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PRE-SCHOOL 3-4 years

MINI 5-6 years | 7-8 years | 9-10 years

JUNIOR 11-12 years

TEEN 13-14 years

SENIOR 15-16 years | 17-19 years NEW FOR 2026

ADULT 20-29 years | 30 years +

Categories of 12 or more entries will be split into separate heats.

NEW FOR 2026 Any routine with a performer 20 years of age or older, must compete in the Adult category, even if the average age is lower.

Solo Age Calculation: Soloists are entered based on their age as of December 31st 2025

Duo/Trio Calculation: Duos and Trios are entered based on their median age as of December 31st 2025, with a dropped decimal point.

ie) As of December 31st, Dancer A is 15 years old, Dancer B is 12 years old, their average age is 13.5 years. With a dropped decimal, they are entered into the 13 year category (these calculations are automatically done by the software upon registration).

Group Calculation: Groups are calculated by adding the ages of all dancers on December 31st 2025 together, and then dividing by the number of dancers in the group. The decimal point is always dropped.

ie) An average of 11.7 will dance as 11, and an average of 11.2 will also dance as 11.

NEW FOR 2026 Any routine with a performer 20 years of age or older, must compete in the Adult category, even if the average age is lower.

Performance Division is geared towards dancers who participate in dance more recreationally and have limited or no prior competition experience, but wish for extra performance opportunities. A dancer in this division may compete in no more than 4 routines and train up to 4 hours per week.  The Top 10 Highest Scoring Performance Division entries will be recognized separately. Please note, Performance Division entries are not eligible for Overall High Score Awards or the Evolve DanceDown. A routine cannot compete in the Performance Division if it has Advanced dancers - even if over 50% of the other dancers are Performance Division. In this scenario, routines will be bumped into the Intermediate division.

Intermediate Division is for dancers who train up to 8 hours per week. A dancer in this division may compete in no more than 8 routines. All Intermediate Division entries are eligible for Overall High Score Awards and the Evolve DanceDown. Intermediate entires do not qualify for the Provincial DanceDown in the solo, duo/trio and group high score by discipline sections.

Advanced Division is for dancers who train more than 8 hours per week and can compete in an unlimited number of entries.  Soloists, Duo/Trios and Group Performances by Discipline must compete in the Advanced Division to qualify for the Provincial DanceDown.

Dancers who achieve a higher level division at some point in their training are not permitted to go back down into a lower division if they reduce their training hours in later years. Division calculations must take into account training hours in all disciplines, including weekly technique classes, choreography and private lessons.

Entries in the Production and Adult age category compete in their own section(s), and are not entered into any division. Production and Adult routines are not eligible for High Score Awards.

**NOTE** Because no competition can possibly know how many hours a student dances, studio directors/teachers are left to their own sound judgment when entering routines.  The judges reserve the right to move routines that are obviously under-placed.  All judging decisions are final.

SOLO - 2 minutes and 45 seconds NEW FOR 2026

DUO/TRIO - 2 minutes and 45 seconds NEW FOR 2026

SMALL GROUP (4-9 dancers) - 3 minutes and 30 seconds

LARGE GROUP (10-19 dancers) - 4 minutes

LINE (20-29 dancers) - 5 minutes

EXTENDED LINE (30+ dancers) - 6 minutes NEW FOR 2026

PRODUCTION (20 dancers minimum) - 15 minutes

REMINDER - Time limits include choreographed entrances/exits and set-up for props.

Studios may pre-purchase 1 additional minute of time for any Small Group, Large Group, Line or Ext Line for $5 per dancer or 2 additional minutes of time for any Small Group, Large Group, Line or Ext Line for $10 per dancer.

Time limits will be strictly enforced. Penalties apply for overtime entries.

Acro consists of gymnastics and/or acrobatic work, in addition to dance choreography, that must account for 50% or more of the routine.

Ballet-Demi Pointe is choreographed utilizing classical or contemporary ballet technique(s). Dancer(s) must wear ballet shoes. Pointe shoes are not permitted.

