DIVISIONS, LEVELS, & CATEGORIES
AGE DIVISIONS
All ages are as of January 1st.
Average Age Rule: Duet/Trio and Groups ages are configured by adding the ages of all the contestants as of January 1st and then by dividing by the number of contestants. If there is a decimal, round down to the nearest whole number and drop the decimal. Names, ages, and birth dates of all dancers must appear on the entry form or it will not be accepted. Bump Rule: no dancer can compete more than 2 age groups below their age division.
Mini : 5 and under
Petite: 6-8 years
Junior: 9-10 years
Pre-Teen: 11-12 years
Teen : 13-15 years
Senior: 16-19 years
Adults: 20 or more years
COMPETITIVE LEVELS
Levels are assigned to each registered dancer by the studio based on the guidelines below. Group levels are auto-calculated off the dancers that compose the group routine. If 30% of the group's dancers are assigned the highest level individually, the group will dance in the highest level. Levels may not be changed the day of the event.
ADVANCED (Beginner)
This category is for a dance team, soloist, or duo/ trio that is considered a beginner/novice/recreational dancer/tumbler. Please understand that it is not mandatory that you enter the Advanced level, it is simply available to your studio. No monetary awards will be given to routines in this level. This level is for dancers being introduced into the competitive circuit who are working on mastering basic techniques.
COMPETITIVE (Intermediate)
This category is for a dance team, soloist, or duo/trio that is considered an intermediate/middle level dancer/tumbler. Please understand that it is not mandatory that you enter the Competitive level, it is simply available to your studio. No monetary awards/ gift certificates will be given to routines in this level. This level is for dancers who have mastered basic techniques and performance quality. These dancers would be considered advanced performers working on improving more difficult skills, techniques, combinations, etc.
PRE-PROFESSIONAL (Elite)
This category is for a dance team, soloist, or duo/ trio that is considered an elite dancer/tumbler. This is the highest level you can compete at and may receive Moxie Money to use on future registration. Moxie Money certificates must be mailed to Moxie Arts, Inc. in order to be redeemed. Dancers in this level should be completely confident in their technique, performance quality, artistry, and athleticism. Skills performed will be judged on the dancer's ability to perform effortlessly and with precision.
Every studio has the ability to place their dancers where they believe they belong, however Moxie Arts Challenge reserves the right to automatically bump entries to a higher level based on score. Directors, please refer to your scoring outline found in online registration. This will be automatic, without notification to the studio director. All studio assigned levels are taken as a suggestion. Moxie Arts will actively bump levels throughout the weekend, therefore levels will not be listed in any event programs.
PREMIER (Specialty)
This category is for conceptual choreography, tribute routines, and artists that would simply like to perform for an audience. Routines have the option to receive critiques with no placement. All PREMIER category routines will receive a performer participation neck medal and be recognized on stage as a group. This is considered a performance category.
DANCE CATEGORIES
HIP HOP:
Routine consisting primarily of Hip Hop musicality, rhythms and motions replicating that of the category's technique. The music must not contain inappropriate lyrics. The scores will reflect poor song choice.
MUSICAL THEATER:
Routine featuring any style of dance interpreting a song from a Broadway show or movie musical. Style of dance or portrayal of character should be dominant in this category.
JAZZ:
Routine must consist of primarily jazz technique. Judges will be looking at musicality of choreography. Three gymnastic/acrobatic tricks allowed.
TAP:
Routine must contain tap technique and primarily tap work. The focus of the category is on clarity of sounds and appropriate music choice that amplifies choreography. It is preferred that tap sounds not be on tape.
BALLET:
Routine must consist of ballet technique. Must include classical steps and movements. No pointe shoes allowed. No gymnastic/acrobatic tricks allowed.
POINTE:
Routine must consist of pointe technique. No gymnastic/acrobatic tricks allowed.
LYRICAL:
Routine should demonstrate balance, extension, isolations and control utilizing the lyrics or mood of the music. Three gymnastic/acrobatic tricks allowed.
ACRO:
This style must use mainly acro tricks accompanied by flexibility and control. Dance must be used throughout the entire routine.
POM POM:
A routine incorporating the use of Pom Poms. Should use precise and defined movement, acrobatics allowed, NO stunts or a pyramid taller than one person is allowed or a one point penalty per judge will be incurred. The routine will be judged on both Pom Pon technique and dance steps, moves, and choreography.
CLOGGING:
A routine utilizing either traditional or contemporary style clogging technique. Three gymnastic/acrobatic tricks allowed.
FOLKLORIC:
A routine using ethnic style of dance, such as Belly Dancing, Hawaiian, Bollywood, etc.
OPEN:
Any of our listed categories or combinations of listed category styles.
CONTEMPORARY:
Routine should utilize a pedestrian style of dance to show extension and balance. Can combine lyrical, modern, and concert style techniques. 3 acrobatic tricks are allowed in this category.
MODERN:
Interpretive routine in Modern Style. 3 acrobatic tricks are allowed in this category.