FEES & PAYMENT
2027 Inspired Dance Competition Rates

Entry forms and full payment must be submitted approximately five (5) weeks before your scheduled event, and no later than the deadlines listed below. Payments received within 10 days of the competition will incur a 5% late fee.

 

Payment Deadlines

• March 6 – Allentown, PA: February 1, 2027

• March 13 – Allentown, PA: February 8, 2027

REGISTRATION POLICIES
 

• Studios entering 10 or more routines are required to submit a deposit to reserve their place.

• A 5% late fee will be added to payments received after the entry deadline.

• Entries cannot be accepted after the published deadline.

• Entry fees and deposits are non-refundable, except in the event the competition is canceled due to unforeseen circumstances.

• Registration is processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

• An entry is considered complete only after full studio payment has been received.

• A $35 returned check fee will be charged for any check returned by the bank.

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ENTRY DIVISIONS & TIME LIMITS

Each dancer may perform a maximum of three (3) solo routines.

Size                   Number of Performers                Time Limit

Solo                  1                                                          2:45 (no extended time available)

Duet/Trio       2–3                                                    3:00 (no extended time available)

Small Group  4–9                                                     3:00

Large Group  10–19                                                4:00

Line                  20–24                                                5:00

Production     25+                                                    6:00

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AGE DIVISIONS

Age is determined as of January 1 of the competition year, including soloists. When calculating average group ages, decimal values are dropped.

• Mini: Ages 6 & Under

• Petite: Ages 7–9

• Junior: Ages 10–12

• Teen: Ages 13–15

• Senior: Ages 16–19

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PERFORMANCE LEVELS & OVERALL AWARDS

Performance levels are assigned by the judges during the event.

 

Studio directors do not select levels during registration. Every routine is entered without a level designation and placed into the appropriate division based on its adjudication score.

 

Solo title awards are not separated by gender. Every soloist is automatically eligible for Top Soloist recognition in the appropriate division with no additional entry fee.

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Overall High Scores

Awards are presented separately within the Rising Star and Star Performer divisions by age group and performance category.

The number of placements announced depends on the size of the division:

• 2 or fewer entries – Top 1

• 3–4 entries – Top 3

• 5–9 entries – Top 5

• 10 or more entries – Top 10

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RISING STAR DIVISION

(Gold, High Gold, Platinum Adjudications)

Top Soloist Awards

• Rising Star Mini Top Soloist (Ages 6 & Under)

• Rising Star Petite Top Soloist (Ages 7–9)

• Rising Star Junior Top Soloist (Ages 10–12)

• Rising Star Teen Top Soloist (Ages 13–15)

• Rising Star Senior Top Soloist (Ages 16–19)

Additional Awards

• Rising Star Top Group/Line/Production Score – Age 12 & Under

• Rising Star Top Group/Line/Production Score – Age 13+

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STAR PERFORMER DIVISION

(High Platinum & Diamond Adjudications)

Top Soloist Awards

• Star Performer Mini Top Soloist (Ages 6 & Under)

• Star Performer Petite Top Soloist (Ages 7–9)

• Star Performer Junior Top Soloist (Ages 10–12)

• Star Performer Teen Top Soloist (Ages 13–15)

• Star Performer Senior Top Soloist (Ages 16–19)

Additional Awards

• Star Performer Top Group/Line/Production Score – Age 12 & Under

• Star Performer Top Group/Line/Production Score – Age 13+

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PERFORMANCE CATEGORIES

Routines containing more than four acrobatic passes should be entered in the Acro or Open category.

A First in Category Trophy will be presented only in categories with more than one entry.

Ballet

Classical ballet technique featuring traditional movements and vocabulary.

Pointe

Routine performed primarily using pointe technique.

Lyrical

Expressive choreography emphasizing emotion, musical interpretation, flexibility, balance, and control.

Contemporary

A contemporary or modern interpretive routine incorporating extension, balance, and controlled movement.

Ethnic

Performance showcasing traditional cultural or ethnic dance styles.

Jazz

Routine centered primarily on jazz technique and movement.

Hip Hop

Routine emphasizing hip hop style, movement, and technique.

Modern

Routine utilizing modern dance vocabulary and technique.

Tap

Routine performed using tap technique. Pre-recorded tap sounds on the music track are prohibited and will result in a deduction.

Acro

A dance routine that combines choreography with controlled acrobatic skills such as walkovers, limbers, handstands, chest rolls, flexibility skills, gymnastics passes, or contortion elements. Dance technique and choreography must remain an integral part of the performance.

Character / Musical Theatre

Routine portraying a character throughout the performance. Themes may be inspired by Broadway productions, television, movies, plays, or recognizable characters and occupations.

Open

Routine that combines multiple dance styles or does not fit within one of the standard performance categories.

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MUSIC

Music files must be submitted no later than three (3) weeks before your competition date.

All music will be played electronically during the event.

Music should be uploaded directly through your DanceBug account.

Please ensure that:

• Music is edited to meet the appropriate time limit.

• Music contains no inappropriate language or content.

• Studios bring a backup copy on competition day.

A labeled USB drive or Apple device is recommended for backup music.

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JUDGING

Adjudication Scale

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Star Performer Division

• Diamond: 294.00–300.00

• High Platinum: 286.00–293.99

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Rising Star Division

• Platinum: 278.00–285.99

• High Gold: 270.00–277.99

• Gold: 255.00–269.99

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Our judges are certified through IDA (Impact Dance Adjudicators), and every routine receives a video critique through DanceBUG Video Judge.

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Each event utilizes three adjudicating judges along with one Special Awards Judge. The Special Awards Judge is responsible for scholarships and special awards, allowing the adjudicators to focus solely on scoring performances.

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PROPS

Props are welcome; however, each studio is responsible for removing all props and debris promptly after its performance.

Props requiring assembly must be completely assembled before being brought onstage.

Routines requiring more than two minutes for setup or removal will receive a deduction.

For safety reasons, the following are prohibited:

• Fire

• Swords

• Knives

• Helium balloons

• Liquids of any kind

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ADDITIONAL POLICIES

To ensure fair competition:

• The same dancer(s) may not compete against themselves in the same age division and category for Solos or Duet/Trios.

• In group routines, no more than 50% of the dancers may perform multiple routines within the same age division and category.

 

Good sportsmanship is expected from dancers, families, teachers, and spectators throughout the event. Unsportsmanlike behavior may result in disqualification from Overall Awards and Special Awards.

 

To protect performers, professional photographers and videographers are provided. Personal photography and video recording are not permitted.

 

Music, choreography, or costumes deemed inappropriate for a family audience will receive point deductions and will not be eligible for

Top Score or Special Awards.

 

Studios are responsible for ensuring all music has been edited appropriately.

 

Additional administrative fees may apply if required music files or waivers are not submitted by the published deadline.

 

Independent entries are subject to a $25 administrative fee.

 

Inspired Dance Competition is a family-friendly event. We ask all guests to drink responsibly and conduct themselves respectfully.

Anyone creating a disturbance or behaving inappropriately may be asked to leave the venue.

 

Questions from parents (unless entering as an independent competitor) should be directed through their studio director. Emails received directly from parents will be referred back to the studio.

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Questions?

For additional information or to reserve your studio's place, please email Inspired Dance Competition.