2023 Rules & Regulations

2024 Entry Fees and Updated Rules will be posted and LIVE on July 31, 2023.

Welcome to Ultra Dance Tour!

Don’t risk being disqualified – Please read the Rules and Regulations carefully.

  • Entries will be accepted on a first come, first served basis and will be limited to the amount of performance time available. Most of our events sell out before the deadline date, so please send your entries in early. 
  • Dance studios must submit all entries. Independent entries will not be accepted. 
  • Regional entries and payments must be received no later than 18 days prior to the event. No payments will be accepted at the event. 
  • A $10 charge will be issued for any changes made 5 days prior to the event. 
  • Be precise. When registering for a competition, enter Music Titles, Participant Names and studio names exactly as they should appear in the Program. 
  • Dancers’ birth dates must be entered correctly or they will not be able to see their personal schedules and parents will not be able to download their videos. 

TYPES OF ENTRIES & FEES

  • Solo 
  • Duet/Trio (Duets and Trios compete against each other) 
  • Small Group (4 to 9 dancers) 
  • Large Group (10 to 19 dancers) 
  • Mega Group (20 or more dancers) 

Entry Type

Fee Per Dancer

SOLO

$166

DUET/TRIO

$86

GROUPS

$70

*Dance studios may add additional administrative/prop/choreography/extra rehearsal/travel expense or other fees and costs to these prices. It is very common and is used for covering the time and expense owners incur while registering, organizing, and attending these events.

COMPETITION LEVELS

Competitive
  • Dancers who take a total of less than three hours of combined dance and/or acrobatics lessons per week. 
  • If a dancer competes in the Competitive Level as a soloist they must remain in the Competitive Level for all solos.
  • Please note that it is not mandatory to enter the Competitive level if you take three hours or less. You may also enter Competitive+ or Ultra Competitive level. However, if a Duet/Trio or Group has one or more dancer(s) taking more than three hours of dance/acrobatics per week, it must enter a higher level.

Competitive+
  • Dancers on the rise between Competitive and Ultra Competitive.
  • Competitive+ includes dancers taking three to five hours of dance and/or acrobatics per week with limited competition experience, and not yet ready to compete at the highest level. 
  • Dancers competing at the Competitive+ level as a soloist must remain in the Competitive+ Level for all other solos, duet/trios, and group routines performed at that competition. 
Ultra Competitive
  • The highest and most competitive level of dancers. 
  • Ultra Competitive Level includes: 
    • All dancers taking over five hours of dance and/or acrobatics per week,
    • Recreational level dancers and Competitive level dancers that wish to compete at a competitive level
  • Dancers competing at the Ultra Competitive level as a soloist must remain in the Ultra Competitive Level for all other solos, duet/trios, and group routines performed at that competition. Teachers must use their own sound judgment when determining the number of hours of practice per dancer and in which level contestants should be placed. Routines that are obviously under placed may be placed at a higher level by the judges.

AGE DIVISIONS

  • Ages for Solos, Duet/Trios, and Groups are as of January 1st. 
  • For Duet/Trios and Groups, the ages of all contestants as of January 1st must be averaged together. If there is a decimal, always drop the decimal. 
  • Contestants will compete in the following age groups: 
    • 6 & under, 7-8 years, 9-11 years, 12-14 years, 15-19, and 20 & above.
  • Overall recognition and medals will be given in the following five age divisions:
    • Mini: 6 & under
    • Petite: 7-8 years
    • Junior: 9-11 years 
    • Teen: 12-14 years 
    • Senior: 15-19 years
    • Adult: 20 years and over
  • Duet/Trio and Group entries cannot compete in an age division more than one age division younger than the oldest dancer’s age as of January 1st, regardless of the average age. 
    • For example, an 18 year-old (senior) dancing in a group with an average age of 10 (junior) would be moved into the teen category (one age division younger than senior). In this example, because the average age is 10, the group would be placed into the lowest age group in that division. Here, that would be age 12. 

CATEGORY POINT DEDUCTIONS

  • The ballet and pointe dance categories can contain no gymnastic/acrobatic tricks. A one-half (.5) point deduction per judge will be made for any gymnastic/acrobatic tricks in these categories. Tricks not allowed are movements that pass through or stop at a fully inverted (upside down) position with both feet off the floor (the torso passing or stopping directly over the top of one's head/shoulders). The only exceptions to this are forward, backward and shoulder rolls, and acrobatic tricks in lifts (a lift being defined as being supported by another dancer with any body part). 
  • If dance movements, music lyrics, or costuming are deemed to be too suggestive or otherwise inappropriate for our family audience, or if the music contains vulgar or inappropriate lyrics, the routine will be scored lower by the judges or disqualified from the competition.

