• Solo (1 performer) - 3:00 minutes

• Duo / Trio (2 to 3 dancers) - 3:00 minutes

• Small Group (4 to 9 dancers) - 3:30 minutes

• Large Group (10 to 17 dancers) - 4:00 minutes

• Line Group (18+ dancers) - 5:00 minutes

• Productions Groups (18+ dancers) - 12:00 minutes

Important Notes:

• Time limits include entrances, exits, and all set-up/tear-down for props, including any pre-set items.

• Extended time options are available for Groups only (not Solos, Duos, or Trios). Groups may purchase up to 1 or 2 additional minutes for an added fee. Studios may pre-purchase 1 additional minute of time for any Group for $50 per routine or 2 additional minutes of time for any Group for $100 per routine.

• Groups involving a significant number of props must request a time slot following a break before the draft schedule is created. Please note that availability for these slots is limited. In some cases, Productions may be scheduled to perform earlier in the event (“dance ahead”) to accommodate set-up needs.

Any entry exceeding its designated time limit will be subject to a score deduction.

• Acro

• Ballet (all styles except Character & Pointe)

• Character Ballet

• Contemporary

• Hip Hop

• Jazz

• Lyrical

• Modern

• Musical Theater (including lip-syncing, no vocals)

• Open (other styles or combo of styles)

• Pointe (all styles)

• Song & Dance (vocals)

• Street Jazz

• Student Choreography

• Tap

**Dancers can enter ONLY ONE solo per style.

**We DO NOT count the number of tricks in a performance.

**Soloists can place only once in the overalls with their highest scoring solo entry.

**Soloists performing 3 or more solos at the Elite Level will be eligible to win the SDC Title Winner award.

• Mini - 7 & Under

• Petite - Ages 8 & 9

• Junior - Ages 10 to 12

• Teen - Ages 13 to 14

• Senior - Ages 15 to 19

• Adult - Ages 20 & Over

**All ages are as of January 1 of competition year.

• NOVICE LEVEL (Beginner)

  • Recommended for: Dancers new to competition

  • Typical scoring range: 80 - 89.99

  • Dancers who have previously received scores higher than 89.99 should enter COMPETITIVE level.

• COMPETITIVE LEVEL (Intermediate)

  • Recommended for: Dancers with 1 year + of competition experience.

  • Typical scoring range: 84 to 92.99

  • Dancers who have previously received scores of 95+ must enter ELITE level.

• ELITE LEVEL (Advanced)

  • Recommended for: Dancers training 6+ hours weekly in technique classes. Soloists who receive a score of 93 or higher are strongly encouraged to register in the Elite Level, even if not yet required.

  • Mandatory for: Soloists who received a score of 95+ in previous seasons.

  • Typical scoring range: 90 - 100

  • Soloist Title Champion Awards are reserved for Elite dancers.

• SOLO LEVEL PLACEMENT DISCLAIMER

  • Mandatory Advancement: Soloists who performed on the Summit Stage and received a score 95 or higher (Summit High Platinum) will be advanced to the Elite level in your studio's roster the following season.

  • Responsibility: It is the responsibility of studios and dancers to ensure soloists are entered in the correct level before the final schedule is published. Incorrect entries may result in disqualification.

  • Other Competitions: If a soloist receives a score of 95 or higher at another competition in the same season before competing at Summit, they are not required to advance levels until the next Summit season.

PLACING DUOS/TRIOS/GROUPS:

• When registering, studios must assign each dancer an individual level.

• For duets, trios, and groups, our registration system automatically recommends a level based on the dancers registered.

• How the system works:

Each level is assigned a numeric value:

• Novice = 1

• Competitive = 2

• Elite = 3

• The system calculates the average value of the group to recommend a placement. Example: A small group has:

  • 4 Elite dancers → 4 × 3 = 12

  • 2 Competitive dancers → 2 × 2 = 4

  • Total = 16 ÷ 6 dancers = 2.67 → Elite Level

• Level change requests:

  • If a studio disagrees with the recommended placement, they may request a change.

  • Requests are only considered if 60% or more of the dancers are registered at a lower level than the system’s placement.

  • Example: A group with 55% Elite and 45% Competitive must remain in Elite.

Additional notes:

• Judges reserve the right to “bump up” a dancer or routine based on performance quality.

