EMPWR
Age Divisions
Classifications
Categories
Time Limits
Dance Styles
Dance Disciplines
Scoring System
Awards
Title Division
Dance Off
EMPWR
RULES
& AWARDS
Official rules, classifications, categories, scoring,
awards, title division, and dance off details.
View Rules
View Awards
View Title Division
View Dance Off
Season Dates
Regionals
Feb – May
Nationals
July 12–15
Quick Links
Age Divisions
Classifications
Categories
Time Limits
AGE
DIVISIONS
Fair brackets built for every stage of growth.
MICRO
5 & UNDER
MINI
6 - 8
JUNIOR
9 - 11
INTERMEDIATE
12 - 14
SENIOR
15 - 17
ADULT
18 +
CLASSIFICATIONS
Enter at the right level. Our system keeps competition
honest and progress visible.
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
Group sizes for every formation and vision.
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
STYLES
From classical to contemporary—find your stage.
Classical Ballet
Tap
Jazz
Lyrical
Contemporary
Acro
Contemporary Ballet
Hip-Hop
Pointe
Musical Theatre
Open
Song & Dance
Modern
Production
Plus specialty categories at select events.
DANCE DISCIPLINES
Detailed descriptions and rules for each discipline.
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
Clear tiers that celebrate every level of achievement.
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
Trophies, scholarships, and moments that matter.
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 / Adjudicators Choice / Final Awards
Detailed Award Descriptions
TITLE
DIVISION
Judged across five dimensions. One winner per age
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 Experience. All rights reserved.
EMPWR
ALL DANCE
OFF
A head-to-head showcase for studios. Bring your
best routine—no props, pure performance.
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).
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