What are the entry fees for competitions?

Studio owners can contact our office for entry fees. We are very competitive in the industry.

How do you register for the competitions?

Only studio owners and teachers may register for competitions. We have an online entry system that is easy to use and helps to make the registration process organized and efficient. Only studio owners may contact our office for entry instructions. All accounts must be verified that they are a studio owner/faculty member.

Is videotaping/taking photographs allowed at competitions?

For the safety of your dancers, we DO NOT allow photos or videos at our competitions. However, every dancer receives FREE access to photos and videos of every routine they perform at the competition. 

Do you livestream your competitions? For the safety of the dancers and the protection of studio choreography/concepts, we choose not to livestream.  We do provide free Photo & Video to all participants and do our best to get them UPLOADED as quickly as possible to share with family & friends.

What is the age cut-off for age categories?

All ages for competitions are as of January 1st, 2025. Please double-check all birth dates in the online system so everyone is entered correctly. Incorrect birth dates could cause families to be unable to access free photo and video.

How many acrobatics/gymnastics tricks can we have in a routine?

Up to five before it has to be entered in open or acrobatics. Character, cheerleading, and musical theater, there is no limit to the number of tricks. Ballet and pointe no acrobatics/gymnastics tricks! We do not apply point deductions if a category change is made.

Do you have a limit to how many solos a dancer can perform?

We do not limit the number of solos a student can perform in the Intermediate and Advanced Levels. If a soloist is entered in the Recreational Level, they are limited to one solo; if they have more than one solo, they will need to enter at the Intermediate or Advanced Level.  We do reserve the right to limit the number of solos by an individual that can place in Top Score Rankings. *If a dancer has more than 2 solos, they need to be entered in the ADVANCED Level*

Do you have a Regional Titles Competition? How do you enter? 

All soloists are eligible for Regional Titles. Any soloist that competes at the Regional Competition may enter the America’s Mr & Miss Dance National Titles Competition to be held July 17-19, 2025 in Wilkesboro, NC. At the National Title Competition, soloists also compete in Interview, Class, Self-Introduction, and their Solo Routine. They have a Thursday Night Social Event, have a Red Carpet Party, and the Awards Gala.

Do you accept Independent Entries?

We DO NOT accept independent entries for competitions; you must be registered with a studio in order to compete at Dance Machine. We do allow independent registration for our conventions; you can contact our office if interested in attending a convention as an independent; studio permission is still encouraged.

How do you schedule competitions?

Dance Machine ANDC does not have a general scheduling format, which we follow at our regional competitions. Every regional schedule is set up based solely on the breakdown of entries by solos, duet/trios, groups, and productions for that particular event. We do not have this breakdown in numbers until all of the entries have been processed, and at that time, we set up a schedule which will best accommodate the participants at that regional. We would rather go later on a Saturday, so it is not a late night on a Sunday when participants have school or work on the next day. This would not always be possible if we had a general format. We do Keep Group Routines in Saturday & Sunday for Regional Competitions.

When will we get a schedule for the competition?

We will send out a schedule via email to studio directors 10-12 days before the event, we will send it sooner if it is ready. We post the General Schedule Online about 7 days before the competition.

How are photogenic entries submitted? 

Photogenic Entries must be brought to the competition as a recent 5 x 7 or 8 x 10 in black and white or color to the competition. Please write the name, age, and studio on the back of the photo. Photos will be returned at the competition, but photogenic contestants are responsible for retaining their photos on that day. Dance Machine is not responsible for any damages to the photograph submitted. You must enter photogenic on the day of the competition. You do not have to be a registered competitor to enter the photogenic category, but you must be affiliated with a registered studio. DO NOT SEND PICTURES OR MONEY FOR PHOTOGENIC ENTRIES - you must enter at the competition. There is a $50.00 fee per photo entered in the photogenic category. Each photogenic entry will be awarded an adjudication award. Top Score Photogenic Awards will be based on the number of entries submitted. All Photogenic Awards will be presented with Group Awards for the corresponding age division.

How are routine critiques given to studios? 

Each judge will give an audio/video critique. Scores and audio/video critiques will be uploaded to studio accounts by the Wednesday after a competition.

What awards do you give?

Adjudicated Rating System

**Each judge awards a point value to each routine… Then, the three-point values are added together to determine the rating.

Adjudicated Rating Awards

Power Diamond (291-300) Power Platinum (282-290), Platinum (270-281), Elite Gold (261-269), High Gold (252-260), and Gold (251 or less)  

Top Score Overall Awards

Age divisions are TINY 6 and under, MINI 7-8, PETITE 9-10, JUNIOR 11-12, TEEN 13-14, SENIOR 15-19, ELITE 20 and up.

**Senior Solos will be broken into (15-16) and (17-19) when the number of entries merits a split**

Each competitive level (RECREATIONAL, INTERMEDIATE, and ADVANCED), all receive Top Score awards for Solo, Duet/Trio, Small Group, Large Group, Super Group, and Production within the Competitive Level and Age Division. If there are less than 3 entries in an age division/level then they may be combined.

BRAVO Awards are presented to outstanding performances and innovative/creative choreography. Bravo Awards are given for Solos, Duet/Trios, Groups, and Productions. Bravo Awards are selected by Judges and are not directly related to Adjudication, Rating Awarded, or Top Score Placement.

Entertainment, Crowd Pleaser, and Choreography Awards are presented in the Group/Production Divisions. These awards can come from any Competitive Level and are not directly related to the Adjudication, Rating Awarded, or Top Score Placement.

At the National Finals, all of the above awards are presented with the opportunity to be the National Champions, and groups have the chance to qualify for the Clash of the Champions Dance-Off, where the Super Grand National Champions are awarded. The National Dance-Off immediately follows the Age Division at nationals… No routines come back for an additional day.