Performance Guidelines for Ballet &
Contemporary Dance Competitions

CLASSICAL BALLET SOLO
Open to participants 10 years of age and younger. Perform a routine in the style of Classical Ballet. We highly recommended & prefer you use your own original choreography. However, Classical Repertoire that has been simplified to accommodate the participant's technical level is permitted. 
• This performance MUST be done wearing flat ballet shoes – pointe is NOT permitted for this age group.

CLASSICAL REPERTOIRE SOLO
Open to participants 11 years of age and older. Perform a routine in the form of Classical Ballet. The routine must be a variation chosen from the approved CDC Classical Repertoire List. Repertoire not found on the CDC list may also be performed, but ONLY with written consent from a licensed party and/or approval from California Dance Classics.

• Dancers 13-14 years of age are very highly encouraged to perform en pointe in order to be competitive in the category, but may perform en demi-pointe if absolutely necessary. Dancers 15 years of age and older are required to perform en pointe.

NEO-CLASSICAL SOLO
Open to participants 11 years of age and older. Perform a routine in the style of Classical Ballet. The routine must be originally conceptualized choreography, no repertoire. Accepted styles include Demi-character (a ballet dance with a storyline), Classical Ballet, Modern Ballet, Lyrical Ballet and Contemporary Ballet.

• Dancers 13-14 years of age are highly encouraged to perform en pointe, but may perform en demi-pointe if necessary. Dancers 15 years of age and older are required to perform en pointe. 

Examples of Neo-Classical Solo's can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0jSUOVcgtk&t=2s

CONTEMPORARY SOLO
Open to participants of all age groups. Perform a routine in the style of Expressive Concert Dance. Accepted styles may include or combine elements of; Modern, Classical Jazz, Lyrical and Contemporary Dance.

NATIONAL CHARACTER SOLO
Open to participants of all age groups. Perform a routine in the style of National Character. Stylized representation of a traditional Folk or National Dance, which uses movements and music adapted for theater.

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CLASSICAL DUET & TRIO
Open to participants of all age groups. Perform a routine in the style of Classical Ballet. Accepted styles may include or combine elements of Classical Ballet, Classical Repertoire, Neo-Classical and National character.
• Participants 10 years of age or younger MUST perform wearing flat ballet shoes – pointe is NOT permitted for this age group.

CONTEMPORARY DUET OR TRIO
Open to participants of all age groups. Perform a routine in the style of Expressive Concert Dance. Accepted styles may include or combine elements of; Modern, Classical Jazz, Lyrical and Contemporary Dance.

NATIONAL CHARACTER DUET OR TRIO
Open to participants 11 years and older. (10 years and younger will be judged in the Classical Duet & Trio Category). Two or three participants perform a routine in the style of National Character. Stylized representation of a traditional folk or national dance, which uses movements and music adapted for theater.

CLASSICAL BALLET PAS DE DEUX
Open to participants 11 years of age and older. The performance must be selected from the CDC Classical Repertoire List. Pas De Deux are to only include Adagio and Coda. Repertoire not found on the CDC list may also be performed, but ONLY with written consent from licensed party.

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CLASSICAL BALLET ENSEMBLE
Open to participants of all age groups. Four or more participants perform a routine in the style of Classical Ballet. The ensemble may be originally conceptualized choreography or Classical Repertoire. Any ensemble utilizing classical ballet technique belongs in this category; this may also include Demi-character, (a ballet dance with a storyline), Modern Ballet and Lyrical Ballet.
• Participants 10 years of age or younger MUST perform wearing flat ballet shoes – pointe is NOT permitted for this age group.

CONTEMPORARY ENSEMBLE
Open to participants of all age groups. Four or more participants perform a routine in the style of Expressive Concert Dance. Accepted styles may include or combine elements of; Modern, Classical Jazz, Lyrical and Contemporary Dance.

NATIONAL CHARACTER ENSEMBLE
Open to participants of all age groups. Four or more participants perform a routine in the style of National Character. Stylized representation of a traditional folk or national dance, which uses movements and music adapted for theater. Depending on the number of entries, the National Character Ensemble for dancers 10 years and younger may be judged within the Classical Ballet Ensemble category.

OPEN ENSEMBLE  - "OUT OF THE BOX"
Open to participants of all age groups. Four or more participants perform a routine in any dance style that does not fit into one of the above categories, excluding Tap (to preserve the dance floor).
• Restriction: In order to be eligible for Open Ensemble the entered participants or studio must also compete in at least two other ensemble categories in the same age group, one of which must be a Classical Ballet Ensemble.

PRODUCTION ENSEMBLE 

Open to participants of all age groups, the Production Category is designed for large ensembles of 15 or more dancers and allows for an extended time of up to 10 minutes.

Studios may present a cohesive, large-scale work in any dance style, offering a valuable opportunity to highlight dancers in a collaborative and creative format. 

This category is non-divisional, includes all dance styles, and is judges as an open age, all-inclusive ensemble. 

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