- ORGANISERS, DATES AND VENUES -

Entries opening July 2023


Limited amount of entry spaces available.
Entries Closing when maximum capacity is reached or latest 28 August 2023.
To be part of the experience, do not delay your entry process!


SA Dance School Championships (SADSC) is managed and organised by SA Dance Talent and held at various regions throughout South Africa. The current regions for 2023 is Pretoria, Theatres and venues of a high standard and decent quality are used to ensure dancers and dance schools have the best facilities available to compete and showcase their talent and for their families and the audience to enjoy the event.


Dance schools must enter at least 10 students to participate in the SA Dance School Championships, as the event is aimed at dance schools and all its dancers from beginners to advance entering and not only the top dancers. Dance schools entering for their first year may send in a request to be exempt from this rule





- THE THREE DIVISIONS -

A routine can be entered into either or both the Festival and Championship divisions at SADSC. A dancer can not only enter the DANCE OFF/ IMPRO DIVISION without competing in either or both the Festival or Championship divisions


Festival Division

The learning, growing and exciting part of SADSC where a routine is given an award based on its individual standard, making it a fair opportunity for each routine, whether it is Beginner or Advanced, to showcase their art on stage and to be rewarded accordingly, without the competitiveness. This is a great platform for dancers to build self-confidence and to receive feedback from the adjudicators directly after their performance. The feedback may be very beneficial to the dancer if they are competing in the Championship division with the same routine.


In the Festival Division dancers will compete in SESSIONS with a mixture of routines from different ages, styles, levels and categories. This means that routines will not compete "in section" for the Festival Division.


Championship Division

The competitive part of SADSC where a routine is scored and ranked against dances from the same age and discipline. Dancers from different levels will compete against each other for top honours and awards


Dance Off / Impro Division

The challenging and expressive part of SADSC where a competitor goes up against dancers from the same age in improvisation rounds to show their diversity and to see who has what it takes to be awarded the title of DANCE OFF/IMPRO DANCER OF THE YEAR.


A dancer can enter for either the “All Styles” or the “Urban” Dance Off/ Impro Division.



All Styles Dance Off/ Impro:


A certain number of dancers will be present on stage during the round to improvise on both a slow and up beat song.

During the slow and up beat song a dancer can improvise any style of dance that they feel comfortable in, however, hip hop is not allowed to be improvised during the slow song.

Example: Lyrical, Ballet, Modern/Contemporary etc. for the slow song and Jazz, Acrobatics etc. for the upbeat song


Urban Dance Off/Impro:


A certain number of dancers will be present on stage during the round to improvise on an urban song. During the urban song a dancer can improvise only hip hop, street dance or commercial.


STEPS:


Creating a line at the back of the stage facing the audience the following 3 steps will take place for both the slow and up beat song.


Step 1: Song Introduction: Dancers will have 30 seconds to familiarise themselves with the song they have to improvise a dance to. During this time dancers can dance to get the feel and movement of the song or stand still and listen.


Step 2: Improvisation: A contestant’s name and number will be called for them to begin their improvisation on the track played in Step 1. NOTE: Dancers that fall under the "Mini, Children and Junior" age group will have 30 seconds and the "Teen, Senior and Adult" age group will have 45 seconds.


Step 3: Dancer Recap: All dancers will have the opportunity to dance together at the same time for 30 second for the judges to recap on the dancers that they have just seen.


Dancers should be aware of their fellow contestants on stage to not put themselves or others in harm by doing extreme tricks and flips during Step 3


Dancers may not wear any dance costumes or clothing branded with studio names, logos etc. while competing in the Dance Off/ Impro division. Dancers should wear plain clothing. The same as they would wear to a studio rehearsal.


Please Note: In the case of 4 competitors or less in a specific Dance Off/ Impro section, the competition director or manager has full discretion to combine age levels. A dancer will not be able to compete against themselves






- ENTRIES & FEES -

Only entries from pre-registered dance schools are accepted and no individual entries are allowed. Entries are only done by the school director of a dance school via the online system provided. There are no affiliation fees for dance schools.


