Entry Dates and Deadlines

• The Dancers’ Choice requires a $1,000.00 deposit to hold a reservation. Registration holds are based on receipt of deposit. Space is limited. (NB If The Dancers’ Choice must cancel, all deposits are 100% refundable—Please see cancellation tab). Deposit must be paid by January 15, 2022.
• Remaining fees, minus any deposit, is due no later than March 21, 2022
• Reservations are not final until payment has been made in full and the total number of entries has been received.
• If payment is made past the deadline The Dancer’s Choice will require a late penalty of 5%. NSF cheques are subject to a $35.00 surcharge fee.

Refunds and Cancellation

• Cancellation of the event because of government restrictions due to COVID or any other global pandemic the Dancers’ Choice will refund 100% of all deposits.
• If a studio or persons from a registered studio have an outbreak of COVID less than 2 weeks prior to the event, the studio is responsible to inform The Dancers’ Choice. The studio director and the Dancers’ Choice will work together on a solution.
• The Dancers’ Choice and the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre follow government and venue regulations and policies for 2022.
• All studio directors, teachers, dancers, parents, anyone attending the event in person MUST fill out a waiver form prior to entering the premises. A QR code will be provided to each studio and can be filled out online. We recommend this be done no later than 24 hours prior to your arrival.
• Refunds for other reasons for cancellation (with a doctor’s note) will be discussed and mutually agreed between the Studio Director and the Board of Directors of The Dancers’ Choice.

Perks

• A Not-for-profit organization.
• Studio Directors and Teachers room available with refreshments.
• Professional MC through event.
• Media and photography will be managed through DanceBug. Proceeds coming back to The Dancers’ Choice will go directly to charity - Kids Help Phone.
• Each studio with three or more group entries will dance their top three highest scoring small groups / large groups / lines / extended lines, in the 12 and under division, and 13 and over division in The Dancers’ Choice Dance Off. Substantial cash prizes for first place and first runner up.

AGE CATEGORIES

SOLOS—age of dancer Dec. 31, 2021.

All DUETS / TRIOS, GROUPS, LINES and PRODUCTIONS—To calculate the average age, add all the ages together (as of Dec. 31, 2021) and divide by the number of performers in the routine, then drop the decimal point.

Example: ​A group average age of 14.7 dances in the 14 years and under category.

Age categories apply to all SOLOS, DUETS / TRIOS, GROUPS and LINES in the following way:

• 5 years and under
• 6 years and under
• 7 years and under
• 8 years and under
• 9 years and under
• 10 years and under
• 11 years and under
• 12 years and under
• 13 years and under
• 14 years and under
• 15 years and under
• 16 years and under
• 17 years and under
• 18 years and under
• 19 years and over
• Adult / Am / Pro

All participants will receive a recognition award with their placement.

A single decimal point can only be used by judges.

PERFORMANCE TIME LIMITS

All PART-TIME COMPETITVE and NOVICE routines must be two and a half minutes or less.

• SOLO—three minutes
• DUET / TRIO—three minutes
• SMALL GROUPS—three minutes
• LARGE GROUPS—four minutes
• LINE—four minutes
• EXTENDED LINE—five minutes
• PRODUCTION—eight minutes

Going over the allotted time may incur a penalty.

MUSIC, PROPS & PREPARATION

• Dancers must be ready a minimum of 30 minutes prior to their scheduled performance time. Dancers will be required to sign in with the backstage manager 3 routines prior to their scheduled performance
• The Dancers’ Choice cannot hold routines or change categories and no changes can been done at the event.
• A maximum of 2 minutes for the placement and dissmantle of props / sets for small groups, lines and extended lines, production. The Dancers’ Choice will require information, regarding any props or sets to make sure they are in accordance with venue and staging rules and regulations. The studio is responsible for clearing all sets and props once the performance is complete.
• Music uploads will be available upon registration. All uploaded music must be completed 15 days prior to the event. This is MANDATORY to ensure a smooth competition. Please label all music files with the song title. Please make sure that each routine has a DIFFERENT song title. Please bring a back up USB key with all music files clearly labeled with the song title in the order of performances to the event. This will be given to the sound technician as a back up.
• The Dancers’ Choice will not tolerate inappropriate music and may result in disqualification.
• Please ensure you pick up your USB key after the event.

CLASSIFICATIONS

There are four classifications: NOVICE, PART-TIME COMPETITIVE, COMPETITIVE and ADULT / AM / PRO.

• NOVICE—This is suitable for dancers who have not competed on stage in the past two years in a solo, duet or trio (having performed in a virtual Competition is allowed). They may have competed in a group in the past two years. All novice groups and lines must be 75% novice. This classification is eligible for “The Dancers’ Choice” novice overalls.
• PART-TIME COMPETITIVE—This is suitable for both recreational and part-time competitive dancers. To qualify they must not train for more the 6 hours per week, including rehearsal time. Please note that any outside studio training (such as gymnastics or arts schools) that can be used to enhance technique or performance must be included in the 6 hour maximum. This classification is eligible for “The Dancers’ Choice” part-time overalls.
• COMPETITIVE—This is suitable for dancers who have competed before and are full-time competitive dancers. This classification is the only classification eligible for the “The Dancers’ Choice Overall Awards”. Dancers must be 18 years or under.
• ADULT / AM / PRO—This classification is for all dancers 19 and above or amateur and professional dancers (including teachers). This classification is not eligible to compete in overalls or 18 and under categories. Student teachers and dancers who are not earning their living through dance do not need to compete in this category. If you require further clarification, please call us.

