Sportsmanship Expectations:

 

It is expected that all competitors register and compete at the level that allows for fair competition between all dancers. This means that even if you are technically eligible for Bronze, for example, but you know/feel you are at a higher skill level, we expect you to honor good sportsmanship practices and register for the higher level. We want our competition to be fair and fun for everyone, so please keep this in mind.

 

It is also expected that all competitors remain a sense of decorum. Cheering and encouragement are more than welcome, but disrespectful behaviors are not. Again, we want all competitors to feel like the event was fair and fun.

 

Level Eligibility:
 

Newcomer: Dancers must not have started dancing prior to the Spring 2024 school semester (defined as January 1st, 2024 for non-collegiate competitors).
 

Bronze: Dancers must not have started competing prior to the Fall 2022 school semester (defined as September 1, 2022 for non-collegiate competitors).
 

Silver & Gold: Eligibility is determined by YCN points. There are no time restrictions for these levels.
 

Open: Anybody may compete at the Open level.

Mixed proficiency couples must dance at the level of the higher competitor with exception of TBA rules (i.e. leader is bronze, follower is silver, the partnership must dance silver).  

A dancer may dance up for an event that is not offered at their level.

A dancer may span different levels in different styles, given the following restrictions are followed:

• A dancer dancing Newcomer may only dance Newcomer with exception of Syllabus dances.

• A dancer dancing Bronze may also dance Silver, but not Gold or Open.

 

Double registration is not allowed as part of early or regular registration. However, on the day of registration double registrations exemptions will be granted to partnerless TBA dancers given that the following conditions are met:

• There are no other TBA partners available at their given level in the necessary role.

• No dancer is dancing down in their normal competitive role. For example, a student who typically dances as a Silver follower may dance as a Bronze leader provided she has not placed out of Bronze as a leader. A student who typically dances as a Gold follower may not dance as a Bronze leader.

Syllabus and Costume Rules

 

*HEEL COVERS ARE REQUIRED*

 

Costumes are allowed at all levels except Newcomer. A costume is defined as an article of clothing that was produced specifically as competition dancewear. Plain practice skirts do not count as costumes, and are permitted. 

Syllabus competitors are restricted to ISTD Syllabus for International styles, and DVIDA and NDCA Syllabi for American Styles.
Open level competitors have no step restrictions. Open choreography is allowed. Lifts and aerials are not permitted.

Violations
Violations may be reported to the competition coordinator at umbdtcompcoordinator@gmail.com or to the judges' table at competition. Couples in violation of the rules will be disqualified. If you have any questions about your eligibility please contact the competition organizers in advance.