Competition Guidelines

Our levels, divisions, disciplines, and other registration guidelines are carefully formed to create an experience that is educational, cultivates motivation, and provides opportunities for youth development. We are committed to the highest standards of integrity and fairness and follow the motto “What applies to one, applies to all”.

Important Updates for 2024

Our commitment to YOU - to provide memorable and valuable dance experiences - means we are continually improving our guidelines and features to reflect industry trends and address the evolving needs of dancers, families, and studios. Read on for some IMPORTANT and EXCITING new updates at Shine in 2024!

  • WHY? To celebrate the acrobatic arts through specialized categories and awards. Learn more about our Acro Categories and Awards below.

  • Trios are now small groups! See our new group sizes here

  • We now collect each dancer's legal name for matching waivers and a preferred name for the program and MC announcements.

LEVELS

Level provide the opportunity to focus on healthy, continuous growth by grouping dancers based on comparable skill level. At registration, studios must assign a level to each dancer that applies to all disciplines.

  • For dancers aged 9 & under. This division is a positive introduction for a dancer’s first year of competition.

    In the Rising Star Division, dancers can only have a MAXIMUM of 2 entries

  • For dancers ages 18 & under who train fewer than 6 hours per week and are in their first or second year of competition.

    Dancers in the novice division can have a maximum of five entries before moving to the next level division.

  • For dancers ages 18 & under who have 2+ years of performance and/or competition experience. These dancers train anywhere from six to nine hours per week in the studio.

    Dancers in the Competitive Division can have a maximum of 10 entries per dancer before moving to the next level.

  • For dancers age 13+ who meet any of the following criteria:

    ★ Are performing in 11+ routines this season.

    ★ Train 10+ hrs/week.

    ★ Are part of an elite level team.

    ★ Are enrolled in a half day dance training

    program.

    ★ Train with a professional company.

    ★ Are paid for choreography, teaching, or

    performance.

  • A special division for adults and teachers aged 19+.

    Entries with teachers MUST be entered in ELITE (if average age is under 19) or JUST FOR FUN (if average age is 19+).

DANCE DIVISION

Our Dance Division includes a wide range of disciplines as well as special categories for adult dancers, emerging choreographers, and studio productions. We do enforce a limit to the number of acrobatic elements in our dance division.

  • We recognize more than just great dancing! We believe competition offers opportunities to honour and reward skills for life like sportsmanship, teamwork and professional behaviour with our IMPACT Awards, Choreography Awards & SHINE Spirit awards presented throughout each event.

    Our Dance Division Awards include…

    • A medal for every dancer in every routine based on score.

    • Shine Bright & Spirit Awards

    • Choreography Awards

    • Overall Awards in all Levels for each division.

    • Cash Prizes for high scores in Competitive and Elite levels.

    • Scholarships to your favourite conventions & training centres.

    • DANCER OF THE YEAR.

    • MENTOR AWARDS at each event.

    • The Shine TOP 10 Intensive

    • Soloists & entries with exactly the same dancers are eligible for ONE high score cash award per division, placement will be determined by their highest scoring routine.

  • JUST FOR FUN
    Our amateur adult category for routines with an average age of 19+.

    EMERGING CHOREOGRAPHER
    For COMPETITIVE and ELITE students to develop their choreography skills. Choreography must be entirely original. It may be a solo, duo or group. Comments & scoring will be based on choreography skills and performance.

    AWARD: TOP 10 Intensive Invitation

    PRODUCTION
    A production has 15 or more dancers, is 5 to 15 minutes in length and may include a variety of disciplines.

    Shine’s Special Categories…

    • Are grouped into one category regardless of age, level, or discipline.

    • Receive a medal based on score and are eligible for Choreography & Shine Bright Awards. 


    • Are eligible for placement in their stand-alone special category. 


    • Are NOT eligible for overall awards including TOP10 Dancer or TOP10 Group. 


  • There is a 3 Acro element/routine limit for ALL routines in the DANCE DIVISION.

    Acro elements include: cartwheels, handstands, walkovers, aerial variations, limbering, tumbling, contortion

    ★ When multiple dancers perform the same element at/or around the same time it is considered one element.

    ★ A tumbling pass is considered one element.

    A 2-POINT DEDUCTION WILL APPLY TO ROUTINES THAT EXCEED THE LIMIT.

  • The Top 10 Dancers at each of our festivals earn special recognition and a very special award An exclusive invitation to the TOP 10 Intensive-at no cost. Placement is based on each dancer’s highest scoring solo.

    TOP 10 GROUPS

    On the final evening of each event, 10 groups representing 10 studios (the highest scoring from each) will perform to raise funds in support of Ronald McDonald House BC/YUKON. Our adjudicators will choose the winning group at the end of the show earning all group members exclusive access to our annual TOP 10 Intensive. Group scores will be posted and updated throughout the event and eligible routines will be announced as soon as they have been finalized.

