BALLET Classical Ballet / Ballet Repertoire is the most formal of the ballet styles; it adheres to traditional ballet technique. There are variations relating to area of origin, such as Russian ballet, French ballet, British ballet and Italian ballet. Classical ballet is best known for its unique features and techniques, such as pointe work, turnout of the legs, and high extensions; its graceful, flowing, precise movements; and its ethereal qualities. This discipline must be performed using the Classical Ballet Technique and style and may be performed in soft ballet slippers or Pointe shoes. Although choreography may be of a modern nature, it may not deviate from what is commonly known as Classical Ballet. Lyric, Modern and Modern Jazz pieces may not be performed in this discipline. Lifts are permitted and encouraged. Any lifts used must remain in the Classical Ballet tradition, and may include drop-falls, supported turns and jumps resulting in catches. However, all dances are in a constant evolution and growth, so experimental and original choreography is encouraged. Stage props are allowed.
BALLET any style ( not repertoire or Neo classical ) Neoclassical ballet is a style of ballet that eschews the elaborate sets and costumes of classical and romantic ballet in favor of more minimalistic aesthetics, enabling the viewer to focus instead on the dancers’ expressive, fast-paced movements. Neoclassical, meaning the revival of a classical style, changed and adapted the original art form of ballet which lead to its own unique and brilliant style. It can be performed on pointe, barefoot or soft shoes.
FOLK / ETHNIC / CHARACTER A routine using ethnic style of dance, such as Spanish, Hawaiian, polkas, gumboots, belly dance, etc. Folk dances are dances that are developed by people that reflect the life of the people of a certai n country or region. Original choreography is allowed but not necessary. The folkloric dance tradition must be preserved. The costumes and music must reflect the tradition of the country of origin. Character Dance pertains to dances portraying characters from traditional Ballets, Opera, Broadway style Musical Theatre, TV or Video. The range of characters is very broad and may include: The Wolf from Peter and the Wolf, Little Red Riding Hood, a Bird, Dog, Cat, Flower, Butterfly, Animal, Sailor, Nurse, Religious Preacher, Pauper, Prince or Shirley Temple. Costuming, music and dance movements must be appropriate to the character being presented. Acrobatic movements are allowed but should only be used to enhance the routine. Gymnastic lines are not allowed (multiple gymnastic moves, going from corner to corner). Lifts are permitted (except for Mini Kids). Stage props are allowed and encouraged.
ACRO DANCE: A routine showing controlled acrobatic moves such as walkovers, limbers, handstands, chest rolls, etc. It may also contain gymnastic passes. All acrobatic elements should be linked with dance steps. A clear dance choreography must be present throughout the whole routine. Acrobatics and gymnastics should only be used if they are properly integrated and do not dominate the routine Acrobatic Dance may contain flexibility moves or contortionist moves while it must contain dance moves, steps and choreography. Acrobatics are defined as typically gymnastic and not dancing elements (salt, flick-flack), jumps and lifts are not included in this definition.
MODERN Modern dance is an artistic form with many styles that has undergone development over a relatively long period of time. Modern dance is a more relaxed, free style of dance in which choreographer’s uses emotions and moods to design their own steps, in contrast to ballet’s structured code ofsteps. It has a deliberate use of gravity, whereas ballet strives to be light and airy. This particular dance discipline concerns using modern dancing techniques that were created for the most part during the first half of the 20th century by renowned dance teachers and choreographers, /e.g. Martha Graham, José Limon, Alvin Ailey, Merce Cunningham, Lester Horton, Kurt Jooss, Mary Wigman, Hanya Holm and others. Acrobatic movements are allowed but should only be used to enhance the routine. Gymnastic lines are not allowed (multiple gymnastic moves, going from corner to corner). Lifts are permitted (except for Mini Kids). Stage props are allowed.
CONTEMPORARY Contemporary dance brings new information about body and how the body works, offers new quality of movement, new shapes of body in area, brings new composition process and space for experiment. It can be performed barefoot, en pointe or in socks on stage. It may or may not be performed to music, sounds or nothing at all except the counts or breath of the dancers. This category will also include the new commercial American contemporary styles, as seen in works by Mia Michaels, Sonya Tayeh and Erica Sobol. Acrobatic movements are allowed but should only be used to enhance the routine. Gymnastic lines are not allowed (multiple gymnastic moves, going from corner to corner). Lifts are permitted (except for Mini Kids). Stage props are allowed.
