RULES & POLICIES
Updated for the 2027 Season!
COMPETITIVE LEVELS
BEGINNER
Choreography Guidelines:
Beg Level Skills and Elements ONLY
Rules:
Up to 5 ROUTINES - only 1 may be a solo.
BEGINNER SCORING:
Platinum: 276-300 • Gold: 261-275.9
INTERMEDIATE
Choreography Guidelines:
Up to Int Level Skills and Choreographic Elements
Rules:
Int level dancers may compete in up to 10 ROUTINES
INTERMEDIATE SCORING:
Diamond: 285-300 • Platinum: 276-284.9 • Gold: 261-275.9
ADVANCED
Choreography Guidelines:
Up to Adv Level Skills and Choreographic Elements
ADVANCED SCORING:
Up in the VIP: 294-300 • Ace: 288-293.9 • Diamond: 279-287.9 • Platinum: 261-278.9
SHOWCASE
This Special Needs Level is designed to emphasize performance quality, creativity, confidence, and effort, rather than technical difficulty or execution. Our goal is to provide an inclusive space where dancers can share the stage and be recognized for their accomplishments.
Rules:
- • Open to dancers with physical, cognitive, sensory, or developmental differences
- • Available for solos, duet/trios, and groups
- • An aide or support person may appear onstage if needed; the aide's age or level does not affect the routine's placement
- • Showcase routines are eligible for Adjudication and Special Awards and are not eligible for high score ranking awards.
SHOWCASE SCORING:
Platinum: 276-300 • Gold: 261-275.9
Studios are encouraged to contact the VIP Dance office with any questions regarding registration or accommodations. Our team is happy to work with directors to ensure a positive and comfortable experience for every dancer.
CATEGORIES & AGE DIVISIONS
SOLOS
Dancers
1
Time Limit
2:45 min
Extended Time
+4 min
Levels / Age Divisions:
Beginner
3-7, 8-10, 11-13, 14-19
Intermediate
6-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-15, 16-19
Advanced
8-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-19, 20+
• Ages determined as of January 1st in the year of the event
• Soloists must compete all solos in the Routine Level that corresponds with assigned Dancer Skill Level
• Soloists competing more than one solo may only place once in high score rankings
DUO/TRIOS
Dancers
2-3
Time Limit
2:45 min
Extended Time
+4 min
Levels / Age Divisions:
Beginner
3-7, 8-10, 11-13, 14-19
Intermediate
6-8, 9-11, 12-14, 15-19
Advanced
8-10, 11-12, 13-15, 16-19, 20+
• Age division of the oldest dancer in the routine
• Highest Level of any dancer in the routine
SMALL GROUPS
Dancers
4-9
Time Limit
3 min
Extended Time
+10 min
Levels / Age Divisions:
Beginner
3-7, 8-10, 11-13, 14-19
Intermediate
6-8, 9-11, 12-14, 15-19
Advanced
8-10, 11-12, 13-15, 16-19, 20+
• Average Age with Bump Rule; routines may only drop one age division below the oldest dancer
• Average Level with One Third Rule
LARGE GROUPS
Dancers
10+
Time Limit
4 min
Extended Time
+10 min
Levels / Age Divisions:
Beginner
3-7, 8-10, 11-13, 14-19
Intermediate
6-8, 9-11, 12-14, 15-19
Advanced
8-10, 11-12, 13-15, 16-19, 20+
• Average Age with Bump Rule; routines may only drop one age division below the oldest dancer
• Average Level with One Third Rule
COMPANY LINES
Dancers
15+
Time Limit
6 min
Extended Time
+10 min
Levels / Age Divisions:
Intermediate
12 & Under, 19 & Under
Advanced
12 & Under, 19 & Under
• Average Age with One Third Rule; if 1/3 or more of dancers are in a higher age division, the routine moves up
• Average Level with One Third Rule
• Large Groups with 15+ dancers have OPTION to compete as Company Lines
• Any Company Line may choose "PRODUCTION" as the Performance Division
SPECIAL AWARDS
Drumroll, please! 🥁 Our Special Awards recognize more than just technique—they celebrate creativity, presence, and the unique spark that makes each performance unforgettable.
COSTUME
Celebrates outstanding costume design and presentation. Awarded to routines with exceptional wardrobe choices that enhance the performance and demonstrate creativity, attention to detail, and visual impact.
