2008 PRELIMINARY AND FINAL COMPETITION

To reach the average age of an entry, add all ages together and divide by the number of dancers in the entry. When an average age ends in .5 or above, round up to the next age. Names and ages of all dancers must appear on the entry form or it will not be accepted. All competing dancers must be prepared to present proof of age should a question arise.

The average age of each entry may not drop more than one age division below the age of the oldest dancer in the entry, regardless of the actual average age. Example: If an entry containing dancers ranging in age from 9-18, the entry may not compete younger than 13-15 (one division younger than the oldest dancer - 18).

National Season Finale! competition average ages based on dancers' age at the Regional Convention attended.

PERFORMANCE DIVISIONS

JAZZ — consists of primarily jazz technique, utilizing an uptempo music.
BALLET — consists of ballet or pointe technique. Must include classical steps and movements.
TAP — consists of tap technique. Tap shoes only.
LYRICAL — consists of a combination of jazz, modern and ballet techniques incorporating balance, control and interpretation.
MUSICAL THEATRE — consists of Broadway/theatre dance styles.
CONTEMPORARY — consists of modern and ballet technique, reaching beyond the standard jazz vocabulary.
HIP-HOP — consists of street, funk, MTV video style jazz technique.
SPECIALTY — consists of all other categories, ethnic, acro/gymnastics, novelty, etc.

Judges reserve the right to change the competition performance category if the number has been entered improperly.

ENTRY LIMITS

• Entries for the National Finals must have qualified at either a NYCDA Regional Competition or the Preliminary Qualifying Competition.
• Overall number of entries will be limited to the time available. Entries will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.
• A deduction of 10 points will be made for entries that do not comply with set time limitations.
• All fees are due with entry forms - received by May 19, 2008. No entry fees are refundable. Make all checks payable to: NYC Dance Alliance.
• No Canadian checks will be accepted - bank money orders only.

*NYCDA Regional Critics' Choice Award winners receive FREE Competition entry fees for that number at the 2008 National Season Finale!

COMPETITION REGULATIONS

• All competing dancers and their teachers, must be registered for the entire National Season Finale! workshop.
• Competition fees and workshop registration tuitions must be submitted simultaneously, but must be written on separate checks. All competition entries must be received by May 19, 2008.
• An official entry form (photocopies are fine) must be filled out for each entry.
• The deadline for competition changes is 2 weeks prior to the convention. No changes will be accepted after this date.
• Competing dancers may enter as many categories as desired, as long as they never compete against themselves.
• Competing dancers may compete for one studio only.
• Schools with multiple locations may compete as separate studios as long as there is NO mixing of dancers from each location. No combining of dancers allowed for extra discounts.
• Professional dancers are welcome for the workshop but will not be permitted to compete if over age 18.
• Soloists MUST also be entered in at least one group, line, or production number.
• Teachers may only compete in the Open (19+) age division.
• Entries in the Open (19+) Division are not eligible for Critics' Choice Awards.
• Studios may substitute an entry of identical dancers, age, performance, and competition divisions for a pre-qualified entry from a Regional Competition.
• No dangerous props may be used during the competition (swords, fire, etc.). General props are allowed but must be taken on and off stage expeditiously. Any unnecessary delay will result in a 5 point deduction. Please have a clean-up crew ready for any "litter" left on stage.
• Excessive scenery and special lighting may not be used.
• Tap sounds on the recordings of tap numbers will result in a 5 point deduction.
• Entry numbers containing more than 2 gymnastic passes MUST be entered in the Specialty Division. Otherwise, 5 points will be deducted and the entry will be moved to the appropriate division.
• Competing dancers should be ready 30 minutes prior to their scheduled competition time. If the competition is running ahead of schedule, you will be expected to perform.
• Competing dancers must perform in the scheduled sequence unless special permission is granted by the M.C. Intentional manipulation of performance schedule will result in disqualification.
• Competing dancers and their teachers are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship and general support of all participants.
• Choreography or costumes that are not considered age appropriate by the panel of judges will have 10 points deducted from the total score.

