Competition Rules + Regulations

Solo / 1 Dancer / 2 minute, 45 second time limit

Duet / 2 Dancers / 3 minute time limit

Trio / 3 Dancers / 3 minute time limit

Small Group / 4-9 dancers / 3 minute time limit

Large Group / 10-19 Dancers / 4 minute time limit

Super Group / 20+ Dancers / 5 minute time limit

Production / 15+ Dancers / 8 minute time limit

*Please contact us for information on entry fees. Proof of studio ownership will be required.

Extended Time: Additional time (by the minute) can be purchased for any group routine that exceeds the time limits listed above. Routines that exceed the time limit AND do not purchase extra time will be scored for adjudication only and will not be eligible for overall awards. Solos, duets, and trios are not able to purchase additional time.

All ages for the season are calculated as of January 1 of the current year.

Mini / 4-6 years old

Petite / 7-9 years old

Junior / 10-12 years old

Teen / 13-15 years old

Senior / 16-19 years old

Adult / 20+ years old

If a routine has multiple age divisions, they can only compete in one level lower than their oldest dancer. Ex: A routine has juniors, teens, and seniors with the average age being junior they can only compete in the teen division as it is one level below the oldest dancer.

Entries may compete in the following styles. Entries with three or more acro passes should be entered in the Acro or Open categories.

• Jazz 
• Tap 
• Ballet 
• Contemporary 
• Lyrical 
• Modern 
• Hip Hop 
• Musical Theatre 
• Acro 
• Clogging 
• Open

A soloist can only have one solo per category. For example, a dancer can have two solos at the competitive level but they must be in different styles. 

Dancers at Ignite Dance Competition may compete in one of four levels:

• Recreational - This is the perfect introduction to the competition stage. Dancers should train for less than 3 hours per week including all technique classes, rehearsals, and private lessons. Soloists at the recreational level may only have one solo.
   
• Competitive - This level is for the beginner to intermediate dancer. The dancer may take up to five hours per week including all technique classes, rehearsals, and private lessons. Dancers should not execute any advanced turning sequences, jumps, or leaps. Soloists at the competitive level may only perform two solos.
   
• Elite - This level is for the intermediate to advanced dancer who dances for six or more hours a week including all technique classes, rehearsals, and private lessons.The dancer is able to execute advanced and technical choreography.
   
• Pro-Am - Any routine that has a teacher, choreographer, director, or a dancer that is or has been paid to teach or perform must compete at the Pro-Am level. Routines at the Pro-Am level are not eligible for Overall High Score, Choreography, Entertainment, or Most Memorable Awards. 

During registration, levels must be entered for each dancer. The registration software will automatically calculate the level of the routine based on the level of each dancer in a routine. All duets, trios, and group routines will compete at the level in which the majority of dancers fall. For example, a routine with three recreational dancers and four competitive dancers will compete as competitive. You can always bump up their level but you can not bump down a level. 

There are no levels for the Improv portion of the competition.

As there is no possible way for any competition to know how many hours a dancer dances each week, levels are at the discretion of the studio. No changes can be made 14 days prior to the event.

Bump Rule

 Ignite Dance Competition reserves the right to “bump” a routine to the next level if it is incorrectly placed. If during a performance the judges unanimously agree the level needs to be bumped up and the routine scores High Platinum or above, the studio owner and/or teacher will be notified, and the routine will be moved to the appropriate level. Routines can be moved up but not down. All decisions are final. 

Regional Champions
All dancers with a solo will automatically be entered into the Regional Champions Competition. Dancers competing at the recreational level, pro-am level, or in the adult age division are not eligible for this award. 

Regional Champions in each city will be recognized at the end of each solo session. Once a dancer has been named a Regional Champion for the season, they are no longer eligible for a Regional Champion title in any remaining cities.

Improv Competition
The Improv Competition will be split into 4 age divisions: Petite (4-9), Junior (10-12), Teen (13-15), and Senior (16-19). You can only register for this event onsite at the merchandise table.

