2023 National Finals

2023 National Finals Dates and Locations
Ocean City, MD
July 3 – 7, 2023
Ashore Resort & Beach Club
(Formerly) Ocean City Fontainebleau Resort

Cape Cod, MA
July 11 – 16, 2023
Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis

Atlantic City, NJ
July 18 – 22, 2023
Showboat Hotel Atlantic City

National Deposit
Our online registration system requires a spot reservation and deposit based upon the number of entries your studio will bring to the selected Nationals location.  The number of spots for entries you reserve should be as accurate as possible, because if the location sells out, we may not be able to accommodate routines not included in your original estimate.  The deposit amount paid is automatically deducted from your entry total upon finalization of your registration. 

Studio Owners/Competition Directors please login to your Registration System Studio Account for 2023 National Fee information. 

Entry Acceptance
EDC does not accept independent entries. All dancers must be registered under a Studio. All National Finals entries must have previously qualified at a regional competition or at the Last Chance Prequalification. In order to compete at National Finals, routines must have earned, at minimum, a Gold adjudication. Entries are accepted on a first come, first served basis and must be submitted online by the entry deadline. Entries will not be added to the schedule until the online registration is submitted with full payment.

EDC Award Certificates won at a 2023 Regional Competition will be applied to the entry won for, as they are added to the registration system.

Under no circumstances will refunds be issued for submitted entries. In the event a child is unable to perform due to a documented injury or illness, EDC may issue an award certificate in lieu of a refund to be used at an EDC 2024 Regional competition. The decision to issue an award certificate for unused entry fees is solely at the discretion of the EDC Director.

Prequalifying Competition
EDC will have a Last Chance Prequalifying Competition during National Finals. Any routines that did not previously compete at a 2023 Regional must compete during this prequalification competition. The prequalification competition will be conducted in accordance with our Regional Rules and Regulations.

Schedules
Teacher packets containing detailed schedules will be emailed out approximately 10 days prior to the competition, ONLY if Elite Team fees and Competition fees are paid in full and the Competition Release Form has been received.

Title Competition
Title Competitions (Intermediate and Competitive levels) will be held at all National Finals. A soloist may enter one solo routine for a National Title. Each title entry’s score is based on the performer’s overall performance ability, personality, and entertainment skills, in addition to technique. Note: You do not have to win a 2023 Regional Title to compete for a 2023 National Title. Title solo scores do carry over into the dancers high score age category. For example – a dancer competing for the title of Miss Elite will also be eligible for the overall high score in the Senior Competitive Solo category.

Photogenic and Modeling Competition
Modeling Categories:
Formal Modeling – Party dress or formal gown attire (prom wear). Dress can be short or long. Boys should wear blazer/slacks, suit or tuxedo. Pageant poses and front circle for judges is acceptable. NO RUNWAY MODELING.

Fashion Modeling – Sports or fashion wear is acceptable. Props such as hats, gloves, and jackets are encouraged. No swimsuits allowed.

Photogenic – Contestants must submit a recent 8×10 color or black & white headshot. Photogenic entries must be registered prior to the competition. NO photogenic entries may be added to the competition on the day of the event.

**Recreational, Intermediate, and Competitive are all combined in modeling.

A winner and runner-up will be selected in every age division in every category. If you enter all three categories (formal modeling, fashion modeling, and photogenic) your scores will be combined to determine the Overall Elite Model 2023 at National Finals.

Elite Performance Team
Individual dancers selected at regional competitions by our judges and staff, will have the opportunity to work with different choreographers and dancers from other studios, to learn a group dance routine and perform the routine at various times during one of our National Final as well as at the start of the Elite Challenge on the last day of National Finals. The teams will be divided based upon the dancer’s competition age. Teams are typically divided into Mini (8 & Under), Junior (9 – 12) and Senior (13 & Over). For each Elite Team age group, one $200 cash winner will be selected as well as multiple scholarship winners (typically 10 – 25 scholarships per team depending on size). In addition to the opportunity to win cash prizes and scholarships, Elite Team members also receive exclusive Team Apparel, a trophy and a Registration Number to be worn during rehearsal and Convention Classes. Dancers will need to bring a pair of black shorts (no markings) and nude jazz or lyrical shoes for rehearsal and performances.

Remember: If you are selected for the Elite Performance Team you MUST accept your invitation by the deadline on your certificate!

Applications received without entry fees will not be considered complete. Incomplete applications cannot be processed until payment is received.

