RULES & REGULATIONS

All entries must be submitted no later than 30 days before the competition date! After 30 days there will be a $5.00 late penalty for each entry. Entries are taken on a first come first served basis, therefore, register as soon as possible in order to secure a spot. No entries will be accepted by phone or fax. Entries will only be processed if fully completed and accompanied by full payment. All certified checks or money orders should be made out to:

Turn it Up Dance Challenge
P.O. Box 366
South Boston, MA 02127

If paying by check, only one check per studio please! No checks will be accepted from individual parents or guardians. An email will be sent to each studio approximately one and a half weeks before competition containing all necessary details. ABSOLUTELY NO REFUNDS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

Categories

Ballet

Classical ballet style and technique with the use of ballet slippers.

Pointe

Classical ballet style and techniques with the use of Pointe shoes.

Tap

Creating syncopated rhythms with the use of tap shoes.

Jazz

Classical jazz style and techniques.

Hip-Hop

Street dance with isolated movements to contemporary music.

Lyrical

Movements should interpret the lyrics of the music.

Song and Dance

Must have both singing and dancing. No lip syncing.

Vocal

Majority of singing with minimal dancing. *Will have their own set of high scores. There must be a minimum of 3 entries in an age group to be eligible for Vocal High Scores and a minimum of 5 entries in an age group to be eligible for cash scholarships or cash prizes**

Contemporary

Inventive movements incorporating different styles with classical foundation.

Character

Portraying any easily recognized character such as a doll or a clown etc.

Modern

Emphasis on the elements of movement such as centering, posture, spacial awareness, and imagery.

Open

Any category not pertaining to the above categories.

Acro

Any routine containing a combination of tumbling movements and passes incorporated with dance movements.

Pom Pon

Any routine displaying precision marching and sharp choreography with the use of pom pons. Must utilize pom-pons for at least 50% of the routine.

Musical Theater

Any style of dance interpreting a song from Broadway, movie, or musical.

Formal Modeling

Does not include dance. Contestants wear formal attire. Must execute runway "T" formation.

Sportswear Modeling

Does not include dance. Contestants should wear fashion attire. Must execute runway "T" formation.

Swimwear Modeling

Does not include dance. Contestants should wear age appropriate swimwear. Must execute runway "T" formation.

Photogenic

Contestants must submit ONLY one recent 5x7 or 8x10 colored or black and white photo. Photos will be displayed during the competition. Unfortunately, photos will not be returned.

*Modeling, Photogenic, and Vocal categories will have their own set of high scores. Identical to dance high score rules, there must be a minimum of 3 entries in an age group to be eligible for High Scores and a minimum of 5 entries in an age group to be eligible for cash scholarships or cash prizes**

A maximum of 4 acrobatic tricks may be done in any category except acro and open which may have an unlimited number of tricks. To assist with calculation, a pass of round off back handspring, back tuck is 3 acrobatic tricks, however, if an entire group excecutes one cartwheel at the same time that is considered 1 trick. Any routine that does not follow this rule will receive a 5 point deduction and will be placed in the proper category.

High Score awards will be given out to both Recreational and Pro-Amateur levels. However, please note, only Competitive levels will receive scholarship or cash prizes for high score awards.

Ages will be recorded as of January 1 at the start of the season. Age categories for all entries will be determined by taking the average age of all participants in that entry dropping the decimal point. If age is questioned during competition proper IDENTIFICATION WILL BE REQUIRED.

One point will be deducted for every 5 Seconds over time limit. Timing will begin when music starts (if no music, once dancers take first step) and will stop when last performer is off the stage. This does not include prop removal.

Each studio is required to bring their own music in the form of a CD. Each CD must contain only ONE song that is properly labeled with the STUDIO NAME AND ROUTINE NAME ONLY. Please write directly on your CD. Do not place any adhesive labels. Labels can cause CD's to skip. Turn It Up Dance Challenge recommends that each entry have at least one backup CD. If music fails to work on the first try it is the responsibility of the studio to bring the backup CD. That entry may be put on hold until music is found. Music may be picked whenever that routine is finished for the day. Turn it Up is not responsible for music that is not picked up after an event.