All dancers who choose to participate are not permitted to wear a costume. They may wear any sort of dancewear along with the dance shoe of their choice. Props are not allowed with the exception of a personal tap board (which can only be carried by the dancer).

Once all of the dancers in that age division take the stage, the DJ will play a randomly selected song and the dancers will have 1 minute to improv to the selected song. The song could be any genre of dance. The DJ will count down the last 5 seconds. After time is up, dancers will be asked to make a line at the front of the stage while our judges deliberate. Judges will then have the opportunity to call back dancers that they would like to see again; this process can happen up to 2 times depending on the size of the division. Dancers are judged on musicality, technique, and performance. After the final round of callbacks, a winner will be crowned.

If there are more than 8 dancers in a division, dancers will be split into two groups. If there are 5-10 entries, one runner up will be awarded. If there are 10 or more entries, two runners up will be awarded.

If an improv division has less than four dancers, Ignite Dance Competition may combine divisions for the improv portion of the competition. 

Ignite will send each studio a preliminary schedule 10 days prior to the first day of competition. Studios will have two days to make any changes to levels, age divisions, and to add or remove dancers from a routine. Be sure to thoroughly check each of your entries. Five days prior to the first day of competition a final schedule will be provided for all studios. Once the final schedule is released, no changes may be made to the schedule including dancers, birthdates, levels, styles, title-additions, or divisions.

Ignite reserves the right to ask routines to perform up to one hour prior to their scheduled performance time. If a routine is not ready to perform at the assigned time or within three routines of their assigned time, the routine will be scored for adjudications only and will not be eligible for overall awards. If a routine does not perform by the end of its assigned session, it will be disqualified from adjudications.

Changes made after the final schedule has been sent will be subject to a change fee and will not be printed in the program. Changes made on-site are subject to the approval of the director and a change fee that must be paid onsite. Modification that occurs on-site due to unforeseen circumstances, such as illness or injury, may not be subject to the change fee. This will be at the event director's discretion. Changes include but are not limited to: 

• Change of act name 
• Change of category 
• Change of level 
• Change of age division 
• Change of division type 
• Addition of performer 
• Deletion or replacement of performer 
• Music file change 

Qualifier
Routines wishing to join us for Nationals must score a High Gold or higher in order to participate at Nationals. Routines that receive lower than high gold will be unable to compete at Nationals.

Routines that competed at the Regional level and choose to compete at Nationals must stay at the same level (ex. Competitive). They may compete a level up, but they cannot move down a level. Group sizes can go down, just not up (ex. A large group could now be a small group for Nationals, but a small group could not compete as a large group).

Opening Number

Dancers who are invited to participate in opening number at Nationals and plan to attend Nationals should plan to be present for all days of Nationals. There is a $60 fee associated with opening number to cover the cost of choreography and a commemorative shirt to be worn during their performance. Registration for opening number will only be open May 12-19, 2025. Dancers must register for opening number even if they receive an invite to join us. No late entries will be accepted. Registration for opening number will be capped at 125 dancers and is provided on a first come, first serve basis. 

Challenge of the Champions 

At Ignite Dance Competition Nationals, dancers have the opportunity to compete in the Challenge of the Champions. At the end of each group session (Mini/Petite, Junior, Teen, and Senior), the top five group routines (must be a small, large, or super group) of that session will have the opportunity to re-compete and become the ultimate Challenge of the Champions Winner. At the end of the awards ceremony when the top five routines are announced, dancers will have five minutes to change into their costumes, reassemble any props, and meet back on stage for their final performance order. Performance orders will be randomly selected. Once all dancers for that routine have returned backstage, one dancer from each routine will pick a star from the bowl to determine their performance order. Stars will be labeled one thru five and dancers will perform in the order written on the stars. Studios that do not make it back in five minutes will be disqualified. After the top five routines re-perform, a second runner-up, a first runner-up, and a winner will be announced. Each studio may only have one routine in the Challenge. The Challenge of the Champions is only meant for group sessions and not solos, duets, trios, or productions. 

