Fly Dance Competition: Rules and Regulations for an Unforgettable Event

Welcome to the Skies of Dance: Your Guide to FLY Dance Competition

Hello and welcome, dancers, teachers, and parents, to Fly Dance Competition! We are thrilled to have you join us. At FLY, we are dedicated to putting you, the heart of dance, first. From timely schedules to a supportive and safe atmosphere, we aim to provide an exceptional competition experience.

Before we get started and you take center stage, please carefully review the following rules and regulations. Non-compliance may unfortunately lead to point deductions or even disqualification. Let’s ensure a smooth and spectacular event for everyone involved.

Essential Participation Agreements

Digital Event Waiver

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE FLY DANCE COMPETITION WAIVER FOR YOUR DANCER

For your convenience, FLY Dance Competition waivers are now digital. Please share this link with all participating dancers. To avoid any scheduling delays, waivers must be submitted at least 22 days prior to the event. Your prompt attention to this is greatly appreciated.

Key Dates, Payments, and Scheduling Policies

Payment Deadlines and Late Registration

To maintain active discounts and ensure timely schedule delivery, entry fees must be paid in full 30 days before the event.

A late fee will be applied to incomplete registrations starting 15 days before the event if full payment has not been received.

Routine Adjustments and Fees

Once the schedule creation process begins, any routines removed from registration will incur a $20 fee per routine. A medical excuse, accompanied by a doctor’s note, will be exempt from this fee.

Tentative and Final Schedules

A tentative schedule will be sent to studios that have settled balances and confirmed waivers approximately 3 weeks before the event. To receive a revised and finalized schedule around 2 weeks prior to the competition, all music uploads must be completed.

Scheduling Requests and Limitations

All scheduling requests must be submitted in writing to [email protected] at least 30 days before the event. Requests made after this time may not be accommodated. Please note that routines performed outside of their originally scheduled session will be for adjudication only.

Edits and additions made after the final schedule may also result in adjudication-only routines. Moving a routine to a lower level after the final schedule will disqualify it from high-score awards. However, judges reserve the right to advance a routine to a higher level if they deem it appropriate.

Refund Policy

All payments to FLY Dance Competition are non-refundable, regardless of when payment is made. The sole exception is event cancellation, in which case a full refund will be issued. Studios have 30 days to claim a refund after being notified of cancellation by FLY Dance Competition. Unclaimed refunds will be converted to FLYmiles after this period, with an added 10% bonus credit. Please note that FLYmiles credit is irreversible.

Prioritizing Safety at FLY Dance Competition

Safety is our paramount concern at FLY Dance Competition. It’s important to acknowledge that dance competition participants assume inherent risks associated with physical activity. Participation in FLY Dance Competition implies acceptance of these risks. Participants and spectators agree that FLY Dance Competition, including its staff, will not be held liable for any accidents, illnesses, injuries, or theft of any kind.

To contribute to a safe environment, please supervise children under your care and be responsible for personal belongings.

For performer safety and to respect their performances, photography, flash photography, and videography are strictly prohibited during competition routines. Video and photography are permitted only during Improv and Awards sessions.

If you observe anything suspicious or unsafe, please immediately inform a FLY staff member.

Studios are responsible for the conduct of their dancers throughout the competition. Dancers must use designated changing areas and are prohibited from changing in public spaces or areas not specified for changing.

Title Competition: Aim for the Crown

The Title Competition is an exciting opportunity for dancers to compete against top performers within their level and age group at the event. This competition occurs concurrently with the dancer’s solo performance.

There is no limit to the number of solos that can also participate in the Title Competition. Title Competition is available for First Time Flyer, Business Class, and First Class levels. One title will be awarded in each age division: Mini, Petite, Junior, Teen, Senior, and Adult.

The Title score is independent of the solo score and is evaluated out of 50 points, contributing to a combined score out of 150. The highest-scoring title in each age division and level will be awarded. The Title score will be added to the routine score for a total combined score of up to 450 points.

Participation in the Title Competition involves an additional fee beyond the solo entry fee.

Spectator Information: Join the Audience

FLY Dance Competition is a public event, and we happily offer free admission for spectators. We kindly ask that you adhere to our policy of no outside food and beverages in the auditorium, unless otherwise specified by the venue. Many venues permit food in lobby and dressing room areas; please ensure dancers clean up these areas before departure. To protect our performers, flash photography and videography by spectators are not permitted during performances.

