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Take a moment to review our rules and guidelines to help ensure every event runs smoothly and fairly. From performance levels to judging criteria, these standards keep the competition consistent, transparent, and fun for everyone involved.
Journey has created 4 Performance Levels for competition. It is up to studio owners/directors to place their dancers in Performance Levels accordingly. Each routine’s Performance Level will be determined by the level of dancers in the routine.
Beginner Level
The Beginner Level is for dancers who have limited or no competition experience. A dancer in the Beginner Level may compete in no more than 7 routines. Beginner Dancers may compete in the Intermediate Level and Advanced Lines and Productions. A Beginner dancer may compete no more than 1 solo.
Intermediate Level
The Intermediate Level is for dancers who have moderate competition and dance experience. If dancers have limited competition experience but above average technique and performance skill, they should be placed in the Advanced Level. A dancer in the Intermediate Level may compete in no more than 9 routines. Intermediate dancers may compete in Beginner and Advanced group routines. An Intermediate dancer may compete no more than 2 solos. Intermediate Soloists will also be eligible for the Intermediate Title.
Advanced Level
The Advanced Level is for dancers, regardless of their routine count, who have significant competition and dance experience, or who have advanced technique and/or performance skills. Dancers who perform in 10 or more routines will automatically be placed in the Advanced Level. *New this season* Dancers in the Advanced Level may also compete in the Intermediate Level and Beginner Lines and Productions. A dancer in the Advanced Level may compete no more than 3 solos. Advanced Level soloists will be eligible for the Advanced Title.
Celebration Level
The Celebration Level is a unique opportunity that gives dancers who have special needs or different abilities and may face developmental or physical challenges a chance to celebrate their love of dance. Dancers who perform in the Celebration Level will be critiqued fairly within their abilities. Scoring will focus on showmanship and musicality. Routines will be adjudicated and are eligible for Judge’s Shoutout Awards and Excellence Awards only. Dancers who perform in the Celebration Level are not eligible to compete in any other level of competition.
• Solos: Dancers compete in the Performance Level they are registered.
• Duo/Trios: *New this season* No more than 49% of the dancers may be from a higher Performance Level.
• Small Groups, Large Groups & Lines: No more than 49% of the dancers may be from a higher Performance Level.
• Productions: No more than 25% of the dancers may be from a higher Performance Level. Production Age Divisions are determined by the average age of
performers, 12 & Under and 13 & Over.
• Routines that consist of the exact same dancers must compete in the same Performance Level and Age Division.
Each entry will be placed in one of the following age divisions based on the average age of all performers in the routine. A performer’s age is determined by their age as of January 1st. When averaging the age, all decimals are dropped. Studio directors must be prepared to present birth certificates should a protest arise.
| Age Divisions | |
|---|---|
| Age Division | Ages |
| Mini | 6 & Under |
| Petite | 7–9 |
| Junior | 10–12 |
| Teen | 13–15 |
| Senior | 16–19 |
| Adult | 20 & Over |
• Age Divisions for Productions are determined by the average age of performers, 12 & Under and 13 & Over.
• Routines may compete no more than 1 Age Division lower than the oldest dancer in the routine, except in the Production Division.
Example – Any entry with a dancer 16 years old, or older, may not compete in any age division lower than 13-15.
• Any person who is visible on stage once the routine has started and prior to the end of the routine will be considered a performer and is subject to age
division and group size rules.
• Any group including a dancer who is 18 years old or older, AND out of high school, cannot be entered in our 12 and under age division, regardless of the average age.
• Any routine including a teacher or an adult is not eligible for overall awards. A teacher is someone who choreographs or teaches class and is 20 years of age or older. Routines with teachers in them may perform for adjudication only. This does not apply to student teachers under 20.
Routines will be placed in a division listed below based on the number of dancers in the routine:
| Group Sizes | |
|---|---|
| Group Size | Number of Performers |
| Solo | 1 |
| Duo/Trio | 2–3 |
| Small Group | 4–9 |
| Large Group | 10–19 |
| Line | 19+ |
| Production | 20+ |
• Upon registering, routines with 19 or more dancers will be given the opportunity to register as a large group or line. Routines with 20 or more dancers may
register as a line or production. This should be determined by the routine length and purpose.