LYRICAL DANCE Routine should demonstrate balance, extension, isolations and control utilizing the lyrics or mood of the music. Lyrical dance exists only in competition dance and in dance studios. It is a literal representation of the music using a combination of ballet and jazz with a little bit of modern thrown in for good measure. It is usually performed in foot undies and tends to be romantic and emotional in approach. Music with vocals and lyrics is preferred but not a rule. Acrobatic movements are allowed but should only be used to enhance the routine (not over two ). Gymnastic lines are not allowed (multiple gymnastic moves, going from corner to corner). Lifts are permitted (except for Mini Kids). Stage props are allowed.
JAZZ DANCE Jazz is a very diverse art form derived from ballet and other dance techniques, contains dance elements that are more free and less rigorous. The emphasis is on dance expressiveness and dance. The whole point must be stylishly recognizable by jazz technique, such as turns, jumps, insulation, stretches… and without acrobatics.
MUSICAL THEATRE Routine utilizing a Broadway or Movie Musical Song incorporating dance, characters, and/or costumes. No live singing, music is taken from a musical, a dance film, or a music-film, the musical character must be recognizable. All styles are permitted including both classical and contemporary musicals.
OPEN A choreography combined of more dance disciplines mentioned above. Emphasis should be placed on originality when combining different dance styles and techniques. Clear and pure dance technique.
SHOW DANCE Show Dance in the broadest sense is based either on any Jazz/Lyrical, Ballet and/or Modern and Contemporary dance technique. Other dance disciplines can also be incorporated but cannot dominate. Ballroom, Latin or Rock ’n’ Roll are excluded and cannot be performed. Show Dance allows the use of lifts (except for Mini Kids), acrobatics, props, lip-sync and other theatrical effects. A Show Dance number always must have a guideline, story or visible concept to entertain the audience. Musicality, variety of dance and patterns, originality, total performance and individual choreography will be evaluated. All Show Dance presentations shall be based on a concept, story, theme or idea. There must be a title of the Show. The concept, story, theme or idea must be fully understandable and will be expressed by means of dance movements that adhere to the piece being presented, along with being creative, imaginative and original. Stage props are permitted. Acrobatic Movements are permitted.
LATIN SHOW Many international Latin American dance style performances to Latin music such as Samba, Cha Cha, Rumba, Paso Doble, Jive or any other type of Latin-inspired music of the competitor’s choice. Costumes may be Carnival, African, Futuristic, Street, Caribbean. Exhibitions may be in any one form, or a combination of two or more different styles, and may include theatrical movements. Musicality, variety of dance and patterns, originality, total performance and individual choreography will be evaluated. It is very important to present harmony of idea, music, dance, choreography, costume and props in the presentation, as the entire image will be used in evaluating Latin Show Team performances. Lifts are permitted (except for Mini Kids)
POM POM Routine demonstrating precision marching and sharp, definitive choreography. Must use pom pons for at least 75% of routine. Acrobatic elements and lifts (except for Mini Kids) are allowed. Stage props are allowed.
MAJORETTE Coming to the competition floor is performed without music accompaniment. It should be short, quick and simple – it serves only for taking up the starting position for performance. After entering the competition floor, competitor must salute the judges and take a start position. The choreographic composition must include majorette step. Different kind of dance steps can be included if they correspond with the character of music. Lifts and acrobatics are not permitted. One baton per competitor is allowed. Other props are not allowed. The competitor must finish the choreography by holding the baton or be in contact with it some part of the body.
DISCO DANCE Allowable Figures and Movements: Slides, leaps, jumps, kicks, spins and pirouettes. Floor figures such as splits, back and bump spins are allowed but should be kept to a minimum. Long running jumps moving across the floor must not exceed four steps at a time. Musicality, dance variety and originality, synchronization, together with well-done and well performed, stage and individual choreography, will be highly evaluated. It is very important to present harmony of idea, music, dance and costume. Disco Dance Solo: In first round all competitor in the category dance together on the stage (6 max) to organizer's music for 1 minute. In the round two, each competitor dances alone for 1 minute.
MTV COMMERCIAL A fusion of different dance styles with newly created choreographies inspired by the MTV’s impact, variety shows and popular singers, party dances or club dances (popular or trendy dances). It is a commercial style of Jazz, a fusion of Jazz, Funk, Hip Hop or other styles, which are performed both live and in video clips alike. The accent is on presentation, style, expression, and performance.