There is a R50 registration fee for each dancer participating.

Entry fees are NON-REFUNDABLE or TRANSFERABLE.


Competition Festival Division Championship Division
Registration R50 per dancer
Solo R220 per entry R150 per entry
Duet / Trio R170 per dancer R125 per dancer
Group R135 per dancer R100 per dancer


Dance Off / Impro Division R50 per entry

Late entries can be accepted with an administration fee of an additional R100 added to above mentioned fees of each entry until a week before the actual competition date.


Entry fees not paid by the specified cut-of date will automatically be removed from the system.

Dance schools must enter at least 10 students to participate in the SA Dance School Championships, as the event is aimed at dance schools and all its dancers from beginners to advance entering and not only the top dancers. Dance schools entering for their first year may send in a request to be exempt from this rule.





- SPECTATOR ADMISSION FEES -
R85 per person per day (Online)
R100 per person per day (At the door)





- DISCIPLINES -

The following are the disciplines for the 2023 season:


Acrobatics: Routine shall consist primarily of acrobatic moves incorporated with the rhythm of the music but also include dance elements. The routine will be judged as a dance and not as a gymnastic number.


Ballet: Routine shall consist primarily of ballet technique and include classical steps and movements. No national routines are allowed in this discipline.


Contemporary / Modern: Routine consist of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet and strives to connect the mind and the body through fluid dance movements. Dancers should focus on floor work using gravity to pull them down.


Please Note: The Modern mentioned in the Contemporary/Modern style is not a high impulse movement on up-tempo music.


Minimum age of 9 years for dancers to compete in this discipline. 7 to 8 Years will also not be able to participate with a Contemporary/Modern routine.


Disco Dance / Freestyle: Routine can consist of impulses, high kicks, basic acrobatic elements, jumps and arms swings on high impact techno and disco music.


Hip Hop / Street Dance / Commercial: Routine shall consist primarily of hip hop or street style techniques such as popping, locking, krumpin, wacking and voguing. Aim for down in the ground style with flat feet and lots of attitude.


Jazz: The choreography can be either modern/new age jazz dance styles and dance steps that consist of acrobatic movements utilizing up-tempo music with a combination. Or it can be a routine consisting of bent knees, open fingers, pointed feet, big steps, leaps and turns. The choreography must use the fundamental jazz dance techniques, styles and dance elements/steps that show the dance as a fully constructed piece of jazz choreography. Theatre Jazz, Broadway Jazz also form part of this section.


Dance can be inspired by a recognised Broadway show or dance musical, past or present. The dance technique and style must show the Jazz genre. The dance can be inspired from a specific musical, but not totally copied. The choreography should inform the style, structure and artistic impetus of the dance piece.


Bob Fosse and Jerome Robbins are well known choreographers, amongst many other choreographers to take inspiration from.


Lyrical: Routine shall consist of ballet, modern and jazz dance techniques and should be inspired by the lyrics and the musical content and the use of emotion to express the dance.


Open: Any routine that does not apply to the above listed disciplines including, but not limited to, National and Folklore Dance, Song & Dance, Spanish, etc.


Show Dance: Any routine consisting of show dance, musical theatre or a character dance which tells a story with a beginning and an end. Costumes depicting the story and particular to show and character dance are an integral part of this discipline.


Tap: Routine shall contain clear tap technique and consist primarily of tap work with the use of arms. No pre-recorded tap sounds are permitted on the music. Single or double taps are allowed.


Please Note: Open style routines cannot participate in the Championship division.






- SCHEDULE -

School directors will receive the provisional schedule of the Competition for their region by the specific date listed on the SADSC website.


Any requests for changes to the schedule that is required due to costume changes must be done on or before listed date.


After this date no variations to the schedule will be made.


