Please review all ELEV8 Dance Experience rules and regulations carefully before registering. It is the responsibility of each studio to ensure compliance with all event policies, classifications, time limits, and competition guidelines.
A quick reference for how routines are classified and grouped by age. Dancers must be entered into the correct classification based on training level, weekly hours, and studio affiliation.
| Classification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Novice | 1-3 years of dance experience with an affiliated dance studio, recreational or competitive. |
| Pre-Competitive | 6 hours of training or less per week, including choreography. |
| Competitive | More than 6 hours of training per week. |
| High School | High school dance team. |
| Division | Age Range |
|---|---|
| Petite | Ages 4-6 |
| Mini | Ages 7-9 |
| Junior | Ages 10-12 |
| Intermediate | Ages 13-14 |
| Senior | Ages 15-18 |
| Adult | Ages 19+ |
Use this section to review routine entry types, dancer counts, performance time limits, and discipline-specific acro allowances before completing registration.
| Entry Type | Dancer Count |
|---|---|
| Solo | 1 dancer |
| Duet | 2 dancers |
| Trio | 3 dancers |
| Small Group | 4-9 dancers |
| Small Group Extended | 4-9 dancers |
| Large Group | 10-17 dancers |
| Large Group Extended | 10-17 dancers |
| Line | 18+ dancers |
| Line Extended | 18+ dancers |
| Production | Unlimited dancers |
| Entry Type | Time Limit |
|---|---|
| Solos / Duets / Trios | 3 minutes |
| Small Groups | 3 minutes |
| Large Groups | 4 minutes |
| Line | 5:59 minutes |
| Productions | 6-11 minutes |
| Small Group Extended Time | 3:30-7:00 minutes |
| Large Group Extended Time | 4:30-7:00 minutes |
| Line Extended Time | 6:00-7:00 minutes |
| Style | Description | Acro Tricks |
|---|---|---|
| Ballet | Classical ballet technique. Ballet shoes required. No acro tricks or pointe shoes. | None |
| Pointe | Ballet technique performed in pointe shoes. | None |
| Jazz | Traditional jazz technique and performance. | Max 3 |
| Lyrical | Fusion of ballet and jazz focusing on emotional storytelling. | None |
| Contemporary | Combination of lyrical, modern, and jazz movement vocabulary. | Max 3 |
| Tap | Rhythmic footwork. Pre-recorded tap sounds prohibited. | None |
| Musical Theatre | Dance performance with lip-syncing permitted. | Max 3 |
| Song & Dance | Live singing with dance choreography. One headset mic for soloists only. | Max 3 |
| Acro | Combination of dance and acrobatic/gymnastics technique. | Unlimited |
| Hip Hop | Street-style movement vocabulary. Acrobatics and breakdancing permitted. | Unlimited |
| Open | Combination of dance styles. Up to 50% may wear tap or pointe shoes. | Max 3 |
| Production | Theme or storyline-based. Max 5-minute setup time. | Unlimited |
Studios, dancers, teachers, and families are expected to follow all ELEV8 Dance Experience policies throughout the competition weekend. Please review the general rules below before completing registration.
Early Bird Pricing must be paid in full by December 17th, 2026. All entries must be submitted in full by Friday, January 8th, 2027. A 50% deposit of the registration balance is due by January 8th, 2027. Remaining balances are due by March 8th, 2027.
Space is limited and studios are accepted on a first come, first served basis. The ELEV8 Dance Experience Event Fee is mandatory for all participating dancers and covers admission credentials, adjudication services, and participation in event activities.
Any schedule changes made after the finalized schedule has been released are subject to a $10 fee per change. ELEV8 Dance Experience reserves the right to cancel an event due to unforeseen circumstances, change event dates, format, or location, add additional competition days if necessary, and limit, reject, correct, or refuse registrations at its discretion.
Studio owners and teachers must pick up their welcome package upon arrival. Dancers must be ready to perform at least 60 minutes prior to their scheduled time. All routines must report to the backstage stage manager 4 numbers before they are scheduled to perform.
Routines must perform in scheduled order unless approved by an ELEV8 Dance Experience Director. Routines performing outside their assigned session are ineligible for placements or top awards, unless approved due to a medical emergency.
Dancers may not compete against themselves in the same category and style. Soloists entering two routines in the same style must compete one age division higher. Groups may compete in the same category if at least 50% of dancers differ.
Routines containing inappropriate or suggestive material may be disqualified. Baby powder, paint, glitter, or any substances that leave debris or damage the stage are prohibited.
All props must be declared prior to schedule finalization. Props may only be placed backstage during adjudication before the upcoming session. Maximum prop height is 10’6″, unless venue limitations permit otherwise. Individuals used solely as props may not actively participate in the routine unless registered as performers. Productions requiring large props or special setup should contact ELEV8 Dance Experience in advance. Studios are responsible for any damage to dressing rooms or venue property.
Photography and videography of performances are strictly prohibited. Official event photos and videos will be available for download following the event. All judging decisions are final and non-negotiable.
Harassment, disrespectful conduct, or unruly behaviour will not be tolerated and may result in disqualification and removal from the premises. Parents are not permitted backstage during the competition.
Teachers and studio owners will receive priority reserved seating throughout the competition. General audience seating is available on a first-arrived, first-seated basis. Venue capacity may be limited and entry may be managed at the discretion of venue management and/or ELEV8 staff in compliance with Safety and Fire Code regulations.
Judges’ scoresheets will be emailed to studio directors after the event. All critiques will be provided in video format. Second performance attempts are permitted only if time allows.
Re-performances receive adjudication only and are ineligible for standings or overall awards unless caused by music or costume malfunction. All decisions made by the adjudicators or ELEV8 Dance Experience Directors are final.
Routines may be disqualified if found to have copied another choreographed work. Modified choreography is considered a new interpretation and not plagiarism. Ballet and Pointe variations are exempt from plagiarism rules.
Protected choreography includes an entire routine as a finished piece, including its overall artistic composition, movement sequence, music, and staging. Broad themes, styles, single movements, costuming, music tracks, props, set pieces, or staging formations are not protected as choreography on their own.
These routines will return to the stage for an “encore performance,” but this time the focus shifts beyond scores and adjudication.
The judges will award based purely on entertainment value, stage presence, audience impact, and the performance that leaves the strongest overall impression.
Teachers and Studio owners will receive priority reserved seating throughout the competition. General audience seating is available on a first-arrived, first-seated basis.
We make every effort to ensure adequate seating for all guests; however, please be aware that certain venues have limited capacity. Once maximum occupancy has been reached, entry may be managed at the discretion of venue management and/or ELEV8 staff in compliance with Safety and Fire Code regulations.
