ADJUDICATION & AWARDS
HOW DOES LIVE JUDGING WORK?​
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​​SCORING
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​TITLE AWARDS
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​​DIVISIONAL AWARDS
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OTHER INFO​
Dancers are asked to stay on stage following their routine. Two of our professional judges will provide live feedback over the microphone to the dancers. All feedback will be presented in a very positive, inspiring, and constructive manner. This format allows for an educational experience where the dancers are able to apply their critiques immediately to their next routines with the purpose of improving as the day goes on. Note: the feedback given to the dancers will pertain only to what the dancers have control of ex: technique, execution, stage presence, etc. All teacher comments including choreography, music, and costuming notes will be in the additional audio critique which will be password protected and uploaded to Smugmug along with your routine photos and videos. Please allow 1-2 days following competition for uploads to be completed.
The dancers will receive their adjudicated award on stage directly following their routine. Each routine will receive a plaque for the studio and each dancer will receive a corresponding pin. All additional awards will be presented in a separate (much shorter) award ceremony at the conclusion of a performance classification.
We believe that all dancers should be judged fairly and accurately and scores should allow room for personal growth. Judges will score all entries based on the following criteria: technique, choreography, performance, precision, costume, and overall appearance. Each of our three judges will score out of 100 points for a possible total of 300 points. All scores are based on the opinions of three qualified dance professionals. All scores are final and will not be changed.
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300 Perfect Score: Crown Jewel
291-299 total points: Ultra Sapphire
282-290 total points: Ultimate Sapphire
273-281 total points: Sapphire
264-272 total points: Ultra Diamond
255-263 total points: Ultimate Diamond
246-254 total points: Diamond
All solos entered in Apprentice, Corps, Elite and Diva divisions are automatically entered for a Title within each age category represented at Regional competitions. The top 10 solos, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st runner-up will be awarded and the highest-scoring solo will be named the Title winner. A soloist may only place once in the Top 10. In the event a soloist places with more than 1 routine, only the highest-scoring routine will be announced.
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High-Score awards are broken down by performance classification, entry type, age division, and category. They will be presented to the highest-scoring solo, duo/trio, small group, large group, line, and production entries within the Apprentice, Corps, Elite and Diva Division performance classifications.
Overall High Score awards are broken down by performance classification, entry type, and age division, the category is eliminated. They will be presented to the highest-scoring duo/trio, small group, large group, line, and production entries within the Apprentice, Corps, and Elite performance classifications. The top-scoring solos in each age division will be named the Title Winners and Runners Up.
Top Overall High Score awards are broken down by performance classification and entry type. They will be presented to the highest-scoring duo/trio, small group, large group, line, and production entries within the Apprentice, Corps, Elite performance classifications. 2nd and 3rd place will also be awarded. Adult Top Overall High Score winners are not eligible for Top Champion.
Top Overall High Score winners will be eligible for Top Champions of the Competition in the Apprentice, Corps, and Elite level.
-In the case of a tie, the lowest scores from all three judges will be dropped and the routine with the highest remaining score will be awarded.
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-Special Awards, The Judges' Choice Award, The CdLS Spirit Award, The Key To Success Award, scholarships and any additional special recognition awards will be determined by the judges and/or directors and given to entries at their discretion.
-Live judging not only provides a more personal experience for the dancers but also a more educational one. Instant feedback allows the dancers to apply their critiques immediately to their next routine and grow and improve as the day goes on. Dancers also receive their award right after their routine making for much shorter award ceremonies.
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-If two or more Crown Jewels (perfect scores) are given in the same performance classification at a competition, we ask that the dancers perform again before awards to receive new scores to determine one Top Champion.