CHOREOGRAPHY
Recognizes innovative and creative choreographic composition. This award honors routines with original movement, clever staging, and thoughtful use of space that showcase exceptional artistic vision.
ENTERTAINMENT
Captivates the audience from start to finish through humor, drama, personality, or storytelling. Brought the fun and made a lasting impression.
FUTURE STAR
Young dancer or group showing exceptional potential. Highlights emerging talent, strong stage presence, and the kind of spark that points to big things ahead.
STAND-OUT
Commands attention on stage. Whether through technique, energy, presence, or performance quality, this routine had that 'something extra'.
ART OF STYLE
Standout musicality, nuance, and attention to detail. From movement quality to styling choices, this piece was polished, purposeful, and deeply artistic.
FIERCE FACTOR
Power, passion, and confidence. Brought undeniable energy and owned every count. Fierce, fearless, unforgettable.
JUDGES CHOICE
Selected by each judge for a routine that personally resonated with them. Technical brilliance, emotional connection, or pure joy—from the heart.
IDOL SOLOIST
Awarded to an Advanced Level soloist who delivers an unforgettable performance. This dancer demonstrates standout technique, stage presence, and artistry—embodying what it means to be a true VIP Idol.
MUSIC & TECHNICAL
MUSIC SUBMISSION
- • Music must be uploaded 7 DAYS PRIOR to event start date
- • Upload through logged in studio accounts - no need to label files
- • Accepted file types: M4A, MP3
- • Bring backup on USB to event
- • NOT ACCEPTED: iPods, Phones, CDs
SHOES
All dance shoes (especially heels) must have soft, non-marking soles & rubber heels. No street heels or street shoes.
Any damage to Marley flooring will result in disqualification and performing studio will be responsible for any charges.
PROPS
General props permitted in any category. Props must not exceed 10 feet in height.
All props must be Marley safe. Any damage to the Marley flooring will be billed to the responsible studio.
NOT PERMITTED:
Fire, water, powder, aerosol, gels, liquids, wet paint, fake blood, silly string, haze/fog machines, dry ice, smoke, strobe lights, bubbles, candy, chalk, crushed cork, flour, corn starch, loose glitter, sand, dirt, sawdust, ashes, helium balloons, confetti.
SET-UP TIME LIMITS:
Solos, Duo/Trios, Small Groups: 30 seconds set-up + 30 seconds removal (1:00 total)
Large Groups & Company Lines: 1:30 set-up + 1:30 removal (3:00 total)
POLICIES
- •VIP Dance reserves the right to alter any policy or rule at any time for any reason deemed necessary by VIP Dance.
- •All fees are non-refundable. Studio credits are available only as expressly provided in the Scratch and Credit Policy.
- •VIP DANCE reserves the right to refuse any entry at any time for any reason.
- •All cities, dates, and venues are subject to change at any time should it be deemed necessary by VIP Dance.
- •Upon entering any VIP Dance event, customers must agree to comply with all rules, regulations, and policies.
- •Upon participating in or attending any VIP Dance event, all participants and attendees understand and agree that they are doing so at their own risk and knowingly and voluntarily accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers, and hazards, including but not limited to the possibility of bodily injury, exposure to viruses and other illnesses, property damage or other loss resulting therefrom.
- •Participants are granted permission for reproduction of any footage in which they are included for the purpose of self use and or self promotion publications which can include but is not limited to, photo prints, social media, and websites. Resale or use of the footage in a manner that would exploit or cause malicious representation is not permitted.
- •Studio customers are granted permission for reproduction of any footage in which their students are included for the purpose of commercial use and or commercial promotion publications which can include but is not limited to, photo prints, social media, and websites. Resale or use of the footage in a manner that would exploit or cause malicious representation is not permitted.
- •VIP Dance offers live streaming, digital routine videos, and digital routine photos services whenever possible. Certain events may not offer all three services depending on various circumstances.
- •Upon participation in any VIP Dance event, all participants, parents, studio owners, teachers, and guests agree that VIP Dance has the right to reproduce, use, exhibit, display, broadcast, distribute, and create derivative works of photographs or videos containing the image/likeness of participants or guests. These images and other personally identifiable information may be used for promotional, news, and educational purposes.
- •Any action arising from this Agreement or an Event shall, to the extent permitted by law, be brought in the state courts located in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, or, when federal jurisdiction exists, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.