Event reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis with a non-refundable $10 deposit per routine to guarantee those routines a spot.
Entries must be submitted (paid in full, with all entries submitted in entirety) through the online system—no phone, fax, mail, or email entries accepted. The last day to submit your finalized routine information is 30 days before the event. Failure to meet this deadline will result in forfeiting the spot and deposit.
No entries will be accepted at the competition location for any new or registered studio. Only Title, Headshot and Costume entries may be added onsite. Entries are confirmed only when fully paid and music uploaded. Entries are processed in the order received and limited to available performance time at each event. Any routine or dancer that is found to be breaking the rules will automatically be adjusted by our system.
By completing your registration for a Star Dance Alliance event, all registered contestants do hereby grant permission to the Star Dance Alliance to publish their photographs and/or videos for promotional reasons. This includes social media, local television, national television, promotional videos, the web or in any other publication to promote its competitions. Furthermore, you hereby release all directors, officers or representatives of this competition from all claims for damages or injuries sustained while participating in any activity related to this competition. In addition, the Star Dance Alliance reserves the right to communicate one on one, or through the mailing list, with each studio using the email(s) provided in the registration system.
The Star Dance Alliance is proud to offer the best customer service in the industry. Our team is here to support you with any registration or leveling questions along the way.
New this season, from August through December, you’re welcome to book one-on-one time with any member of our Client Relations team. We’re here to make the process easy and ensure you feel confident every step of the way.
Book NowA $10 per routine deposit is required and must be paid no later than 120 days prior to the event. If an event reaches capacity before the 120-day deadline, studios will be contacted at that time and given two weeks to submit their deposits. If a deposit is not received according to the guidelines above, the spots will be automatically released, without correspondence.
Deposit funds are non-transferable to any other SDA brand within 59 days or less of an event should entire attendance be withdrawn.
Due to the nature of open registration, we cannot guarantee that every age division or performance level will have entries to compete against. While we do our best to provide a competitive experience for all performers, registration is first-come, first-served and varies by event.
No refunds or credits will be issued due to a lack of competition in a specific age group, division, category, or level.
Dancers are entered into the roster based on a three-level system (Showcase, Competitive, Elite) with Elite being the highest. The initial level placement of each dancer in your roster should be based on the dancers within your studio. A dancer can move to a higher level mid-season but must remain at the higher level for the remainder of the season. No dancer can level down at any time once they have leveled up. Level changes cannot be made onsite.
Beginner/pre-competitive dancers
Intermediate dancers
Advanced dancers
Designed for performers who have different abilities and may face developmental or physical challenge
Dancers registered at this level can compete in Showcase, Competitive or Elite routines.
Routines are placed in their level divisions based on the rules set forth. If your roster changes, the level of a routine will be recalculated and will compete as stipulated by our rules. Any substitutions in a routine must be rostered, regardless of time of substitution. The system will automatically recalculate routines based on the current rosters (age and level). Studios must verify each routine whenever changes are made to that specific routine. This applies to each event and brand. The roster of a routine must account for every dancer on the stage. Any performer participating in any capacity within a routine must be registered. Any routine competing in the Elite division is eligible for star dollars.
Level is determined based on the level of the dancer.
Level is determined based on the highest level of any registered dancer in the routine.
All group sizes (Small groups, Large groups, Lines and Grand Lines) are determined by the 1/3 rule. If 1/3 or more of dancers in a routine are a higher level, that routine must compete at the higher level.
Designed for performers who have different abilities and may face developmental or physical challenge.
This division is designed for dancers who may have developmental or physical challenges. It is a non-competitive category created to recognize and celebrate their accomplishments, giving them the opportunity to perform in a supportive and encouraging environment.
Leveling up: Only a Grand Line routine can be leveled up to a higher division with a written request to the competition.
If any studio has questions regarding the leveling of a specific routine, please reach out to your client relations manager for assistance regarding that event.
1 performer.
2-3 performers.
4-9 performers.
10-19 performers.
20+ performers (no limit to the maximum number of performers).
20+ performers (no limit to the maximum number of performers).
A Grand Line is a studio routine that includes dancers across all ages and levels, typically combining multiple groups into one large performance that showcases and represents the full talent of the studio.
Important: A performer is any participant of any routine, on the stage, that is seen for any amount of time by the judges or from the audience perspective. Anyone visible to the audience or judges for any period of time on the stage must be considered in the calculation of the age, level and group size of the routine.