Props are welcome on the Ignite Stage. All props must be assembled within 90 seconds and taken down within 90 seconds. If these requirements cannot be met, it needs to be immediately brought to Ignite’s attention. All props must fit through a standard 36-inch-wide doorway. Props placing the dancer 8 feet or higher off the ground are deemed unsafe and are not allowed.

Props may not be in the wings until directed by the backstage manager or backstage crew for the safety of all dancers and participants. Props must also be removed from the wings immediately after the routine. Props must be stored away from pedestrian and vehicle traffic and may not remain backstage, in the lobby or any undesignated location. Props cannot be stored in the venue.

Fire, swords, knives, guns, live animals, powders, liquids, glitter, paint, sand, confetti, etc. are not allowed. If a routine has these props, it will automatically be disqualified, and entry fees will be forfeited.

Dancers will be provided with an area within the venue to change, get ready, and warm-up for their routines. Upon arriving at the venue, please see the merchandise table for directions to your studio’s dressing room. Dancers, parents, teachers, and studio owners should be kind and share these designated spaces with fellow dancers and studios. A separate space will be assigned for male dancers to get dressed and warm up. All rooms will be clearly labeled. Only dancers, teachers, studio owners, and one parent or guardian per dancer may enter the dressing room. Ignite reserves the right to remove anyone from the dressing room.

All music must be uploaded 14 days before the first day of the competition. All teachers should carry a back-up of their music via USB drive, iPhone, or other mp3 devices. CD’s will not be accepted.

If a dancer or group chooses to re-perform for any reason, except for technical difficulty caused by Ignite, that routine will be scored for adjudication only.

All routines, music, and choreography must be family-friendly. Routines that do not meet these criteria will be adjudicated only and not eligible for overall awards.

Pictures + Videos

Video cameras and still cameras are prohibited inside all competition venues. In order to protect the choreographer’s right and the safety and privacy of all competitors, we reserve the right to confiscate all recording devices (including cellular devices) used during an event and/or disqualify an entry. All competitors, teachers, and studio owners consent to the use of video, audio, and photographs for use in promotional material without royalty, fee, or other compensation. By attending or competing in an Ignite event you are agreeing to the use of your image and likeness by Ignite Dance Competition, LLC, all partners, and affiliates. Violation of this policy will result in ejection from the event. 

You can purchase all the pictures and video through the Dakiki app. Your dancer’s full name and birthdate as registered for the event will be needed in order to access the media. 

How to view photos and videos:

1. Open your phones app store and download the app 'Dakiki'
2. Sign up and select "competitions"
3. Find today's competition
4. Select "videos and photos"
5. Add your dancer(s) to your account
6. Content will be available within one week after the event

For support, please register or sign in Dakiki and select "support" from the menu. If you have any other questions, send us an email at media@ignitedancecompetition.com.

Video Critiques

Studio Owners and Directors will receive all video and audio critiques within one week after the final day of competition and will be notified via email once they are available to review. All critiques can be reviewed in your studio account.

Entry Fees + Payments

Studio Owners and Directors please contact us for entry fees. Proof of studio ownership will be required.

All entry fees must be paid in full 30 days in advance. Entry fees received after this time frame will be subject to a late fee per routine. Entries not paid in full 21 days in advance will be unable to compete and any paid entry fees will be forfeited. If you are sending a check, it must be postmarked by the deadline to receive the early bird discount or to avoid late fees. If a check is postmarked after the deadline, late fees will automatically be added to your account. No exceptions.

For registrations to be considered complete: 

• All routines must be entered correctly 
• Payment must be made in full 
• Music must be uploaded 
• All waivers must be signed 

All payments can be paid through your studio’s registration account or by sending a check directly to Ignite Dance Competition, PO Box 64, Ladson, SC 29456. All returned checks are subject to a $150 returned check fee. Personal checks will not be accepted.