    ROUTINES MUST BE ENTERED IN THE COMPETITIVE OR ELITE LEVEL TO QUALIFY FOR THE TOP 10 DANCER OR TOP 10 GROUP

Acro Division

As dance industry leaders we are continuously evolving our guidelines and features to provide the most memorable and meaningful dance experiences. By establishing this NEW division. we are able to offer dancers more opportunities, awards, and experiences to further their education in Acrobatic training.

  • After many conversations, community zoom calls, and deep dives with leading Acrobatic educators, Shine is proud to announce the new ACRO DIVISION.

    The goal of our Acro Division is to promote and celebrate the acrobatic arts through specialized categories and awards.

    We want dancers to SHINE in their element! As the Acro genre continues to evolve, we felt the best way to promote this was to create it’s own specialized division. Learn more below.

    • Routines will be categorized by age, level, and group size and may be combined.

    • The Acro Division will have its own Overall Solo, Duo, and Group awards including cash/credit for highest scoring routines in the competitive and elite levels (the number of placements and awards will be based on number of entries).

    • Scholarships to CircusLab, ADTA, and Acrobatic Arts will be awarded in the Acro Division.

    • ELITE and COMPETITIVE Routines in the Acro division are eligible for TOP10 Dancers and the TOP 10 Groups Challenge for Charity.

    • Dancers who earn a place in the TOP10 Dancers or win the Challenge for Charity for an Acro routine MUST also be entered in the Dance Division to be granted access to the TOP 10 Intensive.

    • Rig, aerial silks/tissu, lyra/hoop, trapeze, and other apparatus that suspend performers above the ground are not permitted.

    • A dancer may not be more than 6 feet above the ground on a proper set without the apparatus passing an engineering inspection.

Important Safety Guidelines

 Safety and wellness is a TOP priority at Shine. A deduction may be applied to any routine where costume, choreography, concept, or music is deemed unsafe.

    • A spotter is required to stand backstage for the entire routine when a performer is over 6 feet above the ground on a prop/set or in a lift.

    • A dancer may not be more than 6 feet above the ground on a propor set without the apparatus passing an engineering inspection.

    • Setup time for apparatus and props MUST be included in the"NOTES"field at the time of registration to ensure adequate time is scheduled for safe set up.

    • Rig, aerial silks/ tissu, lyra/hoop, trapeze, and other apparatus that suspend performers above the ground are not permitted.

    • Props are allowed in any category.

    • Props and sets must be free-standing and engineered for safety.*See important safety guidelines for props.

    • Routines featuring apparatus including unicycle, hulahoop, canes, or cubes MUST be entered in the cirque category.

    • Prop set up and strike MUST take place within the allotted time limit OR extra time must be registered and paid for. Entries that run overtime at the event due to props will incur a $100 per minute overtime penalty.

    • A $50 charge will be incurred for any substance that alters the condition of the stage or imposes risk to people or equipment unless approved by the competition organizers in advance. This includes sprays, liquids, glitter, feathers, petals, hay and helium balloons.

    • Please include details on props that require extra time for loading, set up, and setting or striking from the stage when registering your routines so we can schedule accordingly.

TEACHER NEED TO KNOWS

DANCE EDUCATORS: We are so glad to have you at Shine! We appreciate your support in promoting a healthy, nurturing and respectful atmosphere at Shine to UNITE & EMPOWER dancers. Each year Shine makes a specialized guide just for our teachers with everything you need to keep in mind while choreographing. Download yours below!

  • Once you arrive, be sure to check-in at the Shine Boutique to collect your backstage pass & program.

    Please wear your backstage pass at all times!

    Have a parent volunteer helping? They MUST have a backstage pass on at all times. Visit the stage manager to receive a temporary backstage pass.

  • Yes! Our Teacher’s Lounge will be open to all studio directors and teachers throughout the event for meals, snacks, and refreshments.

    Please wash/ sanitize hands on entry and refrain from discussing dancers and performances in the lounge.

  • Please be sure to check in backstage 2-3 routines before EACH performance. You may confirm details about your routines (start on/ off, props, quick changes, etc…) in advance, but don’t forget to let us know when you are ready backstage.

    Please communicate in advance if… you have large props/ lengthy set up/ clean up, quick costume changes, injuries, dancers missing, etc…

  • Depending on the size of your group, level of your dancers, and division you are competing in, there may be guidelines your choreography must follow.

    Our WHY behind guidlines…

    • It is integral to Shine's values that all routines are SAFE and appropriate for a family audience. This includes music, concepts, costumes, and choreography and safety.

    • Shine is proud to host events that are organized, smooth, and on time. This would not be possible without guidelines!

    • At Shine we strive to create an atmosphere that offers dancers the space to showcase WHO they are and WHAT they do best. By establishing limits on elements in certain divisions, we are able to offer more consistent scoring, and adjudicating, while honouring our core value of inclusivity amongst all dancers and genres.

      Click on our Teachers Guidelines Package to make sure you are up to speed on routine requirements!

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TEACHER FAQ