Competition Guidelines
Official rules for the 2026 Aspire Dance Pro season. Questions? Call (801) 702-7377.
Age Divisions
Ages are determined as of March 1st of the competition year. For duets and trios, age is the average of the dancers. For teams, each routine's age is calculated individually. Aspire reserves the right to combine or adjust age levels based on registration numbers.
3–6
Mini A
7–8
Mini B
9–10
Junior A
11–12
Junior B
13–14
Teen
15–19
Elite
20+
Pro
Pro Division is exhibition only — adjudicated with participation awards but not eligible for competitive awards. Dancers with special needs are eligible upon request.
Skill Levels
Solo dancers and teams with the same dancers must register at the same skill level across all genres. Duets and trios register at the most advanced dancer's level.
Judges may reassign any routine to a higher level if movement exceeds the registered level. Diamond award routines are eligible to move up at the next competition. Sapphire or Emerald routines are eligible to move down.
For newer dancers with basic skills. Previous Amateur High Point winners are ineligible.
Appropriate Elements
- check Marching styles, chassé, skipping
- check Chaînes/Piqués, Battements
- check Single turns, Attitude turns
- check Leaps (front, side, stag), jumps, splits
- check Leg grabs, C jumps, stage awareness
Not Suited
- close Double/triple turns
- close Switch leaps or back leaps
- close Fouetté turns
- close Firebird jumps
- close Leg grab turns
Lower intermediate skills. Previous Amateur-Intermediate winners are ineligible. Duets/trios register at the most advanced dancer's level.
Appropriate Elements
- check 1–2 turn rotations (pirouette, coupé, pencil, attitude)
- check Chaînes and Piqués in box
- check Leg grabs with turning (1 rotation)
- check All leap varieties, Tilt jumps, Renversés
- check À la Seconde Fouetté turns (max 4 rotations)
Not Suited
- close Switch leaps
- close Fouetté turns (beyond 4 rotations)
- close More than 2 pirouette rotations
Multiple years of competition experience. Previous Intermediate winners are ineligible.
Appropriate Elements
- check 3–4 pirouette rotations (coupé, pencil, attitude)
- check Leg grabs with turning (up to 2 rotations)
- check All leaps including Switch, Firebird, and Tilt jumps
- check À la Seconde and Fouetté turns (no rotation limit — execute well)
High technical skill required. Emphasis on creativity, expression, and artistry. No movement restrictions. Movement quality and maturity should reflect the level regardless of age.
Genres
Thirteen genres available across all competitions.
More than 5 tumbling or acro skills is discouraged except in Novelty/Musical Theatre, Production, Cheer, and Acro. Running tumbling passes are strongly discouraged outside those genres. Routines in less popular genres may result in a single competitor per category — single-competitor solos are not eligible for 1st place awards.
Combines precision acrobatic elements with classical dance technique, seamlessly blending acrobatics and dance.
Classical ballet movements, technique, and steps. Emphasis on graceful, fluid movement. Acro elements should not be used.
Solo or partner dances utilizing any one ballroom style. Emphasis on traditional steps, cohesive transitions, and partner-work.
Cheerleading-style technique blending leaps, jumps, and vocal cheering with strong sharp movements. Stunting permitted with appropriate safety measures.
Clogging techniques with emphasis on the sound and rhythm created.
Lyrical or jazz movement infused with abstract elements. Less traditional forms and stylized technique may be exhibited.
Hip hop, breakdance, and street-style moves including popping and locking.
Traditional and stylized jazz movements including leaps, turns, kicks, and jumps. Emphasis on correctly executed technique with proper body placement and control.
Displays interpretation of the lyrics, emotion, and content of the music while encompassing ballet, jazz, and contemporary skills.
A Broadway or movie musical song incorporating dance, characters, and/or costumes.
Must include classical or contemporary Pointe technique. No Pointe routines accepted in Amateur level. Pointe shoes only.
Tap technique with emphasis on the sounds and rhythms created. Tap shoes only.
Minimum 15 dancers, 4–15 minutes. Any combination of dance styles with a story line or theme.
Time Limits
All routines must stay within the time limits for their entry type. Additional time cannot be purchased. Penalties may be applied at the judge's discretion if a routine exceeds its limit.
| Entry Type | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Solo / Duet / Trio | 1:00 | 2:45 |
| Group | 1:00 | 3:30 |
| Production | 4:00 | 15:00 |
Music
Accepted Formats
MP3 or M4A files only, uploaded through your Aspire studio account. After registration, click the red music note icon to upload — it turns green when ready.
Upload Deadline
One week prior to the competition. Late uploads incur a $10 fee per routine charged at the competition.
Bring a Backup
Always bring a backup copy of your music on a device (phone, iPod, MP3 player, or flash drive) for your own security.