DANCE CATEGORIES

Hip Hop 
  • Routine consisting primarily of Hip Hop Technique. The judges will score music containing inappropriate lyrics lower or the routine may be disqualified from the competition.
  • Any number of Acrobatic tricks are allowed in this category. 

Musical Theater 
  • Routine featuring any style of dance that interprets a song from a Broadway show or movie musical. 
  • May be from a play, movie, television, Broadway, or a stereotype such as a farmer, policeman, etc. 
  • Any number of Acrobatic tricks are allowed in this category. 

Jazz 
  • Routine must consist of primarily jazz technique. 
  • Three gymnastic/acrobatic tricks are allowed. 

Tap 
  • Routine must contain tap technique and primarily tap work. It is preferred that tap sounds not be pre-recorded in the music.
  • Three gymnastic/acrobatic tricks are allowed. 

Ballet 
  • Routine must consist of ballet technique. Must include classical steps and movements.
  • No pointe shoes allowed. 
  • No gymnastic/acrobatic tricks are allowed. 

Lyrical
  • Routine should demonstrate balance, extension, isolations and control utilizing the lyrics or mood of the music.
  • Three gymnastic/acrobatic tricks are allowed.

Pointe 
  • Routine must consist of pointe/toe technique. 
  • Special note regarding rosin: Rosin must be self-contained and cannot be applied directly on the marley floor. If a performance is requesting to use rosin, Ultra must know upon registration so that schedule adjustments can be made to clean up the Marley residue post-performance. There may be point deductions if Ultra is not notified about the rosin usage and the marley floor is affected during the performance.
  • No gymnastic/acrobatic tricks are allowed. 

Song & Dance 
  • Must contain both singing and any listed category of dancing. Judging will be based on both singing and dancing. 
  • There must be no other lead voices anywhere in the prerecorded music (0.5 point per judge deduction). 
  • All performers will be judged on both singing and dancing. A one point deduction per judge will be incurred if any special microphones or sound equipment is hooked up by Ultra Dance Tour for any reason. 
  • Two handheld wireless microphones only will be available for your use. 

Acro/Gymnastics
  • A routine using controlled acrobatic moves such as walkovers, limbers, handstands, chest rolls, etc. may contain gymnastic passes. 
  • The majority of an acrobatic routine must be acrobatic moves, otherwise, the routine will be scored lower by the judges. Acro/Gymnastics may contain flexibility moves or contortionist moves, however, it must contain dance moves, steps, and choreography. 

Pom Pon 
  • A routine incorporating the use of Pom Pons.
  • Pom Pon routines must use precise and definite movement.
  • The routine will be judged on both Pom Pon technique, dance steps, moves, and choreography.
  • Any number of Acrobatics are allowed. However, no stunts, tosses, or pyramids taller than one person is allowed or a one point penalty per judge will be incurred.

Clogging 
  • A routine utilizing either traditional or contemporary style clogging technique.
  • Three gymnastic/acrobatic tricks allowed 

Folkloric 
  • A routine using ethnic styles of dance, such as Spanish, Hawaiian, polkas, etc.
  • Any number of Acrobatic tricks are allowed in this category. 

Open 
  • Any of our listed categories or combinations of listed category styles. 
  • Any number of Acrobatic tricks are allowed in this category. 

Contemporary 
  • Routine should utilize contemporary style to show extension, balance, and can combine lyrical, modern and concert style techniques. 
  • Any number of Acrobatic tricks are allowed in this category. 

Production 
  • A routine utilizing a group of at least 10 dancers incorporating any style/styles of dance or acrobatic. 
  • Production category has a time limit of 8:00 minutes. 

Teacher  
  • Persons 20 years of age or over who are teachers, assistant teachers, professional dancers or persons who have ever been teachers, assistant teachers or professional dancers must compete in Teacher Category. 
  • Teachers Solos, Duet/Trio, and Groups can compete in all types of dance listed above. 
  • All Duet/Trios or Groups with even one Teacher competitor must enter the Teachers’ category.

ENTRY LIMITATIONS

  • The dance studio must submit all entries. Independent entries will not be accepted.

