Rules

Our rules are designed to promote fairness and friendly competition.

• SOLOS: Enter the age division the competitor will be as of midnight, December 31, 2011.
• DUETS/TRIOS, GROUPS &LINES Take the ages of all the competitors in the duets/trio, group or line as of midnight, December 31, 2011 and add them together. Then divide by the number of competitors and drop the decimal point.
• NOVICE SOLOS are individual ages 6 and under to 16 years.
• NOVICE DUETS/TRIOS, GROUPS AND LINES are ages 6 and under, 8 and under, 10 and under, 12 and under,14 and under, and 16 and under.
• BASIC COMPETIVE SOLOS are ages 6 and under, 8 and under, 10 and under, 12 and under, 14 and under, 16 and under, and 18 and over.
• BASIC COMPETITIVE DUETS/TRIOS, GROUPS AND LINES are ages 6 and under, 8 and under, 10 and under, 12 and under,14 and under, 16 and under, 18 and over.
• COMPETITIVE SOLOS are individual ages from 6 and under to 18 years and over.
• COMPETITIVE DUETS/TRIOS, GROUPS AND LINES are individual ages 6 and under to 18 years and over.
• Competitors will be responsible for producing valid proof of age to the directors should a question of age arise.
• Please ensure that you have a copy of all dancers’ Birth Certificates at the competition.
• All protests must be presented to the directors of Galaxy of Stars Dance Championships Inc. in writing before the adjudication of the routine in question. All protests must be signed by the studio director. We do not accept protests from parents or students.
• It is the teachers’ responsibility to ensure that dancers are entered in the proper classification, age division and dance category.

• NOVICE: A Novice dancer is a person who has never competed in any competition as of January 22, 2012. A Novice group or line must be a minimum of 75% Novice dancers. A contestant may enter a Novice category as a Solo, Duet/Trio, if they have never competed before in a Solo, Duet/Trio in any dance form. They may have competed before in a group or line. Solo, Duet/Trio entries must be 100% Novice. Novice entries are only eligible for the Highest Mark Overall Novice Awards.
• BASIC COMPETITIVE: A Basic Competitive dancer is a person who may have competed before but receives less than 6 hours of training per week. A Basic Competitive dancer is a person who wants to be part of the dance competition experience, but within a less competitive environment. A Basic Competitive dancer may enter a Competitive category if they wish. Basic Competitive dancers will only compete against other Basic Competitive dancers. Dancers entered in the Basic Competitive Classification will be eligible to win different (separate) Overall Awards from the Competitive Classification Overall Awards. Dancers entered in the Basic Competitive Classification are not eligible to win Competitive Overall Awards or the SuperNova Awards. Basic Competitive dancers will be eligible to win Special Awards and Choreography Awards.
• COMPETITIVE: A Competitive dancer is a person who may have competed before and is attending school on a full-time basis; they may teach dance on a part-time basis, but they do not depend on dancing for their livelihood. A Competitive dancer is a person who receives more than 6 hours of training per week. Competitive dancers are seeking to compete in a more competitive environment. A Competitive dancer may not enter any Basic Competitive Category. Competitive dancers will only compete against other Competitive dancers. Dancers entered in the Competitive Classification will be eligible to win different (separate) Overall Awards from the Basic Competitive Classification Overall Awards. Dancers entered in the Competitive Classification are not eligible to win Basic Competitive Overall Awards. Competitive dancers will be eligible to win Special Awards and Choreography Awards. Only dancers entered in the Competitive Classification are eligible to win the SuperNova Awards and Galaxy Cup.
• PROFESSIONAL: A Professional dancer is a person who earns their livelihood (supports themselves) by teaching or performing dance on a full-time basis. A Professional dancer may not compete in any Novice or Basic Competitive category or as a Solo, Duet/Trio in a Competitive category. A Professional dancer may enter in a Competitive group or line category provided that 90% of the Group or line is Competitive category. Dancers in this classification are competing for ribbons, pins/medals, plaques and trophies only and are not eligible to win cash awards, overall awards, the SuperNova Awards or Galaxy Cup.
• ADULT/PERFORMING PARENT:Adult/Performing Parents are defined as recreational/amateur dancers 21 years of age and older. Dancers in this classification are competing for ribbons, pins/medals, plaques and trophies only and are not eligible to win cash awards, overall awards, the SuperNova Awards or Galaxy Cup.