The full and final schedule will be released to school directors on the specific date as listed on the SADSC website for their region.
Student will also receive through their dance school or through email their specific dates and times when they will be performing as well as the time of the Prize Giving ceremony for their section.






- CATEGORIES -

FESTIVAL AND CHAMPIONSHIP:


There are three categories namely:


Solo - 1 Dancer

Duet / Trio (DT) - are a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 3 dancers of the same or mixed gender.

Group - 4+ dancers.

FESTIVAL: A dancer may compete multiple solos in the same discipline.


FESTIVAL: A dancer may compete in multiple routines in the same DT discipline for a particular age division and may compete in the same DT discipline in a higher age division. Dancers may compete in multiple Group routines in the same section.


CHAMPIONSHIP: A dancer may only compete one solo in the same discipline.


CHAMPIONSHIP: A dancer may only compete once in the same DT discipline for a particular age division. Dancers may compete in multiple Group routines in the same section.


Please Note: If there is only 1 routine in a Championship section, the competition director or manager has full discretion to combine age levels. A dancer will not be able to compete against themselves






- LEVELS -

Please Note: There are no levels for the Championship Division


The following are Festival Levels:


Teachers are encouraged to enter dancers for the highest age division as a medal and certificate under the Intermetdidate level has more prestige than for example the novice level.


Level Description:


Beginner (0-1 year of dance experience, 0-1 years in the style)


Novice (1-3 Years of dance experience, 1-2 years in the style)


Intermediate (3-5 years of dance experience, 2-3 years in the style)


Advanced (5+ years of dance experience, 3+ years in the style)


SOLOS BEGINNER NOVICE INTERMEDIATE ADVANCED AGE CATEGORIES
4 Years & Under Toddler
5 & 6 Years Preschool
7 & 8 Years Mini
9 & 10 Years Children
11 & 12 Years Junior
13 - 15 Years Teen
16 - 18 Years Senior
19 Years & Over Adult
Duet/Trio & Group Beginner & Novice Intermediate & Advanced Age Categories
4 Years & Under Toddler
5 & 6 Years Preschool
7 & 8 Years Mini
9 & 10 Years Children
11 & 12 Years Junior
13 - 15 Years Teen
16 - 18 Years Senior
19 Years & Over Adult





- TIME LIMITS -

The following is the maximum time allowance per category/section for a routine. Music that exceeds the time limit by more than 5 seconds will not be uploaded.


Festival and Championships:


Solo's : 1:00 – 2:00


Duet/Trio : 1:00 – 2:00


Group - 2:00 – 3:30


Dance Off/ Impro: (Competition’s provided choice of music)


Step 1 - 00:30


Step 2 - 00:30


Step 3 - 00:30






- AGE GROUPS -

A Dancer's age as on 1 July will determine the age division for the entry/routine.


Toddler 4 Years & Under
Preschool 5 & 6 Years
Mini 7 & 8 Years
Children 9 & 10 Years
Junior 11 & 12 Years
Teen 13 - 15 Years
Senior 16 - 18 Years
Adult 19 Years & Over

The average age of all dancers as on 1 July will determine the appropriate age division for each routine of a DT & Group. The Decimal will always be dropped from the average age calculation.


The age division of the DT & Group cannot be less than 4 years of the age of the oldest dancer.


CHAMPIONSHIP AGE GROUPS


Only dancers from the age of 7 and older can compete in the CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION:


SOLOS AGE CATEGORY
7 & 8 Years Mini
9 & 10 Years Children
11 & 12 Years Junior
13 - 15 Years Teen
16 - 18 Years Senior
19 Years & Over Adult

DUET/TRIO GROUP AGE CATEGORY
7 & 8 Years Mini
9 & 10 Years Children
11 & 12 Years Junior
13 - 15 Years Teen
16 - 18 Years Senior
19 Years & Over Adult

DANCE OFF / IMPRO AGE GROUPS


Only dancers from the age of 7 and older can compete in the DANCE OFF / IMPRO DIVISION:


SOLOS AGE CATEGORY
7 & 8 Years Mini
9 & 10 Years Children
11 & 12 Years Junior
13 - 15 Years Teen
16 - 18 Years Senior
19 Years & Over Adult





- SCORING, RESULTS AND AWARDS -

Festival:


Each routine will receive a score between 60 and 100 percentage points.