Example – If a group with 20 dancers is 4 minutes long, it is eligible to compete as a line or production. However, if a group of 20 dancers is 6 minutes, it is only eligible to compete as a production.
| Performance Categories | |
|---|---|
| Category | Description |
| Acro | A routine containing a combination of dance technique and acro/gymnastic movements. Choreography must also contain at least 50% dance technique. |
| Ballet | A routine containing classical Ballet technique; no acrobatic/gymnastic tricks are allowed in this category. |
| Ballroom | A routine consisting of classic or Latin ballroom technique and style. |
| Baton | A routine using baton(s) containing Baton technique. |
| Character | A routine that portrays an easily recognizable character. |
| Clogging | A routine consisting of clogging technique and performed in clogging shoes. |
| Contemporary | A routine combining Jazz and Lyrical technique to interpret the music. |
| Folk/Ethnic | A routine incorporating one or more ethnic styles of dance. |
| Hip-Hop | A routine demonstrating street style jazz incorporating hip hop and/or funk choreography. |
| Jazz | A routine consisting of primarily jazz technique. |
| Lyrical | A routine that has dynamic emotion and expressive movements demonstrated with fluidity, balance, extension and control. |
| Modern | A routine containing at least 50% Modern dance technique to interpret the music. |
| Open | A routine consisting of multiple or unspecified styles of dance. |
| Pointe | A routine using pointe shoes and consists of pointe/toe technique. At least 50% of the performers must be on pointe. BEGINNER dancers may not compete in this category. |
| Pom | A routine using pom-poms incorporating precise and definite movements. |
| Song & Dance | A routine consisting of both singing and dancing of any type. Music may only have back-up voices. |
| Student Choreography | A routine choreographed by students with minimal assistance from an instructor. |
| Tap | A routine using tap shoes displaying tap technique. No prerecorded tap sounds allowed. |
| Theatre | A routine featuring any style of dance from a Broadway, Movie or Television Show. |
| Vocal | A routine that is any type of vocal presentation; no lead vocals are allowed; backup vocals are permitted. |
| Wild Card | A routine consisting of any dance style or any combination of styles. |
• Only 3 acrobatic tricks are permitted in any category except Acro, Character, Hip Hop, Open, and Wild Card. An Acro trick is considered anything where
both feet pass over the head. Examples: round off back handspring back tuck, round off back hand spring, round off back layout, etc. If a routine exceeds
the Acro tricks permitted, it will be moved to the Acro category onsite.
• Beginner routines that use pointe shoes but not in the Pointe category will be Leveled Up to the Intermediate or Advanced Level if the majority of the routine
is on pointe.
• Vocal Routines will be eligible for separate overall if there are 5 or more routines in the category. If there are not at least 5 routines in the category, the routine
will be for Adjudication only.
• Journey will provide TWO wireless microphones. No additional sound equipment or microphones may be used or connected to Journey’s sound system.
A panel of competent judges will judge all routines. Each judge will give each entry a score out of 100 possible points and will consider Technique, Difficulty,
Execution,Choreography, Showmanship, and Overall Presentation. The three scores will be added together to produce the total adjudication and overall score.
• Scoring is calculated using one decimal place (e.g. 278.1).
• All routines will receive a Platinum Pro, Platinum, High Gold or Gold adjudication. (please keep reading for Adjudication Scale):
• Routines placed incorrectly will be Leveled Up to the appropriate level regardless of whether the overall has already been given.
• Judges will take into consideration whether routines are age appropriate and placed in the correct Performance Level.
• Director Only Notes will be given to the studio owner/director when a judge believes the content of a dance is not family friendly, racially inappropriate,
culturally insensitive or over sexualized. Director Only Notes will be given out after the performance session.
• All decisions of the judging panel are final and cannot be contested.
