National Rules and Regulations

Attendee Information

Teachers

  • May observe and participate in all ballrooms
  • All Camp DanceAdventure classes will be offered in the Teacher’s room
  • When dancing in student rooms, please be respectful and dance to the side or in the back of the room behind the student dancers.
  • Convention and Competition information will be sent to registered teachers approximately 10 days prior to convention and will also be available on the tour page.
  • All registered teachers will receive a DMI bag at check in, which will contain a book of notes, a DVD of classroom material, and other surprises.
  • Teachers receive VIP access to Meet and Greet and Teacher’s Luncheon. (Teachers Only – no Assistant Teachers or Observer wristbands).
  • May not participate in competition.
  • May not register as assistants or observers.

Assistants

  • May observe and participate in all ballrooms.
  • May participate in competition
  • May participate in Senior auditions

Student Attendees

  • All attendees will be issued a wristband which allows access only to their assigned room.
  • Wristbands may be changed at the DMI booth with a registered teacher.

Observers

  • Are allowed with paid student only.
  • Must Pay appropriate fee.
  • Have no access to Teacher classes
  • Must be respectful to the dancers taking class and take all discussions and phones outside the ballroom.

Camp Dance Adventure Observers

  • Wristbands are available to observe CDA only.

General Convention Rules

  • Registration and payment must be received 21 days before event to avoid late fees.
  • Classes may be closed when maximum capacity of registrants is reached.
  • No Admittance to ballrooms without a wristband – NO EXCEPTIONS.
  • Independent registrations for the convention will be accepted.
  • One day rates are available. Contact DMI offices for more information.
  • Dancers that are registered in the competition must be registered for the full weekend and cannot register for the one day workshop.
  • There are no refunds.
  • Walk up registration will be permitted the weekend of the convention only if space is available.
  • All pre-registration fees must be paid prior to arrival.
  • Walk up and add on registrations must be paid by cash, credit card, cashier’s check or money order.
  • No video recording or photography at any time during classes or competition.
  • Still photos can be taken in between classes.
  • Wristbands for entry into ballroom must be worn throughout the convention and competition. Do not remove wristband. If replacement wristband is needed, your old wristband must be presented.
  • No oversized dance bags or luggage allowed in the ballroom. Keep all belongings as far back against the walls as possible.
  • All dancers must wear cover-up and shoes when outside the ballroom area. No tap shoes and no bare feet outside ballrooms.
  • Please be respectful of other guests in convention and hotel.

Discount Information

Teachers Attend Fee

  • There is a $36 credit for each paid student toward teacher registration at each attending city, which equals 1 FREE teacher for every 10 paid students.
  • This discount can only be applied to Teacher registration, NOT Assistant Teachers.

Observers

  • One FREE observer wristband is available for each room reserved at the host hotel. Room reservation MUST be under the DMI room block. Bring your hotel reservation confirmation number to the DMI registration desk in order to receive ONE free observer wristband. There are no cash refunds or credits.

Scholarship Information

National Scholarships

  • Each faculty member will present scholarships to select students who demonstrate outstanding ability in a style of dance. The students will receive a scholarship to attend two DMI regional cities of their choice to assist at Regional Conventions..

Ages & Fees

Age Fee Late Fee
Teachers 14 & UP $360 $20
Assistants Minimum Age 14 $315 $20
Senior 14 & UP $260 $20
Teen 11 through 13 $260 $20
Junior 7 through 10 $260 $20
CDA 3 through 6 $160 $20
Observer N/A $60 N/A
CDA Observer N/A $35 N/A

Register Now

Register Early

Convention and Competition registration may close before cut-off-date once maximum capacity is reached. Don’t wait – Register now!
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We look forward to seeing you in your city soon!!!

Age Divisions

Age Divisions Age
Senior 15 & UP
Teen 13 through 14
Pre-Teen 10 through 12
Junior 7 through 9
Camp Dance Adventure 3 through 6

Age of group is determined by adding students age together (as of date of competition) and dividing by the number of students in the routine. Disregard decimal points. May not compete in more than one age division.

Competition Fees & Time Limits

Category Fee Time Limits # of Competitors
Solo $95 3:00 1
Duo/Trio $45 3:00 2-3
Group $35 3:00 4-8
Line $30 4:00 9-16
Production $25 6:00 17 or more
Extended Production $35 8:00

A 5 point deduction will be taken if the time limit is exceeded.

Subject

Subject Description
Ballet Classical Ballet steps using slippers or pointe shoes including Classical, Pointe and Modern
Tap Tap technique
Jazz Any Jazz technique including up tempo
Lyrical Lyrical technique with emphasis on the lyrics or mood of the music
Contemporary Mix of styles with emphasis on Modern Technique or Ballet or Contemporary Movement
Musical Theatre Any performance utilizing the style or interpretation of Broadway, Musical Theatre or Hollywood Choreography
Hip Hop Hip Hop or Street Moves
Variety Combination of any of the above styles, 4 or more tricks, as well as: Acro-Gymnastics, Novelty, Clogging, Ethnic, Pom-Poms or Ballroom

Judging Criteria

Criteria Points
Technique 40 Points
Choreography 20 Points
Stage Presence 20 Points
Overall Impact 20 Points
  • Scores are based on a possible 100 points
  • Judges may determine that a routine is entered incorrectly and may move it to the correct subject without penalty
  • Judges decisions are final
  • If for any reason a number is repeated, the judges scores from the original performance become the basis for the final score

Props

  • General Props are permitted
  • There is a 30 second time limit to move props on or off. Anything over 30 seconds will result in a 5 point deduction. Production numbers have a 60 second time limit.
  • This time limit includes clean up or sweeping time, which is the studio’s responsibility, including confetti/glitter/feathers etc. Stage must be left clean by performers.
  • No studio logos are allowed while on stage helping with props. Any obvious studio affiliation will result in a 5 point deduction.
  • Teachers, parents, or students may assist with props.
  • No props or costume pieces to be thrown into judges area.