Convention Classes
FREE for all competitors!! Convention Classes are taught by EDC judges and faculty in a variety of subjects. Ages for convention classes will be the same as their competition age. Classes will be divided into three age divisions – for example: Mini 8 & Under, Junior (9 – 12) and Senior (13 & Over). Students may choose to take classes in the next level/age division. At the end of each class, scholarships will be awarded to dancers.

Each dancer registered to compete in the competition must check in individually at the registration table to receive their Registration number. Students will not be admitted to the convention ballroom without a Registration number and must wear the Registration number at all times during convention classes. Registration numbers are non-transferable and should not be removed until convention classes have concluded. Students should bring proper dance attire and footwear for class.

Scavenger Hunt
National Scavenger Hunt takes place during over 2 – 3 days with clues for dancers to participate in as a Studio. The Studio who completes the Scavenger Hunt with the most creative and out of the box submissions will receive the Studio Scavenger Hunt Banner.

Rep Your Studio: Team Spirit Award
Create team signs and show your studio pride through the entire National Event. To Rep Your Studio be sure to wear team shirts, hats, signs, pants, jackets, etc. Parents and visitors can also get involved in supporting their studio of choice. Judges and staff will be judging throughout the entire week. Make your studios proud by showing good team spirit. The studio with the Most Team Spirit will receive the Studio Spirit Banner and a $250 pizza party for their studio. Award will be based on level of participation and creativity.

Solo Showcase
The Elite Challenge Solo Showcase takes place on the last day of Nationals. During our National Finals, the Top 3 competitive solos from the following age levels (Mini, Young, Teen and Senior) will move on to the Solo Showcase. Routines will re-compete in the Solo Showcase in front of a new panel of judges. There is no cost to participate in or attend the Solo Showcase. There will be Solo Showcase winner for 12 & Under and one for 13 & Over based upon score. The Solo Showcase winners will win $250 and a trophy.

The Elite Challenge Overview (Formerly the Dance Off)
These Challenges are the finale to the entire week of competition where dancers compete for the Battle of the Best and highest honors. They are broken up by performance levels: Recreational, Intermediate, and Competitive. At the end of each group award ceremony, we will announce which dances have qualified for their respective challenge. Awards will be given at the end of each Challenge.

The Elite Recreational Challenge: The top 2 in the following divisions Small Group, Large Group, Line and Production from the following age groups (Mini, Young, Teen and Senior) will be invited. Studios will be limited to (1) entry per age group within each division. Judges will select TWO Wildcard routines in the Recreational Level to be part of The Elite Recreational Challenge. Routines can be from either the Mini, Young, Teen or Senior level. Wildcard routines will be announced at the last group award ceremony with recreational entries.

Awards & Prizes – Trophies will be awarded to the Top 3 highest scoring routines in the Recreational Challenge. The routine with the Highest Overall Score will be the Winner of the Recreational Challenge and will receive a $500 Scholarship.

The Elite Intermediate Challenge: The top (3) highest scoring routines from the Small Group, Large Group, Line and Production from the following age groups (Mini, Young, Teen and Senior) will be invited. Studios will be limited to (1) entry per age group within each division. If a studio sweeps a category, only their 1^st place routine will be invited in that category. Judges will select TWO Wildcard routines in the Intermediate Level to be part of The Elite Intermediate Challenge. Routines can be from either the Mini, Young, Teen or Senior level. Wildcard routines will be announced at the last group award ceremony with Intermediate entries.

Awards & Prizes – Trophies will be awarded to the Winner and Runner Up in each of the following categories of the Intermediate Challenge:

• 12 & Under Intermediate Challenge Small/Large Group -$500
• 12 & Under Intermediate Challenge Line/Production -$500
• 13 & Over Intermediate Challenge Small/Large Group -$500
• 13 & Over Intermediate Challenge Line/Production – $500

The Elite Competitive Challenge: The top (3) highest scoring routines from the Small Group, Large Group, Line and Production from the following age groups (Mini, Young, Teen and Senior) will be invited. Studios will be limited to (1) entry per age group within each division. If a studio sweeps a category, only their 1^st place routine will be invited in that category. Judges will select TWO Wildcard routines in the Competitive Level to be part of The Elite Competitive Challenge. Routines can be from either the Mini, Young, Teen or Senior level. Wildcard routines will be announced at the last group award ceremony with competitive entries.

Awards & Prizes – Trophies will be awarded to the Winner and Runner Up in each of the following categories of The Elite Competitive Challenge:

• 12 & Under Elite Competitive Challenge Small/Large Group – $1,000
• 12 & Under Elite Competitive Challenge Line/Production – $1,000
• 13 & Over Elite Competitive Challenge Small/Large Group – $1,000
  13 & Over Elite Competitive Challenge Line/Production – $1,000