• JAZZ: Routine must consist of primarily jazz technique. Routine may not contain more than 4 acrobatic tricks or tumbling passes. General lifts are permissible.
• LYRICAL JAZZ: Routine must demonstrate expressive interpretation of the music or the lyrics of the music through movement. Routine should demonstrate emotion, balance, extension, control, and technique.
• TAP: Routine must consist of tap technique and primarily tap work. No pre-recorded tap sounds should be on the tape.
• ACROBATIC DANCE: A routine using controlled moves such as walkovers, limbers, handstands, chest rolls, etc. Routine may contain gymnastic passes, flexibility moves or contortionist moves, but must also contain dance moves, steps, and choreography.
• BALLET: Routine must consist of ballet technique and include classical steps and movements using only classical instrumental music
• POINTE: Routine must consist of Pointe technique using classical steps and movements, in Pointe shoes using only classical instrumental music.
• DEMI CHARACTER:Routine must portray a character or theme using ballet technique.
• CONTEMPORARY BALLET Routine must consist of ballet technique (Pointe or demi Pointe). Floor work may be used. Non-classical instrumental music is to be used.
• PRODUCTION: Routine must contain 20 or more dancers incorporating any style(s) of dance and must have a theme or story throughout.
• MUSICAL THEATRE/STAGE: A routine portraying a character throughout. Can be from a play, movie, television, or stage production, or a stereotype, such as, a fireman, farmer, etc. Any form of our dance categories may be incorporated. Lip‑syncing is allowed.
• MODERN: Routine must exhibit creativity and expression of music through modern technique.
• SONG AND DANCE: Routine must contain both singing and any listed category of dancing. There must be no other voices anywhere on your tape. No special sound equipment may be used. A wireless hand-held microphone is available for your use. If you have your own wireless microphone, use of your own equipment must be approved and coordinated with the theatre technician a minimum of 3 hours before routine is scheduled to dance.
• STREET STYLE DANCE: A routine choreographed to contemporary music, using contemporary dance styles such as free-style, hip-hop, funk or music video style of dance.
• OPEN: Any routine which does not fit into any of our dance categories or a routine that is a combination of two or more of our dance categories.
• CONTEMPORARY: A routine that is a combination of strong ballet fundamentals with modern techniques utilizing strength, flexibility, alignment, breath,contraction, suspension, tension and relaxation while emphasizing artistic expression.
• NATIONAL: A routine that is of National origin (i.e. Celtic, Hawaiian etc.)

ENTRY POLICIES
All entries must be submitted electronically using our new online entry and payment system. Please click on the link below to enter Galaxy of Stars. The deadline for 2012 entries is January 22, 2012.

Late entries may be accepted at the discretion of Galaxy of Stars Dance Championships Inc. All entries must be on regulation entry forms. We cannot accept individual payments from parents.

ENTRY FORMS

Paper Entry Forms are available upon request.  

Please contact us to request an entry form.

There will be a panel of three judges, each awarding a routine a score out of 100 marks. The marks are then averaged to achieve a final mark.

• 96-100 = Star Status
• 90-95.99 = High Gold
• 85-89.99 = Gold
• 80-84.99 = Silver
• 75-79.99 = Bronze

• FIRST PLACE IS AWARDED TO THE HIGHEST MARK OF 85 OR OVER.
• SECOND PLACE IS AWARDED TO THE HIGHEST MARK OF 80 OR OVER.
• THIRD PLACE IS AWARDED TO THE HIGHEST MARK OF 75 OR OVER.

NOTE: While we do our best to ensure the highest standards for adjudication DVDs, technical problems do occur from time-to-time. Galaxy of Stars is not responsible for the quality of adjudication DVDs.

TIME LIMITS
SOLOS: Maximum time ‑ 2 minutes and 45 seconds

DUETS/TRIOS: Maximum time ‑ 2 minutes and 45 seconds

GROUPS: Maximum time ‑ 3 minutes and 30 seconds

LINES: Maximum time ‑ 3 minutes and 30 seconds

PRODUCTION: Maximum time ‑ 10 minutes

EXTENDED TIME: Maximum time – 5 minutes (large groups/lines only) For routines that do not meet the requirements of a production but are over the time limit for Large Groups and Lines.

Time limits include choreographed dance steps without music (entrances and exits). A leeway of 5 seconds will be allowed after which time, competitors who are over the time limit will be docked 1 mark from each judge.

NOTE: Please identify on your entry forms any routines that require additional time for set-up.

MUSIC
Each entry must furnish their own music. All music must be played on the stereo system/CD player provided. It is recommended that new, good quality CDs are used. CD Tracks must be cued to start immediately, on a scratch free CD. Teachers are responsible for their music to be ready to play. Your music must be clearly labelled with name of routine, entry number and name of the teacher or studio (It is advisable to have a back-up CD available in case of malfunction). A technician will be on hand to play your music. Teachers may choose to be in the sound area while their music is being played, or may turn in their music to the sound technician up to five numbers ahead in their category. Galaxy of Stars Dance Championships Inc. is not responsible for any CDs or iPods that are lost, missing or not picked up.