• Every routine will receive a video critique from each judge.
• Performers who exit the stage prior to the end of their routine will not receive a score if the judges do not feel enough of the routine was completed.
Performance is eligible to perform again for adjudication only.
Each routine will receive an adjudicated award based on their total scores:
| Adjudication Scale | |
|---|---|
| Adjudication | Total Score |
| Platinum Pro | 291-300 |
| Platinum | 279-290.9 |
| High Gold | 267-278.9 |
| Gold | 255-266.9 |
• First in category awards will be awarded when there are 3 or more routines in a category.
• Routines must compete prior to their awards ceremony to be eligible for Overall Awards.
• Overall Awards will be given in each Performance Level, Age and Size Division.
• Top 3, Top 5 and Top 10 will be awarded based on number of routines per age, size and division.
• Solos and duo/trios with identical dancers may only place with their highest scoring routine.
• Vocal routines are not eligible for Overall Awards unless there are 5 or more in the division. If there are 5 or more, a vocal overall will be awarded.
• Production Overall Awards will be presented in 12 & Under and 13 & Over Divisions in each Performance Level.
• Dancers ages 20 & above are ineligible for Overall Awards
• Celebration Level dancers are ineligible for Overall Awards.
| Division | 1st Place Cash Prize: Advanced | 1st Place Journey Gift Certificate: Intermediate | 1st Place Journey Gift Certificate: Beginner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | $50 | $50 | $50 |
| Duo/Trio | $50 | $50 | $50 |
| Small Group | $100 | $100 | $100 |
| Large Group | $100 | $100 | $100 |
| Line | $125 | $125 | $125 |
| Production | $150 | $150 | $150 |
• Cash awards will be given to the first place Overall Award winners in the Advanced Level.
• Gift certificates will be given to the first place Overall Award winners in the Beginner and Intermediate Level.
• The Solo and Duo/Trio divisions must have at least 20 routines in order for a gift certificate/cash prize to be awarded.
• All group divisions (including Productions) must have at least 10 routines in order for a gift certificate/cash prize to be awarded.
• All cash prizes will be issued to the studio the entry was registered with.
• Routines in the adult division will not be eligible for overalls or gift certificate/cash prizes.
• Photogenic Award: Awarded to the contestant judged most photogenic based on visual appeal, expression, and age appropriateness. Submit a recent 5×7
or 8×10 photo (color or B&W) at the event with the dancer’s name, age, and studio on the back. Winner announced during the final group awards ceremony.
• Judge’s Shoutout Awards: These uniquely crafted awards from our judges acknowledge various achievements and are presented at every awards
ceremony.
• Solo, Duo/Trio & Group Excellence Awards: These awards are chosen by the judges to acknowledge achievements by soloists, duo/trios & groups.
• Title Awards: Every soloist in the Intermediate and Advanced Level is entered into the Featured Dancer Title Competition in their respective
Performance Level. Featured Dancer scores are separate and not related to the adjudication score. For this prestigious recognition, Judges base their score
on overall performance and showmanship take precedence. This score is based on the performer’s overall performance ability, personality, and entertain-
ment skills in addition to technique. All genders compete together for Featured Dancer. Dancers ages 20 & above are ineligible to compete in the Title
competition.
• Life of the Party Studio Spirit Award: This award will be presented to the studio displaying the most studio spirit, enthusiasm and exceptional sportsman-
ship.
• Studio of Excellence: This award will be given to a studio whose dancers, staff and parents best display overall courtesy and support to all fellow competi-
tors throughout the duration of the event.
• Best of Journey Awards: These awards will be awarded to the highest scoring groups from the following performance categories: Contemporary, Hip Hop,
Jazz, Lyrical, Tap, and Best of the Rest (all other styles combined). Routines must compete in the Advanced Level to be eligible for Best of Journey Awards.
• Journey Classics: Our judges will select certain group routines as Journey Classics. These routines will have their performance videos featured on our
online Video Wall of Fame.