Performer count: The number of performers on the stage during a routine MUST match the number of names listed in the registration/tabulation system. If substitutions or changes occur prior to the event, those will need to be submitted ASAP via email to ensure all rosters are accurate. If changes occur during an event, please make your onsite director aware immediately. In the event that there are more performers on stage during a routine than are registered, that routine may be disqualified and will not receive a refund. In addition, the studio will be charged the Tier 3 entry fee plus a $50 change fee.
4 & Under, 5-6, 7-8, 9-11, 12-14, 15-16, 17-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50+
Single age divisions are used for Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary and Open categories.
Acro/Gymnastics: Blending dance technique with acrobatic movement, this style highlights tumbling skills, transitions, strength and flexibility.
Ballet: A classical dance style emphasizing technique, grace and precision demonstrating clean lines, turnout, control and traditional movement vocabulary; ballet shoes required. (Pointe shoes cannot be worn.)
Pointe: An advanced style of Ballet performed in pointe shoes, requiring strength, control and precision. Reserved to Elite Level only.
Ballroom: A style using traditional social and competitive influences and techniques emphasizing rhythm, fluid movement and precise footwork; ballroom shoes required.
Baton: Combining baton twirling with dance elements, this style features coordinated movements, tricks and rhythmic patterns using baton(s).
Character: A style reflecting pop culture or theatrical themes through dynamic and expressive movement, often incorporating stylized footwork and gestures.
Cheerleading: Style of routine that incorporates jumps, stunts, tumbling and dance, often performed with chants or cheers (up to 50% acro/gymnastics allowed).
Clogging: A rhythmic style of dance featuring percussive footwork where dancers use their shoes to create distinctive sound.
Contemporary: Blending many traditional styles of dance, Contemporary emphasizes fluid movement, innovative techniques and emotional expression.
Drill Team: A precision-based style of dance combining sharp, synchronized movements, marching and military-style formations; may incorporate any type of dance.
Folkloric: A traditional dance style reflecting cultural heritage and regional movements (Ex: Polkas, Hawaiian, Irish Step Dance, Spanish Flamenco, Chinese Classical Dance, Belly dance, etc.).
Hip Hop: A dance style that originated in street culture, this style includes a wide range of movements, from dynamic popping and locking to smooth, rhythm-based grooves.
Jazz: A style incorporating sharp, rhythmic movements with smooth, fluid transitions, emphasizing both technical precision and emotional expression. Skills often include isolations, leaps, turns, kicks, etc.
Lip Sync: A performance style combining dance with lip-syncing through synchronized movement and pantomime.
Lyrical: A style that combines ballet and jazz techniques, emphasizing expressive and fluid movements to convey emotion and storytelling through music.
Modern: A style with emphasis on creative expression and movement concepts structured through composition of movement idioms.
Musical Theater: A performance style that blends acting and dancing to tell a story through expressive choreography, often portraying specific characters and emotions from stage shows, theatre productions, or Film Musicals. Lip sync is allowed.
Open: A versatile style that allows for a mix of styles and techniques. Routines in this style have the freedom to incorporate elements from various genres, showcasing creativity and individual expression (any dancer in pointe shoes must be an Elite dancer, NO Vocal routines permitted.)
Pom: Incorporating the use of pom poms, this style emphasizes precision, rhythm and coordination. Pom poms must be used for at least 80% of the routine.
Song & Dance: A performance style that integrates singing and dancing, with dancers performing choreographed movements while simultaneously vocalizing lyrics; no lip syncing allowed for lead vocals. Must contain at least 50% vocal / 50% dance - movement from a dance-based style while singing. Utilizes choreography that would be similar to but not limited to Broadway or Music Video, for example. Using motions like a concert-style performance to enhance the singing performance would be better suited in Vocal category.
Tap: This style is performed in tap shoes, using the feet to produce rhythmic sounds with the floor. Tap focuses on timing, rhythm and coordination.
Vocal: A performance category focused on singing, where performers showcase their vocal technique, tone and expression through song (lead vocals must be live). The use of motions and movement can be added to compliment the style of song. Event specific: The vocal division can be broken out into levels. Please contact the competition regarding level breakouts.
Adjudication: Each routine is awarded an adjudicated pin that is pre-determined based on a scoring system. Each judge has 100 points to allocate. The highest scoring routine of each specific age and performance category will be awarded first place in that category (Ex: Elite 12-14 Hip Hop Solo).
Overalls: Routines are scored and ranked within their level, genre and age division (Ex: Elite 12-14 Solos, Showcase 8 & Under Small Groups).
