Rules

Grand Prize Eligibility

Every studio must designate a charity or cause for which they are dancing. Any studio with entry fees of $3,000 or more will automatically earn a $100 donation for their charity from The Power of Dance.
We shook things up mid-year last year and came up, in our opinion, with a much better system that allows more studios to win donations for their charites. Rather than one huge grand prize, we now give a smaller grand prize for Top Overall Studio, but also attach a monetary donation to EVERY overall winner. This amount will vary -- if we have overalls in 40 different categories, and determine that we can give away $5,000 for example, we will have a "Grand Prize" of $1,000, and a $100 prize (to your charity) for each of the 40 overalls. Again, these amounts will vary depending on the total number of entries.
The total entry fees from your studio must exceed $1,000 in order for your charity to be eligible for the Grand Prize from The Power of Dance, and you must have at least 10 GROUP dances in order to have enough to determine the Studio with the highest average score. The Prize Amount of $5000 is based on a full, two-day event. If attendance at the competition warrants only a one-day event, the Total Donations will be calculated on a pro-rated basis. Last year we had several one day events that managed to raise $4,000!
Should your entry fees fall under $1,000 or 10 dances, you have two options. All studios that fall under the minimum will automatically be “combined” into one scoring entity that represents the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital (This designated recipient is subject to change and may rotate.) The scores from all studios in the supergroup will be averaged together as if they all were from one entity. Or, if you wish, you may “partner” with another studio or studios in a similar situation, so that your fees add up to the required minimum. Scores from both (or all) schools will then be averaged together, and all the “partners” may either agree on a charity to represent, or simply dance for St. Jude’s.
Each studio’s designated charity must be recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a not-for-profit organization. Donations may NOT go to an individual. If you’d like to help an individual, such as a child in need of medical care, The Power of Dance may only donate to a foundation or non-profit set up to benefit that individual. Proof of non-profit status may be required. Since the purpose of our event is to help others through our art, organizations whose purpose is to support a dance studio or dance company are not eligible, even though they may have been granted non-profit status. We want the kids helping OTHERS, not themselves. Kind of the whole point.
Calculation of Grand Prize Winner – The Grand Prize winner will determined by averaging the ten highest group scores from each studio. In the event of a tie, we'll add in the eleventh highest scoring piece from each studio, and keep going until the tie is broken. Solos and duo/trios will not be included in the calculations. One reason -- we wil often have our Biggest Award Ceremony, at which we announce the Top Studio, around 5pm on Sunday, possibly BEFORE senior solos have danced. The reason -- we want the younger children to share in the excitement of finding out which charities they have helped, and to hear the message of why the time they just spent was a little more meaningful than they might be used to. And if we make those announcement at the end of a Sunday night, the little ones probably won't be around to hear them!

Entries & Payment

Entries are accepted on a first come/first serve basis, and are limited to performance time available. The Power of Dance reserves the right to add additional competition days or move the competition location if necessary.
Independent entrees will be accepted, and those dancing as independents may have their scores put toward any of the charities being supported at that competition.
All entries must include payment in full. Form of payment must be a SINGLE check, money order, certified check, or cashier’s check. Credit cards are not accepted. (All entries received less than 21 days before the event, MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A CERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER.) Please see our Registration Page for further information.
Registration is now exclusively on line. Please see our registration page for details. You will receive a confirmation of your entries shortly after we receive them. This is the time to check them for accuracy and let us know of any changes. Changes must be requested via e-mail, not verbally. Final schedules, directions and the number assigned to each dance will be sent to you via mail and e-mail one week prior to the competition. Any changes necessary at this time will incur a $10 fee per change, and it may be too late to include the change in the printed program. NO CHANGES WILL BE PERMITTED AT THE COMPETITION.
There will be a service charge of $30.00 for any check returned by a bank for any reason, and all future payments from that individual or studio will have to be in the form of a money order or cashier’s check. If payment has not been received by the competition date, the dancer(s) will not be allowed to perform.
No refunds will be made for any reason. Credits for future competitions will be issued only for medically excused dancers.