PRELIMINARY QUALIFYING COMPETITION

• Studios should keep July 1-2 open for possible preliminary competition.
• Schools will have the opportunity to qualify 15 numbers for the NYCDA National Competition Finals. Preliminary entries may include 3 solos and 3 duo/trios.
• All Preliminary soloists MUST also be entered in at least one Preliminary Group, Line, or Production number.
• All Platinum, Gold, High Silver, and Silver winners in the Preliminary Qualifying Competition are eligible to compete in the NYCDA National Competition Finals.
• All Preliminary entries must submit double entry fees - Preliminary fees AND National Final fees. Preliminary entries that do not qualify for National Finals will receive fee reimbursements. All fees must be received by May 19, 2008.
• The overall number of entries for the Preliminary Qualifying Competition will be limited to the time available. Entries will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.
• All entry fees and guidelines for the National Competition Finals also apply to the Preliminary Qualifying Competition.
• Entry forms must be clearly marked "Preliminary Competition".
• Entry fees for the Preliminary Qualifying Competition must be submitted on a separate check from the National Finals fees.

MUSIC REQUIREMENTS

• Please provide 1 professional quality recording - CD preferred - for each number entered. A back-up recording must be available for all entries. If CD recordings are provided, we suggest cassette back-ups as well.
• Each cassette/CD must contain only one number and must be labeled with the following information:

- Title of number
- Studio name (Code Letter)
- Entry number

• All tapes must be cued with no more than 3 seconds lead time. A deduction of 5 points will be made in the case of improperly cued tapes.
• It is recommended that all tapes be recorded in a non-dolby format with audio recorded on both left and right channels.

COMPETITION AWARDS

All entries will be adjudicated on a point system by a panel of judges. Platinum, Gold, High Silver, Silver, and Bronze awards will be presented based on the following combined scores:

HIGH SCORE AWARDS

• Body Wrappers proudly sponsors the High Score Soloist Awards.
• Each Competition Division in each of the Mini, Junior, Teen and Senior age divisions must contain at least six entries to warrant the awarding of 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards. Otherwise, only 1st Place will be awarded.
• Regional Convention Scholarships will be awarded to the high score entry in each Performance Division in each of the Mini, Junior, Teen and Senior Age Divisions. Six entries required.

NATIONAL CRITICS' CHOICE AWARDS

The FIVE overall high scores in the Group, Line, and Production Divisions from the Mini/ Junior National Competition Finals and the SIX overall high scores in the Group, Line, and Production Divisions from the Teen/Senior National Competition Finals are eligible for the NYCDA NATIONAL CRITICS' CHOICE AWARDS.
• Each studio will be limited to ONE Critics' Choice Finalist in each of the Mini, Junior, Teen and Senior Age Divisions. Studios may not compete against themselves for a Critics' Choice Award.
• The five entries in each of the Mini and Junior Divisions will be invited to perform at the Junior Gala on Sunday night July 6th for final adjudication. The Mini & Junior National Critics' Choice winners will be invited to perform at the Closing Night Gala on Monday night, July 7th.
• The six entries in each of the Teen and Senior Divisions will be invited to perform at the Closing Night Gala for final adjudication.
• The resulting high scores in each age division will be honored with the NYCDA NATIONAL CRITICS' CHOICE AWARDS.

NATIONAL MINI CRITICS' CHOICE AWARD $2,500
NATIONAL JUNIOR CRITICS' CHOICE AWARD $2,500
NATIONAL TEEN CRITICS' CHOICE AWARD $2,500
NATIONAL SENIOR CRITICS' CHOICE AWARD $2,500

• DANCE MAGAZINE proudly sponsors the NYCDA Critics' Choice Awards.

JUDGING CRITERIA

All decisions by the panel of judges will be final. Judges’ score sheets and critique tapes may be picked up at the Registration Desk on the morning following the competition. These items will be given to the teacher only.

VIDEO AND PHOTOGRAPHY

• Video taping and flash photography are strictly prohibited during the entire convention weekend. (Disqualification could result.)
• All dancers authorize the use of their image in photos and video for NYCDA publicity and advertisement purposes.

ADMISSION

• Admission to all regular evenings of competition is free. Tickets must be purchased for the Junior Gala and for the Closing Night Gala.
• Audience will be allowed to enter and exit between numbers only. Doors will be closed during performances.
• Teachers of competing dancers will be given reserved seating. However, absolutely no visual coaching is allowed.