• The Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Mirror Ball Awards: The overall highest scoring group entry from all the Small Groups, Large Groups, Lines, &
Productions. This award will be awarded in each Performance Level.
The following list contains each division’s time limit:
| Time Limits | |
|---|---|
| Division | Timit Limit |
| Solo | 2:45 Minutes |
| Duo/Trio | 3:00 Minutes |
| Small Group | 3:00 Minutes |
| Large Group | 4:00 Minutes |
| Line | 5:00 Minutes |
| Production | 8:00 Minutes |
• Extra Time is available for purchase. Solos, duo/trios, small groups, and large groups can be extended by 2 minutes, Lines and Productions can be
extended by no more than 3 minutes.
• *New this season* Any prop setup or breakdown exceeding the allotted time must purchase extended time.
• Studio Owners/Directors must submit their music electronically via our online music upload system located within your Studio Center. All music must be
uploaded at least 1 week prior to the start of your event. The following formats will be accepted: MP3, M4A and WAV. We recommend using MP3 format.
Music uploading is mandatory.
• All music must be cut, edited and of the correct pitch. Our team will not make music edits or alterations onsite.
• Studio Owners/Directors should have at least two backup copies of all music. No CDs are accepted.
• If submitting a flash drive, please label it with your studio name. Each file should be labeled with the 3 digit entry # and routine name.
(Example: 001 Work Me Down, 044 Pure Love, 309 We Go Up)
• Music containing inappropriate lyrics will be subject to a 1-2 point deduction.
• Journey will provide TWO wireless microphones. No additional sound equipment or microphones may be used or connected to Journey’s sound system.
• If the music stops for a technical reason, the dancers will be given the opportunity to re-perform without penalty.
• Journey will NOT tell dancers to stop performing, that decision is left to the teacher or dancer’s discretion.
• Props must be set up and removed within 2 minutes, productions may use 4 minutes. If more time is needed, please refer to our Extended Time rule for
guidelines.
• Props may not be in the wings for more than 5 numbers prior to the routine and must be removed from the wings immediately after the routine.
• Props cannot be stored in the venue until the day of the performance.
• All props must fit through a standard 36 inch wide doorway.
• Powders, liquids, paint, hairspray, lipstick, glitter, confetti, sand, fire, swords, knives, guns or anything that could leave a residue on the stage are NOT
allowed.
• If your routine/prop includes anything that will litter the stage, studio representatives must be prepared to clean the stage in less than 1 minute.
• Routines causing prop delay or use of any illegal prop will result in 2 point deduction.
• Studio prop crews are required to follow ALL instructions as per the Journey stage team at ALL times.
• Journey reserves the right to limit prop size depending on facility requirements. Please contact our National Headquarters with any specific prop questions.
• Journey reserves the right to veto a prop.
• Journey will start taking reservations on July 1st. Reservations will save your spot at an event without having to add dancers or routines. Please provide us
with the approximate number of routines you plan to bring.
• Reservations are accepted on a first come basis.
• Once an event is Sold Out, studios will be moved to our waiting list or accommodated by another Journey event.
• Be precise. When registering for a competition, enter routine names, dancer names and studio names exactly as they should appear in the Journey
Program. Your “final check” should happen once we publish the Preliminary Schedule.
• All dancers & routines must be correct and checked through the Studio Center. Any changes must be made prior to the competition. If a change occurs
after the Final Schedule has been published or at the competition, a $30 change fee will be incurred per change.
Changes include: change of performance level, change of age division, change of group size, change of performance category, addition or deletion of
dancers & routines and change of routine name. Late or changed entries may not be reflected in the Journey Program.
• All routines must be entered under a studio name. Journey does not accept entries independently of a studio.
• Journey reserves the right to refuse the entry of any studio.
• Studio Owners/Directors please contact us for all entry fees.
• All competition fees must be received in full no less than 30 days before the start of the event. Entries submitted after such time may not be eligible for the
event.
• Payments must be made by credit card, certified check or money order. A bounced check will make the studio account holder subject to a $50 bounced
check fee. Credit card disputes will be subject to an $80 chargeback fee.