Independent Entries

Ignite does not accept independent entries.

Refunds

Refunds are at the sole discretion of Ignite Dance Competition. No refunds will be provided 21 days prior to an event or after an event has taken place. Studio Owners must facilitate this communication to dancers and their families, our office is unable to speak with parents or guardians of performers.

If an Ignite event is canceled and we are unable to provide a rescheduled date, a full refund will be provided to the studio.

 Ignite Dance Competition and the hosting facility are not responsible for any kind of damage, loss, or injury sustained by contestants or spectators or their property while attending any area of the venue premises. Participation in our competition indicates acceptance of any such risk by performers. Therefore, upon registration to any Ignite Dance Competition event, it is agreed that all participants will not hold Ignite Dance Competition, its directors, or its employees responsible for any injuries that occur or illnesses that may be contracted during the competition event. Owners, directors, and teachers agree to adhere to the release of liability clause, which is completed during the registration process. 

Ignite highly encourages all attendees to supervise children at all times, be responsible for their personal belongings, be aware of their surroundings, and inform Ignite employees of any unsuitable or suspicious activity. 

Programs + Merchandise

Ignite Programs and Merchandise will be for sale in each city. Both are first-come, first-serve.

Additional Rules

Ignite Dance Competition, LLC and host venue are not responsible for any personal injury or property loss before, during, or after the event.

Ignite Dance Competition, LLC reserves the right to cancel any and all events due to lack of registration, inclement weather, or other unforeseen circumstances. Furthermore, Ignite Dance Competition, LLC reserves the right to change an event’s location, venue, and/or date(s). Upon changing a location, venue, and/or date(s), a representative from Ignite Dance Competition, LLC will contact your studio. Ignite will not be held liable for any costs endured for any type of travel arrangements made upon canceling an event or an event selling out, including but not limited to hotel fees, transportation fees, or bank fees. We HIGHLY recommend registering for an event prior to making ANY travel arrangements.

Scoring

At both Regional and National events, Ignite will have three judges scoring every routine. Each routine’s score is based on three critical components: technique, showmanship, and overall impact. The highest total score from each judge is 100 points and the highest cumulative score is 300. 

All ties will be broken and awarded to the routine with the higher technical execution score. In the event that there are two perfect scores, the tie will not be broken and both dancers will be awarded. 

Please view the PDF file at the bottom of the webpage for more information on scoring and the adjudication scale.

Judges Awards

At each awards ceremony, each judge will have the ability to give up to three judges awards to routines that inspired or stood out to them during each session. These awards are hand-selected and presented by each judge from the stage. These awards are presented at both Regional and National events.

Highest in the Category

When there are three or more routines in the category, Ignite will recognize up to the top ten routines in a category. A category includes a specific level (ex. Recreational), age level (ex. Junior), style (ex. Contemporary), AND an entry type (ex: Small Group). Routines ranking highest in the category will receive verbal recognition only. These routines are recognized at both Regional and National events.

For example, if there are 12 Recreational Junior Contemporary Small Groups at an event; Ignite will recognize the top ten Recreational Junior contemporary small groups not including any additional styles of dance.

Overall Awards

All routines within a specific level (ex. Elite), age level (ex. Senior), and entry type (ex. Solos) will compete against each other for Overall Awards. These awards are given once all routines for that overall have competed. Ignite will award up to the top ten in any overall award. These awards are presented at both Regional and National events.

A soloist may only place once in the overall awards. For example, a dancer has two solos in the Competitive Junior Solo category. Only the highest scoring solo will place in the overall awards.

Regional Champions
Dancers competing a solo at the competitive or elite level will automatically be entered into our Regional Champions Competition. Dancers will be recognized at the end of their prospective session. Dancers competing at the recreational level, pro-am level, or in the adult age division are not eligible.