Entry Divisions

The Power of Dance will have four Divisions:
Shining Star, All Star, Superstar, Adult
Each Division will have their own Overall Titles and cash prizes, but there must be a minimum of ten entries in a category in order for a cash prize to be awarded. (Ten All Star Solos, ages 9-11, for example.) If there are less than ten but more than three, a gift certificate to a future Power of Dance event will be given. If there are less than three, there will be no prize for that category. (This all refers to cash prizes for the participants. For charitable donation purposes, EVERY overall wins a donation, including those that might be the only dance in their category.)
The Shining Star Division is for dancers who take less than three hours of dance per week. All Star is for those dancing 3-5 hours per week, and Super Star is for those dancing more than five hours per week. Dancers may compete UP in division, but not down. In other words, we do not REQUIRE those dancing less than three hours a week to enter the Shiningn Star Division – it is the studio’s option. But those dancing 4 hours per week may NOT enter as Shining Star. For groups, you should place your piece in the Division that the most experienced of the participants fall into. If there is one Super Star Division Dancer, in other words, he or she makes the whole piece a Siper Star Sntry. We are depending on the honesty of studio directors on division placements. If the judges feel that a piece is obviously placed in the wrong division, they have the right to move it as they see fit.
The Adult Division, we believe, is self-explanatory. The dance CAN be a mixture of parents and students, but if there are any adults in a peice at all, it will be placed in the Adult Bracket.
Each Division will be scored on a differet scale. Shining Star Division dances will receive Three Star, Four Star or Five Star Awards. All Star Division dances will receive Silver, Gold, High Gold, or Platinum Awards. Super Star and Adult dances will receive Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald or Diamond Awards.

Age Groupings

To make it easier for all, we’re going to follow the same age groupings as the Federation of Dance Competitions. With any luck they won’t sue us. Frankly, we fail to see how a 12 year old counts as a teen, but many, many studios have requested that we follow these age groupings since.

Petite: 8 and Under 
Junior: 9-11 years 
Teen: 12-14 years 
Senior: 15-19 years 
Adult: 20+ (Adult Category-see note below)

Age Cut Off: For both Regionals and Nationals, please place all dancers by their age as of January 1, 2010. (If there are substitutions or additions or deletions for Nationals, please recalculate the average age to determine proper age placement.) For group dances, average their ages and then drop any numbers to the right of the decimal point.

Adult Category: Any performer 20 years or older dancing in any solo, duet/trio or group is considered to be in the Adult division.

Bump Rule: Duet/Trios or Groups including dancers of different age divisions will compete no more than one age division younger than the oldest dancer, regardless of average age. For example: if a group includes a dancer age 16 (senior) and the average age is 11 (junior), the dance competes one level below senior, which would be Teen.

If a question should arise concerning the age of a contestant, a birth certificate must be provided at the competition as proof of age. All protests must be presented in writing within 30 minutes of the incident to the competition director.

Performance Categories

Acrobatic – Should incorporate dance, floor gymnastic moves and acrobatic stunts. No gymnastics equipment is allowed

Ballet – A dance consisting of classical steps and ballet technique.

Character – A dance in which an easily recognizable character is portrayed throughout. You may incorporate any form of dance, including acrobatics tricks, but not more than 50% of the dance may be acrobatics.

Clogging – A dance performed in clogging shoes using clogging technique.

Contemporary – Lyrical or jazz movement infused with elements of modern.

Hip Hop - A dance which consists of the latest “street” dance styles, including funk, break, popping or any other terms they have made up bythe time you read this!

Jazz – A dance consisting of classical jazz technique.

Lyrical – A dance that is interpretive in nature and features contemporary lyrical styles demonstrating balance, extension, isolations, and control.

Modern – A dance consisting of modern technique such as Graham, Horton or Limon.

Musical Theater - A piece featuring any style of dance interpreting a song from a “Broadway” or movie musical.

Open - This category is for any routine which falls into any of our performance categories, or any combination thereof, or any style of dance.
Pointe – A dance consisting of classical ballet technique wearing pointe shoes.

Pom Pon – Pom Pons must be used for at least 50% of the piece.

Tap – A dance comprised of tap technique. Tap shoes a must, and no tap sounds are allowed on the performance CD

Vocal - Routine may be any type of vocal presentation. Accompaniment must be on tape. No lead vocals permitted on tape, backup voices only will be permitted.

Prizes & Awards

Your routine must be completed to be eligible for overall awards, and you MUST perform within your award session.

Cash prizes are awarded to the Dance Studio.

Prizes & Award Amounts for Regionals:

Solo - $75 for 8 & Under, 9-11 12-14 & 15-19
Duet/Trio - $85 8 & Under, 9-11 12-14 & 15-19
Small Group - $100 for 8 & Under, 9-11 12-14 & 15-19
Large Group - $150 for 8 & Under, 9-11 12-14 & 15-19
Production - $200 for 8 & Under, 9-11 12-14 & 15-19

In addition, we will announce overall second through 10th place winners in each category and age division. Dancers in these pieces will receive a ribbon indicating placement.

There will also be special judges awards and choreography awards.

We will present a “Power of Dance Award” trophy to the Most Entertaining Dance of the weekend.

We will present a “Heart of Dance Award” trophy to the Most Moving Dance of the weekend.

We will present the “Spirit of Dance” Award to that studio displaying the best sportsmanship, attitude and respect for the art of dance and all those who practice it. The winning studio earns an extra donation of $100 for their charity.

