Competition Rules

Independent dancers are welcome to enter AD Dance Competition without representing a dance school.

A parent, guardian or adult dancer can complete the registration directly.

If a dancer is entering under their dance studio's name or as part of a studio routine, the registration should be completed by the studio.

A dancer may also participate in duets, trios and productions, provided each routine is registered correctly and the relevant entry fees are paid.

Contact the AD team before registering a dancer who trains or performs with more than one studio.

Entries close 60 days before the competition date. Entries may close earlier if the event reaches capacity, so register as soon as possible.

Saved or unfinished entries are not confirmed until they have been fully submitted and payment requirements have been met.

Additional dancers and routines can only be added while entries remain open. Any additional entry fees will be added to your account.

Once entries have closed, changes are restricted because the timetable and competition sections may already be in preparation.

Do not create a duplicate dancer or routine in DanceComp Genie.

A dancer or studio may enter the same routine at more than one AD Dance Competition during the same season.

Each heat requires a separate registration and payment. The routine must also meet the rules, deadlines and entry requirements for each event.

The youngest age allowed to compete at AD Dance Competition is 4 years old.

Dancers aged 4-6 compete in the Tiny Tot age division. A 12-year-old dancer enters the Junior Division, for dancers aged 10-12. Dancers aged 16 and over compete in the Senior age division.

A dancer's age division is determined by their age on 1 September at the beginning of the competition season.

The age of a duet, trio or group is calculated by adding every dancer's age and dividing the total by the number of dancers in the routine.

Each dancer's age is based on how old they are on 1 September at the beginning of the competition season.

AD Dance Competition accepts Acro/Gymnastics, Ballet, Commercial, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theatre Dance, Open, Song & Dance, Tap and Vocal.

Select the category that most accurately reflects the routine's main content and style.

Microphones must be requested at least four weeks before the event. Pre-recorded tap sounds are not permitted in the music.

Routines containing a significant number of acrobatic or gymnastic tricks must be entered in the Acro/Gymnastics section.

Multiple acro tricks are not permitted within other dance categories. If a routine in another genre contains too many acrobatic tricks, points may be deducted by the judging panel.

The Novice Division is intended for beginners and dancers at the beginning of their competition journey or training.

Novice dancers are not eligible for Title Awards or Highest Overall awards. Studios must enter dancers honestly and appropriately.

The Competitive Division is intended for experienced competition dancers. Competitive entries are eligible for all awards for which they meet the published entry requirements.

A dancer should remain in the same division across all entries at the same competition and throughout the season.

The division should reflect the dancer's overall training and competition experience, not the difficulty, style or newness of an individual routine.

AD reserves the right to move an entry if the selected division does not fairly reflect the dancer's experience.

Dancers should arrive at the venue at least one hour before their scheduled performance time.

Dancers must be fully changed, warmed up and backstage at least five routines before performing.

Follow the live running order rather than relying only on the estimated timetable clock time, as the competition may run ahead of or behind schedule.

A missed routine cannot be guaranteed a later performance slot.

Each registered dance school receives two teacher wristbands. Teacher wristbands must remain visible and must not be shared.

Parents are not permitted backstage or in the dressing rooms.

Only dancers with valid dancer wristbands and authorised teachers with teacher wristbands are permitted backstage.

If a dancer does not have enough time to change between routines, their teacher must speak with Laura Tindle, the competition host, as soon as the studio arrives at the venue.

Raise quick-change concerns immediately. Do not wait until the dancer's first routine has begun or attempt to change the running order without Laura's approval.

Props may be used when suitable for the routine, safe for the venue and manageable by the studio without delaying the competition.

The studio is responsible for bringing, placing and removing its own props promptly. Props must not damage the stage, leave residue or create a safety risk.

Parents and other spectators cannot enter the stage or backstage areas to assist.

Dancers, teachers, parents and spectators must treat judges, staff, venue teams and one another with respect.

Bullying, intimidation, abusive language, disruptive conduct or unsportsmanlike behaviour will not be accepted.

Anyone whose behaviour compromises safety or the event experience may be asked to leave.

Photography and filming rules may vary according to the venue, safeguarding requirements and official event media arrangements.

Professional cameras or commercial recording require prior written approval from AD.

Food, chewing gum and open drinks must not be taken onto the stage. AD and the venue cannot accept responsibility for lost, stolen or damaged property.

Report any immediate safeguarding or welfare concern to an authorised AD team member or the venue team without delay. If there is an immediate risk of harm, contact the emergency services.

Concerns should not be posted publicly or discussed directly with children or families involved; they must be handled through the appropriate confidential safeguarding process.