NOTE: You cannot compete against yourself.

Professional dancers and full-time teachers are NOT eligible to compete in the regular competition.

Competitive dancers are not eligible to compete in the Novice or Part-time classifications.

Any dancer who has competed at the competitive level in past years is not eligible to compete in the part-time competitive category, even if they are training only six hours in this competition year.

CATEGORIES

• BALLET—must be performed in ballet slippers
• JAZZ
• TAP—no pre-recorded tap sounds allowed
• ACRO—a minimum of six tricks per routine
• LYRICAL
• MODERN
• CONTEMPORARY
• MUSICAL THEATRE
• HIP HOP
• POINTE—any routine performed in Point shoes
• OPEN—any routine that does not fall into the above categories or a combination of styles
• PRODUCTION—up to 8 minutes and can be any style
• ETHNIC—Irish, classical Indian Dance, Bollywood

NOTE: A maximum of two tricks (a tumbling pass is considered one trick) allowed in all categories except ACRO, OPEN and PRODUCTION where there is no limit. If you require further clarification, please call.

GROUP SIZES

• SOLO—1 dancer
• DUET—2 dancers
• TRIO—3 dancers
• SMALL GROUP—4 – 9 dancers
• LARGE GROUP—10 – 15 dancers
• LINE—16 or more dancers
• EXTENDED LINE—16 or more dancers
• PRODUCTION—20 or more dancers

SCORING

• Participating Studio Directors will receive a complete breakdown of awards and dance community give back. Lots of cash awards for each studio.
• All participants will receive a recognition award with their placement of Gold, High Gold, Platinum, High Platinum and Diamond.
• All Categories of five or more entrants will receive a first, second and third award.
• The Dancers’ Choice will provide 3 qualified judges and all adjudications are final.
• Each routine will receive three judges critiques. These critiques are provided online via Video Judge. The critique will be available 24 hours after the end of the event. Studio directors and teachers only have access to the critiques.

AWARDS

The Awards Categories in all divisions are:

• GOLD—75 to 79.9
• HIGH GOLD—80 to 84.9
• PLATINUM—85 to 89.9
• HIGH PLATINUM—90 to 93.9
• DIAMOND—94 and above

DIVISIONS:

• MINI—8 years and under
• JUNIOR—9 to 11 years
• TEEN—12 to 14 years
• SENIOR—15 to 18 years

The Dancers’ Choice Overall Awards

Part-time and Novice Classification Overalls

Top 3 solos, duets, trios and groups (including lines and productions) will receive a recognition award, plus a cash award and/or a future entry fee scholarship.

Championship Overalls

• TOP FIVE SOLOS are recognized and receive an award for their performance.
  This includes: Mini, Junior, Teen and Senior divisions.
• TOP THREE DUOS & TRIOS are recognized and receive an award for their performance.
  This includes: Mini, Junior, Teen and Senior divisions.
• TOP THREE SMALL GROUPS, LARGE GROUPS, LINES, EXTENDED LINES and PRODUCTION will receive a cash award in ascending order.

Cash awards will be based on the entries for the competition.

A soloist is not eligible for more than one Overall Award.

ADDITIONAL AWARDS

The Dancers’ Choice Excellence Awards

Highest scoring award for the following divisions:

• JAZZ
• TAP
• BALLET & POINTE
• CONTEMPORARY & MODERN & OPEN
• LYRICAL
• HIP HOP
• ACRO & MUSICAL THEATRE

The Dancers’ Choice Studio of the Event, Award.

Cash awards for 12 years and under and 13 years and over will go to the studio with the highest average score of their top 5 scores.

Judges’ Pick Awards

• CHOREOGRAPHY—Mini / Jr award and Teen / Sr award
• MOST ENTERTAINING ROUTINE OF ENTIRE EVENT
• COSTUME AWARDS
• BEST TECHNIQUE AWARDS
• PEOPLES’ CHOICE AWARD
• MOST PROMISING AWARD

The Dancers’ Choice DANCE OFF CHAMPIONSHIP

Each studio with three or more group entries will dance their top two highest scoring small groups / large groups / lines / extended lines, in the 12 and under division, and 13 and over division in The Dancers’ Choice Dance Off. Substantial cash prizes for first place and first runner up.

RECORDING RESTRICTIONS

• Photography, recording and video-taping of any kind during the competition is strictly prohibited and could result in being disqualified.
• Media Packages will be available to all studios and parents. Please go to Dancebug.com for all your media needs. The proceeds received from DanceBug to the Dancers’ Choice will go directly to Kids Help Phone. Canada’s only 24/7 national charity service offering professional counseling for kids and youth.

FINE PRINT

• Rules and regulation may be revised at anytime.
• The Dancers’ Choice is an equal opportunities not-for-profit organization. Harassment or inappropriate behavior will not be permitted and may result is disqualification and/or removal from the premises.
• When participating in The Dancers’ Choice Competition, directors, competitors, parents and instructors give their permission to use their pictures and performance videos as promotional material in conjunction with The Dancers Choice Competition.
• The Dancers’ Choice reserves the right to add additional days if necessary to the event dates already published.

TORONTO DON VALLEY HOTEL & SUITES

Toronto Don Valley Hotel & Suites located at 175 Wynford Drive Toronto is the closest Hotel to the beautiful Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. (Just a 4 minute drive or 13 minute walk).

To receive a promo code, please contact The Dancers’ Choice before you make your reservation. The promo code is valid until 30 days prior to the event.