regional rules

A typical three- or four day schedule will begin Thursday or Friday afternoon after 3:00 PM with 13-15 solos or 16 and over solos or both. We would try to run all 12 & under entries on Saturday (could carry over to AM on Sunday) and finish on Sunday with the remainder of 13 & Over. PLEASE NOTE; this is a "typical" schedule and is subject to change.

When referring to ADA entry form deadlines throughout this brochure, they will be listed as 5 weeks prior to each event for US cities and 6 weeks for the Canadian Tour. Some events will close earlier than the deadline. We highly reccomend registering online as early as possible to assure you a spot in the competition. Entry fees will be due in the ADA office four weeks prior to the competition.

Soloists participating in all US and Canadian cities: A soloist may only compete 3 solos per city if the schedule permits. The 3rd solo will only be allowed if time permits! Teachers can submit the 3rd solo and will be contacted prior to the event if one needs to be removed!

A typical one-day event is 12 & under and 13 & Over entries throughout the day. A one-day event is usually a Saturday.

PLEASE NOTE; all schedules listed in this brochure are subject to change based on the number of entries received for a particular event.

RECREATIONAL: This Classification is for recreational dancers only. It was created for the student who wants to be part of the competition experience and dances on a purely recreational basis. High score awards will be presented in this classification with four or more entries. The Recreational division will have separate high score awards and will be eligible for “special awards”. They will not be eligible for Over all High Score Awards presented in the competitive level.

PRIMARY: is for dancers who train three hours per week or less. “Training” includes all rehearsals, gymnastic, acrobatics and solo lessons. No entry or dancer may enter the primary classification if they participate in three or more entries at a competition. High Score awards will be presented in a classification with four or more entries. The primary division will be eligible for Overall High Score Awards presented in the competitive level.

COMPETITIVE: The competitive classification is for all entries wishing to compete for medal standing, high score awards in all age levels, overall high score awards, choreography, costume,

PRO/PRO-AM: This is for dancers who are 19 years or older and are studio owners, teachers, or professional performers. If you are 19 years or older and choreograph or assist in 3 or more routines at your studio or are paid for any choreography outside of your studio, you are considered a professional. Please use your best judgment. One professional makes the entire routine Pro/Pro-Am. Pro/Pro-Am is eligible for costume and choreography awards but is not eligible for Overall High Score Awards.

NON-COMPETITIVE – For dancers who wish to compete for judges critiques only and not compete for medal standing or high score awards. Entries in this classification may receive “special awards”. This classification can be used by a dancer who is performing a second solo in the same subject/style or for teachers who wish to perform and not compete.

MEDAL STANDING ONLY – For dancers who wish to compete for medals only, judges’ critiques and “special awards” but not be eligible for high score awards.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION PERTAINING TO CLASSIFICATIONS...Proper classification is determined by the number of hours of training per week. Training includes all rehearsals, solos, dance and Gymnastic classes combined. If the rehearsal schedule is more intensive at certain times of the season than another, hours must be averaged over the period of one studio season.

The Primary, Secondary and Intensive classifications have been developed to afford all levels of dancers the opportunity to participate in ADA events and to separate the classifications to present high score awards to each. A primary or secondary entry is not scored higher based on their classification. All entries are adjudicated by the same standard as far as scoring, however the adjudicator’s critiques will be geared towards the level of training in each classification and they can separate the entries for "High Score" purposes.

Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Pointe, Lyric, Acro/Gym, Clogging, Song & Dance, Modern, Musical Theatre/Character, Hip Hop/Funk, Adagio, Pom Pon, Irish Step, Open, Dance Team, Contemporary

Category	Time Limit
Solo	3 Minutes
Duo/Trio	3 Minutes
Small Group 4-8 Dancers	3.5 Minutes
Large Group 9-15 Dancers	3.5 Minutes
Class 16 or more Dancers	3.5 Minutes
Extended* (see below)**	6 Minutes
Production* (see below)**	10 Minutes

***Extended 4 or more Dancers (6 min. time limit) . All entries will be eligible for the "High Score Extended" awards only.

***Production 10 or more Dancers (10 min. time limit) a production entry can have less than 10 dancers (no less than 5); however the entry fee will be that of 10 dancers. All entries will be eligible for the "High Score Production" awards only.

These time limits will be strictly enforced. You will be given a 5 second leeway. After that your routine will be subject to a 2 point penalty from each judge.

There will be no use of knives, swords, or other dangerous items. Props are allowed, but must be “free standing.” If there is any “litter” on the stage after a performance, a crew must be ready for “clean-up” immediately following the performance.

Rehearse setting props or mats. Props or sets must be set up & removed as quickly as possible. Make sure there is enough people setting the scene to insure it is done as fast as possible. No person setting props will wear a studio T-shirt or jacket. Students should not set props.