This award is only presented at our Regional events. Each weekend we will award:

• Competitive Mini Regional Champion
• Competitive Petite Regional Champion
• Competitive Junior Regional Champion
• Competitive Teen Regional Champion
• Competitive Senior Regional Champion
• Elite Mini Regional Champion
• Elite Petite Regional Champion
• Elite Junior Regional Champion
• Elite Teen Regional Champion
• Elite Senior Regional Champion

Dancer of the Year
At Nationals, dancers competing a solo at the competitive or elite level will automatically be entered into our Dancer of the Year Competition. Dancers must have competed a solo at our Regional event. Dancers will be recognized at the end of their prospective session. Dancers competing at the recreational level, pro-am level, or in the adult age division are not eligible for this award. 

This award is only presented at our National event. During Nationals we will award:

• Competitive Mini Dancer of the Year
• Competitive Petite Dancer of the Year
• Competitive Junior Dancer of the Year
• Competitive Teen Dancer of the Year
• Competitive Senior Dancer of the Year
• Elite Mini Dancer of the Year
• Elite Petite Dancer of the Year
• Elite Junior Dancer of the Year
• Elite Teen Dancer of the Year
• Elite Senior Dancer of the Year

Artists on Fire
Artists on Fire are stand out soloists hand-selected by our panel of judges each weekend for their technique and passion for dance. This award is presented at our Regional and National events.

Stand Out Dancers
Each weekend Ignite offers free convention classes to start each full day of competition. Convention teachers have the opportunity to recognize stand out dancers in their classes. These dancers will be recognized during the group awards ceremony for their age division. Dancers will be presented with a certificate. This award is presented at both our Regional and National events.

Regional Improv Winner

Ignite will recognize the Improv winner for each age division. The Mini and Petite Age Divisions will be combined and dancers competing in the adult age division are not eligible for this award.

If there are 5-10 entries, one runner up will be awarded. If there are 10 or more entries, two runners up will be awarded. 

Each weekend we will award:

• Mini & Petite Regional Improv Winner
• Junior Regional Improv Winner
• Teen Regional Improv Winner
• Senior Regional Improv Winner

Top Choreographers
Each weekend Ignite will recognize two group routines with outstanding choreography. Solo, duet, and trio scores are not eligible for this overall award. Routines competing at the pro-am level or in the adult age division are not eligible for this award. This award will be presented to the choreographer of the award-winning routine.

• 12 & Under: Top Choreographer
• 13 & Over: Top Choreographer

Most Entertaining
Each weekend Ignite will recognize two group routines with outstanding performance quality. Solo, duet, and trio scores are not eligible for this overall award. Routines competing at the pro-am level or in the adult age division are not eligible for this award.

• 12 & Under: Most Entertaining
• 13 & Over: Most Entertaining

Most Memorable Award
This award is selected by the Judges and awarded to the two routines that the judges would like to see one more time. Solos, duets, and trios are not eligible for this award. 

• 12 & Under: Most Memorable
• 13 & Over: Most Memorable

Highest Score of the Weekend

Ignite will award the Highest Score of the Weekend to the routines with the highest cumulative score for the weekend. Routines competing at the pro-am level or in the adult age division are not eligible for these awards.

• 12 & Under: Highest Scoring Soloist (regardless of level) 
• 12 & Under: Highest Scoring Duet or Trio (regardless of level)
• 12 & Under: Highest Scoring Group (regardless of level)
• 13 & Over: Highest Scoring Soloist (regardless of level)
• 13 & Over: Highest Scoring Duet or Trio (regardless of level)
• 13 & Over: Highest Scoring Group (regardless of level)

Ignite Studio of the Weekend
These awards will be presented to the studio with the highest cumulative average for their routines in this division. Studios must have at least 5 group routines at a level to be eligible for this award. Ex. Studios with at least five recreational routines will be eligible for our Recreational Studio of the Weekend award. The Recreational Studio of the Weekend award will be presented to the studio with the highest average score for their recreational routines. 

• Recreational Studio of the Weekend 
• Competitive Studio of the Weekend 
• Elite Studio of the Weekend