2026-27 Season
Nationals Awards
DanceMakers recognizes excellence through a comprehensive awards system at Nationals. From adjudication scores to Performance of the Year with cash prizes, we celebrate outstanding performances across all categories and age divisions.
Adjudication Awards
All routines will be adjudicated by three of the DanceMakers judges.
Solo routines will receive an adjudication score in your registration portal, but will not be announced for an adjudication award. All soloist will receive a participation award.
Duo/Trio and Group routines will receive an adjudication score in your registration portal and will be announced for an adjudication during competition award ceremony.
If a routine performing was choreographed by one of the judges, the final score is an average of the other two judges. The choreographer does not score the routine.
| Adjudication | Points |
|---|---|
| High 1st Place | 96-100 |
| 1st Place | 90-95 |
| High 2nd Place | 85-89 |
| 2nd Place | 80-84 |
| 3rd Place | 70-79 |
Solo Overall Awards
| Awards | Prize |
|---|---|
| High Score | Acrylic Award / Scholarship to 2027-28 Tour / Solo High Score Performance |
| 1st Runner Up | Acrylic Award / Two city Regional Scholarship to 2027-28 Tour |
| 2nd Runner Up | Acrylic Award / Two city Regional Scholarship to 2027-28 Tour |
| 3rd Runner Up | Acrylic Award / Two city Regional Scholarship to 2027-28 Tour |
| 4th Runner Up | Acrylic Award / Two city Regional Scholarship to 2027-28 Tour |
| 5th-19th Runner Up | Acrylic Award |
| 20th-29th Runner Up | Announced at Solo Awards Ceremony |
Select Solo Winners must be available to perform in the Wrap It Ceremony and all daily rehearsals. The performance will include Camp Dance High Score, Junior High Score through 4th Runner Up, Pre-Teen High Score through 9th Runner Up, Teen High Score through 29th Runner Up, and Senior High Score through 29th Runner Up.
Soloists cannot win consecutive titles in the same age division.
New this year:Dancers are only able to compete one solo at Nationals. If dancers qualified more than one solo regionally, they may only register one for Nationals.
Duo/Trio Overall Awards
Style Runner Up
Recognition
Duo/Trio Runner Up in each age division (Camp Dance, Junior, Pre-Teen, Teen or Senior) and style (Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop or Open).
Example: "Junior Tap Duo/Trio Runner Up"
Announced on our website later in the week.
Style High Score
Recognition
Duo/Trio High Score in each age division (Camp Dance, Junior, Pre-Teen, Teen or Senior) and style (Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop or Open).
Example: "Junior Tap Duo/Trio High Score"
Announced on our website later in the week.
Judges' Pick
Acrylic Award
Routines the judges pick for special recognition in each age division nondependent on scores.
Announced at the Wrap It Ceremony.
Directors' Pick
Acrylic Award
Routines that the directors pick for special recognition in each age division nondependent on scores.
Announced at the Wrap It Ceremony.
2nd – 5th Place
Acrylic Award
2nd – 5th in each age division (Camp Dance, Junior, Pre-Teen, Teen or Senior).
Example: "Junior Duo/Trio 2nd"
Announced at the Wrap It Ceremony.
Age Division High Score
Acrylic Award / $500
High Score in each age division (Camp Dance, Junior, Pre-Teen, Teen or Senior) excluding Category High Scores.
Example: "Junior Duo/Trio High Score"
Announced at the Wrap It Ceremony.
DanceAgain
Performs at DanceAgain Showcase
The National DanceAgain Showcase will feature a selection of the TOP-scoring routines from across all five age divisions in both duo/trio competition and group competition (Group, Line, Extended Line, and Production) to determine the Duo/Trio Performance of the Year and Group Performance of the Year. While routines may be selected from any age division, representation from every age division/category is not guaranteed. Studios may have multiple routines selected for the Showcase across different age divisions/categories; however, only one routine per studio may be represented within the same age division/categories. All judges from the week will view the Showcase performances and select the two final winners based solely on their performance in the Showcase, not on their previous competition scores. All other awards will be determined by the scores earned during the competition.
