An average of the scores indicates the award presented. Dancers in all classifications (recreational, competitive, pro-am, professional) will receive a trophy based on the score received. At regional competitions, judges verbally critique each routine on technique and presentation, and also offer comments on a variety of subjects that may not pertain to the scoring (costuming, grooming, etc.) in order to help the students and teachers. With the exception of the Preliminary competition, routines will not be critiqued at the National Championships. THE DECISION OF THE JUDGES IS FINAL.

AGE DIVISIONS

Overall Cash Awards presented in four overall age divisions!!

Children: 9 and under Junior: 10-12 Teen: 13-15 Senior: 16 and over

NEW! Placement of dancers should be based on their age as of July 3^rd 2009.

Dancers will compete by individual ages (6&under, 7, 8, 9, etc). Overalls will be presented based on the groupings above. Age category for placement of duos/trios, groups, lines and classes is determined by the average age of the contestants. The average age for duos/trios, groups, lines and classes is determined by adding all the ages of the competitors and dividing by the number of competitors in the group. Decimal points should be dropped. Birth certificates should be available to verify age should a challenge or question arise.

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPETITORS

1. Recreational – Students who take 3 hours or less of dance per week. Dancers in this classification will be judged on a more lenient scale and receive trophies based on placement. Recreational dancers are not eligible for overall cash awards or regional titles and will be recognized in separate overalls. It is NOT mandatory for recreational dancers to enter into the recreational division. They may enter as competitive level dancers in order to be considered for overall cash awards or regional titles. If a student is entered in the recreational division they must compete in only the recreational division for the entire competition. (Dancers may not compete in recreational in one routine and then competitive in another routine.) If dancers enter Recreational in regional they must remain recreational at Nationals.

2. Competitive - Dancers who take 4 hours or more of dance per week.

3. Pro-Am - A combination of amateur and professional dancers performing together. The Pro-Am division is not eligible for overall cash awards.

4. Professional - Teachers, full-time assistants, salaried assistants, professional dancers. Full-time students or students who teach or assist in exchange for lessons are not considered professionals. Professionals are not eligible for overall cash awards.

CATEGORIES AND DESCRIPTIONS

Acro: A combination of tumbling movements and passes incorporated with dance movements.

Ballet: Classical ballet style using ballet shoes

Pointe: Classical ballet technique wearing pointe shoes

Character: Portraying an easily recognized character such as clown, scarecrow, Betty Boop, etc.

Clogging: Routine should show clogging (or buck) technique using full foot

Contemporary: inventive movements incorporating different styles with classical foundation

NEW! Dance Crew – the highest scoring crews will battle in a separate competition

Ethnic: A routine using ethnic style dance (ie: flamenco, Irish jig, Hawaiian, etc.)

Hip Hop: Street, funk dance, break and electric boogie

Jazz: Classical jazz movements and technique

Lyrical: Dancers’ movements should interpret the words and feelings of the song

Modern: Theatrical dance not as restrictive as classical ballet; stylized, abstract movements

Musical Theater: Use of Broadway or movie musical song portraying the feeling of the lyrics through dance or character

Open: Combines two or more forms of dance or a second routine with 50% of the same dancers

Pom Pon: The use of Pom poms where dancers show patterns and uniform movements

NEW! Showdance: a concept, story or theme. Can be any dance form or combination of dance forms (no tap)

Song and Dance: Routine must consist of at least 50% dance

Tap: No pre-recorded tap sounds allowed on the tape

Twirling: Dancers incorporate batons into routine

Vocal: No background vocals allowed. Should show pitch, range, etc. Songs should be age-appropriate.

Acrobatic tricks in routines: Ballet, pointe, and lyrical may not have any gymnastic/acrobatic tricks. Jazz and tap routines may have a maximum of two acro tricks. All other categories may have unlimited acro tricks. A pass into an acro trick (i.e.: round off back handspring) qualifies as one acro movement. Lifts, illusions and shoulder rolls are not considered an acro trick. Acrobatic tricks are defined as movements learned in an acrobatic class such as cartwheel, forward roll, etc.

TIME LIMITS

Routines are randomly timed at all events. If a routine is overtime, the teacher will be notified. At Nationals, a total of five points will automatically be deducted for every 10 seconds overtime.

Solos, Duos, Trios, Groups, Lines, Classes....................................up to 3 minutes

Extended: .................................................................................up to 4 minutes

Extended limited to Groups (4-9 dancers), lines (10-16 dancers) and classes (17 or more dancers)

Mini-Production..........................................................................up to 6 minutes

Production:…………………............................................................up to 8 minutes

Mini-Production and Production routines limited to Lines (10-16 dancers) and Classes (17 or more dancers)

TITLE DIVISION

All title entries must be of competitive status.

Petite Miss/Master Headliner.....ages 7-9     

Junior Miss/Junior Mister Headliner………ages 10-12

Teen Miss/Teen Mister Headliner.....ages 13-15     

Miss/Mister Headliner………ages 16-21

Two regional title winners will be selected at each event! Soloists may choose to compete for regional titles by checking off the appropriate box on the entry form. In addition, there will be a judge’s choice selection in each of the age divisions. A gold level score must be achieved to be considered. All regional title winners are expected to compete in the National Title Championships. No dancer will be eligible for more then one place in the title division; highest score will prevail. Dancers may hold only one title per season. National Title winners from previous seasons may not compete for the same title they held, but may compete for older titles once they meet the age requirement.

ENTRY FORMS AND FEES

Click here to view regional entry form and entry fees

Headliners encourages the use of the online entry system. All entries must be submitted 30 days prior to the first day of competition. Payment for entries submitted online can be made online with a credit card (addtl fee applies) or by sending a studio check to arrive no later then 21 days prior to the first day of competition. Entries sent via US mail must have entry fees enclosed or late fees apply. Entries submitted after the deadline will be accepted only if time allows and only if received prior to the time schedule being sent. All late entries are subject to a $5 late fee per entry

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