Medals will be awarded for the following scores in the FESTIVAL:


Bronze 60% to 64%
High Bronze 65% to 69%
Silver 70% to 74%
High Silver 75% to 79%
Gold 80% to 84%
High Gold 85% to 89%
Ultimate Gold 90% to 94%
Diamond 95% to 100%

Each dancer will receive a report as well as an electronic certificate after their regional Championship which will be available to the school director to download


Championships:


Each routine will receive a score up to 100 percentage points


Ranking will take place in each section. Top honours and Awards will be given to the Top 5 routines from each section.


A Prize Giving ceremony will take place after a few sections have competed as per the schedule and all dancers are requested to remain at the theatre, fully costumed until after the prize giving ceremony of the section they have just competed in.


Please Note: The Festival and Championships division will have different scoring methods as to how the marks will be calculated. A routine may score higher in the one division than the other.





- GENERAL COMPETITION RULES -

ADJUDICATORS


Dancers shall be adjudicated by two or more qualified and competent judges. The cumulative score of the adjudicators will determine the award of the routine in the Festival, Championships and Dance Off/Impro. All decisions of the adjudicators are final.


Teachers, dancers or parents will not be allowed to confer with the adjudicators.


MUSIC


Music for each entry must be loaded onto the online system by the school director. It is the school director’s responsibility to make sure the correct music is paired to the correct routine and within the time limit. Music exceeding the 5 second leeway will not be uploaded online.


The online entry system automatically checks the time duration of music that is uploaded. If the music is over the time limit the entry will not be accepted. Music must be edited so that the ending either ends naturally or is faded out. Under normal circumstances studio directors or teachers will not be allowed to request music to be faded out backstage during the performance of a routine.


Studio directors and teachers are requested to bring one USB stick with all their music on as backup to the Championship event.


QUERIES AND PROTESTS


Dancers and parents are not allowed to approach office staff regarding queries of a routine or other concern. All queries and concerns must be directed to the school director who will bring it under the attention of the championship committee.

No public protest will be permitted. Protests, if any, must be made in writing and handed to the Secretary within one hour of the cause of the protest arising, accompanied by a fee of R300.00 which will be forfeited if the protest is considered frivolous. The decision of the championship committee will be final.


UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT AND ILL BEHAVIOUR


Any dancer, teacher or parent that shows signs of Unsportsmanlike Conduct or Ill Behaviour towards any one at the competition will be asked to leave the venue immediately. Any dancer or teacher displaying Unsportsmanlike Conduct or Ill Behaviour towards any other dancer or teacher or school/studio backstage will be asked to leave backstage immediately and risk the cancellation of their entries for that day. Should the offence continue repeatedly the competition director may disqualify the dancer or dance school from the entire competition. When a dispute arises the school directors must bring it under the attention of the competition manager or director who will deal with it appropriately.


SCHEDULED PERFORMANCE TIMES


All dancers (and their audience) must arrive at least one (1) hour prior to their scheduled performance times except during the first hour of each day, when dancers are only required to be half (½) an hour prior to their scheduled performance times.


Dancers shall report backstage three (3) sections in advance of their scheduled performance, accompanied by a school director or teacher.


BACKSTAGE


Due to the limited space available, the only persons allowed backstage during the competition, except participating dancers, are studio directors and teachers and those who are needed to move props. Studio directors and teachers shall not arrive backstage more than five (5) routines in advance of the start of the section. The backstage shall remain clear for routines to enter and exit.