PROPS

  • Fire, swords and knives on stage are prohibited. Simulated weapons with dull, safe edges such as foam/rubber are acceptable with approval of Ultra Dance Tour. 
  • No liquid, paint, gel, aerosol, glitter, fog, smoke, powder, paint powder, ashes, or similar substance that would affect the dancing surface is allowed, unless specifically approved by Ultra Dance Tour. If this occurs, the routine may be disqualified from Overall High Point awards by the judges. 
  • Props are allowed, however they must be freestanding. Scenery or backdrops requiring the use of theater fly bars may not be used. Props, if used, must be prepared and set-up, and removed quickly. Judges may take excessive set-up or removal time into consideration. 
  • Helium balloons are not permitted unless special permission is given by the venue.
  • Safety is always our major concern. If the stage is "littered" during a routine please be prepared to clean it up immediately after the routine is finished. 
  • Hoverboards are prohibited. 

PROPS SET-UP TIME LIMITS

  • Solos, Duets, Trios, Small Groups and Large Groups are expected to set-up props in 1:00 minute and remove props in 1:00 minute (2:00 minutes cumulative).
  • Mega Groups are expected to set-up props in 1:30 minutes and remove props in 1:30 minutes (3:00 minutes cumulative).
  • Productions are expected to set-up props in 2:30 minutes and remove props in 2:30 minutes (5:00 minutes cumulative).
  • If prop set-up/removal exceeds these time limits, performances may be subject to point deductions. An additional 1:00 minute total for set-up/removal of props may be purchased for a flat fee of $25.00. Solos, Duets and Trios are not permitted extended prop set-up/removal time.

COMPETITION RULES AND REGULATIONS 

  • Time limits allotted per dance: 
    • Solo, Duet/Trio & Small Group entries: three minutes (3:00)
    • Large Group & Mega Group entries: four minutes (4:00)
    • Production category entries: eight minutes (8:00)
  • Extended performance time is available for an additional fee:
    • 1:00 minute for a fee of $3.00 per performer
    • 2:00 minutes for a fee of $4.00 per performer
    • 3:00 minutes for a fee of $5.00 per performer
    • 4:00 minutes for a fee of $6.00 per performer
    • Extended time is only available for Small Groups, Large Groups, Lines, Super Lines and Productions. Solos, Duets and Trios are not permitted extended performance time.
  • Please note that there may be a variance in the time a recording device saves music and the time the music is played on a different device. For performance time, an allowance of 15% of the allotted time per dance will be given for machine calibration error. A deduction of one tenth of a point (.1) per judge will be made for every 15 seconds (or any portion thereof) in excess of the allotted time limit and 15% grace period. 
  • The same contestant(s) cannot compete more than once in the same dance category and age group in Solo, Duet/Trio, or Group competition. This means that contestants must never compete against themselves in the same age group and dance category. 
  • Routines performed at the regional shows are eligible to enter any of the KAR National Finals, regardless of the regional location at which the contestant qualified.
  • Routines are expected to perform in the order they are scheduled.
  • Routines must be performed during the awards session in which they are scheduled. If the routine cannot perform during the awards session in which they are scheduled for any reason, it can be performed for judges’ comments only. The routine would not be eligible for overall awards. It will be announced on stage at the end of the regular awards, the appropriate medal or trophy given, and the routine will be qualified for KAR National Finals. 
  • Still photography/Video recording is limited to taking photos/videos of your own child. No professional set-ups/tripods/monopods are allowed.
  • If dance movements, music lyrics, or costuming are deemed to be too suggestive or otherwise inappropriate for our family audience, or if the music contains vulgar or inappropriate lyrics, the routine will be scored lower by the judges or disqualified from the competition. 
  • Air horns or similar devices are prohibited. 
  • Routines that are obviously under-placed into the wrong skill level may be placed in a higher level by the judges. 
  • Any studio that makes an enrollment/routine change 5 days prior to the event, it is subject to a $10 fee for each change. 
  • Duet/Trios cannot win in Group categories.

