COMPETITION DIVISIONS, TIME LIMITS AND FEES
| DIVISIONS |
Dancers |
Time Limits |
| Solo |
1 |
2:45 mins |
| Duet/Trio |
2-3 |
2:45 mins |
| Small Group |
4-9 |
3:00 mins |
| Line |
10-15 |
4:00 mins |
| Extended Line |
16-24 |
5:00 mins |
| Production |
25+ |
8:00 mins |
| Improv Experience |
1 |
WCE Provides |
Teams may purchase additional time at $5/dancer for each additional minute needed.
PERFORMANCE CATEGORIES
| Jazz |
Any form of jazz dance is acceptable. Jazz favors hard hitting movements, strong lines and classical technique. |
| Ballet |
A routine consisting of ballet or pointe techniques including classical steps and movement. |
| Hip Hop |
Alternates fast paced sharp actions that involve body popping, and locking with slower movements and freezes. |
| Tap |
A form of dance characterized by using the sound of one’s tap shoes hitting the floor as a percussive instrument consisting of tap technique. |
| Contemporary |
A routine that rejects the limitations of classical ballet and favors movement deriving from an abstract source. Contemporary routines are marked by self expression, storytelling and freedom of movement. |
| Lyrical |
A fusion of ballet and jazz techniques. Lyrical routines express deep emotion or observations, derived from the lyrics or feeling of the song. Lyrical routines are marked by sustained transitions, breath of movement and elongated lines. |
| Musical Theater |
Any routine interpreting a song from a Broadway or Movie Musical. |
| Ballroom |
Routine that incorporates traditional ballroom dance throughout the majority of the routine. This can include Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Paso doble, Swing, Salsa, Samba, Rumba, Cha Cha and Jive. |
| Open |
Any style of dance or combination of styles that do not fit into an alternate division. |
| Acro |
Acrobatic dance is a blend of acrobatics, emphasizing flexibility and aerial tricks with dance movement. |
| Improv |
The act of dancing without defining movement previously. The dancer will not know the song being played ahead of time nor what he or she will execute but rather move spontaneously and freely. |
| Pom |
Poms are utilized to accentuate sharp, precise movements and energetic choreography. |
AGE RANGES
| Petite |
7 and under |
| Mini |
8- 10 |
| Junior |
11- 12 |
| Teen |
13-15 |
| Senior |
16-19 |
- All WCE ages are determined as of January 1 of the competition year.
- To reach the average age for an entry, add all the ages together and divide by the number of dancers in the entry. Drop the decimal point from the total. Example: if the average comes out to 10.7 you will drop the .7 and the routine will compete in the 8-10 (Mini) division.
- The average age of each entry may not drop more than one age division below the age of the oldest dancer in the entry, regardless of the actual average age. Example: the age range for the entry is 8 to 17, the entry may not compete younger than 13-15 (Teen) age division.
- All competing dancers must be prepared to present a birth certificate should a question arise.
LEVELS
| Bronze |
Recreational/Beginner |
– 3 hours or less of technical based training per week. Recommended for dancers with little to no competition experience. |
| Silver |
Intermediate |
– 3 to 5 hours of technical based training per week. |
| Gold |
Advanced |
– 5 or more hours of technical based training per week. |
PHOTO & VIDEO PACKAGE
All dancers will receive a complete photo/video package for each routine that they are registered for. A $35 media/registration fee will be automatically applied for each dancer at each competition location.
REGISTRATION
- The deadline for competition changes is 4 weeks days prior to the event. No changes will be made after this date.
- Competing dancers should be ready 30-45 minutes prior to their scheduled competition time. WCE competitions tend to run early so please prepare for that. Dancers must perform in their scheduled order unless permitted by the Competition Director.
- A $200 deposit is due with the Registration. Space will not be saved for teams that do not turn in a deposit for each event.
- Check, credit card and Venmo: (WCE-Dance) are all acceptable forms of payment. Full balances are due four weeks prior to competition.
- Refunds: Absolutely no refund will be given within four weeks of the registered competition. WCE will provide a credit to any entries dropped prior to ten days from the competition.
SPECTATOR INFORMATION
Admission is free and the general public is welcome at all events. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to the first scheduled performance.
MUSIC REQUIREMENTS
All music must be uploaded through a team’s registration. All music must be uploaded by Monday leading into competition week. Any music not uploaded by this date is subject to a penalty. WCE requires that studios bring a backup of music on a USB drive.
MEDICAL RELEASE & WAIVER
Each participant is required to turn in a completed WCE Dance, Inc. Medical Release and waiver or they will not be permitted to compete. Online medical release forms are due one week prior to the competition and can be accessed through the team’s registration dashboard.
JUDGES CRITERIA
| Choreography |
40 |
| Execution |
40 |
| Performance |
20 |
AWARDS
| SCORING PLACEMENTS |
|
| Elite |
94-100 |
| Double Platinum |
90-93.99 |
| Platinum |
85-89.99 |
| Gold |
80-84.99 |
| Silver |
0-79.99 |
TOP OVERALL ROUTINE
- WCE will recognize the Top Overall routines in each age division and level of competition. These winning routines will be posted on the WCE Wall of Champions page and social media accounts (Excludes Solo & Duet/Trios). WCE Scholarships will be awarded to be used at a WCE Dance competition the following season.
- Each winner of Top Overall routine will win a $1,000 scholarship to be used at a WCE Dance competition the following season.
DANCER OF THE YEAR
- WCE will recognize the Top Overall Soloist in each age division and level of competition. These winning routines will be posted on the WCE Wall of Champions page and social media accounts. WCE Scholarships will be awarded to be used at a WCE Dance competition the following season.
- Each Dancer of the Year will win a WCE Dancer of the Year sweatshirt, a full scholarship to The Xperience, and a $100 scholarship to be used at a WCE Dance competition the following season.
SPECIALTY AWARDS
- Judges will select dances that stand out throughout the weekend. Awards include: Best Choreography, Best Storytelling, Best Technique, Best Showmanship, Best Costume and Most Entertaining. Judges will also handpick routines that are the best of the best to be posted on YouTube.
- Our judges will also handpick routines that are the best of the best to be posted on the WCE Wall of Champions page and social media accounts.
FINALS COMPETITION
WCE Dance Studio Nationals is an open event. Studios are welcome to participate in the Finals Competition even if they are unable to attend a WCE regional event during the season. Finals Competition entries are limited based on time availability and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. For solo entries, each dancer may compete in one solo for the Dancer of the Year competition and one solo for the Spotlight Dancer competition. All registration fees are due no later than four (4) weeks prior to the event. A non-refundable $200 deposit is required to secure your studio’s spot in the competition. |
@WCE_Dance | West Coast Elite Dance Studio Nationals