• All entries will be accepted on a first come first served basis, and will be limited to the amount of performance time available. NOTE: Competition may be full before entry deadline.
• Galaxy of Stars Dance Championships Inc. reserves the right to refuse individual or Studio entries at their discretion, in which event, fees will be refunded. Refunds cannot be made for any other reason. In the event of an injury, please substitute dancers.
• Galaxy of Stars Dance Championships Inc. reserves the right to combine or split entries of a category as well as add dance categories as it sees fit.
• There is no limit to the number of entries a studio may enter or that a student may perform with the following exceptions‑‑ A routine may be entered only once from each Studio. A competitor may not compete twice in the same age category, in the same dance form. Soloists wishing to perform a second routine in the same dance form (e.g. 2 jazz solos) may do so if they move up to the next age level. Please indicate on the entry form if competitor(s) have entered a higher age level so that we know this is your wish and not an error.
• A contestant making a second start may be adjudicated but no mark will be given, except for Novice entries or in the event of technical issues.
• Props may be used. They must be free standing. No props that could pose a danger are allowed, such as fire, swords, knives, live animals or helium balloons, etc. Throwing of liquids, confetti or glitter, etc. is not permitted. No special effects or lighting is permitted. (e.g. dry ice, strobe lights, etc.)
• If the stage floor is littered during your routine, please be prepared to clean it up immediately after the routine is finished. The dance floor area must be in the same condition after your pe rformance as before.
• Special lighting or sound equipment may not be used.
• Song & Dance and Musical Theatre/Stage routines must provide their own wireless microphone(s) and check their compatability with the theatre technician at least two hours before their scheduled performance.
• Only teachers with proper identification can be backstage, in the wings or in the music area. In no other circumstances will any other person be allowed backstage, in the wings, or in the music area during the competition, except for Galaxy of Stars Dance Championships Inc. personnel.
• Filming, flash photography or videotaping of any part of the competition is prohibited except by Galaxy of Stars Dance Championships Inc. personnel or those authorized by the directors. The competition will stop until the camera is put away, and the person may be asked to leave the theatre. Non‑flash photos may be taken.
• Performances will be recorded for use of judges’ critiques as well as for sales, advertising or marketing purposes.
• Teachers, competitors, participants and their parents give their permission to Galaxy of Stars Dance Championships Inc. to use any photographs, videos or DVD footage taken of them as well as any entered routines and winning/participating studio/competitor names, for the purpose and administration of video judging, as well as for marketing, advertising, news coverage or promotional materials for Galaxy of Stars Dance Championships Inc.
• All competitors are forbidden to wear tap shoes in any part of the theatre, except on stage or when lining up to go on stage next. At all other times, street shoes must be worn.
• Absolutely no rehearsal is allowed in any part of the theatre, foyer, or backstage.
• Upon entering Galaxy of Stars Dance Championships Inc.’s competition, it is agreed that teachers, competitors, their parents and relatives will not hold Galaxy of Stars Dance Championships Inc. its directors, employees and promoters responsible or liable for any damages, property loss or personal injury which they may sustain while participating in any activity connected with this competition, no matter how caused, to either competitors or spectators.
• Smoking is not permitted in any part of the venue. There is no food or beverages permitted in the theatre, except for those areas designated by the theatre.
• All routines must be appropriate for family viewing in theme, costume, lyrics and choreography. If the judges feel that a routine is not appropriate for family viewing, marks can be deducted and the routine may be scored lower or disqualified.
• Solos, Duets/Trios, Group, Lines and Productions are not eligible to win an Overall Award, a Novice Overall Award, a SuperNova Award or any other cash awards or take part in the Star of Stars award unless there are at least 5 Groups or Lines entered at one Galaxy of Stars Dance Championships location from that studio.
• The Directors, at their discretion, reserve the right to add or decrease the number of Highest Mark Overall Awards and the amount of cash awards being presented at a location based on entries.
• Overall, SuperNova and/or Galaxy Cup wining routines may not enter the same routine (music and choreography) the following year.
• Galaxy of Stars Dance Championships Inc. reserves the right to substitute judges, in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
• Galaxy of Stars Dance Championships Inc. cannot be held liable or responsible for any misprints, errors or omissions in the official program.
• All decisions pertaining to the final schedule, including any changes, will be at the sole discretion of Galaxy of Stars Dance Championships Inc.
• All matters not dealt with in the published rules, mailings, email, our website, or any error or omission, shall be referred to the Directors of Galaxy of Stars Dance Championships Inc. whose sole decision in all cases shall be final.
• The directors of Galaxy of Stars Dance Championships Inc. reserves the right to cancel or reduce the days of any scheduled event/competition, or add days, as well as move the event site, due to unforeseen circumstances or based on entries. Contestants must perform on days and times scheduled.
• Galaxy of Stars Dance Championships Inc. will not issue refunds or be held responsible for sudden cancellation or lost time due to extreme weather, bomb threats, terrorism, venue issues or any other extraneous circumstances.
• All entrants agree that all decisions of the judges are final. All entrants agree that the time, manner and method of judging the competition will be solely within the discretion of the directors of Galaxy of Stars Dance Championships Inc.