Scores & Deductions
  • A panel of industry leading judges will judge contestants. All entrants agree that the time, manner, and method of judging the contest shall be solely within the discretion of the directors and producers of Ultra Dance Tour and that all decisions of the judges are final. 
  • If dance movements, music lyrics, or costuming are deemed to be too suggestive or otherwise inappropriate for our family audience, or if the music contains vulgar or inappropriate lyrics, the routine will be scored lower by the judges or disqualified from the competition. 
  • Routines that are not completed unless due to a costume malfunction that would result in an immodest performance will no longer qualify for Overall High Point awards.
  • Ties will not be broken during the General Placement Awards. Ties will however, be broken for the Overall High Point Award.
  • A one point deduction per judge will be incurred if any special microphones or sound equipment is hooked up by Ultra Dance Tour for any performance. 
  • Experience the ultimate thrill of competition with our dance event - where live scores and an ultra leaderboard will be displayed at every regional level, providing a fully immersive and exhilarating experience for dancers of all levels!
Music Requirements
  • Each entry must furnish its own music through the Studio Center on our website. 
  • Music must be uploaded five (5) days prior to the event. 
  • Music on cell phones or other personal devices will not be accepted. 
  • It is recommended that you bring a second copy, on a USB, as a backup in the event of malfunction of the original.

AWARDS  

  • Elite Platinum, Elite Top First Place, Top First Place, First Place will be decided by a predetermined range of points for each place. 
  • There may be multiple Elite Platinum, Elite Top First Place, Top First Place, First Place in each age group and category. 
  • Contestants will compete in the following age groups: 
    • 6 & under, 7-8 years, 9-11 years, 12-14 years, 15-19, and 20 & above.
  • All Elite Platinum, Elite Top First Place, Top First Place, First Place award winners will be eligible for the 2023 KAR Nationals!
  • All gift certificates are automatically deposited into the virtual wallet in the studio center.

COMPETITIVE & COMPETITIVE PLUS LEVEL AWARDS 

Overall recognition and medals will be given in the following six age divisions:  

  • Mini: 6 years & under
  • Petite: 7-8 years
  • Junior: 9-11 years 
  • Teen: 12-14 years 
  • Senior: 15-19 years 
  • Adult: 20 years and over 

ULTRA COMPETITIVE LEVEL AWARDS 

Overall recognition and medals will be given in the following five age divisions:  

  • Mini: 8 years & under 
  • Junior: 9-11 years 
  • Teen: 12-14 years 
  • Senior: 15-19 years 
  • Adult: 20 years and over

Top Solo 
  • $50 Ultra Dance Tour gift certificate will be awarded to the soloist in the Mini: 6 years & under, Petite: 7-8, Junior: 9-11, Teen: 12-14, and Senior: 15-19 age groups receiving the highest overall score. 
  • If a contestant performs two solos, only the highest scoring one counts for the top overall awards.
  • The Top 5 scoring soloists from the Junior, Teen and Senior divisions in the Ultra Competitive Level at every regional event become Ultra Dance Tour All Star Dancers and are invited to Hollywood Dance Experience with a $500 Scholarship.
Top Duet/Trio 
  • $50 Ultra Dance Tour gift certificate will be awarded to the Duet/Trio in the Mini: 6 years & under, Petite: 7-8, Junior: 9-11, Teen: 12-14, and Senior: 15-19 age groups receiving the highest overall score. 
  • The Top 5 scoring Duet/Trios from the Junior, Teen and Senior divisions in the Ultra Competitive Level at every regional event become Ultra Dance Tour All Star Dancers and are invited to Hollywood Dance Experience with a $500 Scholarship.
Top Small Group 
  • $100 Ultra Dance Tour gift certificate will be awarded to the small group in the Mini: 6 years & under, Petite: 7-8, Junior: 9-11, Teen: 12-14, and Senior: 15-19 age groups receiving the highest overall score.
  • The Top 5 scoring Small Group from the Junior, Teen and Senior divisions in the Ultra Competitive Level at every regional event become Ultra Dance Tour All Star Dancers and are invited to Hollywood Dance Experience with a $500 Scholarship.
Top Large Group 
  • $100 Ultra Dance Tour gift certificate will be awarded to the large group in the Mini: 6 years & under, Petite: 7-8, Junior: 9-11, Teen: 12-14, and Senior: 15-19 age groups receiving the highest overall score.
  • The Top 5 scoring Large Group from the Junior, Teen and Senior divisions in the Ultra Competitive Level at every regional event become Ultra Dance Tour All Star Dancers and are invited to Hollywood Dance Experience with a $500 Scholarship.
Top Line Group
  • $100 Ultra Dance Tour gift certificate will be awarded to the line group in the Mini: 6 years & under, Petite: 7-8, Teen: 12-14, and Senior: 15-19 age groups receiving the highest overall score.
  • The Top 5 scoring Line Group from the Junior, Teen and Senior divisions in the Ultra Competitive Level at every regional event become Ultra Dance Tour All Star Dancers and are invited to Hollywood Dance Experience with a $500 Scholarship.
Top Production
  • $100 Ultra Dance Tour gift certificate will be awarded to the production group in the Mini: 6 years & under, Petite: 7-8, Teen: 12-14, and Senior: 15-19 age groups receiving the highest overall score.
  • The Top scoring Production Group from the Junior, Teen and Senior divisions in the Competive Plus & Ultra Competitive Level at every regional event become Ultra Dance Tour All Star Dancers and are invited to Hollywood Dance Experience with a $500 Scholarship.

