⋆Competition Guidelines⋆

Our levels, divisions, disciplines, and other registration guidelines are carefully constructed to create an experience that is educational, inspires motivation, and provides opportunities for whole-dancer development. We are committed to the highest standards of integrity and fairness and follow the motto “What applies to one, applies to all”.

Important Updates for 2026

Our commitment to YOU-to provide memorable and valuable dance experiences-means we are continually updating our guidelines and features to reflect industry changes and meet the evolving needs of our community. Here’s what’s new for 2026:

  • 3 adjudicators will score all routines. In rotation, two provide recorded feedback; one focuses on special awards per session.

  • Choose this level for dancers on school dance teams who ONLY train in their school program

  • Shine Dance Festival is designed to celebrate a wide range of dance styles —and each category is judged accordingly. We allow a maximum of 3 acro tricks in all dance disciplines. This encourages dancers to develop their technique and artistry within each style, rather than rely on tricks to impress.

    Click here to see our updated trick list.

    ★ Multiple dancers doing the same trick at once or in canon = 1 trick

    ★ A tumbling pass = 1 trick

    ★ The trick list is updated yearly to reflect evolving choreography trends

    A 2-POINT DEDUCTION WILL APPLY TO ROUTINES THAT EXCEED THE LIMIT.

  • This is the TOTAL time limit on stage including entrance, exit, and prop setup / takedown.

Studios, request your complete registration guide below.

Levels

Level provide the opportunity to focus on healthy, continuous growth by grouping dancers based on comparable skill level. At registration, studios must assign a level to each dancer that applies to all disciplines. We recognize that each dancer’s journey is unique and ask studios to contact us for assistance regarding dancers who may not fit the level descriptions on the table below.

  • For dancers aged 9 & under. This level is a positive introduction for a dancer’s first year of competition.

    Rising Star is for dancers with a MAXIMUM of 2 routines.

  • For dancers ages 18 & under who train fewer than 6 hours per week and are in their first or second year of competition.

    Novice is for dancers with a MAXIMUM of 5 routines.

  • Your standard competitive dancer aged 18 under who has 2+ years of performance experience and typically train 6-8 hours per week.

    Competitive is for dancers with a MAXIMUM of 10 routines.

  • For dancers 18 & under who meet any of the following criteria:

    ★ Are performing in 11+ routines.

    ★ Spend 10+ hrs/week in dance and related training including gymnastics, circus, theatre, conditioning, choreography classes, in a half-day dance program.

    ★ Are part of an elite level team.

    ★ Would benefit from competing at a higher level than their competitive peers.

  • For Anyone 19+

  • Choose this level for any dancer competing who is a paid teacher or choreographer.

    Routines with teachers will be entered in Elite or Just For Fun based on the routines average age and level.

  • Choose this level for dancers on school dance teams who ONLY train in their school program.

    Questions? Contact Us!

Dance Division

Our Dance Division includes a wide range of disciplines as well as special categories for adult dancers, emerging choreographers, and studio productions. There is a limit of 3 acrobatic elements for routines in our dance division.

  • EMERGING CHOREOGRAPHER
    For COMPETITIVE and ELITE students to develop their choreography skills. Choreography must be entirely original. It may be a solo, duo or group. Comments & scoring will be based on choreography skills and performance.

    AWARD: TOP 10 Intensive Invitation

    PRODUCTION
    A production has 15 or more dancers, is 5 to 15 minutes in length and may include a variety of disciplines.

    JUST FOR FUN
    Our amateur adult category for routines with an average age of 19+.

    Shine’s Special Categories…

    • Are grouped into one category regardless of age, level, or discipline.

    • Receive a medal based on score and are eligible for Choreography & Shine Bright Awards. 


    • Are eligible for placement in their stand-alone special category. 


    • Are NOT eligible for overall awards including TOP 10 Dancer or TOP 10 Group.

  • There is a 3 Acro element/routine limit for ALL routines in the DANCE DIVISION.

    See Our Acro Trick List Here.

    ★ Multiple dancers doing the same trick at once or in canon = 1 trick

    ★ A tumbling pass = 1 trick

    ★ The trick list is updated yearly to reflect evolving choreography trends

    A 2-POINT DEDUCTION WILL APPLY TO ROUTINES THAT EXCEED THE LIMIT.

  • We recognize more than just great dancing! We believe competition offers opportunities to honour and reward skills for life like sportsmanship, teamwork and professional behaviour with our Shine Bright Awards, Choreography Awards & Shine Spirit awards presented throughout each event.

    Our Awards include…

    • A medal for every dancer in every routine based on score.

    • Shine Bright & Spirit Awards

    • Choreography Awards

    • Overall Awards in all Levels for each division.

    • Cash Prizes for high scores in Competitive and Elite levels.

    • Scholarships to your favourite conventions & training centres.

    • DANCER OF THE YEAR.

    • MENTOR AWARDS at each event.

    • The Shine TOP 10 Intensive

    • Soloists & entries with exactly the same dancers are eligible for ONE high score cash award per division, placement will be determined by their highest scoring routine.

  • The Top 10 Dancers at each of our festivals earn special recognition and a very special award, an exclusive invitation to the TOP 10 Intensive-at no cost. Placement is based on each dancer’s highest scoring solo.

    TOP 10 GROUPS

    On the final evening of each event, 10 groups representing 10 studios (the highest scoring from each) will perform to raise funds in support of Ronald McDonald House BC/YUKON. Our adjudicators will choose the winning group at the end of the show earning all group members a spot in the 2025 Regional Finals on July 6. Group scores will be posted and updated throughout the event and eligible routines will be announced as soon as they have been finalized.

