EMPWR
DATES & LOCATIONS
London
Centennial Hall
St Catharines #1
Holiday Inn & Suites
St Catharines #2
Holiday Inn & Suites
April 10 - 12
London
Venue: Centennial Hall
Address: 550 Wellington St, London, ON N6A 3P9
Stage Dimensions: 33 × 62
Accommodations
Residence Inn London Downtown — 383 Colborne Street, London, ON N6B 3P5 (Residence Inn Booking Link)
Park Hotel London — 242 Pall Mall Street, London, ON N6A 5P6 (Park Hotel Booking Link):
April 16 - 18
St Catharines #1
Venue: Holiday Inn & Suites
Address: 327 Ontario St, St. Catharines, ON L2R 5L3
Stage Dimensions: 32 × 52
Accommodations
Holiday Inn & Suites — 327 Ontario St, St Catharines, ON L2R 5L3 (Holiday Inn Booking Link)
Staybridge Suites — 327 Ontario St, St Catharines, ON L2R 5L3 (Staybridge Booking Link)
Best Western — 2 N Service Rd, St Catharines, ON L2N 4G9 (Best Western Booking Link)
May 7 - 9
St Catharines #2
Venue: Holiday Inn & Suites
Address: 327 Ontario St, St. Catharines, ON L2R 5L3
Stage Dimensions: 32 × 52
Accommodations
Holiday Inn & Suites — 327 Ontario St, St Catharines, ON L2R 5L3 (Holiday Inn Booking Link)
Staybridge Suites — 327 Ontario St, St Catharines, ON L2R 5L3 (Staybridge Booking Link)
Best Western — 2 N Service Rd, St Catharines, ON L2N 4G9 (Best Western Booking Link)
EMPWR
COMPETITION
RULES
& AWARDS
Official rules, classifications, categories, scoring,
awards, title division, and dance off details.
AGE
DIVISIONS
MICRO
5 & UNDER
MINI
6 - 8
JUNIOR
9 - 11
INTERMEDIATE
12 - 14
SENIOR
15 - 17
ADULT
18 +
CLASSIFICATIONS
NOVICE
PART-TIME
COMPETITIVE
ADULT CLASSIFICATION
PROFESSIONAL/TEACHER CLASSIFICATION
Our Commitment to Fairness
WE DEEPLY VALUE FAIRNESS, GROWTH AND COMMUNITY. OUR CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO ENSURE
THAT DANCERS ARE BEING CELEBRATED FOR THEIR PROGRESS AND CHALLENGED APPROPRIATELY.
We are trusting that studios are entering dancers into the correct levels based on their training hours per week at the
studio. Training is defined as a technical class. All entry submissions should reflect a commitment to integrity and good
sportsmanship. Misclassifying dancers undermines the spirit of healthy competition. EMPWR reserves the right to review
placements if a Dancer or group is brought to attention for possible misclassification. Routines in the improper
classification will be bumped up. Let's make this a season we are all proud of!
CATEGORIES
Solo
1 Dancer
Duet/Trio
2 or 3 Dancers
Small Group
4-9 Dancers
Large Group
10-14 Dancers
Line
15-19 Dancers
Super Line
20+ Dancers
Production
Large Scale
TIME LIMITS
Solo
3 min max
Large Groups
3.5 min max
Productions
15 min max (includes prop set
up and exits)
Duet/Trio
3 min max
Lines
5 min max
Adult Groups
3.5 min max
Small Groups
3.5 min max
Super Lines
5 min max
Song & Dance
3 min max
DANCE DISCIPLINES
EMPWR Acrobatic Skills Rule
At EMPWR, acrobatic skills ("tricks") are defined as any movement in which a
dancer completes a full 360° rotation with both feet passing above the head.
A connected tumbling pass is counted as ONE skill.
The following movements are permitted and not counted as acrobatic skills:
Illusions
Partnering lifts
Floorwork including front and back rolls where the dancer's feet simply
pass over the head without a full 360° aerial rotation
Acrobatic Skill Limits
All disciplines are permitted a maximum of three (3) acrobatic skills per
routine.
The only exceptions are:
Open and Acrobatic disciplines, both of which have no skill limitations.
ALL Ballet disciplines, all of which have ZERO skill allowance.
