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Rules & Awards

Competition Rules

Please read prior to participation!

We encourage all studios, dancers, and their families to review the Elite Dance Challenge Rules & Guidelines before attending an event. These standards are designed to support a fair, organized, and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Download Our Rules & Regulations

Awards

Elite Dance Challenge is proud to recognize outstanding dancers, choreography, studios, and performances through a wide range of awards presented at both Regional and National events. 

 

Awards include special recognition, high score honors, cash scholarships, and overall awards across age divisions and performance levels. Details for each award category, including eligibility and presentation, are outlined below.

At each regional and national competition, judges will select routines that stand out in the following categories:

  • Outstanding Entertainment
  • Outstanding Choreography
  • Technical Excellence
  • Emotional Execution
  • Showmanship
  • Outstanding Costume

This award goes to the Student Choreographed routine with the highest score. NOTE: In order for a routine to be eligible for Overall Student Choreography, when registering routine must select “Student Choreography” for the category instead of the style of dance (jazz, lyrical, etc.)

High scores will be given out at every regional and national competition. Entries must compete prior to their awards ceremony to be eligible for High Score Awards.


High Score Awards will be given in each competition level, age and size division. All scholarships/cash prizes will be awarded to the studio.


Scholarships will be given to the first place High Score Award winners in the Novice and Intermediate Divisions when there are 5 or more routines entered in that age and size division.


Cash awards will be given to the first place High Score Award winners in the Competitive division when there are 5 or more in that age and size division.

 

Spirit level / Pro-Am and Adult routines are not eligible for scholarships or cash prizes.

Regionals
Novice Scholarship Intermediate Scholarship Competitive Cash Awards
Solo $50 $75 $100
Duo/Trio $50 $75 $100
Small Group $100 $100 $125
Large Group $125 $125 $150
Line $150 $150 $175
Production $175 $175 $200
National Finals
Novice Scholarship Intermediate Scholarship Competitive Cash Awards
Solo $75 $100 $125
Duo/Trio $75 $100 $125
Small Group $100 $125 $150
Large Group $125 $150 $175
Line $150 $175 $200
Production $175 $200 $250

At each Regional and National event, the highest scoring solo, duo, or trio in each level (Novice, Intermediate, Competitive) will be awarded.

At each Regional and National event, the highest scoring group routine (small group, large group, line, or production) in each level (Novice, Intermediate, Competitive) will be awarded.

At each regional and the National competition, Elite Dance Challenge recognizes unique and entertaining performers with our special awards. These awards are directly presented by our special awards judge at our awards ceremony.

Elite Performance Team Invitations are awarded to exceptional solo and duo/trio performers in the Petite, Junior, Teen or Senior age categories and in the intermediate and competitive levels. Dancers receiving Elite Performance Team Invitations are invited to participate in the Elite Team at any of our National Finals in the same calendar year. Elite Performance Team Invitations are non-transferable

The recipients of these awards are invited to participate in one of the exciting All-Star Dancer experiences in New York City. All dancers in the Petite, Junior, Teen and Senior age groups from the Novice level are eligible for this award. These special invitations are presented to All Star Dancers that display a passion for performing on-stage. Winners will receive an informational brochure with details of this amazing event.

For six days you will experience the best of Broadway including inspiring master classes, top Broadway shows, guided tours and special events in the heart of New York City. For more information, please visit https://www.artistic-adventures.net/

This award will be presented to one soloist in each intermediate age category that the judges feel showed the most heart, soul and passion in their performance. Winners will receive a “Heart of Gold” medal and letter. Heart of Gold is only given out to Mini, Petite, Junior, Teen and Senior age groups.

We are honored to partner with Be Discovered, a world-class mentorship and performance company in New York, that offers life changing opportunities for dancers and performers. This award will be presented to one soloist in the competitive category in the teen and senior age levels. 

 

These dancers will receive a $2,500 partial scholarship towards one of Be Discovered’s signature travel-and-dance experiences – including New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Las Vegas or Disney. Each winner chooses the program they want to attend.

The Hollywood Summer Tour is an invitation only dance intensive for advanced dancers wanting to experience the LA dance industry or aspiring professional dancers preparing for a dance career. They will take classes at LA’s top dance studios, participate in dance agency showcases, interact with live guest mentors, and so much more. They also offer an online dance mentorship called the Business of Dance. Dancers receive a $500 scholarship toward either the Hollywood Summer Tour or the Business of Dance online mentorship program. Both programs are fun and educational for the entire family.

Studio Awards

Outstanding studios at each Regional and National event will be awarded in the following categories:

This award is presented to the studio whose commitment and heartfelt devotion are evident both onstage and behind the scenes, showcasing a true love for the art.

This award is presented to the studio that lights up the stage with creative choreography, a bold concept and strong execution.

This award is presented to the studio whose dancers lead by example, displaying professionalism, kindness, and top-notch sportsmanship both backstage and throughout the competition.

This award is sponsored by the ADCC (Association of Dance Conventions and Competitions). It is awarded to the studio that exemplifies the mission and purpose of The ADCC, which include working together and striving for excellence.

 

For more information about the ADCC visit: www.theadcc.org

The highest scoring groups from the following performance categories (contemporary, lyrical, tap, hip hop, jazz, musical theater, and best of the rest (all other styles combined). This may be awarded by level (novice, intermediate or competitive) based upon the number of entries in the event.

The EDC Studio of the Year Award is decided by total studio score. The total studio score will be calculated by totaling the top five highest scoring routines from each studio (excluding solos, duos and trios and all adult divisions). The studio with the highest studio score will receive the Studio of the Year Award.