6 & under – 7-8 – 9-10 – 11-12 – 13-14 – 15-16 – 17-19 – 20-25 – 26 & over.

DUO through PRODUCTION age levels as of the first day of the competition. Average the ages of the dancers and divide by the amount of dancers dropping all decimals. In the case of duo/trios having a wide age span, no duo/trio entry may enter an age level less than one lower than the oldest dancer performing.

The age of a soloist is determined by July 1, 2009. All solos will be divided by individual age. There are separate male and female categories.

Parent/Adult. An age level for parents/adults that dance for fun. It is not for teachers or serious dancers.

They are in your brochure. If you need assistance, please call the ADA office. All Canadian schools which choose to compete at a regional in the United States can choose to pay with Canadian Funds. All National fees are to be paid in US funds.

Studios with less than $125.00 fees will be charged a sur-charge of $15.00 US and $20.00 Canadian to cover mailing, paperwork, critique tapes, souvenir program and a competition packet. ADA does not accept independent entries without a studio sponsor. (The studio does not have to be attending.)

There will be no cash refunds. If a participant supplies The ADA office with a legitimate letter from a doctor, a studio credit will be issued.

All entries must be processed on regulation entry forms, included the brochure. If additional forms are needed, or if you need a form, please download it from this site and photocopy the regulation form. Use the back of the form for the student’s names and birthdates. Please send all forms together in one packet, no individual forms from a studio will be accepted. If you choose to fax forms (203-985-8151), please DO NOT fax student lists. The front of the form is all that is required. Student lists will be processed when they arrive at the ADA office. If you need entry forms, please contact the ADA office at 203-985-8144 or e-mail to: adainfo@aol.com

The American Dance Awards Inc. and its directors have the right to refuse any application at any time.

For United States Cities, the paper work and payment deadline is five weeks prior to the start date of the event. Canadian Cities are six weeks before. Our Canadian friends participating in US cities can choose to pay with Canadian funds but if paying in US funds it should be a money order or bank check only. Please do not send separate checks from students. One check per studio please. NO ENTRY FEES ARE REFUNDABLE.

Please note: with the "three day guarantee" in all U.S. cities, some cities may fill before the deadline...early paperwork is suggested. .

We do not accept faxed entries! Please call the off to set up an alternative to registering online!

Mail all overnight or express deliveries to American Dance Awards, 7 Corporate Drive Suite 101, North Haven, CT, 06473.

Within two weeks of receipt of your entries, American Dance Awards will send a confirmation of all your entries. This is your opportunity to make sure all entries are entered into the correct age categories, subjects, etc. A “studio code letter” is assigned to each studio and will be listed on your confirmation; it is used to process paperwork, critique tapes, etc. When calling ADA to make changes, please be aware of your studio code letter.

Once the schedule is created, NO STUDIO, TEACHER OR PARENT MAY REQUEST A PERFORMANCE TO BE RE-SCHEDULED! American Dance Awards does not hold or move an entry unless it is a legitimate costume change problem. Please note: if you have a request to run a particular entry at a specific time or a particular day, the request must be in writing at the time the entry is submitted. If we are unable to accommodate your request, the ADA office will notify you. Entries that perform on a different day or do not perform before their respective awards session, will be eligible for medal standing and special awards only, they will not be eligible for high score awards or titles. All decisions pertaining to schedule changes will be at the sole discretion of the ADA office.

ADA requires a studio representative to turn in ALL tapes or CD’s for the day at one time. Tapes or CD’s should be labeled (supplied by ADA at the time you receive your schedules) and turned in to the sound table one hour prior to the studios first performance of the day. Each tape label will have a category number, please submit tapes in numerical order based on that number. THANK YOU. ADA does not accept tapes on an individual basis. In regards to CD’s: If they are individual, the label should be placed on the case. If multiple songs are on one CD they must be in order of appearance with music labels on the case in order. One of ADA’s most respected trademarks is our on-time (or ahead of time) scheduling. Your cooperation concerning our music requirements will help us to continue this tradition.

Please use a high quality CD burner when doing music...This should avoid music skipping!

Ultimate Gold Medal	280-300
Gold Medal	270-279
High Silver Medal	255-269
Silver Medal	240-254
High Bronze Medal	230-239
Bronze Medal	210-229
Honorable Mention	195-209

Entries will receive both an ADA plaque and an individual medal for each dancer in the group!

THE 1ST, 2ND, & 3RD PLACE CERTIFICATES WILL BE PRESENTED IN CATEGORIES WITH FOUR OR MORE ENTRIES.

All entries must score a gold or silver medal to receive a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place award.