Discipline Descriptions
Jazz
Tap
Lyrical
Contemporary
Hip Hop
Classical Ballet
Pointe
Contemporary Ballet
Modern
Acro
Musical Theatre
Song & Dance
Open
Production
SCORING
SYSTEM
BRONZE
84.00 and under
SILVER
84.00 - 86.99
GOLD
87.00 - 89.99
TITANIUM
90.00 - 92.99
PLATINUM
93.00 - 95.99
PANDORA
96.00 +
AWARDS
Overall Awards
OVERALL AWARDS:
SOLOS - TOP 10
DUETS/TRIOS - TOP 3
SMALL GROUPS - TOP 3
LARGE GROUPS - TOP 3
LINES/SUPER LINES - TOP 3
PRODUCTIONS - TOP 3 *
*AGE DIVISIONS & CLASSIFICATIONS ARE COMBINED FOR TOP 3 PRODUCTIONS
Awarded in each classification for the following age divisions:
MICRO: 5 & UNDER
MINI: 6 - 8
JUNIOR: 9 - 11
INTERMEDIATE: 12 - 14
SENIOR: 15 - 17
Session Awards
SPECIAL AWARDS
'YOU ARE THE KEY' AWARD
CHOREO OF THE SESSION
Adjudicators Choice Awards
MOST POTENTIAL
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN EACH
CLASSIFICATION
THE JES SACHSE TAP AWARD
'UNLOCK YOUR PWR' AWARD
AMBASSADORSHIP RECIPIENTS
TOP CHOREO OF THE WEEKEND
Final Awards
HIGHEST MARK IN NOVICE/PART-
TIME/COMPETITIVE
'DANCER OF THE YEAR' IN EACH AGE DIVISION
TOP STUDIO IN NOVICE/PART-
TIME/COMPETITIVE
Detailed Award Descriptions
'YOU ARE THE KEY' AWARD
This special award will be presented to one Dancer at each adjudication who exemplifies a tangible passion, gratitude and love for dance on and off the stage.
PWRHOUSE CHOREOGRAPHY OF THE SESSION
Awarded by the judges at each session to an entry that stood out in creativity, originality and powerful choreographic vision.
MOST POTENTIAL
Will be awarded in each of the Age Divisions in each Classification. There will be one for each of the age divisions for ALL LEVELS OF ABILITY. To qualify for this award
this Dancer must have at least one solo.
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN EACH CLASSIFICATION
This award is selected by the panel of judges and presented to one entry in each category — Novice, Part-Time, and Competitive. It is given to an entry that stood out and
left a lasting impression on the judges. Solos, Duets, Trios, Groups, Lines & Productions are eligible.
THE JES SACHSE TAP AWARD
This award is dedicated to my childhood friend — a fierce tapper, a true artist, and someone whose spirit could never be defined by limitations. We grew up dancing
together, and even as life presented them with physical challenges, they never let it stop them. They had a passion for the art of tap, and lit up every stage they stepped on
with their talent, and a personality ten times their size. They were a mighty force — clever, joyful, and unforgettable. This award will be given to an individual, group, or
studio that shows a deep love for tap — not just in technique, but in heart. It's for those who dance with the same passion, grit, and grace that Jes brought to every step.
"UNLOCK YOUR PWR" AWARD
This special Dancer is awarded based on their performances throughout the weekend. They exemplify a commitment and passion for dance that is evident every time they
step on to the stage. This Dancer must have at least one solo. This dancer will also receive A FULL SCHOLARSHIP TO EMPWR at a Regional of their choice for the following
season.
AMBASSADORSHIP RECIPIENTS
Stay tuned for this exciting & unique opportunity!
TOP CHOREOGRAPHY OF THE WEEKEND
Chosen by the Adjudicators and presented to ONE standout piece from the ENTIRE weekend.
HIGHEST MARK IN EACH CLASSIFICATION
Applicable to Solos only.
DANCER OF THE YEAR
Please see separate Title Division tab for full details!
