• Open
• Pointe
• Pom
• Student Choreography (productions are not eligible to participate)
• Tap

*An acro trick is considered anything where a dancer’s feet pass over their head and the body is airborne. Headstands, walkovers, cartwheels, forward/backward rolls are not considered acro tricks. An acro pass is defined as a combination of two or more acro tricks in a row. Example, one single aerial is a trick, but an aerial followed by a backhand spring is considered an acro pass. Failure to comply will result in a point deduction.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE DO NOT ACCEPT VOCAL ENTRIES AND HD WILL NOT PROVIDE MICS FOR MUSICAL THEATRE ENTRIES OR ANY OTHER CATEGORIES.

Solo 1

Duo/Trio 2-3

Small Group 4-9

Large Group 10-19

Line 20 & up

Production 20 & up*

*This category is for dancers of all ages and abilities to come together in one performance to showcase a particular story or theme.

Any person visible on stage during a performance will be considered a performer and should be accounted for during registration.

Solo 3:00

Duo/Trio 3:00

Small Group 4:00

Large Group 4:00

Line 5:00

Production 8:00

Extended time (one minute max.) can be purchased for a fee of $5 per dancer for any entry type. Performances exceeding their time limits that do not request extended time will be subject to a point deduction at the discretion of the judges and HD mgmt. In addition, any performance that purchases extended time and exceeds more than the allotted one minute overage will also be subject to the same deduction system.

Diamond 300 – 295

Platinum 294.9 – 282.9

High Gold 282.8 – 270.8

Gold 270.7 – 258.7

Decisions of the judges are final. All performances will be scored by a judging panel consisting of three judges each using a 100 point scale for a total of 300 points. Each judge will take into consideration the dancer(s) technique, choreography, concept, execution and presentation. Those three scores will then be tallied for a total overall score. Each performance will be adjudicated based on the above division scales and every dancers within a performance will receive an adjudication award.

All judges will provide audio critiques in sync with the video recordings, that will be available from your DanceComp Genie studio dashboard within 2-3 days of completion of event.

To be eligible for an overall award there must be at least two performances in a given division. During an awards ceremony, overall award announcements will be determined by the number of entries in a given division. Overalls are given to half of the total number of entries in a division, with Top 20 being the maximum awarded.

For example, if there are 4-5 entries..top 2 will be awarded; if there are 10-11 entries..top 5 will be awarded; if there are 40 plus entries..top 20 will be awarded.

Except when there is a technical difficulty at the responsibility of HD, any re-performance of a routine will be adjudicated only. If a dancer chooses to exit the stage before the completion of a performance, the entry will only be eligible for an adjudication award only.

Soloist competing with more than one solo are not eligible to place more than twice in the overalls.

Judges will also take into consideration whether routines are age appropriate and placed in the correct performance level.

Content Awareness Policy: Depending on the level of severity, point deduction and/or disqualification could occur when a judge and/or directors believes that the concept/content of a performance is appropriate due to insensitive depictions such as of violence, gender, race or age.

Music upload is mandatory and no exceptions will be made. An MP3 file must be submitted two weeks prior to the competing event for every performance using our online registration system. A $3 late fee per entry will be assessed if the music is not received by the given deadline.

Simply log in to your account and select ‘Upload Music’ on your dashboard to upload music files for all performances. CDs will not be accepted. It is highly encouraged to bring back-up music files for all entries in case of an emergency. Please be prepared to email music files to HD onsite as this is the most efficient way to send our staff the files quickly.

All music must be submitted with the correct edit, pitch and tempo. HD staff will not make music edits or alterations on a studio’s behalf before or during event. Music containing inappropriate lyrics will also be subject to a point deduction at the judges discretion.

Entries are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. High Demand stands behind their reputation of their events running in a timely manner and is considerate of each competition day’s end time and will only accept the number of registrations that fit into the schedule.