High Score "pro-am, recreational, primary, competitive" awards will be presented based on the number of entries in each classification.

High Score Choreography Duo through Production (The Diamond Award) Top 3 scores.

Highest Adjudication (the highest performance and choreography score combined). With entries under 250 the top 3 routines will be awarded, 1st place receives $300.00 cash. With entries over 250 the top 5 routines will be awarded, 1st place receives $500.00 cash scholarship.

Choreography Awards for DUO THROUGH PRODUCTION are presented at each regional event; they are called the "Diamond Awards." They are presented to the choreographers with the top scores in both 12 & under and 13 & over. All duo through production entries are eligible. Solos will have their own choreography awards. "Diamond" winners are eligible to compete at the National Championships for America's Choreographer of the Year, a $2,000.00 cash scholarship. This scholarship is sponsored by our friends at Cicci Costumes. An entry can only win one Diamond Award per season for the same piece of choreography.

Choreographers age 21 years old and younger may enter their duo through production choreography in the Young Choreographer category (entry form has a space to check-off to participate). There is no limit to the number of entries a young choreographer may submit. Winners from each regional event are eligible to compete for America's Young Choreographer of the Year at the Championships for a $1,000.00 cash scholarship.

The special awards are based on the unique qualities of a particular entry that may not always be reflected in the medal standing. The Special Awards are presented for such qualities as outstanding precision, teamwork, choreography, use of formations, patterns, technical execution, emotional execution, and more.

High Score Winners (1st place) and Title Winners will not be eligible for the same award in another city during the same season. They will be eligible for any award not received in another city. If you enter a second city with a High Score or Title Winner from a previous city, please notify the tabulator to avoid any confusion.

High Adjudication Winners and Title Winners may not enter the same number (music and choreography) the following year.

Any age level may have more than one title winner. The following scale will be used to determine the number of titles presented in an age level.

The soloists with the highest performance score in their respective age level will be presented with the Dancer of the Year Titles. All title winners are expected to compete for America's Dancer of the Year at the national level.

No dancer will be eligible for more than one place in the title division; the highest scoring solo will prevail. Dancers can only hold one title per season. They may compete in another city for medal standings or high score.

National title winners from the previous season are not eligible to compete for a title or High Score Award in any city.

Upon entering the American Dance Awards or the Canadian Tour, it is agreed that all students, parents, relatives and teachers will not hold the American Dance Awards, its staff, directors or the host facilities responsible for any injury or loss of property during the event.

1. NO CAMERAS OF ANY TYPE WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE PROPERTY OF THE HOST FACILITY. Anyone concealing a camera and asked more than once to remove it from the auditorium with result in removal from the auditorium and or disqualification of their school.

3. Upon entering any American Dance Awards Inc. sponsored event, it is agreed that all students, parents, relatives and teachers will not hold American Dance Awards Inc., its staff or directors or the host facilities responsible for any injury or loss of property during the event.

4. No limit to the number of entries a studio or dancer may submit, with the following exceptions:

5. Appropriate music, choreography and costumes will be utilized. All entries must be considered “family entertainment.” Any entry not considered “family entertainment” will be penalized and or disqualified.

7. All entries will check in with the backstage coordinator eight (5) numbers prior to their performance.

8. The results of a competition are final. No teacher, student or parent will question a judge.

9. All parents, teachers and students will hold the art of dance in the highest regard. There will be no derogatory statements concerning another studio or fellow dancer at any time.

10. Any teacher, parent or student walking in front of the judges’ table during a performance will be disqualified and asked to leave the event.

11. No parents will call The ADA office. All inquiries will be made through the participating studios.

12. Any studio, dancer or parent that abuses the dressing area will be disqualified or asked to leave the event. Each studio and participant will be responsible for totally cleaning their dressing areas.

14. All participants accept the manner and method of judging set forth by the directors. The directors have the right to change the manner or method at any time they deem necessary. The directors reserve the right to add high score awards when they deem necessary.

15. There will be no “claiming of an area” for private “warm-up.” If you set up mats for practice, they may not be in any public area or dressing room.

16. Dancers will not sit on the floor in the vicinity of the judge's tables in any auditorium.

17. With the exception of the judges and staff, there will be no food or drink allowed in the auditorium.

18. There will be no spray painting or dying of shoes in the building or parking lot.

19. Any dancers that are 13 & Over and leave the stage during a performance are not eligible for a medal standing.

20. All participants give their permission for any photograph or video taken of them by American Dance Awards Inc. to be used in promotion. This includes newspaper, brochures, ads, television, sales videos, the Internet, newsletters and any other form of marketing on behalf of American Dance Awards Inc.

2009 Regional Tour Rules and Regulations