REGISTRATION INFORMATION

1. Registration Process:Complete the registration process online via www.nysdancechallenge.com or www.dancebug.com.
   Create an account and add all your students. You can edit and delete students until the event is closed.
   Make sure all dancer birth dates are entered accurately to ensure proper scheduling and video downloads for parents.
   Registrations remain open 24/7 until the event closes. Once closed, no changes can be made.
   All registrations for the 2024-2025 season must be done online.
   
2. Payment Information:Registration is not complete until payment is received. No automatic payment option is available online.
   A team member will contact you for credit card payments.
   Late entries (after the deadline) may be accepted on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to late fees.
   Payment must be made in U.S. dollars, either via cashier’s check, money order, or credit card (subject to a 4% processing fee).
   No Cash Refunds – A credit will be issued for future events if a dancer cannot attend due to illness or injury, with appropriate documentation.
   
3. Entry Guidelines:All entries must be postmarked 30 days before the competition's first day to allow time for program printing.
   Entries from studios and independent participants are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis, limited by available performance time.
   No personal or business checks for event entries. Any returned checks will incur a $40 fee.
   Entry fees must be paid before entries are processed. If using a NYSDC award certificate as payment, submit a photo of the original certificate.
   
4. Scheduling:Specific scheduling requests can be emailed to [email protected]. Requests are taken on a first-come, first-serve basis and cannot be guaranteed.
   Changes can be made online until entries are frozen (about 12 days before the event). A $5 fee applies for changes after the schedule is completed.
   Late Requests: If scheduling conflicts arise, notify the office at least 2 weeks in advance for consideration.
   
5. Event Plans:Plan A (Normal): If no health mandates are in place, the event will proceed as usual, with safety protocols for cleaning and disinfecting.
   Plan B (Block Scheduling): If mandates are in place, event scheduling will be limited by studio blocks to manage venue capacity.
   All dancers must submit completed release forms prior to competing.
   

AGE GROUPS

1. Mini Star Division: 3-4 years
2. Petite Star Division: 5-6 years
3. Rising Star Division: 7-8 years
4. Pre-Junior Star Division (New for 2025): 9-10 years
5. Junior Star Division: 11-12 years
6. Teen Star Division: 13-15 years
7. Senior Star Division: 16-19 years
8. Parent Division: Adults only (competes for Top Parent Award, no cash prizes)
9. Adult/Pro-Am Division: 20 years & older (competes for Top Adult/Pro-Am Award, no cash prizes)

Age Calculation:

• All ages are determined as of January 1, 2025.
• Average age for group entries will determine the division.

LEVELS

1. Rising Challenger Classification (Beginner):1-1.5 hours of dance per week, new to competition.
   Basic skills introduced, monitored closely for proper classification.
   
2. Challenger Classification/Recreational (Intermediate):2-3 hours of dance per week, limited competition experience.
   Focus on foundational skills with simple choreography.
   
3. High Challenger Classification/Intermediate (Advanced):3.5-5.5 hours of dance per week.
   Ability to execute more complex movements like multiple pirouettes, jumps, and tumbling.
   
4. Top Challenger Classification/Advanced (Professional):6+ hours of dance per week, significant competition experience.
   Advanced skills and complex choreography with minimal inconsistencies.
   

Performance Classification:

• A routine with more than 50% of dancers in a higher level must be entered into the higher classification.

DIVISIONS & TIME LIMITS

1. Entry Types:Solo (2:45 minutes)
   Duo/Trio (3:00 minutes)
   Small Group (4-9 dancers, 3:00 minutes)
   Large Group (10-19 dancers, 3:30 minutes)
   Line/Production (20-39 dancers, 5:00 minutes)
   Grand Line/Production (40+ dancers, 7:00 minutes)
   
2. Time Limit Penalties:1 point will be deducted for every 5 seconds over the time limit.
   A 10-second grace period is allowed before penalties apply. Extra time can be purchased for group performances at $5 per dancer for each additional minute.
   

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES

• Studio Participation: A studio can submit as many entries as they want, but dancers cannot compete against themselves in the same category.
• Soloist Guidelines: A soloist can compete in up to three solos, but only the highest-scoring solo will count for high score awards.
• Duo/Trio: At least one dancer must be different for each entry in the same category.
• Competing Locations: Dancers can compete in multiple NYSDC regional cities.
  

Performance Guidelines