Video Critiques: Valuable Feedback for Growth

At FLY, we understand the importance of constructive feedback. Video critiques are included with every routine entry. Each routine will be assessed by three judges, and their critiques will be recorded separately.

All video critiques will be uploaded to the studio’s account within 3 business days after the event and can be downloaded for future review and learning.

Professional Photo and Video Services

FLY Dance Competition engages professional photographers and videographers at every event. High-quality images and videos of routines will be available for purchase post-event at media.acutabovela.com. Media previews are available before purchase.

Special Studio Media Offer

Studios can take advantage of a special offer to receive all photos and videos of all routines for a nominal per-dancer fee. All dancers from the studio must participate to qualify for this special rate. This option will be available on the registration page of our website and can be removed by contacting us at [email protected].

Studios accepting this offer will receive a shareable link via email from A Cut Above The Rest Productions, providing download access to all studio media approximately 2.5-3.5 weeks after the event. The link will be sent to the email address that receives FLY schedules.

Entry Fee Details

Current pricing details are available when you log into your studio account on our website.

Entry Types for Diverse Performances

FLY Dance Competition welcomes a variety of entry types to showcase diverse talents:

Solos: Single Performer
Duos/Trios: 2-3 Performers
Small Group: 4-9 Performers
Large Group: 10-19 Performers
Line: 20+ Performers
*Production:** 20+ Performers

*Production routines must present a storyline, plot, or narrative, similar to a film, book, or play.

Age Divisions: Fair Competition for Every Age

To ensure fair competition, FLY Dance Competition uses the following age divisions:

Mini: 6 years and under
Petite: 7-8 years
Junior: 9-11 years
Teen: 12-14 years
Senior: 15-18 years
Adult: 19+ years

For group acts, the age division is determined by the average age of all dancers, dropping the decimal point without rounding up.

Performance Categories: Showcasing Various Dance Styles

FLY Dance Competition offers a wide array of categories to celebrate different dance genres:

Acro
Ballet
Character
Clogging
Contemporary
Hip Hop
Jazz
Lyrical
Modern
Musical Theatre
Open
Pom
Pointe
Special Flyers with Special Needs
Specialty (Traditional/Cultural Routines)
Tap
Vocal (One Wireless Microphone Provided)

Category Notes:

The Specialty category is designated for Traditional/Cultural routines that highlight dance from a specific culture or tradition.
Acts with more than 3 Acro tricks should be entered in the Acro or Open category, with exceptions for Hip-Hop & Specialty categories which allow unlimited Gym/Acro tricks.

Performance Time Limits: Respecting the Schedule

To maintain event flow, performance time limits are strictly enforced:

Solo: 3 minutes
Duet/Trio: 4 minutes
Small & Large Groups: 5 minutes
Line: 8 minutes
Production: 8 minutes

Routines exceeding these time limits may incur a 5-point deduction. Extended performance time (up to 1 minute extra) is available for Small Groups, Large Groups, Lines, and Productions for an additional fee of $5.00 per performer.

Competition Classes: Ensuring Fair Play

Please verify the level requirements for 2025 to ensure fair and enjoyable competition for all participants. FLY Dance Competition offers three classes of competition, designed to place dancers in appropriately challenging environments:

First Time Flyer: For students taking approximately 1-3 hours of dance classes per week. This is our recreational division. Dancers performing more than one solo must move up to Business Class. To maintain fairness, First Time Flyer dancers should participate in no more than 4 routines and are limited to this level for two years. Please contact us with any questions regarding level placement.
- Basic Skills Examples: Single or double pirouettes, grand jeté, saut de chat, front and side battements, basic tumbling (cartwheels, handstands, front walkovers, somersaults), basic tap (shuffles, heel/toe and toe heel combinations, flaps, ball changes).
Business Class: For students taking approximately 4-6 hours of dance classes per week. This intermediate level is for dancers beyond beginner stages. Business Class dancers should participate in no more than 10 routines to ensure fairness.
- Skills Examples: Includes First Time Flyer skills plus double or triple pirouettes, switch leaps, reverse leaps, single leg hold turns, fouetté turns, á la seconde turns, intermediate tumbling (back walkovers, aerials, back handsprings, basic tumbling passes), intermediate tap (pullbacks, wings, time steps demonstrating dynamics and rhythm).
First Class: For students taking 7+ hours of dance classes per week. This advanced level is designed for experienced and highly trained dancers.
- Skills Examples: Includes Business Class skills plus multiple pirouettes, consecutive fouetté or á la seconde turns into multiple pirouettes or advanced turning sequences, complex switch leaps, multiple leg hold turns, advanced tumbling (fulls, layouts, back tucks, tumbling passes), advanced tap (demonstrating timing, rhythm, syncopation, dynamics).

