Entries will be accepted from studios, individuals and high school/college dance teams.

Performance categories:

• Jazz: Jazz dance including floor work emphasizing technique
• Tap: Dance using appropriate techniques specific to this dance style
• Clogging: Dance using appropriate techniques specific to this dance style
• Ballet/Pointe: Classical ballet style or Pointe technique
• Hip-Hop/Funk: Primarily street dance, free style, pop and lock technique. Emphasis on body control and movement
• Lyrical: Emphasizes ballet or classical dance with technical and emotional interpretation
• Military/Drill: Emphasizing precision movements, drill team style dance such as marching, kicking, and demonstrating spatial designs; focus on timing and uniformity
• Pom: Using poms at least 85% of routine; precision movements
• Variety: Open category; any dance style that does not fit into the other categories, such as a combination of dances; may include clogging, liturgical, ethnic, character; if 5 or more dances appear to be in a specific variety category, a separate category may be named; directors will be notified
• Acro-dance: A combination of dance sequences and gymnastic passes; must include 3 or more passes to be classified in this category
• Prop: Use of props for at least 85% of dance; prop exclusions: weapons of any kind including swords or knives, fire; including torches, candles, lanterns, fog, smoke, special lighting, any chemical, or animals; if you have any questions, please contact Dance Spotlight USA
• Production: Routines may be up to 7 minutes in this category (on and off); small team and up may participate; all dancers do not have to be on the floor at all times, however all must participate; this is open to any dance style category

Other competition categories:

• Student Creativity: For student dancers only; no employees of dance studio; student must be in pre-teen group or older
  • Student choreography: student is responsible for choreography of entire routine; no dance sequence, segments should be repeated from another routine either in group or solo; student will be judged on creativity and technical appeal of steps and sequences
  • Student dance theme: student is responsible for creative theme in a routine or production number; student will be judged on originality, use of costume, props and presentation; dancer must submit a detailed description of routine idea and specific use of props and costume; description to accompany entry form
• Costume (all age categories)
• Photogenic (all age categories): Please submit one head shot and one body shot at least 4 x 6; photos will not be returned

• 5 years and younger — Dance Spotlight USA primary
• 6-8 years — youth
• 9-11 years — juniors
• 12-14 years — pre-teen
• 15-16 years — teen
• 17-18 years — seniors
• 19+ years — collegiate

Group age category should be based on average age of all dancers (ex: 8,8,10,12,14 = 52, 52÷5 = 10.4, round @ .6+, so the appropriate age group would be 9-11)

Performance Divisions
Solo, Duet, Trios, Ensemble (4-9 dancers), Small Team (10-19 dancers, Large Team (20-39 dancers), Line (40+ dancers). Dancers who are new to dance and/or competition may choose to perform as a Novice and be adjudicated but not compete against a specific group. Novice division dancers are not eligible for National placement. Dance Spotlight USA also provides an optional Challenger division for dancers with disabilities.

Time limit & Music
Music selections should be on individual high quality tape or CD cued and ready. Back up music should be available. Performances may be a maximum of 3.5 minutes including on and off. Dance Spotlight USA can not be responsible for errors with your music. Music should be labeled with dancer/group name, studio and name of song. Labels will be provided for all performances registered before deadline. Music should be turned in at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled competition time. Dancer should be "back stage" and ready 5 performances prior to their scheduled time. Routines may not be re-performed unless error is due to technical difficulty on the part of Dance Spotlight USA.

Fees and Deadlines
Fees are listed on the competition entry form. All fees are non-refundable after deadline. A dancer may be substituted, however, with notice before deadline. Registration is official once payment is received. Performers who must be substituted or omitted in a group/team performance is permitted and will not result in penalty, no refunds will be issued, a revised roster must be submitted as soon as possible (age specifications still apply). Entry fees should be received no later than 14 days prior to competition date unless otherwise approved. Entry fees received after competition deadline will be charged a $25 late fee and must be paid by money order, cashier's check or by credit card. Other discounts or certificates may still apply. As a courtesy to our directors and dancers, no entries will be accepted after the Saturday before the competition. No changes can be made to the printed schedule after midnight Tuesday morning of competition week.

All studios that submit complete registrations and correct group rosters 35 days prior to deadline will receive a 3% rebate, refunded after the competition. Studios submitting $500 or more in entry fees and have correct group rosters 35 days prior to deadline will receive a 5% rebate, refunded after the competition. Dance Spotlight USA does not charge an admission fee to parents or other "dance fans".

Team/Group Roster
Please complete a list of names for each dance entry to be submitted with your registration and entry fees. One check should be submitted for group. Dance Spotlight USA can not accept individual checks due to the possible delay of entry processing (Studios may send one check for multiple performances). A computerized roster with all information to be contained on Dance Spotlight USA's form is permitted.

Competition Schedule
A tentative schedule will be posted on our Web site and faxed by the Tuesday of the week of competition. Dance Spotlight USA reserves the right to add Sunday to the competition schedule due to number of performances.

Video and Photography
A professional videographer will tape the event and videos of your performance will be available to purchase at most venues. In these instances videotaping is prohibited. It is the Director/teacher's responsibility to remind participants of this. If a videographer is not provided each studio may have one video camera and may be operated by a studio representative in a Dance Spotlight USA designated area. Further instructions and an authorization I.D. will be provided in packets where appropriate. Photography is permitted without flash. Again, at most venues a photographer will be available to take pictures for purchase.

Additional guidelines:
Dance Spotlight USA holds a high standard and will not permit suggestive movements, music, inappropriate or explicit language, or costume attire that is suggestive or inappropriate. Point deductions will be assigned. Absolutely no cursing on music or by a contestant. This will result in disqualification.

Please, no coaching from backstage by directors or parents except for primary age category. Dance Spotlight USA reserves the right to cancel a competition if the minimum number of entries is not met in your venue. Alternate venues will be offered, money will be reimbursed due to cancellation of this type.

Dance Spotlight USA or its staff cannot be held responsible for accident or injury, please do not attempt stunts without appropriate matting. No prop may raise a performer more than 6 feet off the ground.

Dance Spotlight USA strives to be a fair organization. Point deductions rather than charging fees is how we choose to enforce our rules. Point deductions may be adjudicated for music not cued, dancer not ready at time of performance or time guideline compliance, misuse of photography or videography.

Prior to competition a comprehensive information packet will be mailed with further instruction and more specific detailed information regarding your venue and performances. We look forward to meeting you and to seeing your “best dancing!”