Ballet-Demi Character portrays a story with a beginning, middle, and end, using classical ballet technique. Gestures, facial expressions, and movement are used for characterization. Pointe shoes are not permitted.

Ballet-Pointe utilizes classical or contemporary pointe technique and movement. Dancer(s) must wear pointe shoes. Dancers must be 11 years or older to perform en pointe.

Ballet-Variation is a short dance, from a full-length ballet, choreographed by world renowned ballet masters. Can be performed en pointe or demi pointe. Dancers must be 11 years or older to perform en pointe.

Contemporary is choreographed using contemporary technique and movement, reaching beyond the standard jazz vocabulary.

Contemporary Ballet is a dance form that merges classical ballet technique with modern dance elements, often characterized by its use of unconventional movements. Can be performed en pointe or demi pointe. Dancers must be 11 years or older to perform en pointe.

Hip-Hop is composed of street and/or jazz funk techniques and movement.

Jazz is choreographed utilizing jazz technique and movement.

Lyrical demonstrates a mix of ballet and jazz techniques, incorporating emotional and storytelling elements that maintain the theme of the musical selection.

Modern utilizes modern movement, derived from Modern masters, such as Graham, Horton, Cunningham etc.

Novelty is theatrical in nature, interpreting a song/character from a Broadway Show, Musical, Movie, etc. Lip synching is permitted, but not required. For live vocals, please enter the Song & Dance category.

Open contains any combination of genres or does not fall under any other genre recognized or represented herein.

Song & Dance incorporates live singing with dance, and is choreographed to music from Broadway or cinematic musicals. Pre-recorded vocals are not permitted when the performer is singing. Solo/Duo/Trios performers will be provided with a headset mic. Headset mics are not permitted for groups/lines.

Tap is choreographed utilizing traditional, contemporary, or hoofing techniques, steps, and/or rhythm patterns. No tap sounds are permitted in the music, and dancers must wear tap shoes.

Student Choreography is when a student choreographs a dance for themselves, or sets choreography onto another group of student dancers. This category is to encourage the next generation of choreographers and is not open to those who have received compensation for their choreography.

* A maximum of 3 acrobatic/gymnastic tricks/passes are permitted in entries competing outside of the Acro, Open, Hip Hop and Student Choreography categories. Judges reserve the right to move any entry to the acro category that they deem to have exceeded this limit.

* Pointe shoes are only permitted in the Ballet-Pointe, Ballet-Variation, Contemporary Ballet, Open, Song & Dance, Novelty, Student Choreography and Production categories.

Evolve Dance Competition is a family friendly event. Routines and music must be age appropriate and free of inappropriate or suggestive content, and profanity or vulgar language. Infractions of this rule may result in deduction of score or disqualification at the discretion of the judging panel and director of Evolve Dance Competition. All decisions are final.

Sportsmanlike behaviour is expected at all times.

Dangerous props are not permitted. These include, but are not limited to: pyrotechnics, fire, liquids, glass, swords, prop guns and knives.  Any routine that includes any type of prop which has the capability of causing injury to anyone, or destruction of property, is strictly prohibited.  In addition, the following props are also prohibited: confetti/glitter, hanging scenery/backdrops, special lighting requiring electrical power, fog machines, bubble machines, live animals, fluids, paint and non-weighted helium balloons.

All props must be freestanding and moved by the competitors or persons designated by the studio.  For the dancers’ safety, the maximum height of all props, both freestanding and hand-held is 10 feet, and no dancer shall stand any higher than 6 feet from the stage floor. Prop Staff and Props displaying a studio logo may result in a 5 point deduction. Please ensure that no debris is left on stage after your performance is done.  Failure to comply may result in disqualification. If the stage or Marley (if applicable) is damaged as a result of misuse, the studio will be liable for damages.

PROP SET-UP TIME must be included in the time limit for the entry (see time limits above). If a prop requires extended set-up time, this must be added to the routine length. A fee will apply for up to 2 minutes of additional routine time. If not pre-purchased, an additional $200 fee will apply on site for any extended prop set-up, and will be payable immediately, or the routine will be disqualified.