Photography & Video Cameras

  • Photography and Videotaping during classes and competition are strictly prohibited. Advanced technology of video on cell phones, ,cameras, etc has forced us to prohibit all camera use during Classes and Competition. This includes ALL still photography, with or without flash. This is to protect the rights of the choreographer as well as your children’s safety, and to make it possible for DanceMakers to offer a professional photography and video service. Still photos are welcome in between classes and with our faculty at Autograph Sessions. Any violations can result in routine and/or studio being disqualified.

Competition Judging Packet

  • Studio competition packets will be available Wednesday at 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. This includes score sheets, CD’s from competition and Judging Critique DVD’s. Only teachers can pick up competition packet. Packets not picked up before 11a.m. will be mailed the following week.

General Competition Rules

  • Parents, Family and Friends may observe competition for no entry fee.
  • There will be reserved seating for teachers.
  • In an effort to maintain the values of a family competition, DMI expects that all routines be age, music and costume appropriate. All of these issues are subjective. We are aware that our guidelines may be too strict for some sensibilities and not strict enough for others. There is a fine line that we take very seriously.
  • No Cell Phones or distractions. Any violations can result in a routine and/or studio being disqualified.
  • No saving seats.
  • Competing dancers must be registered at DanceMakers Convention as a student or assistant to be eligible to perform in the StarMaker Competition.
  • Dancers that are registered in the competition must be registered for the full weekend and cannot register for the one day workshop.
  • No Teachers or professional dancers are permitted to compete.
  • Talking, lip syncing and singing are acceptable. Microphones are prohibited.
  • No use of fire.
  • All competitors are required to wear convention wristbands.
  • Dancers may compete in more than one number. Any dancer may compete against themselves in any age division, category and subject.
  • If we are sold out, a soloist will be permitted one entry only.
  • Teachers will be responsible for producing birth certificates to verify age, should challenges or questions arise.
  • All information concerning competition will be available on our tour page 10 days before registered city.
  • There are no refunds.
  • Competition start time may vary from city to city. Competition normally begins on Fridays. In select cities Duo/Trio, Group or Line Competition may follow Solo Competition on Friday.
  • Choreographers and all attendees automatically give their permission to DMI to use all photos and videos for advertising and publicity.
  • All entrances and exits must be done from Stage Left or Right. No entrances or exits from front or back of stage.
  • DanceMakers has the right to close competition at any point.
  • In order to compete, performers must be registered with a paid teacher.

National Competition Rules

  • DMI applies the 50% rule for Nationals. Competition routine must be 50% of the original material including costume, music, choreography, and dancers.
  • Competition routines may not change subject..
  • Competition routines will compete in original age division.
  • A competition routine may drop down in a category. Example: A line can drop to a group, but may not go up to a production.

Competition Music

  • All music for the competition must be recorded on ONE master CD and ONE back-up CD.
  • Label CD with Studio name
  • All music must be turned in before competing.

Stage

  • 36′ X 50′ with a marly floor.

Awards

Adjudication Points
1st Place 90-100 Points
2nd Place 80-89 Points
3rd Place 70-79 Points
  • All soloist receive a trophy of participation after the solo competition. Soloists will not receive adjudication trophy. All overall winners will be announced directly following the completion of Solo Competition.
  • Each group routine will receive a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place trophy after the competition. All overall winners will be announced at the Wrap It Ceremony.

Solo Overall Awards

Placement Awards
High Score Trophy/$200 Cash Award/Scholarship to the 2013-14 DMI Tour/Dance Bag/Tiara or Baseball Cap/ Company Performance
1st Runner-Up Trophy/Two city Regional Convention Scholarship to the 2013-14 Tour/Company Performance
2nd Runner-Up Trophy/One city Regional Convention Scholarship to the 2013-14 Tour/Company Performance
3rd Runner-Up Trophy/One city Regional Convention Scholarship to the 2013-14 Tour/Company Performance
All Solo Routines Trophy of Participation
  • Solo performers are only eligible for ONE placement.
  • All overall awards are presented to each age division in male and female.
  • All overall winners must be available to perform in the WrapIt Ceremony and all daily rehearsals.

Group Awards

Placement Awards Description
Performance of the Year Overall High Score Trophy/$1,500 Cash Prize Highest score from Group Competition
High Score in Each Age Division Trophy/$1,000 Cash Prize Highest score from each age division, excluding Overall High Score
Judges Choice in Each Age Division Trophy/$800 Cash Prize Routine the judges pick for special recognition in each age division
2nd Place in Each Age Division Trophy/&500 Cash Prize 2nd highest score from each age division
3rd Place in Each Age Division Trophy/3rd highest score from each age division 3rd highest score from each age division
4th-10th Place in Each Age Division Trophy/$100 Cash Prize 4th through 10th place in each age division
  • All overall awards will be presented at the WrapIt Ceremony

*** All Times are Subject to Change ***

Saturday

Early Check-In Early check-in and submission of music
Solo StarMaker Competition TBD
Dance Party TBD

Sunday

Early Check-In 7 – 11 a.m.
Warm-up & announcements 8 – 8:30 a.m.
Classes 8:30 a.m – 12:00 p.m.
Lunch 12 – 1:00 p.m.
Classes 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Competition 2:30 – until

Monday

Classes 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Lunch 12 – 1:00 p.m.
Classes 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Competition 2:30 – until

Tuesday

Classes 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Lunch 12 – 1:00 p.m.
Classes 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Competition 2:30 – until

Wednesday

Classes 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WrapIt Awards Ceremony 12 – 1:30 p.m.