• At Journey, we value loyalty to studios. We do not allow teachers or studio owners to solicit dancers from other studios at any of our events. The first
offense will result in a warning. If any additional offenses occur, the studio will not be permitted to attend any future Journey events until further notice.
• If dance movements, music lyrics, or costuming are deemed to be too suggestive or otherwise inappropriate for our family audience, the routine will be
scored lower by the judges or disqualified from the competition. Profane and derogatory language is considered inappropriate.
• Any rule break will result in up to a 2 point total deduction. It is up to the judging panel to determine the total point deduction.
• Only Studio Owners/Directors may question routines for rule infractions however any protest must be made in writing to the event director within 30 minutes
of the performance.
• Unless a piece of choreography has been copywritten, Journey cannot enforce any plagiarism policies.
• All routines must perform according to their scheduled time unless a Journey Stage Manager grants permission otherwise.
• Lighting may NOT be adjusted during a performance including but not limited to stage and house lighting.
• Re-performances are for adjudication only unless a technical issue is caused by Journey. Costume malfunctions do not qualify. Dancers should exit
immediately if one occurs and may be stopped by the Journey Team if necessary.
• *New this season* Individuals currently employed or contracted as Journey Team Members are prohibited from performing at any Journey event.
• No food, snacks or beverages are allowed on stage, this includes all award ceremonies.
• No alcoholic beverages are permitted at the competition, in the venue or in the hosting venue’s parking lot.
• There will be a $20 fee for any items that are left behind at the competition and need to be shipped.
• For the safety of the performers, absolutely NO videography or photography is permitted during a performance. Failure to abide by these rules may result in
disqualification. Journey reserves the right to have anyone violating this rule removed from the facility.
• Journey Dance Competition LLC and host venue are not responsible for any personal injury/property loss before, during or after the event.
• Dancers, teachers, studio owners, and one parent or guardian per dancer are the only ones allowed in the dressing rooms. Journey reserves the right to
remove anyone from the dressing room should it be deemed necessary.
• All dancers, teachers, studio owners, family members and audience members are required to comply with rules and regulations set forth by our hosting
venue. Those who do not may be removed from the event by either a Journey Team Member or the hosting venue’s staff.
• By attending or competing in a Journey event you are agreeing to the use of your video and photographs by Journey Dance Competition LLC, all partners
and affiliates to be used for promotional materials.
• Journey Dance Competition is not required to refund any registration fees in the event of a cancellation due to any of the following events (which causes are
hereinafter referred to as “Force Majeure”), to the extent beyond its reasonable control: acts of God, accident, riots, war, terrorist act, epidemic, pandemic
(including the Covid-19 pandemic), quarantine, civil commotion, breakdown of communication facilities, breakdown of web host, breakdown of internet
service provider, natural catastrophes, governmental acts or omissions, changes in laws or regulations, national strikes, fire, explosion, or generalized lack
of availability of raw materials or energy. For the avoidance of doubt, Force Majeure shall not include (a) financial distress nor the inability of either party to
make a profit or avoid a financial loss, (b) changes in market prices or conditions, or (c) a party’s financial inability to perform its obligations hereunder.
Journey Dance Competition LLC will always attempt to reschedule an event whenever possible.
• No cash refunds will be issued under any circumstances. Account credits will be issued for entry/dancer removals if this is done prior to the event.
• Journey Dance Competition LLC reserves the right to cancel any and all events due to lack of registration, inclement weather or other unforeseen circum-
stances. Furthermore, Journey Dance Competition LLC reserves the right to change an event’s location, venue and/or date(s)
• Routines must compete at a Regional event in order to qualify for Nationals.
• Groups may be entered into a smaller division.
• If necessary, dancer substitutions are allowed. The average age and Performance Level of the group must be
recalculated with the new dancer.
• Routines may be entered into a higher Performance Level than regionals.
• Any routine that was Leveled Up at a Regional Event must be entered into the next highest Performance Level
at Nationals
• All Intermediate and Advanced Soloists are eligible to enter our National Featured Dancer Title Competition in
their respective level.