TOP STUDIO
At EMPWR Dance Experience, we're proud to recognize studios for their collective strength, artistry, and teamwork. Our Top Studio award criteria reflects a balanced and
fair evaluation. To qualify, studios must register a minimum of 10 Groups or Lines (in any classification) at a regional event. Of those entries, at least 5 must be in the same
classification (Novice, Part-Time, or Full-Time) to be eligible to win Top Studio; the top 5 group/line marks in each classification will be used to calculate the studio's
average score. Only Group and Line routines with that qualifying classification will count toward the Top Studio calculation. While we continue to celebrate solos, duets and
trios in other categories, this approach ensures a fair and meaningful recognition of a studio's collective excellence. Three awards will be presented at each regional: Top
Novice Studio, Top Part-Time Studio, and Top Competitive Studio. We're so excited to celebrate the artistry, community, and power your dancers bring to the EMPWR
stage!
TITLE
DIVISION
Age Divisions
MICRO: 5 & UNDER
MINI: 6 - 8
JUNIOR: 9 - 11
INTERMEDIATE: 12 - 14
SENIOR: 15 - 17
ALL LEVELS ARE COMBINED FOR THE REGIONAL TITLE DIVISION BASED ON AGE BREAKDOWN ABOVE
ONE TITLE WINNER WILL BE AWARDED IN EACH OF THE ABOVE BREAKDOWNS AT ALL EVENTS
THERE IS A SEPARATE SCORING FOR TITLE DIVISION SOLOISTS. A TOTAL OF 100 MARKS PER JUDGE WILL BE GIVEN AND
THE TOTALS WILL AVERAGE TO GIVE THE FINAL SCORE
TITLE WINNER WILL RECEIVE A CUSTOM AWARD, A TIARA AND FULL SCHOLARSHIP OR CASH PRIZE
Criteria
TECHNIQUE
20 POINTS
STAGE PRESENCE
20 PTS
EXECUTION OF CHOREOGRAPHY
20 POINTS
COSTUME
20 POINTS
OVERALL ENTERTAINMENT VALUE
20 POINTS
THERE IS A FEE TO UPGRADE A SOLO TO TITLE.
A SOLOIST MAY UPGRADE ANY NUMBER OF ENTRIES FOR TITLE. THE FEE IS PER SOLO (NOT PER SOLOIST)
*** The Title Division is an opportunity for Dancers to be recognized and adjudicated through a different scope of who
they are as a performer. Title is adjudicated using a clear balanced scoring system across five specific criteria:
Technique, Stage Presence, Execution of Choreography, Costume and Overall Entertainment Value. This ensures every
Dancer is recognized for what makes them unique.
The Title Division is an opportunity to stand out, be celebrated and potentially walk away with a custom trophy, crown,
and a full scholarship!
EMPWR
DANCE
OFF
THE DANCE OFF IS DIVIDED INTO TWO DIVISIONS: 12 & UNDER AND 13 & UP
EACH STUDIO IS PERMITTED TO ENTER ONE GROUP TO COMPETE IN EACH OF THE DIVISIONS CHOSEN BY THE
STUDIO DIRECTOR. THERE IS NO ADDITIONAL FEE TO PARTICIPATE
COMPETITIVE GROUPS (EXCLUDING PRODUCTIONS) FROM THE MINI, JUNIOR, INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR
AGE DIVISION ARE ELIGIBLE.
STUDIO MUST ENTER AT LEAST 10 ROUTINES TO QUALIFY FOR THE DANCE OFF (3 MUST BE GROUPS)
THE 12 & UNDER AND 13 & UP DANCE OFF CHAMPIONS & SECOND AND FIRST RUNNER-UPS WILL RECEIVE AN
AWARD
*** The EMPWR DANCE OFF is a special moment for studios to celebrate their dancers and showcase a piece that best
represents their team!
Studios can submit a limit of TWO group routines, lines or super lines (one routine PER age division 12 & under and 13 &
up), selected by the studio/Team Director. Routines must be in the Competitive level. Productions are not eligible to
participate.
Our DANCE OFF awards ceremony (directly following the Dance Off) will recognize ALL participating competitors. ALL
participating teams will receive an award. The 2nd Runner Up, 1st Runner Up & the Champions will receive a trophy and
each Dancer will receive a special token award. Champions will additionally receive a banner, and the opportunity to
donate to a charity of their choice. Pay your PWR forward!
Studios must have a minimum of 10 entries to enter the Dance-Off (3 must be groups/lines/super lines).
© EMPWR Dance Experience. All rights reserved.