Content Restrictions
No music with explicit lyrics or profanity. Routines using non-compliant music will receive a deduction.
Judging
Three educated and qualified judges adjudicate each routine for a total of 100 points. Digital score sheets are emailed the day of competition. Video commentary with all three judges is uploaded to your account by Tuesday following the competition. All judging decisions are final. Ties are broken by technical score.
pts
Technique
Proper placement, alignment, and execution of technical elements appropriate for the skill level.
pts
Artistic / Choreography
Quality and creativity of choreography, use of space, musicality, and appropriateness of costume and music.
pts
Execution of Routine
Consistency, timing, and clean delivery of the full performance.
pts
Showmanship / Appearance
Stage presence, facial expression, costuming, and overall performance energy.
total
Total Score
Combined across all three judges. Ties broken by technical score.
Approaching, walking in front of, or calling out judges' names from the stage is not allowed. No gifts may be presented to judges. Routines may be penalized up to 1.5 points for inappropriate costumes, music, or movements, or if a dancer is visibly prompted by an instructor.
Props & Stage
Size
Props must fit within the stage/performance area without impeding dancer entry or exit. In gymnasiums, props must not be visible from the audience until ready to go on stage.
No Throwing
No throwing small objects (sand, glitter, coins, flower petals, etc.). Nothing thrown into or from the audience. Deductions will apply if the flow of competition is affected.
Storage & Timing
Transport props backstage 5 routines before your performance. Remove and store in your vehicle or dressing room promptly after competing.
Lighting
Special stage or house lighting will not be provided for any performance.
Awards
Every routine receives a placement (1st, 2nd, 3rd) within their category and a gem ranking based on skill level and adjudicated points.
Gem Rankings & Score Ranges
| Gem | Amateur | Amat-Int | Intermediate | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| diamond Rose Diamond | 286.5–300 | 288–300 | 289.5–300 | 291–300 |
| diamond Diamond | 281–286 | 282–287.5 | 283.5–289 | 285–290.5 |
| diamond Ruby | 273.5–280.5 | 275–281.5 | 278–283 | 279.5–284.5 |
| diamond Sapphire | 266–273 | 267.5–274.5 | 269–277.5 | 272–279 |
| diamond Emerald | 265.5 & below | 267 & below | 268.5 & below | 271.5 & below |
Regional Competition Awards
Solo / Duet / Trio
- Personalized trophy + gem ranking for all competitors
- Large trophy for 1st place category winners
- Tiara or ball cap for 1st place with 2+ competitors
- Six-foot trophy for highest scoring solo per age & skill division (min. 3 competitors)
- Judge's Choice — $50 Aspire Cash
- Ultimate High Point — free entry to Nationals
Teams
- Personalized team trophy to all studios
- Team members choose participation trophy or necklace
- Gem rankings for all routines
- Team medal for 1st place in each category
- Six-foot trophy for overall High Point
- Specialty awards: Choreography, Technique, Showmanship, Judge's Choice
- Ultimate High Point team — free entry to Nationals
Nationals (Season Finale) Awards
Season Finale Exclusives
Every participant receives an exclusive Aspire Season Finale T-shirt
Six-foot trophy + exclusive Aspire gifts per team member for Overall High Point teams
Choreography, Technique, Showmanship, Judge's Choice specialty awards include exclusive Aspire prize packages
Ultimate Competition High Point team receives: Aspire gifts per member + $250 Aspire Cash + exclusive team prizes + six-foot trophy
Top soloists receive six-foot trophy + exclusive Nationals prize package
Solo Judge's Choice award renamed "The Aspire Dancer" — $50 Aspire Cash
Registration Fees
Fees are per routine. Credit card only (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Amex). Registration closes 35 days before each competition or upon reaching capacity.
Early Bird Savings — Deadline January 3rd
Pay in full by January 3rd: $6 off solos, $4/dancer on duets/trios, $2/dancer on groups. A 50% deposit option is available until January 6th — balance due one month before competition.
| Entry | Regionals Early / Regular | Nationals Early / Regular |
|---|---|---|
| Solo | $109/$115 | $114/$120 |
| Duet | $69/$73 | $73/$77 |
| Trio | $62/$66 | $66/$70 |
| Group | $32/$34 | $35/$37 |
| Production | $28/$30 | $31/$33 |
Studio V.I.P. Rebate Program
Rebates accrue automatically on team registrations and are redeemable toward next season's registration. Stackable with other discounts.
5%
$500–$4,999
6%
$5,000–$9,999
8%
$10,000–$14,999
10%
$15,000+
Refund Policy
Refunds issued only for medical emergencies or on a case-by-case basis, as Aspire credits. Spectator admission is always free — families never pay to watch.