Each entry will be judged by a highly qualified panel of judges. All judges decisions will be final. Contacting or speaking to judges is strictly prohibited at all times in order to give a fair chance to all participants. Dance performances will be judged on the following criteria:

DEDUCTIONS:

Acro- Any routine that has more than 4 acrobatic tricks in any category except acro and open will recieve a 5 point deduction.

Time- 1 point will be deducted for every 5 seconds over time limit.

Appropriateness-ROUTINES MUST BE APPROPRIATE FOR FAMILY VIEWING: Any routine that a judge feels is not appropriate will receive a minimum of a 5 point deduction or may be stopped and disqualified. This includes proper music, choreography, costume.

Props- Props must be moved on and off dance floor in a timely manner. If a judge feels that the removal of a prop takes too long points may be deducted. No dangerous props allowed. Dangerous props include but are not limited to knives, swords, anything thrown directly at the judges table that may be harmful, anything that could alter the surface of the dance floor, any prop that is plugged in. Any routine that uses a dangerous prop will receive a max of a 10 POINT deduction or may be disqualified.

Schedule- One and a half weeks before competition, directors will receive a Final Email including a performance schedule. When directors receive the schedule it is their responsibility to inform Turn It Up Dance Challenge of any necessary changes. Also, at this time, anything left as a TBA MUST be corrected in an email to our office. This must be done by the deadline given. No changes may be made to the schedule during the weekend of competition. A 1 point deduction will be given for anything left as TBA.

Number of Dancers-5 points will be deducted if a routine contains more dancers than the amount listed on the entry form.

Title awards are given out at regional and national competitions. Title contestants must be entered in the "competitive" category and must submit a minimum of 1 solo and a maximum of 4 solos to be considered for the title. These routines must already be entered for competition. There will be a short interview question asked preceding each title routine. Each contestant must take center-stage, say their name, age, hometown, and performance piece before they are asked their question. Last, contestants must submit 1 (only one) recent headshot of 8.5x11 or 5x7 in either black and white or color. Headshots will not be returned.

Regional title winners may not compete for another regional title in that same season. All regional and national preliminary title winners only will be invited to compete for the national title.

There will be a Mr. and Miss Turn It Up Dance Challenge awarded in each age group (see awards page for more info). Male contestants will not compete against female contestants. If there are under 3 contestants in any age group they must score at least 535 to qualify to win title.

Contestants are not allowed to compete against themselves in solos, duets, and trios. Students of judges may not compete in the city where judges are scoring.

One and a half weeks before competition, directors will receive a Final Email including a performance schedule. When directors receive the schedule it is their responsibility to inform Turn It Up Dance Challenge of any necessary changes. Also, at this time, anything left as a TBA MUST be corrected in an email to our office. This must be done by the deadline given. No changes may be made to the schedule during the weekend of competition. A 1 point deduction will be given for anything left as TBA.

Props must be moved on and off dance floor in a timely manner. If a judge feels that the removal of a prop takes too long points may be deducted. No dangerous props allowed. Dangerous props include but are not limited to knives, swords, anything thrown directly at the judges table that may be harmful, anything that could alter the surface of the dance floor, any prop that is plugged in. Any routine that uses these types of props will receive a max of a 10 POINT deduction or may be disqualified.

ROUTINES MUST BE APPROPRIATE FOR FAMILY VIEWING! This includes proper choreography, music, and costume. Any routine that a judge feels is not appropriate will receive a 5.0 overall point deduction or possibly be stopped and disqualified depending on judges discretion.

If a routine contains more dancers than the amount listed on the entry form there will be a deduction.

Turn it Up Dance Challenge is not responsible for any lost or stolen items during any competition. Therefore, please take extra precaution.

All participants are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship and treat students with respect. Also, participants are expected to be respectful of dressing rooms making sure to leave it the way you found it upon arrival. When in the audience, please stay seated and keep talking to a minimum during all performances. We look forward to having a great competition!