Rules

All entries must be entered online by deadline date and be accompanied by studio payment (all major credit cards are accepted). Entry fees are non-refundable. 

**Deadline date is 35 days prior to the start date of the competition you are attending. Entry fees are non-refundable. There is a $25 late fee for each late entry entered after the deadline date.

* Any entry added less than 5 days prior to the competition start date will be charged a $50 late fee for each late entry. An entry added less than 5 days prior to the competition start date may not be eligible to win the Overall High Score Award and prize money. However, the late entry will qualify to win the Standard High Point award at each age level entered.

If a solo or duo/trio (D/T) wins first place with a specific routine at Nationals in a previous year, it may not compete that specific routine again at a Regional competition the following year with the same dancers. In Regional competitions, a routine winning the Overall High Score at a regional event will not be eligible for Overall High Score again in a Regional event in the same season.

Dancers entering more than one solo or D/Ts will have only their highest score awarded during the top five High Point Awards at each age and entry level (New Starz, Rising Starz, Starz). Example: Dancer X has the highest three solo scores in the Rising Starz Preteen solo category. Dancer X will have his or her highest score awarded only once. We will then award the next four eligible Dancer’s scores. This same rule will apply to D/Ts containing the same dancers.

The Acrobatic category MUST contain more than five gymnastic or acrobatic tricks. All other categories may NOT contain more than five tricks. Passes are considered one trick as well as tricks being performed simultaneously. Props are allowed in all routines. The following items are prohibited from use in routines. Water and other liquids, latex balloons, fire swords, knives and toy guns are prohibited as well.

Studios that have multiple locations may enter as separate studios; provided they are not located at the same physical location and are not being taught by the same teacher.  We require the studios to have some sort of denotation in the studio name (Studio 1234 South Bend, Studio 1234 East Bend) to be able to keep their entries separate.

Studios and Independents entering less than 5 routines are not eligible to win the Overall High Score Award and prize money, but will be allowed to win once in the Standard High Point awards at each age level entered. Daddy Daughter, Mother Daughter and Adult routines are not eligible for the Overall High Score Award.

These rules exist to protect the integrity of the competition and avoid controversy. 

*Solicitation of dancers at competitions is strictly prohibited.

*Note to Parents: Parents are not permitted backstage, unless authorized by their studio.

Starz Dance Competition is a safe place for dancers, families,  studio and staff. We are a vibrant community of people who have a high regard for each other, the art of dance, and the respectability and value of the work we do.  All who attend our competitions are requested to demonstrate the willingness to be held accountable to uphold the values and ethics we declare as the fundamental guidelines stated below. In all of our endeavors to uphold our company mission to engage, enrich, and encourage a lifelong love of dance in every one of our dancers. We show respect to the parents, Dancer, Studios and all of the wider dance community.  We consider it a privilege to participate in a worldwide community for the performing art of dance exemplifying the values of integrity, character, leadership, responsibility and professionalism.

INTEGRITY:  To conduct oneself with honesty, courtesy, and respect.   To express consideration for one’s fellow dancers, educators, parents, staff and competitors. To be a person who leads by example and honors commitments.  To be a person other people can count on.

LEADERSHIP:  To guide, direct and influence people in achieving their highest goals and ideals.  By setting an example through one’s actions and speech.

CHARACTER:  To be a person who represents high levels of personal integrity, leadership, and responsibility for oneself and others.  A person who has the courage and willingness to face issues and concerns with maturity and dignity.  To avoid gossip, criticism, or denigrating comments for any member of the dance community, parent, or peers.

PROFESSIONALISM:  To respect the dance profession and uphold our values and standards of conduct.  To support and encourage one another.  To recognize oneself as a role model at all times.  To love the study and performance of dance as a universal art form.

At Starz we want every person both dancers, Studio and families to feel safe at our competitions. If at any point we feel that a person or dancer is acting in an inappropriate or unethical way. We reserve the right to ask them to leave the competition and be disqualified from participating. This could be the dancer or the dancers family that could create this disqualification.

Starz (S)

* Advanced Level

* More than 4 hours of instruction per week

* Several years of competition experience

They are eligible to be chosen for Standout Dancer. They will be included in The Starz Grand Nationals at the National Competitions.

**This level is a highly competitive level.

Rising Starz (RS)

* Intermediate Level

* 4  hours or less instruction per week

* Limited competition experience

They are not eligible to be chosen for Standout Dancer. They will be included in The Rising Starz Grand Nationals at the National Competitions.

