All entries must be submitted no later than 30 days before the competition date! After 30 days there will be a $5.00 late penalty for each entry. Entries are taken on a first come first served basis, therefore, register as soon as possible in order to secure a spot. No entries will be accepted by phone or fax. All must be entered online or by mail. Entries will only be processed if fully completed and accompanied by full payment. All checks or money orders should be made out to:

Turn it Up Dance Challenge
P.O Box 366
South Boston, MA 02127

If paying by check, only one check per studio please! No checks will be accepted from individual parents or guardians. An email will be sent to each studio approximately one and a half weeks before competition containing all necessary details. ABSOLUTELY NO REFUNDS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

Categories

Ballet

Classical ballet style and technique with the use of ballet slippers.

Pointe

Classical ballet style and techniques with the use of Pointe shoes.

Tap

Creating syncopated rhythms with the use of tap shoes.

Jazz

Classical jazz style and techniques.

Hip-Hop/Funk

Street dance with isolated movements to contemporary music.

Lyrical

Movements should interpret the lyrics of the music.

Song and Dance

Must have both singing and dancing. No lip syncing.

Vocal

Majority of singing with minimal dancing. *Ineligible for high scores*

Musical Theatre

Any style of dance interpreting a song from broadway, movie, or musical.

Contemporary

Inventive movements incorporating different styles with classical foundation. ~NEW!!

Character

Potraying any easily recognized character such as a doll or a clown etc.

Modern

Emphasis on the elements of movement such as centering, posture, spacial awareness, and imagery.

Open

Any category not pertaining to the above categories, (a maximum of 3 acrobatic tricks may be done in this category).

Acro

Any routine containing a combination of tumbling movements and passes incorporated with dance movementes.

Formal Modeling

Does not include dance. Contestants wear formal attire. Must excecute runway "T" formation.

Sportswear Modeling

Does not include dance. Contestants should wear fashon attire. Must execute runway "T" formation.

Swimwear Modeling

Does not include dance. Contestants should wear age appropriate swimwear. Must execute runway "T" formation.

Photogenic

Contestants must submit a recent 5x7 or 8x10 colored or black and white photo. Photos will be displayed during the competition. Unfortunately, photos will not be returned.

A maximum of 4 acrobatic tricks may be done in any category except acro and open. For example, a pass of round off backhandspring, back tuck is 3 acrobatic tricks. Any routine that does not follow this rule will recieve a 5 point deduction.

Novice	3 years or less of formal dance training.
Intermediate	4-6 years of formal dance training.
Advanced	6 or more years of formal dance training.
Pro - Amateur	A teacher performing alone or with students. (There must be 50% or more teachers in a routine to be considered Pro-AM)

Please note, we leave level placement up to the studio directors. However, we take level placement most seriously and if our judges feel a dance is obviously placed in an innapropriate level they will have the right to move that dance to what they feel would be an appropriate level.

Mini	8 year & under
Junior	9-12 years
Teen	13-15 years
Senior Teen	16-18 years
Adult	19-30 years
Adult+	30+ years

Ages will be recorded based on the first day of competition. Age categories for all entries will be determined by taking the average age of all participants in that entry dropping the decimal point. If age is questioned during competition proper IDENTIFICATION WILL BE REQUIRED.

Solo	3min 50sec
Duo/Trio	3min 50sec
Small Groups	3min 50sec
Large Groups	3min 50sec
Line	3min 50sec
Production	6min 50sec
Extended (Excludes Solos/Duos/Trios)	7min 50sec - New!

One point will be deducted for every 5 Seconds over time limit. Timing will begin when music starts (if no music, once dancers take first step) and will stop when last performer is off the stage. This does not include prop removal.

Each studio is required to bring their own music in the form of a CD. Each CD must contain only ONE song that is properly labeled with the STUDIO NAME AND ROUTINE NAME ONLY. Please write directly on your CD. Do not place any adhesive labels. Labels can cause CD's to skip. Turn It Up Dance Challenge recommends that each entry have at least one backup CD. If music fails to work on the first try it is the responsibility of the studio to bring the backup CD. That entry may be put on hold until music is found. Music may be picked whenever that routine is finished for the day. Turn it Up is not responsible for music that is not picked up after an event.

