Where Practice Meets Performance.

Rules & Policies

General Information

Entries will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis and are limited by the amount of available performance time. Acceptable forms of payment include certified cashier’s checks and credit cards; personal or studio checks will not be accepted. Entries are not considered complete until full payment from the studio has been received. Please note that no cash refunds will be issued under any circumstances. Trilogy Dance Competition reserves the right to refuse any entry at its discretion.

Entry Fees

Trilogy Dance Competition provides pricing information exclusively to studio directors and owners. To receive entry fee details, please email info@trilogydancecomp.com or create a studio account online using a valid studio email address. To qualify for early registration pricing, all entries and full payment must be received by December 1, 2025. Registration closes on February 1, 2026, and any additions made after this date will incur a $20 late fee per dancer. Final payment for all entries is due 30 days prior to the event date, and this deadline will be strictly enforced. A $10 change fee per routine will apply to any updates requested 30 days prior to the event. No refunds will be issued under any circumstances.

*In the case that an event is cancelled due to pandemic, natural disasters, or weather emergencies out of our control 100% refunds will be issued if a makeup event cannot be scheduled.

INDEPENDANT ENTIRES

Trilogy Dance Competition accepts independent entries on a limited basis. All independent dancers must be registered under a single account using a valid parent or guardian email address; please do not create separate accounts for individual dancers. Independent entries are open to dancers not currently affiliated with a registered studio. Dancers under 18 must have a parent or guardian listed as the primary contact. Full payment is required at the time of registration and can be made via credit card only. Independent dancers may not be eligible for certain studio-based awards or recognitions. Space is limited and entries are accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Please note that all independent registrations are final and no refunds will be issued. Please thoroughly read all rules and policies carefully before registering and again before the schedule is released to ensure you are fully informed of all requirements and deadlines.

Schedules

Schedules are emailed approximately 10-days prior to each event. Any numbers performed after their scheduled awards ceremony will be for adjudication only. A $10 change fee per routine will apply to any updates requested 30 days prior to the event.

Age divisions

All Regional ages are as of January 1, 2026.

AGE DIVISIONS
Petite: 6 years and under
Mini: 7-9 years
Junior: 10-12 years
Teen: 13-15 years
Senior: 16-18 years
Adult: 19+ years

Levels

Beginning – TDC recommends this competition level for beginning dancers who have little or no experience competing and/or 3 or less hours of technique class. This level is for the dancer who is still learning.

Intermediate – TDC recommends this competition level for intermediate dancers who have prior competition experience and/or 3 or more hours of technique class. This level is for the dancer who is progressing.

Elite – TDC recommends this competition level for experienced competitive dancers who have 5 or more hours of technique class. This level is for the dancer who is knowledgeable.

Dances compete in the performance level of the highest placed dancer. It is important to remember that dances may be moved up 1 level (dances may never move down a level), but the initial level of an entry is determined by the level of the highest dancer.

 

MUSIC

Music must be uploaded through our online registration system at least 30 days prior to the competition. Please be sure you have a backup of your music on a digital drive at the event.

Solo – maximum 3 minutes

Duo/Trio – maximum 3 minutes

Small Group (4 – 9 dancers) – maximum 3 minutes

Large Group (10 – 19 dancers) – maximum 3 minutes

Line/Production (20+ dancers) – maximum 8 minutes

 One point will be deducted for every five seconds or portion over the time limit.
Additional time may be purchased @ $5 per dancer per 30 seconds. 

Adjudication

A highly qualified panel of judges will judge each entry and their decisions will be final. Contact with our judges is prohibited and will result in disqualification. Any choreography, music or costume considered inappropriate for family viewing by our judges will become “adjudication only.”

Judges will score each competitor in 4 different categories:

Technique:                         40 points

Performance:                    30 points

Choreography:                  20 points

Overall Appearance:       10 points

 

There are 3 judges for a maximum of 300 points (maximum of 100 points per judge).

BEGINNING:

280 – 300 – Elite Star

260 – 279 – 3 Star

240 – 259 – 2 Star

Less than 239 – 1 Star

 

INTERMEDIATE:

285 – 300 – Elite Star

265 – 284 – 3 Star

240 – 264 – 2 Star

Less than 239 – 1 Star

 

ELITE:

290 – 300 – Elite Star

270 – 289 – 3 Star

250 – 269 – 2 Star

Less than 249 – 1 Star

AWARDS

ADJUDICATION
All routines will be judged on a point system based upon the total scores of the three judges. Each routine will receive a 1 Star, 2 Star, 3 Star or Elite ranking. To commemorate this accomplishment, each routine will receive a TDC pin or other award.

OVERALL AWARDS
The highest scoring solo, duo/trio, small group, large group, line and productions, in each level and age group will receive an award. The top 3 placements receive a TROPHY and the other award winners receive a top overall certificate. Regardless how many entries, a top award will always be awarded. Additional awards will be available to purchase by competitors. No scores will be posted until the end of the competition. Please note – any dancer not performing in category, will not be eligible for the high point awards. 

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARDS
At TDC we LOVE giving awards! Each level and age group are eligible for special awards and recognition!

BEST COSTUME AWARD – These awards will be presented to a routine based on design, originality, fit and appropriateness. All Group and Line entries are eligible for this award in each award ceremony. Best Costume winners will receive a large sign plaque.

ENTERTAINMENT AWARD – These awards will be chosen by the panel of judges and presented to the routines deemed to be most entertaining in each award ceremony. Most Entertaining winners will receive a large sign plaque.

CHOREOGRAPHY AWARD – These awards will be chosen by the panel of judges and presented to the routines deemed to have the most creative/memorable choreography in qualifying award ceremonies. Choreography winners will receive a large sign plaque.