New Starz (NS)

* Beginner Level

* 2 years or less of competition experience

* 2 hours or less of dance classes per week

This level is designated the less experienced dancers. There are no prize certificates or Title entries available in this Level. Overall High Scores will be presented in all 5 Age Groups (Super Mini 2-4, Mini 5-8, Preteen 9-11, Teen 12-14, and Senior 15-18) in the Solo, Duo/Trio, Small Group, Large Group, Line and Production categories. New Starz will not be considered for the Grand National Competition. Soloists must perform all of their routines at the same level. A mixed duo/trio or group routine will compete at the highest entered dancer’s skill level.

Super Mini (SM) 

*Ages 2-4

They will not be considered for the Grand National Competition. Soloists must perform all of their routines at the same level. A mixed duo/trio or group routine will compete at the highest entered dancer’s skill level.

**When entering routines please make sure you use the highest level of integrity.

Rising Starz group routines will have a 20% ratio automatically applied at registration. This means if a Rising Starz group routine consists of more than 20% Starz level dancers, the routine will not be allowed to register at the Rising Starz level, instead, this routine must compete at the Starz level. We at Starz Dance Competition are happy to announce this new change and we believe this will help us to continue providing a fair competition experience. Each season we continue to improve and better this competition using all the feedback we have received over our 30 year history as a competition.
8 (RS) Dancers, 2 (S) Dancers – Rising Starz Large Group – 20% acceptable
8 (RS) Dancers, 3 (S) Dancers – Starz Large Group – 27% must compete up
22(RS) Dancers, 5 (S) Dancers – Rising Starz Line – 18% acceptable
22(RS) Dancers, 6 (S) Dancers – Starz Line – 21% must compete up
Do not worry, the online registration will automatically prevent a routine from being added at the incorrect level.

These scores are based on: Technique, Overall Impression, Routine, Music and Costume

New Starz
Platinum (246.0-299.99)
High Gold (228.0-245.99)
Gold (210.0-227.99)

Rising Starz
Platinum (264.0-299.99)
High Gold (246.0-263.99)
Gold (228.0-245.99)

Starz
Dimond Elite  (297.0-299.99)
Platinum (282.0-296.99)
High Gold (264.0-281.99)
Gold (246.0-263.99)

Competition fees are non-refundable.

Once the payment for entry registration has been processed, Starz Dance Competition will send the buyer/purchaser a confirmation of payment within 24 hours.

We respect your privacy and Starz Dance Competition will never share your account information.

• Super Mini (2-4)
• Mini (5-8)
• Pre-teen (9-11)
• Teen (12-14)
• Senior (15-18)
• Adult (19+)

Note: Average age must be taken of all members performing in a group. For instance, if the average age is 7.7 they are still seven.

Each student is asked to have proof of their age with them. (i.e. birth certificate, drivers license, health card, etc.) in order to prove their age in case of a protest. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. A protest must be in written form and filed by the owner of the protesting studio to be considered. All dancers’ ages are determined by their age as of January 1st of the current competition year.

• Solo
• Duo/Trio
• Small groups (4-9)
• Large groups (10-19)
• Lines (20-29)
• Productions (30+)

Contemporary

Contemporary dance is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet. Contemporary dancers strive to connect the mind and the body through fluid dance movements.

Tap

Any routine executing all tap. No tap sounds allowed on the recording.

Jazz

Any routine that contains jazz rhythm, movement and technique.

Lyrical

Dancers interpret the lyrics, mood and content of the music.

Ballet

Includes classical or contemporary ballet and movement and technique. Ballet slippers only.

Pointe

May include classical or contemporary pointe technique and steps. Pointe shoes only.

Open

Any of the listed categories of dance may be in open. Use open if you are performing two routines in the same category or if your routine doesn’t fit in any of the other categories such as modern or contemporary.

Novelty/Character

Folk routines, comedy routines, 50’s routines, pantomime routines, character routines, etc. Props permitted.

Precision/Cheer

With or without pompons. A routine should include basic cheerleading moves, marching, kicks, leaps, jumps, splits and clean sharp technique. Jazz moves may be incorporated into routine.

Acrobatic

Combines gymnastic and dance choreography. This category must contain at least 50% dance choreography.

Clogging

Any basic routine utilizing clogging technique and style.

Song & Dance

Any routine performed along with a song. No vocal allowed on CD.

Musical Show

A routine performed in any shoes and modeled after a Broadway/Hollywood musical choreographed more for “show” and entertainment.

Hip Hop

Street or contemporary jazz funk.

Daddy Daughter

Duo/Trio, Small Group, Large Group, Line and Production (also includes Father Son, Mother Daughter, and Mother Son).