• Soloists that enter the Featured Dancer Competition will compete during regularly scheduled solo competition
and are still eligible for overall high score awards.
• Contestants will participate in title classes and the top 15 advanced contestestants will perform in our Improv
Experience where they will be interviewed by our judges and show off their improv skills.
• One dancer will be awarded the title of Featured Dancer in each age division.
• Featured Dancer winners are determined by the highest score from the following:
◦ Title Class
◦ Improv Experience (Advanced Only)
◦ Interview Question (Advanced Only)
◦ Headshot Submission
• All Featured Dancer Contestants must participate in each element of the competition in order to be considered.
• Intermediate Featured Dancer winners from each age division will be awarded a $150 Gift Certificate given there
are at least 10 Title Contestants in the division.
• Advanced Featured Dancer winners from each age division will be awarded a $150 Cash Prize given there are
at least 10 Title Contestants in the division.
• Featured Dancer winners are not eligible to compete for National Featured Dancer in the in the same age
division the following year.
• A Top 20 will be announced when there are more than 80 routines in a division.
• Cash awards will be given to the first place Overall Award winners in the Advanced Level.
• Gift certificates will be given to the first place Overall Award winners in the Beginner and Intermediate Level.
• The Solo and Duo/Trio divisions must have at least 20 routines in order for a gift certificate/cash prize to be
awarded.
• All group divisions (including Productions) must have at least 10 routines in order for a gift certificate/cash prize
to be awarded.
• All cash prizes will be issued to the studio the entry was registered with.
| Division | 1st Place Cash Prize: Advanced | 1st Place Journey Gift Certificate: Intermediate | 1st Place Journey Gift Certificate: Beginner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | $75 | $75 | $75 |
| Duo/Trio | $75 | $75 | $75 |
| Small Group | $100 | $100 | $100 |
| Large Group | $125 | $125 | $125 |
| Line | $150 | $150 | $150 |
| Production | $175 | $175 | $175 |
Our most exciting event, the Mirror Ball Finale! Our Finale will feature top scoring dances from the Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Divisions. These routines will re-compete in their respective divisions for the title of National Mirror Ball Champions. Experience the event with a dynamic live host and real-time judge’s reactions following each routine. Our multi-camera production will highlight these top-scoring performances like never before. Don’t miss out – join
us in person or catch the excitement on our LIVE webcast!
The Beginner & Intermediate Finale
The Beginner Mirror Ball Finale will include the Top 5 Small Groups, Top 5 Large Groups, Top 3 Lines and Top 3 Productions. Top 3 will be announced for each division. Two Mirror Ball Awards, Championship Rings and Studio Banners will be given to the highest scoring Group (Small Group, Large Group, Line), and one to the highest scoring Production.
The Intermediate Mirror Ball Finale will include the Top 5 Small Groups, Top 5 Large Groups, Top 3 Lines and Top 3 Productions in the 12 & Under and 13 & Over Divisions. Top 3 will be announced for each division. Four Mirror Ball Awards, Championship Rings and Studio Banners will be given to the highest scoring Group (Small Group, Large Group, Line) in 12 & Under and 13 & Over and the highest scoring Production in 12 & Under and 13 & Over.
The Advanced Finale
The Advanced Mirror Ball Finale will include the Top 5 Small Groups, Top 5 Large Groups, Top 3 Lines and Top 5 Productions in the Mini/Petite, Junior, Teen and Senior Divisions. For the Mirror Ball Finale, the Mini and Petite Age Divisions will be combined. Top 3 will be announced for each division. Mirror Ball Awards, Championship Rings and Studio Banners will be given to the top scoring Mini/Petite Group (Small Group, Large Group, Line), Junior Group, Teen Group, and Senior Group as well as the Top 12 & Under Production and the Top 13 & Over Production.
Only one routine per studio will be allowed to compete in each division at the Mirror Ball Finale. The Beginner and Intermediate Mirror Ball Finale’s will take place together.