Practice hours for routines and private lessons count towards total class hours. We aim to keep the First Time Flyer division for recreational dancers not yet ready for intermediate levels.

Determining Routine Levels

Each level is assigned points in our registration system: First Time Flyer (1), Business Class (2), and First Class (3).

Tie-breaker Rule: A tie in points results in the routine being placed at the higher level.
Highest Dancer Level Rule: The routine level is determined by the highest combined points of dancers within the routine.

Level Determination Examples:

Small group: 4 First Time Flyer dancers (4 points) + 2 Business Class Dancers (4 points) = Business Class level (tiebreaker).
Small group: 3 First Time Flyer dancers (3 points) + 1 Business Class dancer (2 points) = First Time Flyer level.
Small group: 2 First Time Flyer dancers (2 points) + 1 Business Class dancer (2 points) + 1 First Class dancer (3 points) = First Class level.

Prop Guidelines: Enhancing Performances Responsibly

Props are welcome at FLY Dance Competition. Please be considerate with props and ensure they are not left backstage more than one hour before or after the routine. Props must be set up onstage within one minute to avoid potential point deductions. Any props left behind after the event will be disposed of. For safety, props cannot exceed 10 feet in height, and dancer platforms cannot exceed 6 feet in height. Dangerous props are prohibited. Notify FLY if prop setup exceeds 15 seconds to allow schedule adjustments.

Prohibited Props

Glitter: Not permitted. Routines using glitter will face point deductions or disqualification.
Animals: Of any kind.
Fire & Fireworks: In any form.
Down Feathers
Liquids and Gels: Of any kind on any surface.
Weapons: Except non-sharp toy weapons.
Confetti: In any form.
Powder-like items: Including but not limited to flower, glitter, dirt, sand.

Exceptions (Require Quick Stage Clearance – 15 seconds)

Failure to quickly clear these items may result in point deductions.

Leaves
Rose Petals
Shredded Paper
Feathers or Boas (excluding down feathers; point deduction for down feathers).

Music Submission and Guidelines

All music must be uploaded during registration. Music changes are not allowed within two weeks of the event. Please bring a backup of your music on a phone, USB drive, or iPod for contingency. Title music files as: ROUTINENAME_STUDIO.

FLY Dance Competition is family-friendly. Profanity and vulgar language in music are strictly prohibited. Staff or judges may deduct points or disqualify routines with inappropriate music.

Judging Criteria: Achieving Excellence

FLY Dance Competition employs three judges per event. Each judge scores routines out of 100 points. Scores are combined for a cumulative total. Routines are judged based on:

Technique (50 points)
Performance/Execution (25 points)
Stage Presence (15 points)
Overall Impression (10 points)

Award Levels by Division:

First Time Flyer Division:

Million Miler: 286-300
Private Charter: 271-285
International Traveler: 255-270
Frequent Flyer: 0-254

Business Class Division:

Million Miler: 288-300
Private Charter: 274-287
International Traveler: 255-273
Frequent Flyer: 0-254

First Class Division:

Million Miler: 290-300
Private Charter: 276-289
International Traveler: 255-275
Frequent Flyer: 0-254

FLY is committed to being a family-friendly competition. Inappropriate or vulgar routines may be penalized with up to 20-point deductions or disqualification.

FLY Improv Competition: Spontaneity and Skill

FLY Dance Competition is excited to offer an improv competition at each event. Age divisions (Mini-Juniors combined, Teen-Seniors combined) will hold improv competitions during their awards ceremonies after Large Group routines. Dancers can enter once per competition weekend.

Dancers will perform in groups to 2-3 diverse songs. Judges select dancers from each group to determine the top 3 placements. Placement numbers may vary based on registrant numbers.