• If unsure, we encourage studios to register at the higher level or schedule a call with us for guidance.

This process helps ensure fairness while recognizing exceptional performances.

• All music must be submitted by digital upload as is due two weeks before event. Admin fee will apply to studio account if music is sent late.

• Technical issues are rare. Should a music technical issue arise, performers would be given the option to perform again.

• All studios should have backup music on hand during events. Music on backup devices should be downloaded directly on the device and not rely on internet connection.

• SDC is a family-friendly competition. Any performance that includes music with explicit language, or offensive content as determined by SDC and/or judges will be deducted points and not eligible for special awards. Please make sure your music is clean.

PROP SET-UP TIME Prop set-up time must be included in the entry's time limit (see above). For props requiring extended set-up, add the set-up time to the routine length. A fee applies for up to 2 minutes of additional time. On-site, a $200 fee is charged for extended prop set-up if not pre-purchased. Immediate payment is required, or the routine may be disqualified.

SAFETY & CARE OF FACILITY PROP POLICIES:

• If props are to be used, they must be stated in the registration system

• Props must be free standing

• Props should be essential to the performance

• Balloons MUST be weighted security and be checked prior to going on stage. Charges will apply to balloons released inside the facility.

• Dancers may have help with the placement of props by assigned studio prop assistants. Assistants should be trained to place props safely and quickly. SDC staff cannot assist with prop placement.

• No performers may stand, lay, or be ABOVE 6ft from the stage at any time during the performance.

• No loose debris may be thrown from the stage. If the stage is littered (feathers, leaves, flowers etc.) at any point during the performance, dancers must be prepared to clean it up IMMEDIATELY following the performance and under 30 seconds.

• All props must have protective bottom surfaces to ensure no damage to flooring.

• Props must be placed and removed within 2 minutes. **If props require more time, the studio must contact us prior to scheduling and may be subject to additional time charge.**

• Please take care when placing props. If the props damage SDC’s or theater property (Marley, backdrop, legs, etc.), the studio will be financially responsible for the damage.

• Prohibited props:

  • Real fire, swords, knives, or other weapons

  • Anything that alters the stage such as confetti, glitter, sand, liquids, and powders

  • Smoke or fog machines

  • SDC has the right to reserve the use of specific props according to each venue’s guidelines and restrictions.

ASSUMPTION OF RISK:

**All props used are at the assumption of risk to their studio. SDC cannot be held accountable for damage or injury from use of props. In addition, attending studios agree to assume all responsibility for any damages caused by props to venue, stage, or equipment or to injuries of their dancers.

Summit Dance Challenge wants every dancer to feel accomplished. We know how much work these dancers and teachers put into preparing for these competitions and encourage everyone to congratulate the one another on a job well done.

All competitors, teachers, family and audience members should treat the dancers and one another with respect and courtesy, and the hard work of the performers, and directors, and choreographers, judges, and event staff should be acknowledged.

Any and all persons exhibiting unsportsmanlike behavior or not following the rules will be required to leave the premises. SDC also reserves the right to impose additional penalties to the affiliated studio such as point deductions, disqualifications, and banning from attending future events.

Summit events are about celebrating each dancer's successes, promoting personal growth, inspiring kindness within our dance communities.

At SDC, transparency, fairness, and high quality are the standard of our company and the expectations of our judges. More frequently, dance adjudicators are accepting invitations as guest instructors at dance schools across the country. Even though SDC works hard to ensure a fair competition experience for all participants in choosing our adjudicator panels, it is not impossible that a situation may arise that could be considered a potential conflict of interest.

Even the perception of potential conflicts of interest can pose negative outcomes for dancers, studios, adjudicators, and dance competitions alike. To ensure that all parties know that their competition results are not influenced by any outside factors, SDC has the following conflict of interest policy in place:

1. Adjudicators are not informed of studio names for any performances. Adjudicators are only provided a studio code.

2. Adjudicators and studio directors are entitled to bring any potential conflicts of interest to the attention of the competition director, prior or during a competition.

3. When it is determined that there could be a perception of potential conflict of interest between a dancer/studio and an adjudicator on a panel, this particular adjudicators score will be dropped, and the average of the other two adjudicators will be used to determine the dancers score. The dancer will still receive their critique from all 3 adjudicators, however the third judges score will not impact final placement.