COMPETITION RULES

AGE CATEGORIES

The age of the dancer is determined as of January 1st 2026. Apex Dance LTD reserves the right to ask dancers for a copy of identification if age is in question. If a dancer fails to provide adequate identification we reserve the right to disqualify the dancer or move them to the appropriate age category. 

 

Mini ages 5-7 

Junior ages 8-12

Teen ages 13-16

Senior ages 17+ 

 

Overall High Score age divisions for online competition 

12 and under 

13 and over 

 

STYLES DIVISIONS

Styles to compete under for Apex Dance Awards online Competition:

 

◦ Acro/Gymnastics – A fusion of dance technique and acrobatic elements, showcasing tumbling skills, seamless transitions, strength, balance, and flexibility.

 

◦ Ballet – A classical dance form focused on grace, precision, and strong technique, highlighting clean lines, turnout, control, and traditional movement vocabulary; ballet shoes required (pointe shoes not permitted).

 

◦ Ballroom – A style rooted in social and competitive dance traditions, emphasizing rhythm, smooth movement, and refined footwork; ballroom shoes required.

 

◦ Contemporary – A blend of various dance techniques, emphasizing fluidity, creativity, innovative movement, and emotional expression.

 

◦ Folkloric – Traditional dances that celebrate cultural heritage and regional styles (e.g., Polka, Hawaiian, Irish Step, Flamenco, Chinese Classical, Belly Dance, etc.).

 

◦ Freestyle Disco – A fast-paced, high-energy style popular in England, featuring sharp footwork, spins, kicks, and dynamic performance to upbeat music.

 

◦ Hip Hop – Originating from street culture, this style includes a wide range of movements such as popping, locking, and groove-based choreography driven by rhythm and musicality.

 

◦ Jazz – A high-energy style combining sharp, rhythmic movements with smooth transitions, featuring technical skills such as isolations, leaps, turns, and kicks.

◦ Lyrical – A combination of ballet and jazz techniques that focuses on emotional storytelling through expressive, flowing movement.

 

◦ Modern – A creative and expressive style built on movement concepts, composition, and structured choreographic ideas.

 

◦ Musical Theater – A performance-based style that blends acting, dancing, and singing to tell a story, often portraying specific characters and emotions.

 

◦ Open – A flexible category allowing a mix of styles and techniques, encouraging creativity and individuality

 

◦ Pointe – An advanced ballet style performed in pointe shoes, requiring exceptional strength, control, and technical precision

 

◦ Song & Dance – A performance style combining live singing and choreographed movement, with performers dancing while vocally delivering lyrics (no lip-syncing).

 

◦ Tap – Performed in tap shoes, this style focuses on rhythm, timing, and coordination through percussive footwork.

 

Each dancer may enter one solo in each style category. Dancers may not compete more than 1 solo in each style for our online competition. 

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SCORING

Adjudiction: Each routine is awarded a score that will be sent to each dancer once the competition is closed and all routines have been adjudicated. Each judge has 100 points to allocate.

Judges' decisions are final. 

Each soloist will be judged by 3 members of our judging panel who are best equipped to judge that category. First place winners in each style division will be judged by our full panel to decide on the overall winner. 

 

0-50 points poor technical execution. 

 

51-65 points adequate technical execution. 

 

66-80 points good technical execution. 

 

81-90 points very good technical execution. 

 

91-95 points excellent technical execution. 

96-100 points excellent precision and use of technique to enhance dance choreography and movement.

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