STEPDANCING CONTEST RULES

Stepdancing - All Classes:

  1. Should the accompanist make an error to throw the dancer off time, or should any accident beyond the performer's control occur, the dancer may stop and tell the judges he/she wishes to start over again. Contestant will be allowed 1 re-dance only.   In the event the dancers stops or falls due to their own error, points will be deducted.
  2. Judging will be based on Variety of steps, Precision of steps, Quality of steps and Choreography / Showmanship.
  3. Each contestant may enter one class only, except Group Dancers.
  4. A novice dancer is one who has completed no more than 3 years and has never placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd.
  5. Please note all Step Dancing Classes: Contestants winning any class three years in succession will automatically be eliminated from that class but may enter a class of higher calibre.
  6. No rag or novelty tunes allowed, (i.e. Buck Fever Rag and May Time Swing, etc.) except in Group Dancing.
  7. In the event of a tie, dancers will be called back to dance a Clog, Jig and Reel.  This applies to 12 & Under, 18& Under, Open Class and Group – but does not apply to novice categories.
Group Dancing:
  1. Group Dancing will be in groups of 3 to 6. MAXIMUM TIME 4 MINUTES. Contestants may enter one group dancing class only.
  2. Junior Group dance categories are decided by averaging – E.g.  3 members ages 13 + 11 + 10 = 34.  34 / 3 = 11.3.  This group would be in the Junior Group Category. If number was greater than 12, then the group would perform in the Senior Group.
Open Class, 18 & Under Class and 12 & Under Class:
  1. Contestants must dance a clog, jig and reel in that order without stopping.
  2. Each contestant must complete the 3 dances within four minutes. Any dancing after the time-up bell has been sounded will not be judged.
9 & Under Class, 19-49 Stepdancing & 50 and Over Stepdancing:
  1. Each contestant may only perform one dance of his/her choice (clog, jig or reel). Any step dancer who wishes to dance clog, jig and reel must enter another class.
12 & Under Novice Class, 18 & Under Novice Stepdancing:
  1. Each contestant may only perform one dance of his/her choice (clog, jig or reel). Any step dancer who wishes to dance clog, jig and reel must enter another class.
Showmanship is important – No shorts or jeans on stage please.
 
Decisions of judges are Final

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