Improv registration can be pre-registered up to 10 days before the competition or added at the event. Cash prizes may be awarded depending on dancer sign-ups.

Prizes can be collected at the merchandise table after announcements. For missed prize collection, email us with dancer info, studio name, and PayPal email from the dancer’s studio.

Cash Awards, Scholarships, and FLYmiles: Rewarding Talent

FLY Dance Competition offers cash prizes, FLYmiles, and scholarships at every competition.

Prize Redemption and Frequent Flyer Program

Frequent FLYer Program: Studios earn one free solo for every 10 paid routines each competition season for the following year. No rounding up; limited to 10 free solos annually. The program resets at the end of each Nationals season. Example: 2024 earnings can be redeemed until the end of the 2025 Nationals. Solos discounted due to prizes do not count towards this program. Claim offer before payment, at least 4 weeks before the event. A paid routine must accompany each free Frequent FLYer solo.
General Prize Information: Prizes/offers have no cash value and remain with the studio, even if earned by individual dancers. Studios can transfer individual dancer prizes by emailing FLY Dance with original studio name, event city/year, and dancer name. Scholarships/Prizes/FLYmiles/Frequent FLYer must be redeemed at least 2 weeks before an event and must be accompanied by another paid routine. FLYmiles are non-transferable, cannot be used for deposits (deposits must be new funds), and can cover up to 50% of routine fees (after individual/group discounts and deposit application). Remaining FLYmiles can be used at future FLY events. Promotional credit earned from FLY is termed “FLYmiles.” FLYmiles cannot be used for Media Fees, Improv, or Title Competition entries. Studios can redeem one personal prize/scholarship per dancer per event. Example: A dancer earning a convention scholarship and free solo can redeem only one per event, the other at a future event. Group discounts remain unaffected. FLYmiles cannot be combined with dancer prizes (Free Solo, Free Half Solo, Free Convention Entry…). Special Flyers and Adult division dancers can redeem a personal prize/scholarship only once per age division. Example: A free solo earned in the Teen division can be redeemed in the Teen or Senior division if the dancer advances to Senior.

Performance Order and Backstage Protocol

To maintain timely events, FLY Dance Competition runs routines in scheduled order. Check in with the backstage manager 30 minutes prior to scheduled performance time. Dancers not present or performing out of order without permission may face point deductions. Dancers will have at least 3 dances between their routines for changes. Routines moved to different sessions perform for adjudication only. Schedule requests are accepted up to 30 days pre-event. Tentative and revised schedules are subject to change.

Turbulence Showdown: The Ultimate Face-Off

The top three highest-scoring routines from each category below will compete in the Turbulence Showdown on the final day for over $6000 in FLYmiles!

Categories:

Mini – Junior – First Time Flyer – Small and Large Groups
Mini – Junior – Business Class – Small and Large Groups
Mini – Junior – First Class – Small and Large Groups
Teen / Senior – First Time Flyer – Small and Large Groups
Teen / Senior – Business Class – Small and Large Groups
Teen / Senior – First Class – Small and Large Groups
All Lines and Productions

Note: Studios qualify ONCE per category, using their highest-scoring routine if multiple routines are eligible. No exchanges are permitted.

Closing Showcase for Convention: A Grand Finale

Each FLY convention will feature a closing showcase. Faculty will select standout dancers or entire classes to perform choreography learned during the convention. Approximately 5-15 classes and the top 3 highest-scoring Saturday solos will be invited to perform. The showcase, lasting 20-30 minutes, is open to all. The Co-Pilot program, offering assistant positions for the following year to dancers who impressed the faculty, will also be announced.

Additional Essential Information

Entry fees, media fees, improv, and title fees are non-refundable at any time or for any reason. Venues are subject to change. Theater doors open 30 minutes before competition start; dressing rooms open 45 minutes prior.

By attending a FLY Dance Competition event, participants grant permission for photography and videography and allow FLY to use media for publicity and advertising. Registering a routine confirms the studio or independent dancer’s right to perform the choreography. Independent performers are subject to a one-time registration fee.

Refunds are only issued if an event is canceled and not rescheduled. Refund claims must be made within 30 days of cancellation notification; unclaimed refunds convert to FLYmiles with a 10% bonus. FLY Dance Competition rules are subject to change and updates at any time.