Each entry will be judged by a highly qualified panel of judges. All judges decisions will be final. Contacting or speaking to judges is strictly prohibited at all times in order to give a fair chance to all participants. Performances will be judged on the following criteria:

Technique	30
Stage Presence	20
Difficulty	10
Execution	20
Choreography	20
TOTAL	100 Points

DEDUCTIONS:

Acro- Any routine that has more than 4 acrobatic tricks in any category except acro and open will recieve a 5 point deduction.

Time- 1 point will be deducted for every 5 seconds over time limit.

Appropriateness-ROUTINES MUST BE APPROPRIATE FOR FAMILY VIEWING: Any routine that a judge feels is not apropriate will receive a minimum of a 5 point deduction or may be stopped and disqualified. This includes proper music, choreography, costume.

Props- Props must be moved on and off dance floor in a timely manner. If a judge feels that the removal of a prop takes too long points may be deducted. No dangerous props alowed. Dangerous props include but are not limited to knives, swords, anything thrown directly at the judges table that may be harmful, anything that could alter the surface of the dance floor, any prop that is plugged in. Any routine that uses a dangerous prop will receive a max of a 10 POINT deduction or may be disqualified.

Schedule- One and a half weeks before competition, directors will receive a Final Email including a performance schedule. When directors receive the schedule it is their responsibility to inform Turn It Up Dance Challenge of any necessary changes. Also, at this time, anything left as a TBA MUST be corrected in an email to our office. This must be done by the deadline given. No changes may be made to the schedule during the weekend of competition. A 1 point deduction will be given for anything left as TBA.

Costumes-5 Points will be deducted for any routine that has a costume displaying a studio logo or studio name.

Number of Dancers-5 points will be deducted if a routine contains more dancers than the amount listed on the entry form.

Platinum	Total Score of 275-300
High Gold	Total Score of 255-274
Gold	Total Score of 235-254
Silver	Total Score of 200-234
Bronze	Total Score of less than 200

Platinum	Total Score of 255-300
High Gold	Total Score of 235-254
Gold	Total Score of 200-243
Silver	Total Score of 175-199
Bronze	Total Score of less than 175

Novice dancers must attain slightly different scores to receive an award. This scoring method will assist Novice dancers in gaining more confidence on the competitive stage. However, to ensure that high scores are given in a fair manner all high scores are given based on score number. For example, if an intermediate routine receives a score of 256 their adjudicated score is a High Gold. At the same time if a novice dancer receives a 255 their adjudicated score is a Platinum. When it comes time for high scores, the intermediate routine would win over the novice routine.

Contestants are not allowed to compete against themselves in solos, duets, and trios. Students of judges may not compete in the city where judges are scoring.

One and a half weeks before competition, directors will receive a Final Email including a performance schedule. When directors receive the schedule it is their responsibility to inform Turn It Up Dance Challenge of any necessary changes. Also, at this time, anything left as a TBA MUST be corrected in an email to our office. This must be done by the deadline given. No changes may be made to the schedule during the weekend of competition. A 1 point deduction will be given for anything left as TBA.

Props must be moved on and off dance floor in a timely manner. If a judge feels that the removal of a prop takes too long points may be deducted. No dangerous props alowed. Dangerous props include but are not limited to knives, swords, anything thrown directly at the judges table that may be harmful, anything that could alter the surface of the dance floor, any prop that is plugged in. Any routine that uses a dangerous prop will receive a max of a 10 POINT deduction or may be disqualified.

ROUTINES MUST BE APPROPRIATE FOR FAMILY VIEWING! This includes proper choreography, music, and costume. Any routine that a judge feels is not appropriate will receive a 5.0 overall point deduction or possibly be stopped and disqualified depending on judges discretion.

Deductions will be made for any routine that has a costume displaying a studio logo or studio name. Also, if a routine contains more dancers than the amount listed on the entry form there will be a deduction.

Turn it Up Dance Challenge is not responsible for any lost or stolen items during any competition. Therefore, please take extra precaution.

All participants are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship and treat students with respect. Also, participants are expected to be respectful of dressing rooms making sure to leave it the way you found it upon arrival. When in the audience, please stay seated and keep talking to a minimum during all performances. We look forward to having a great competition!