ON STAGE ASSISTANCE & CURTSY


Dancers are requested not to curtsy/bow before or after their routines as this increases the time required for the schedule.


Festival:


On stage assistance/lead by a teacher for studio solo, DT & group routines aged below 6 are allowed. For example, during a beginner solo of a 4-year-old dancer the teacher may stand slightly in front of the dancer on stage and dance the routine. For a DT & group routine where the average age is below 6 the teacher may stand in centre in front of the DT, group and dance the routine. Teachers are still encouraged to train these young dancers to perform without assistance. A dancer, DT & group performing without assistance and remembering their routine will most of the times score more than a dancer, DT or group being assisted.


PROPS, LIGHTS & CURTAINS


The SA Dance School Championships is not responsible for any props. The taking on and off of props and cleaning the stage after it has become littered during a routine is the sole responsibility of the school director or teacher. All props must be constructed in such a manner that they can be placed on the stage by only one person and within a time limit of 20 seconds.


The SA Dance School Championships will provide and operate adequate stage lighting and no personal lighting effects including any fire or smoke effects will be allowed.


No material like powder, water or sand may be used on the stage. A penalty will be added to the routine that may result to disqualification.


The stage curtains (if any) will remain open at all times and no opening and closing of the stage curtains will be allowed at all, not even for props or very young dancers. A group of very young dancers may be assisted by a teacher on stage. Dancers must enter and leave the stage quietly and in an orderly manner.


INDECENT MOVEMENTS, LYRICS OR COSTUMING


If dance movements, lyrics or costuming is deemed too suggestive or otherwise inappropriate for our family audience, it shall not be scored, and the routine may also be prevented from starting or stopped at any time. Such determination shall be made by the panel of judges or by the competition director.


OUT OF SECTION & SCRATCHING


Routines will not be allowed to dance out of section in the championship division.


Should a dancer or routine not be able to compete on a particular day the school director should be notified who in return must notify the competition manager so that the routine can be scratched.


DRESSING AREAS


Dressing room space is always limited, and school directors, teachers and dancers are asked to be tolerant and co-operative. Discipline and cleanliness in the dressing rooms is of the utmost importance: please keep the noise level down and the dressing area clean.


Dancers are advised where possible to dress, make up and do their hair before coming to the venue and to only use the dressing areas if the dancer is performing more than one routine on the day.


PROHIBITIVES


Non-compliance will result in disqualification or removal from the competition venue. Smoking, the use of spray paints or finger-nail polish is prohibited anywhere in the buildings. No eating or drinking is allowed in the theatre and no alcohol is allowed at the competition venue.


VIDEO RECORDERS & CAMERAS


Photography and video cameras (including digital cameras and cell phones) will not be allowed in the theatre or any hall where dancers are competing. Any spectators caught contravening the above rule will be asked to leave the theatre immediately and be imposed a fine of R500.


INHERENT RISKS


Any dancer competing in a dance competition takes certain inherent risks. These may include, but are not limited to, sprains, pulled muscles and broken bones. Participation in this competition indicates the acceptance of such risks by dancers.
By virtue of entering this event, it is agreed that dancers shall not hold the SA Dance School Championships or its officers, directors or staff responsible for injuries sustained while in attendance or participating in the SA Dance School Championships event. Furthermore, the SA Dance School Championships is not responsible for personal property loss or theft to either dancers or other persons.


MEDIA RELEASE


Participants and teachers by virtue of entering the SA Dance School Championships event, give their permission and consent to the SA Dance School Championships Directors to use their images or photographs or appear on videos, television or any other electronic media for advertising, news coverage or any other commercial use of our events.

    Contact

  •   Centurion, South Africa
  •   012 004 0554

About SA Dance Talent

The SA Dance School Championships is organised and run by SA Dance Talent who is dedicated to the growth of dance and dancers in South Africa by exposing studios, teachers and dancers to local and international competitions.