All entries must be entered into our online registration system and paid in full 30 days prior to the competition day with one form of payment. All entries must be registered through a DanceComp Genie studio account. Independent entries are not accepted. No entries will be processed or included in the schedule until payment is submitted in full. No on-site payments will be accepted. Entries submitted after the 30-day deadline will result in a $5.00 late fee charge per dancer.

We accept bank/certified checks and credit cards for final payment. Entry fees are non-refundable. Returned checks will have a penalty fee of $50.

All discounts will be calculated after all registrations are submitted from the total studio invoice. This includes the early-commitment discount, loyalty credits and award credits from previous season. Studio credits hold no cash value and can only be used towards entry fees.

Injured and sick dancers will have the option of a credit or refund after the 30-day deadline providing a doctor’s note, but before the final schedule is released. Once the schedule is finalized and released 10 days prior to the event; injured, sick and quarantined dancers will only be given a credit. Day of scratches due to injured or sick performers will not be issued credits/refunds. Any credits will be issued to the account of which the performer is registered. Credits may only be used towards entry fees for an HD event and will not be valid for merchandise or registration deposits.

Note: Music, lighting choices, dancer(s) and directors waivers are all due 2 weeks prior to competing event to avoid any additional late fees.

Any scheduling request must be submitted in DanceComp Genie and are not guaranteed.

Schedules will be released 7-10 days prior to the event and studios will be given 3 days to submit any edits/changes in writing via email. Any changes/edits that are submitted after the 3-day grace period (i.e. dancer name, birthdate, lighting, routine title, etc.) will be assessed a $5 fee per change.

In addition, any ‘Out of Schedule Request’ for entries to perform on days and/or times outside of their division’s designated time will be assessed a $10 fee per entry and will not be eligible for overalls, scholarships, special awards and high awards. No exceptions will be considered.

Please note that all dancers are given a minimum of 9 minutes between performances for costume changes. HD does not follow a general format for all events because each events registration breakdown differs.

There will be a 1 minute time limit to assemble and disassemble any props. Anything over this allotted time will be subject to a deduction at the discretion of the judges and HD management for the performance’s overall score. Fire hazardous props, glitter, fog, weapons of any kind and any other dangerous prop are not permitted. No form of liquids or any other substance that may affect the stage surface may be used during a performance. Any prop used that requires extensive cleanup may result in a point deduction. Props should not be backstage or in the wings until the performance time and should be removed from the area immediately following the performance.

Please be advised that in order to participate in High Demand Dance Competition a parent/legal guardian’s consent is required for all performers under 18 yrs. old as well as the studio owner/director’s final consent to acknowledge that you have read and agreed to the terms and conditions indicated in the waiver. Please note that waivers must be submitted two weeks prior to competing event. Links to the electronic forms will be sent directly to the studio.

• At HD, there is a zero tolerance policy for unsportsmanlike, disrespectful or rude conduct (both verbal and physical) amongst dancers, studio staff, family, friends and any guest on premises. Failure to comply will result in disqualification and immediate removal from event premises with no option of refund or credits.
• Performers must enter and exit the HD stage from backstage at all times.
• During scheduled performances, dancers are never permitted to enter the audience or exit/jump off of the front of the stage at any time.
• Please be considerate of the venue and staff. Clean up anything left behind in the dressing rooms and theatre.
• All dancers should be performance ready and warmed up one hour prior to their scheduled performance.
• No alcoholic beverages are permitted.
• No video or photography is allowed at any time. All media is included and access will be provided.
• Performers grant High Demand Dance Competition with permission to use their photographs and videos from the event for advertising purposes without compensation.
• High Demand Dance Competition reserves the right to change a competition’s venue, date and/or location at any time. HD management will communicate any changes if necessary with registered studios.
• Circumstances beyond the control of High Demand Dance Competition such as: weather related issues, facility condition, and technical difficulties bears no responsibility to HD Dance and no refunds.
• Our events are live streamed, however please keep in mind that this is dependent upon each venue’s connectivity strength. HD will not stop an event if the livestream connection goes down or the quality decreases.

Please do not hesitate to contact HD with any other questions or concerns.