Rules & Regulations

General Rules

  • We hope to foster a supportive and inclusive environment, therefore, dancers must conduct themselves in a professional, kind, and supportive manner. Any unsportsmanlike conduct will result in disqualification.

  • Entry changes must be requested no later than 2 weeks prior to the competition date. Any changes after that may not be accepted. All participants must be available on all days of competition.

  • Dancers should be ready to perform 45 minutes- 1 hour prior to the scheduled time.

  • Dancers may only re-perform in the case of a technical error

  • Upon registering, all teachers/dancers give permission and consent to any photographs or videos for promotional advertising or other commercial use for Shine Your Light Dance Competition.

  • Photos and videos may be taken during the awards ceremonies.

  • Routines may not take place physically above 6 feet. Live animals, liquids, gels, powders, glitter, dangerous props and weapons are not allowed. The use of fog, smoke, helium balloons or special lighting is strictly prohibited.

  • The use of props is allowed in all categories. All props must be carried on by the performer or studio representative and must be in place and/or removed within 1 minute.

  • Instructors/ Coaches may not coach from backstage

  • All choreography, costuming, music lyrics and/or dance themes must be appropriate and family-friendly.

  • LIABILITY: There are certain risks of physical injury, and participants assume the full risk of injuries, damage or loss which I may sustain as a result of participating in any and all activities associated with this program. I do hereby fully release and discharge ILLUMINATE DANCE, and its officers, agents, and employees from any and all claims from injuries including injury, damage or loss which I or my minor child/ward may have or which may occur on account of participation in the program.

  • Cancellation Policy: Due to the factors of securing venues and staff that are locked in months in advance, competition fees are non-refundable. In the event a dancer/dancers are unable to attend, routine changes/ adjustments may be made 2 weeks prior to the event.

  • The competition reserves the right to cancel a competition if a minimum number of entries are not received. ​Full refunds will be provided for all registration fees if an event is canceled. All refunds will be returned within 7-10 business days of the injury/illness or canceled event.

Entry Levels

Novice: A novice dancer is newer to the competition stage and is taking less than 3 hours of class per week. Ultimately, this is up to the studio’s discretion.

Intermediate: An intermediate dancer has previous competition experience and takes less than 5 hours of class per week. Ultimately, this is up to the studio’s discretion.

Elite: An elite dancer is experienced with the competition stage and takes more than 5 hours of class per week. Ultimately, this is up to the studio’s discretion.

Shine: A shine dancer would like to perform for an audience with adjudication only.

* Dancers that appear to be registered in the incorrect level will be notified by your Competition Director to adjust accordingly.

Age Divisions

Petite: 8 years old & under

Junior: 9-12 years old

Teen: 13-15 years old

Senior: 16-19 years old

Adult: 20+ years old

Time Limits/Categories

Solo (1 dancer)

Duo/Trio (2-3 dancers)

Small Group (4-9 dancers)

Large Group (10-19 dancers)

Line (20+ dancers)

Production (20+ dancers)*

3:00

3:00

3:00

4:00

5:00

8:00

*Additional time available for productions (up to 2 minutes)

LYRICAL: Lyrics and emotion of the music are emphasized in these routines . Must not include more than 3 Acro tricks/passes.

MODERN: Modern technique (Horton, Graham, Limon, Forsyth) are emphasized in these routines . Must not include more than 3 Acro tricks/passes.

CONTEMPORARY: Combinations of lyrical, modern and concert style techniques. Must not include more than 3 Acro tricks/passes.

HIP HOP: Routine consisting primarily of Hip Hop Technique. Must have clean family friendly music. Must not include more than 3 Acro tricks/passes.

MUSICAL THEATER: Broadway show or movie musical/ character are emphasized in these routines. Must not include more than 3 Acro tricks/passes.

JAZZ: Emphasize classical and current jazz technique, Musicality and dynamics. Must not include more than 3 Acro tricks/passes.

TAP: Routine utilizing tap technique and focus of sounds and rhythm. Must not include more than 3 Acro tricks/passes.

BALLET: Ballet technique and classical steps and vocabulary are used in these routines. No pointe shoes allowed. Must not include Acro tricks.

POINTE: Routine must consist of pointe/toe technique. Must not include Acro tricks.

ACRO: Acro tricks accompanied by flexibility and control are emphasized utilizing dance throughout the entire routine.

POM POM/CHEER: Consisting of cheerleading, pom-pom, drill team and kick line.

OPEN: Any genre not listed, or combinations of listed category styles.

Genres

Scoring and Adjudication

Critiques and adjudications will be based on the competition level, age, and category by a panel of 3 judges. Judges will be knowledgeable in a variety of dance styles and Danscend certified. Each genre will have specific criteria for judges that are specific to each style.

Each judge will score on a 100-point scale based on technique, precision/ musicality, artistry.

30 Points Technique - 30 Points Precision/ Musicality - 40 Points Artistry/ Performance Quality

Novice Level

Platinum 93-100

High Gold 86-92.9

Gold 79-85.9

Silver 75-78.9

Intermediate Level

Platinum 95-100

High Gold 90-94.9

Gold 85-89.9

Silver 80-84.9

Elite Level

Illuminate 98-100

Platinum 96-98

High Gold 91-95.9

Gold 86-90.9

Silver 81-85.9

The decisions of the judges are final and each judge will give a verbal critique for each entry.

Score Sheets will be available for studio owners following the event.

Video commentary will be available on www.videojudge.com using DanceBug.

Music

All music must be uploaded on DanceBug 2 weeks prior to the competition event.

Studio owners must bring back up files of each routine via laptop, phone, or flash drive (mp3 format ).

If the music stops for any reason, the dancers will be given the opportunity to re-perform without penalty.

  • Every routine receives an ward for general adjudication placement and is eligible for overalls and special awards.

  • If 1-3 routines are in a division, awards will be given to the top overall routine (1st).

    If 4 or more routines are in a division, awards will be given to the top 3 overall routines (1st, 2nd, 3rd).

    If 10 or more routines are in a division, awards will be given to the top 5 overall routines (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th).

    Soloists can only qualify for 1 overall award, in a given category.

  • Judges’ awards are given out at each ceremony by our judges.

  • Judges will select routines to re-perform at the end of the competition based on story telling, choreography, composition, and creativity. 

  • Given to dancers to participate in this elite national contemporary ensemble at our sister event Metamorphosis Fearless Evolution with 50% scholarship to the convention experience.

  • This nomination is given to a routine that displays artistic innovation. The Collective Contemporary Awards takes place at our sister event Metamorphosis Fearless Evolution. 

  • The highest scoring group routine of the competition will select a not-for-profit to support, which a portion of the group’s registration fee will be donated to. The group will also have an Illuminate Dancewear complimentary photoshoot in their cause’s leotard. 

  • Chicago Repertory Ballet, Trifecta Dance Collective, Metamorphosis Fearless Evolution, Activate Your Artistry, Moonwater Dance Project, and more!

Awards