JUDGES’ CHOICE AWARDS – These awards will be presented to routines displaying standout qualities during their performances! At least 3 awards per judge will be awarded. Each winning act will receive a large sign plaque.

SPIRIT AWARD – This award will be presented to the studio who best represents sportsmanship, backstage “friendliness” and overall joy! One winning studio will receive a very-large sign plaque.

DANCER FITNESSOne studio will be awarded with a one year membership to dancerfitness.com 

TITLE AWARDS

Title entries are a separate entry from the standard solo category, but will compete for a Title during their regular scheduled solo performance. The Regional Title Competition is an optional event for soloists at the beginning, intermediate, and elite levels (ages 6 & under, 7-9, 10-12, 13-15 & 16-18) who pre-register their solo and are included in the final competition schedule. Title entries are scored separately ; including a simple on-stage question from the judges following their performance. Title winners will be acknowledged during the award ceremony following their solo performance. Solo performances added at the event or entered as Adjudication Only are not eligible for the Title Competition. Dancers aged 19 and older are also ineligible to participate. Soloists can be pre-registered for Title by studios or parents using the form below. A separate entry fee applies and should be paid through VENMO. 

Title entries will not be accepted until paid in full. Please fill out the form below for each title entry.   

Title submission deadline: 30 days prior to event

Click here to register.

Performance Categories

ACROBATIC/GYMNASTICS Controlled acrobatic or gymnastics movements involving flexibility and balance. Routine must include dance technique, choreography, and fluid moves.

BALLET Routine must consist of ballet technique, classical steps and movements, performed in soft shoes.

MUSICAL THEATRE/CHARACTER Routine must be 50% characterization, i.e. a clown, puppet, etc. and 50% dance. Designed primarily for musical comedy and Broadway dancing. Mime, lip sync singing, etc. are allowed.

DANCE TEAM/CHEER/POM Consisting of cheer-leading, Pom, Drill Team, and Kick Line.

CLOGGING Dancers wear clogging shoes executing clogging technique, either traditional or contemporary.

FOLK/ETHNIC A routine incorporating ethnic styles of dance such as polkas, Irish and Spanish, etc.

HIP HOP Dancers replicate a style of street dance with movements including, but not limited to, the fundamentals of popping, locking, and freezing.

INSPIRATIONAL Dancers with differing abilities.

JAZZ Routine using primarily jazz technique.

LYRICAL Routine must emphasize control utilizing the lyrics and mood of the music.

MODERN/CONTEMPORARY Interpretive dance using such principles as space, force, height and time. Dancers demonstrate balance, extensions, isolation and control.

POINTE Dancers wear Pointe shoes and execute pointe technique in the classical, neo-classical, modern, contemporary, and/or character style.

TAP Dancers wear tap shoes and execute tap technique. May be performed with or without music accompaniment. Tap sounds may not be recorded.

OPEN To encompass any form of dance not already listed or which is a combo of two or more performance categories.

*Note: Please make sure that all routines with more than two acro passes are entered into acro or open categories. More than two acro passes are not permitted in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary or Lyrical categories.

Props

For safety measures, all props (free standing or hand held) are restricted to a maximum height of 10 feet. The use of safety railing is allowed. No form of liquid (including water), powder, gel, aerosol, glitter, loose feathers, or confetti, etc. may be used that would affect the dancing surface. Hanging backdrops and special lighting may not be used. Dangerous props such as fire, swords, knives, and use of live animals are prohibited. Helium balloons are only allowed if they are weighted and permitted by the venue. If the weight of the prop exceeds the maximum weight limit of a built stage or the director feels the weight of the prop is a safety hazard, the dancers will not be allowed to use the prop.

Props must be set up and removed within a 2-minute time limit. Props must be loaded in and out of the venue on the same day they are used. Storing props in the wings or backstage is may not be allowed depending on the space available. Trilogy Dance Competition will not be responsible for props left overnight or unattended. Any special request for the assembling of props must be discussed with the backstage crew upon arrival at the venue. 

If the stage is littered after your performance, you will be responsible for an immediate and expeditious removal of any debris. Failure to follow these safety measures may result in the routine being classified “adjudication only.”

Additional Info

Please be ready to perform at least 2 hours prior to your performance time. Dancers must check in with our Stage Manager and perform in the scheduled order unless our Stage Manager grants special permission. Failure to comply with any of these directives may result in the routine being classified “adjudication only.” Should an event run ahead of its scheduled time, performers should still plan to be ready to perform early.

No video recording is allowed. No flash photography is allowed, except at award ceremonies. It is the dance studio’s responsibility to inform their students and parents of this rule. Media (video and photography) is FREE at TDC. 

All participating teachers, dancers, and spectators are expected to display good sportsmanship. Failure to comply could result in immediate disqualification and loss of privileges to participate at future TDC Competitions.

TDC and the hosting venue are not responsible for property loss or personal injury at the event or traveling to and from. By registering for a TDC event you are complying to this statement.

If TDC cancels an event and it is not rescheduled, studios will receive a FULL Refund. If the event facility is open, the event will go on. Please make any necessary travel arrangements so that you will not have any problems making it to the event on time.  Please keep an eye on the local and national weather forecasts so that you are prepared for any inclement weather. 

Our Promise to you

These policies are part of our commitment to ensure a safe environment for all of our participants.  We always encourage that participants and staff stay up to date, and follow all CDC, state, and local policies and hygiene recommendations.

Thank you for helping us make this season a wonderful year dedicated to providing a safe, fun, and positive environment!