Duo/Trio Performance of the Year
Acrylic Award / $1,000 CASH
This award is chosen by our judging panel from the DanceAgain Showcase which consists of the TOP scoring performances from our Nationals Competition.
Announced at the Wrap It Ceremony.
* DanceMakers reserves the rights to extend placement awards depending on the number of registered routines.
Group Overall Awards
Style Runner Up
Plaque
Runner Up in each age division (Camp Dance, Junior, Pre-Teen, Teen or Senior), category (Group, Line, Extended Line or Production) and style (Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop or Open).
Example: "Junior Tap Group Runner Up"
Announced on our website later in the week.
Style High Score
Plaque
High Score in each age division (Camp Dance, Junior, Pre-Teen, Teen or Senior), category (Group, Line, Extended Line or Production) and style (Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop or Open).
Example: "Junior Tap Group High Score"
Announced on our website later in the week.
Judges' Pick
Acrylic Award
Routines the judges pick for special recognition in each age division and category nondependent on scores.
Announced at the Wrap It Ceremony.
Directors' Pick
Acrylic Award
Routines that the directors pick for special recognition in each age division and category nondependent on scores.
Announced at the Wrap It Ceremony.
2nd – 5th Place in Category
Acrylic Award
2nd – 5th in each age division (Camp Dance, Junior, Pre-Teen, Teen or Senior) and category (Group, Line, Extended Line or Production).
Example: "Junior Group 2nd Place"
Announced at the Wrap It Ceremony.
Category High Score
Acrylic Award / $500
High Score in each age division (Camp Dance, Junior, Pre-Teen, Teen or Senior) and category (Group, Line, Extended Line or Production).
Example: "Junior Group High Score"
Announced at the Wrap It Ceremony.
Age Division High Score
Acrylic Award / $1,000
High Score in each age division (Camp Dance, Junior, Pre-Teen, Teen or Senior) excluding Category High Scores.
Example: "Junior High Score"
Announced at the Wrap It Ceremony.
DanceAgain
Performs at DanceAgain Showcase
The National DanceAgain Showcase will feature a selection of the TOP-scoring routines from across all five age divisions in both duo/trio competition and group competition (Group, Line, Extended Line, and Production) to determine the Duo/Trio Performance of the Year and Group Performance of the Year. While routines may be selected from any age division, representation from every age division/category is not guaranteed. Studios may have multiple routines selected for the Showcase across different age divisions/categories; however, only one routine per studio may be represented within the same age division/categories. All judges from the week will view the Showcase performances and select the two final winners based solely on their performance in the Showcase, not on their previous competition scores. All other awards will be determined by the scores earned during the competition.
Performance of the Year
Acrylic Award / $2,000 CASH
This award is chosen by our judging panel from the DanceAgain Showcase which consists of the TOP scoring performances from our Nationals Competition.
Announced at the Wrap It Ceremony.
* DanceMakers reserves the rights to extend placement awards depending on the number of registered routines.
Studio Awards
The Shaffer Studio
Acrylic Award / $500
This will be awarded to the studio that shows support, encouragement, professionalism and shares their love for dance with others throughout the event. This award is in honor of Mr. Doug Shaffer who has shared his love of dance with others for many years.
Best Studio Choreography
Acrylic Award / $500
This will be awarded to the studio that has the best overall choreography throughout competition.
Most Technical Studio
Acrylic Award / $500
This will be awarded to the studio that has the best overall technique throughout convention and competition.
The Standout Studio
Acrylic Award / $500
This will be awarded to the studio that stands out in convention work and competition performance.
The Breakthrough Studio
Acrylic Award / $500
This will be awarded to the studio that has the most overall improvement from Regionals to Nationals.
Studio of the Year
Acrylic Award / $1,000
Studio of the Year is awarded to the studio who embodies greatness in all aspects at Nationals. This includes, but is not limited to, competition, convention and the in-between moments throughout the event. This studio is to represent the highest caliber in dance, along with being supportive and encouraging to other dancers. The Studio of the Year is to represent DanceMakers values and mission and is meant to inspire other studios throughout the country.
Questions About Awards?
Have questions about our Nationals awards system or recognition programs? Our team is here to help!
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