In addition, we have just added our "Light Your World" Award. We've had several studios tell us that their dancers were inspired by The Power of Dance to go out into their communitites and do more good works. We ask each studio that so chooses to nominate a student, group of students, or their entre studio for this award. Tell us how your dancer are making a difference in the world, and let us honor them for embracing what is really important in life.

Scoring

The manner and method of judging will be solely within the discretion of the judging panel. Score sheets will be available after awards and will be given only to the teacher/studio owner. Each routine will receive a taped critique from each judge. We are currently looking into using DVD critiques instead. Please check back.

Awards are based on placement within your category and age group.

Deductions

5 point deduction: for every 15 seconds (or part thereof) overtime limit
5 point deduction: for not being ready when your number is called
10 point deduction: for violation of rule regarding tricks. (See Below)
20 point deduction: if tap sounds are on tape in tap category
20 point deduction: if lead vocals are on tape in vocal category
20 point deduction: for coaching from backstage or audience
25 point deduction: for inappropriate lyrics - no profanity or racial slurs

Possible Disqualifications

Videotaping – See “General Rule” #2 below.
Un-sportsmanlike behavior – See “General Rule” #5 below.
Inappropriate Dance, Music or Costume – See “General Rule” #6
below.
“Run-offs” or incomplete routines will be allowed a second attempt, but this will be for adjudication only and the routine will not be eligible for High Score Awards.
Challenges – Any studio wishing to challenge a dance based on length, possible participation of teachers or professionals, or any other rule violation must bring their complaint to the Event Director within 30minutes of the end of the dance in question.
TRICKS
A “trick” shall be defined as any movement that involves both feet passing over the head: cartwheel, aerial, back handspring, back tuck, etc,,,
No Tricks are Allowed in, Ballet, Pointe, Vocal.
Two Tricks Allowed: Tap, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical and Contemporary.
Tricks Allowed: Acrobatic, Open, Hip-Hop, and Character.

Each trick is counted separately, so a pass is counted as separate tricks. If your whole group is doing an acrobatic trick in unison, it will be counted as one trick.

General Rules

Smoking is prohibited at all events sponsored by The Power of Dance. Also, food & drink is forbidden in all auditoriums and theatres. We are guests at each location, after all. Studio Owners, please make your families aware of this rule, as well as those below.
Video taping, movie cameras, cameras and cell phones are forbidden in the performance area and dressing rooms! If any cameras or video equipment are seen in use in the competition auditorium, the dance will be stopped and The Power of Dance reserves the right to erase the contents of the media being used and remove the person involved from the auditorium. Repeat offenses may result in studio disqualification. Our wish is to protect not only the work of the choreographers, but, first and foremost, our children. After all, we have no way of knowing if the person filming is someone who SHOULD be filming that dancer or is in fact a complete stranger. And since cameras and cell phones can now be used to film, they must be banned as well. STUDIO OWNERS – You must make all of your parents aware of this rule.
By entering this competition, all dancers give their permission to The Power of Dance to use their photographs or video in connection with advertising, promotions or news coverage of our competitions without further authorization or compensation. We will not identify any dancer by name without written permission from that dancer’s parent or guardian. All dancers should be advised by their Studio Owners that the event may be videotaped. Those not wishing to be to be videotaped have the option of not performing, but there will be no refunds.
Freestanding props are permitted, but live animals, fire, pyrotechnics of any kind, swords, knives, and guns are all forbidden. Use of any may result in the disqualification of that dance. No fog machines or extra lighting or sound equipment will be allowed either.
Sportsmanlike behavior is expected at all times. Failure to display proper decorum by any student, parent or teacher, either in the auditorium, dressing room, or any other location, could result in immediate disqualification and dismissal from the premises with no refunds issued.
The Power of Dance strives to be a family-oriented competition, and any dance that is overtly sexual or lewd in nature, promotes violence or bigotry, or includes inappropriately revealing costumes may be scored down at the discretion of the judges.
Each contestant must furnish his/her own music on ipod or CD, cued and ready to start. Music must be properly labeled with title of song, studio, and the dance’s designated number. A backup is recommended. Some downloaded CDs occasionally fail to play on certain sound systems. All CDs must be given to the sound engineer BEFORE the start of the session in which the dance is scheduled.
Any questions regarding routines should be brought to the attention of the show director by teacher or studio director only.
No one will be allowed to perform out of order except when there is a costume change issue, which must be verified by the director or stage manager. We attempt to schedule at least 10 minutes between each performers dances for costume changes. Performers must be ready to perform when their number is called. Please be prepared to perform one hour before your scheduled time in the event that we run ahead of schedule. If performers are not backstage when their dance is called, and the stage manager has not been notified a warning will be issued. Repeat offenses will result in disqualification of dances. This rule is not aimed at forcing quick costume changes -- it is aimed at studios that choose to have their dancers rehearsing in the hallways when they are supposed to be on stage!
The Power of Dance and the hosting facility are not responsible for personal injury or loss.