The Florida Dance Challenge welcomes competitors from all over Florida as we are an equal opportunity organization. To be eligible to compete, dancers must be between the ages of 7-18, as of January 1 of the competition year. Dancers must be enrolled in a dance program and attend the school they are registered under.
Elementary School Division: 2nd – 5th grade
Middle School Division: 6th – 8th grade
Junior Varsity Division: 9th – 12th grade
Varsity Division: 9th – 12th grade
ASSESSMENT Division (non-competitive groups or soloists)
All routines submitted to the Florida Dance Challenge will be adjudicated by a panel of judges, made up of dance professionals from across the country. Each program has the option of submitting pieces for assessment ONLY or for our competitive division. All pieces being submitted for assessment only will not be judged for placement awards. Instead, they will be adjudicated ONLY with the FDC assessment rubric. A rating of superior, excellent, good, or fair will be given based off the performance, and they will receive valuable feedback and critiques from the judges. Assessment level routines are NOT eligible for category awards, overalls high score awards, and/ or cash prizes.
COMPETITIVE Division (groups or soloists competing for placement awards)
All routines submitted to the Florida Dance Challenge will be adjudicated by a panel of judges, made up of dance professionals from across the country. Routines in the competitive level will be placed in ranking from highest scoring to lowest scoring and will also be assessed with the FDC assessment rubric. A rating of superior, excellent, good, or fair will be given based off the performance. Competitive level routines are eligible for category awards, overalls high score awards, and cash prizes.
Please Note:
All pieces will be adjudicated by three professionally qualified judges at the event. While dancers are on stage performing, each judge will simultaneously and individually record oral critiques, comments, and encouraging remarks into our state-of-the-art software. Each entry will receive a score out of 300 possible points. Every performance is expected to be age appropriate and family friendly.
Assessment /Competitive Rubric
In both the assessment and competitive divisions, each school will receive a plaque for their participation in the Florida Dance Challenge. All performers will also receive a pin with their rating for each piece they performed. In addition, to the competitive division, all routines in each category will be awarded placement trophies.
Solos: The top 3 soloists in each grade level will be awarded placement awards. 1st place will receive a trophy, and 2nd and 3rd places will receive medals. The Top 5 senior solos will be recognized, and the 1st place senior soloist will receive a $500 scholarship for pursuing a dance minor or major at a college or university. .
Duets/Trios: The top 3 duets/trios (1 combined category) in each age division will be awarded placement awards. Performers in these routines will receive medals with their respective placement.
Ensembles: The top 3 ensembles in each age division will be awarded placement awards. Performers in these routines will receive medals with their respective placement.
Team Routines: The top 3 routines in each category will be awarded placement trophies. If there are at least 2 teams in a category, the 1st place routine will also receive a banner and state champion sweaters for all performers in that piece. FDC reserves the right to limit awards based on number of entries in the category.
The "Best of FDC" awards will be presented to:
Special Awards: FDC judges will also award outstanding competitors with special awards in areas such as artistry, choreography, costuming, entertainment, technique and showmanship at their discretion.
A solo routine is performed by 1 dancer and can include any dance style. Each dancer may compete with only one solo in their division
A duet routine is performed by 2 dancers and can include any dance style.
A trio routine is performed by 3 dancers and can include any dance style.
An ensembles routine consists of 4-8 performers and can include any dance style.
An ensembles routine consists of 5-13 performers and can include any dance style.
An ensembles routine consists of 14 + performers and can include any dance style.
A jazz routine incorporates traditional stylized dance movements and combinations, formation and/or level changes, leaps and turns. Emphasis should be placed on proper technical execution, extension, control, and body placement. Back drops and props are not permitted in this category.
A jazz funk routine, a super-set of the jazz form of dancing is influenced by the Hip Hop dance style. Much like hip hop, jazz funk has often been fast-paced gestures and quick movement.
A pom routine uses poms to show visual effects and combines pom technique with dance technique. Poms must be used for 90% of routine. Pom routines are upbeat, lively and energetic. Backdrops and Props are not permitted in this category.
A high kick routine will be judged on the number and variety of kicks incorporated into the routine. Each team member must individually execute a minimum of 50 kicks at any level. Back drops and props are not permitted in this category.
A hip hop routine incorporate street style movement with emphasis on execution, creativity and body isolation while maintaining uniformity, control and rhythm. They must have CLEAN music lyrics and dance moves. Any inappropriate words or movement could result in score deductions.
A contemporary/modern routine incorporates movements based in ballet, lyrical or jazz but often use less traditional forms, moves or technique and have contemporary or modern like choreography, Backdrops and props are not permitted in this category
A contemporary/modern routine incorporates movements based in ballet, lyrical or jazz but often use less traditional forms, moves or technique and have contemporary or modern like choreography, Backdrops and props are not permitted in this category
Character/novelty/prop routine is choregraphed and executed with emphasis on character, theme, and/or props. If a prop is being used, it should be an important focus of the routine. Backdrops ARE permitted in this category and must be padded to protect the floor. The use of dangerous props that will damage the venue or harm people, such as: fire, sharp objects, explosives, etc. are not permitted. Props must be brought on and off the stage by teachers and/or parents in a timely manner.
A lyrical routine incorporates ballet, modern jazz technique with an emphasis on movements that are more fluid and graceful in nature. It is, by definition, emphasizing and expressing the lyrics of a piece of music or using choreography that demonstrates connection to the story of ideas in the music.
A ballet/pointe variation contains ballet technique and steps. Ballet/pointe shoes are encouraged but not required. Rosin on the shoe or floor is NOT permitted. Backdrops and props are not permitted in this category.