Improv Shootout

This will take place prior to the solo awards, respective of their age. Dancers will perform in groups of 3-10 in the semi-finals. The participants will have 60 seconds to improv. The music selection will be not be given in advance. The judges will then select any number of dancers to improv once more in the final round. The top 3 will be ranked by the judges, with the 1^st place winner awarded a free solo and a $100 Starz gift certificate, 2^nd place is awarded a free Solo for 2024, and 3^rd place will receive a $50 Starz gift certificate. However, if you are a graduating senior 1^st place winner receives a free solo at either of our 2024 Nationals and a $100 Starz gift certificate, 2^nd place winner receives a free solo at either of our Nationals, 3^rd place will receive a $50 Starz gift certificate. Register to participate online or at the competition and pay the required fees.

Register to participate before or at the competition and pay the required fee.

You must compete at a regional competition to qualify for nationals.

They must be made more than one month in advance of the competition you are attending. Always mention you are attending Starz Dance Competition to receive your discount.

If a group changes size due to an injury, you can perform the routine (as is) at the Regional Competition. This will allow the injured person registered in that group to qualify for Nationals.

All judges are professionals from the field of dance and will not be affiliated with any dance studio competing in the competition. The decision of the judges is final.

Adequate dressing areas will be provided.

Solos, duos and trios are allowed three minutes, small groups – four minutes, large groups – five minutes, productions & lines – eight to ten minutes. All are allowed an eight second leeway due to differences in CDs and recorders. The stop watch starts when your music starts and stops when your routine is finished.
Additional Time (up to 2 min) can be purchased for a single routine for an additional $25.00 fee. Limit 2 routines per studio.

Teachers may perform in groups only, or in the 19 or over age group as solos, duos and trios. Assistant teachers (under the age of 19 & non-professional dancers) may compete in any area.

Provide a good quality CD, thumb drive or iPod recording. Please do not record in mono. We are unable to play CD-RWs. Always be prepared with a back-up. The label provided to you must be on the jacket. When using a thumb drive or iPod, please provide audio under one clearly named track per routine.

All routines will be judged on a point system based upon the total scores of the three judges. Each routine will receive a Gold, High Gold, Platinum, or Diamond ranking. To commemorate this accomplishment, each group routine will receive an award and each participant will receive a special pin or ribbon. Solo & Duo/Trio participants will each receive an award.

The highest scoring solo, duo/trio, small group, large group, line and productions will receive an award. If there are more than five routines entered in the division, we will award 1st through 5th and more places will be recognized. Awards will be available to purchase by competitors. No scores will be posted until the end of the awards. Please note – any dancer not performing in category, will not be eligible for the high point awards. Solos and D/T’s dancers performing more than one routine with the same dancers will only be awarded one High Point Award for their highest scoring routine.

A minimum of one Choreographer Award will be awarded each day, per room during each competition.

All high point solo, duo/trio, small group, large group, lines and production numbers will be awarded in the mini, pre-teen, teen, and senior division. Each will receive an award at the Starz Dance Competition 2020 Regional and/or National Competitions. All Starz Level Solo and Duo/Trio high point division winners will be awarded $75 cash (check) at a Regional (Must be at least 3 entered in the division.) All Starz Level Groups (small, large, line and production) will be awarded $125 cash (check) at a Regional (Must be at least 3 in the division.) All Rising Starz Level High Point award winners will receive a $50 gift certificate redeemable toward a future routine at a regional competition.

At the National competition Starz Level Solo and Duo/Trio high point division winners will be awarded $100 cash (check) (Must be at least 3 entered in the division.) All Starz Level Groups (small, large, line and production) will be awarded $150 cash (check) (Must be at least 3 in the division.) All Rising Starz Level High Point award winners will receive a $75 gift certificate redeemable toward a future routine at a regional competition.

*Note: Age Group Super Mini(2-4) will not be eligible for the cash awards.

*New in 2024* – Any dancer at the Starz level can sign up for Nationals to compete for the Natioanl Title! Previously, only Regional Title Winners could compete for the National Title.

To qualify, a soloist must perform a minimum of two solo routines in different dance categories. All entered routines must compete in category to be elligible for Mr or Miss Starz Title. The highest combined score will be awarded the title of Mr or Miss Starz. This is for Starz level competitors only.

Visual coaching of your dancers during their performance either in the wings or audience is prohibited. Doing so may result in up to one point deduction from the total score per judge.

Up to one point deduction from the total score per judge may be taken for each of the following items: starting over once, profanity in unedited music, competing in the wrong category, exceeding the time limit (except if additional time has been paid for), more than 5 acrobatic tricks in any non-acrobatic routine, and coaching from the sidelines. Further deductions may also be taken for unsuitable costumes and inappropriate actions or behaviors.

Solicitation of dancers at competitions is strictly prohibited.

Please observe all deadline entry dates. Late entries are subject to a late fee of $25 per entry. Entries received less than 20 days prior to the competition may not appear in the program. Please register online at least 35 days prior to competition, so performance times can be posted to the Starz Dance Competition’s website in a timely manner.