    ROUTINES MUST BE ENTERED IN THE COMPETITIVE OR ELITE LEVEL TO QUALIFY FOR THE TOP 10 DANCER OR TOP 10 GROUP

Our Acro Divison was introduced to promote and celebrate the acrobatic arts through its very own specialized categories and awards. We offer more opportunities, awards, and experiences to further education in Acrobatic training.

Acro Division

  • Acro Dance

    A dance routine that seamlessly blends acrobatics with dance, using fluid transitions, formation changes, and expressive movement. Acro Dance routines may include unlimited tumbling, contortion, and gymnastics, as long as they are integrated with dance and musicality

    Cirque

    A routine that features circus-style skills or apparatus such as hand balancing, juggling, unicycle, hula hoop, canes, or cubes must be entered in the Cirque category.

    For safety reasons, aerial rigs and suspended apparatus (e.g., silks, hoops, trapeze) are not permitted

    • Rig, aerial silks/tissu, lyra/hoop, trapeze, and other apparatus that suspend performers above the ground are not permitted.

    • A dancer may not be more than 6 feet above the ground on a proper set without the apparatus passing an engineering inspection.

    • Routines will be categorized by age, level, and group size and may be combined.

    • The Acro Division will have its own Overall Solo, Duo, and Group awards including cash/credit for highest scoring routines in the competitive and elite levels (the number of placements and awards will be based on number of entries).

    • Scholarships to CircusLab and Acrobatic Arts will be awarded in the Acro Division.

    • ELITE and COMPETITIVE Routines in the Acro division are eligible for TOP10 Dancers and the TOP 10 Groups Challenge for Charity.

    • Dancers who earn a place in the TOP10 Dancers or win the Challenge for Charity for an Acro routine MUST also be entered in the Dance Division to be granted access to the TOP 10 Intensive.

Important Safety Guidelines

Safety and wellness is a top priority at Shine. A deduction may be applied to any routine where costume, choreography, concept, or music is deemed unsafe.

    • A spotter is required backstage during any routine where a performer rises more than 6 feet off the ground (via lift, prop, or set).

    • Props, sets, or apparatuses that elevate a performer over 6 feet must have documentation of a legitimate engineering inspection.

    • Setup time for large props/sets must be included in your registration form so safety logistics can be scheduled in advance.

    • For safety reasons, Shine does not permit rigging, aerial silks/tissu, lyra/ hoops, trapeze, or any suspended apparatus.

    • Props are allowed in any category.

    • Props and sets must be free-standing and engineered for safety.*See important safety guidelines for props.

    • Routines featuring apparatus including unicycle, hulahoop, canes, or cubes MUST be entered in the cirque category.

    • Prop set up and strike MUST take place within the allotted time limit OR extra time must be registered and paid for. Entries that run overtime at the event due to props will incur a $100 per minute overtime penalty.

    • A $100 charge will be incurred for any substance that alters the condition of the

    • stage or imposes risk to people or equipment. This includes but is not limited to: sprays, liquids, paint, powders, glitter, hay and balloons.

    • Please include details on props that require extra time for loading, set up, and setting or striking from the stage when registering your routines so we can schedule accordingly.

Teacher Appreciation

DANCE EDUCATORS: We value the team of studio staff working behind the scenes to support dancers and promote a friendly and respectful atmosphere at Shine to UNITE & EMPOWER the community. We have a special guide just for teachers with everything you need to know to set your dancers up for competition success. Download yours below!

Teacher FAQ

  • Register online to let us know you are attending and, not only will you avoid the lineup, we will provide you with a backstage pass, program, and gift on arrival. Make sure you join your studio WhatsApp group for important updates about:

    • Loading props in/out.

    • When entries are moved or withdrawn from the program.

    • How to collect awards.

    • What's on the menu each day in our teacher's lounge.

  • Once you arrive, be sure to check-in at the Shine Boutique to collect your backstage pass & program.

    Please wear your backstage pass at all times!

    Have a parent volunteer helping? They MUST have a backstage pass on at all times. Visit the stage manager to receive a temporary backstage pass.

  • Our Teacher’s Lounge offers a space onsite away from all the action with beverages, snacks, and catered meals provided so studio staff can refuel, refresh, and connect with other educators in the community.

    Please wash/ sanitize hands on entry and refrain from discussing dancers and performances in the lounge.

  • Please be sure to check in backstage 2-3 routines before EACH performance. You may confirm details about your routines (start on/ off, props, quick changes, etc…) in advance, but don’t forget to let us know when you are ready backstage.

    Please communicate in advance if… you have large props/ lengthy set up/ clean up, quick costume changes, injuries, dancers missing, etc…

  • Depending on the size of your group, level of your dancers, and division you are competing in, there may be guidelines your choreography must follow.

    Our WHY behind guidlines…

    • It is integral to Shine's values that all routines are SAFE and appropriate for a family audience. This includes music, concepts, costumes, and choreography and safety.

    • Shine is proud to host events that are organized, smooth, and on time. This would not be possible without guidelines!

    • At Shine we strive to create an atmosphere that offers dancers the space to showcase WHO they are and WHAT they do best. By establishing limits on elements in certain divisions, we are able to offer more consistent scoring, and adjudicating, while honouring our core value of inclusivity amongst all dancers and genres.

      Click on our Teachers Guidelines Package to make sure you are up to speed on routine requirements!

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