REGIONAL ICON OF THE YEAR AWARD

Icon of The Year competition is open to all soloists in the Competitive, Competitive Plus and Ultra Competitive level. All Regional Finalists will receive a Dancer of The Year commemorative gift. The highest scoring Finalist will receive an Icon of The Year commemorative award. The registration fee for Icon of the Year competition is $45.

DANCER HEADSHOT AWARD

These awards will be presented to the contestants judged based on the following criteria: photo quality, creativity, presentation, visual appeal, expressiveness of the dancer, age appropriateness, composition, lighting and quality of the photo. For each Regional competition, there will be one Junior Dancer Headshot winner (age 11 & Under) and one Senior Dancer Headshot winner (age 12 & Above). All entries must submit a recent headshot submitted online through the Parent Center. All contestants must be registered at the Ultra Dance Regional event to enter the Dancer Headshot competition.

WITHDRAWING/ADDING DANCERS

The studio must make all withdrawals and changes.

ULTRA DANCE TOUR APPROPRIATE 

If dance movements, music lyrics, or costuming are deemed to be too suggestive or otherwise inappropriate for our  family audience, or if the music contains vulgar or inappropriate lyrics, the routine will be scored lower by the judges or disqualified from the competition.

PHOTO & VIDEO STUDIO PACKAGE

Ultra Dance Tour is proud to offer the All Inclusive Photo & Video Studio Package for the 2023 Regional Tour! For the affordable price of $35 per dancer or $45 per family (siblings only), your studio will enjoy ALL your Regional Photos and Videos. The fee is required per dancer and will be due 14 days prior to the start of competition. Parents can access their dancers’ photos and videos inside their Parent Center online. Photos and Videos will be available 3-5 days after the completion of the competition.

Studio Owners: Please make sure after you complete your registration and prior to paying your competition fees that all your parents create Parent Center accounts and link their account to your studio. If you have already paid and your parents link their siblings prior to the Event, the Studio will receive a credit of the difference of the media fee with the Family Package. The credit will appear in your Studio Center “Wallet”. This Media Fee credit is non refundable. If your families wait until after the Event to link siblings there is no discount given and the Media Package is billed at FULL price ($35 per dancer). It is very important that your families sign up and link their account to your studio. Please also make sure to instruct them to download their photos and videos as they will only stay in the parent accounts for a limited amount of time.

Multiple Regional Event Discount - Dancers who compete at multiple Ultra Dance Competitions do not have to pay an additional media fee! Once a dancer has paid the 2023 Regional media fee of $35 or $45 per family (siblings only), any Regional event they attend thereafter will be complimentary.

ULTRA DANCE TOUR’S VIDEO & PHOTOGRAPHY USE 

Contestants and teachers by virtue of entering an Ultra Dance Tour event give their permission and consent to the Directors of Ultra Dance Tour to use their images, photographs or appear in videos, television, or any other electronic media for advertising, news coverage or any other commercial use of our events.  

BE SAFE 

  • Any performer competing in dance competitions takes certain inherent risks. These include, but are not limited to, sprains, bruises, pulled muscles, and broken bones. 
  • Participation in this competition indicates the acceptance of such risks by performers. Therefore by virtue of entering this event, it is agreed that participants will not hold Ultra Dance Tour® Inc.; or its officers, directors, officials, staff or employees responsible for injuries sustained or illnesses contracted by them while in attendance and/or participating in any activity related to Ultra Dance Tour events.
  • Ultra Dance Tour Inc., and the hosting facility are not responsible for personal injury to contestants or spectators. 
  • Ultra Dance Tour is not responsible for lost or stolen property. Do not leave your property and valuables unattended in the event center, theater, or dressing rooms.