GENRES

JAZZ

Jazz encompasses a large number of derivative styles including...

  • Commercial Jazz (similar to what you would see in a music video, movies or on television)


  • Classic jazz (choreography based on the technical elements of the original jazz style)


  • Cabaret Jazz (the style can be from any era of jazz including disco, etc).


  • Latin Jazz (a genre of jazz with Latin American rhythms, footwork & stylized arms)


  • Contemporary/Lyrical Jazz (blends traditional jazz technique with modern influences, emphasizing fluidity, musicality, and emotional expression)

All jazz routines should be focused on showcasing technique, jumps, turns, extensions, flexibility, strength, placement, posture, transitions, floor work, patterning, team work & showmanship. 

Take care that choreography, music choice & costuming is age appropriate (especially in the commercial jazz style) & aim to keep things modest. Please keep in mind that stunning choreography and a mature style on a 16 year old will not look as appropriate on a 10 year old! 



BROADWAY JAZZ / THEATRE JAZZ

Broadway Jazz is a dance style seen in Broadway musicals. It does not have a focus on acting, lip synching or vocals. The focus is on the theatrical dance style blending traditional jazz technique with storytelling, character development, and dramatic choreography through movement. Broadway Jazz is a dance centred routine that you would likely see in a musical or film.

Choosing a piece of music from a Broadway show or musical film and using choreogrpahy that is not replicative of the Broadway style is not considered Broadway jazz as adjudication is based on the authenticity of the technique. Choreography should remain true to the style & era & be different from jazz (as outlined above).

Once vocals, lip synching or large amounts of props and acting become involved- this would then be a musical theatre routine.


MUSICAL THEATRE

Musical Theatre section guidelines are to recreate a musical number or medley of songs from a musical. This style is a combination of theatrical dance, characterisation and drama. May include lip-synching or live vocals. May use props. Choreography & direction should stay true to the style & storyline of chosen musical.

HIP HOP

Hip Hop routines incorporate street style movement with an emphasis on execution, creativity, and body isolations while maintaining uniformity, control, and rhythm. They must have CLEAN music lyrics and dance moves. Any inappropriate words or moves could result in penalties given.

CONTEMPORARY

Contemporary dance is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical, and classical ballet. Contemporary dancers strive to connect the mind and the body through fluid dance movements. Contemporary dance stresses versatility and improvisation, unlike the strict, structured nature of ballet. Contemporary dancers focus on floorwork, using gravity to pull them down to the floor.

LYRICAL

Lyrical routines incorporate ballet, modern, and jazz technique, with an emphasis on movements that are more fluid and graceful in nature. It is, by definition, emphasizing and expressing the lyrics of a piece of music or using choreography that demonstrates connection to the story or ideas in the music. Tumbling is NOT recommended unless it stays with the flow of the routine and remains connected to the routine choreography.

TAP

Tap is a style of dance in which a dancer wearing shoes fitted with heel and toe taps sounds out audible beats by rhythmically striking the floor or any other hard surface. Entrants can perform either slow or fast tap routines. No recorded tapping on the audio track is permitted.

SONG & DANCE

Adjudicator will award 50% of marks to singing section and 50% of marks to dance section. Musical Theatre songs can still be used in this section if piecing together a song with a dance break (not normally done by the character in the musical). Hand held microphones provided. Vocals on backing track will not be allowed.


CLASSICAL BALLET

Classical ballet emphasises fluid, graceful movements and long lines, along with strict adherence to correct form and technique, especially turn-out & posture. A focus on narrative and storytelling is achieved through dramatic visuals and complex choreography.

DEMI-CHARACTER

Demi-Character is a clear portrayal of a character or story by acting ability and expressive dancing using classical technique. Use of props is permitted.


ACRO- DANCE

Acro routines should combine dance technique with acrobatic elements. It should showcase a dancer’s agility, flexibility, and strength while demonstrating proper technique with pointed feet, lengthened lines, and control. However, there are always exceptions when it is a clear stylistic choice, for example, a flexed foot or bent leg. Acro routines should be 60% acro, and 40% dance skills, and must follow the dance ability level requirements, as well as the acro ability level requirements.

DIVISIONS

SOLOS

NOVICE & OPEN SECTIONS FOR SOLOS

Where enough entries are received, we will split solos into the following sections.

  • Novice Sections are for competitors who have never placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in any recognised eisteddfod or dance competition, in the style they wish to enter.

  • Open Section are for competitors who have placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in a recognised eisteddfod or dance competition, in the particular dance style they wish to enter.

  • NEW All Abilities Sections for performers living with additional needs- all ages combined

Please be aware if not enough entries are received to run sections, these sections will be combined

Time limit 3 minutes

Ages starting from 7/u - open age

AGE IS TAKEN FROM AGE OF COMPETITOR ON DEC 31, 2025. For example, if born ANYTIME in 2010, dancer competes in 15/u, whether born on January 1, or December 31.

  • JAZZ

  • HIP HOP

  • CONTEMPORARY

  • LYRICAL

  • TAP

  • SONG & DANCE

  • CLASSICAL BALLET- pointe shoes may only be worn from 13/u divisions and up

  • DEMI-CHARACTER - All competitors must be able to place and remove own props

  • BROADWAY JAZZ

  • ACRO DANCE


PRIZES

Trophies to all place getters
Certificate to Highly Commended

CHAMPIONSHIPS

(Time limit 3 mins per routine) Ages 12/u, 14/u, Open

JAZZ

To be eligible for entry to the jazz championship, student must be entered in a solo jazz section. Two jazz dances are required. 2nd routine can be hip hop or broadway jazz. Repeats of routines are allowed.

MODERN

To be eligible for entry to the modern championship, student must be entered in a solo contemporary or lyrical section. Two contemporary or lyrical dances are required (or one of each). Repeats of routines are allowed.

CLASSICAL

To be eligible for entry to the classical championship, student must be entered in a solo classical section. Two contrasting dances are required- one classical OR variation AND and one demi-character or contemporary/lyrical. Repeats of routines are allowed.

PRIZES

Trophies to all place getters
Certificate to Highly Commended

DUOS / TRIOS / QUARTETS

(Time limit 3 mins) Ages 10/u, 12/u, 14/u, Open

Age taken from eldest team member as of Dec 31, 2025

  • JAZZ

  • HIP HOP

  • LYRICAL

  • CONTEMPORARY

  • BALLET

  • TAP

  • BROADWAY JAZZ

  • ACRO DANCE


PRIZES

Medals to all place getters
Certificate to Highly Commended

DANCE STUDIO TROUPES

Time limit 5 mins
(Musical Theatre section can be 6 mins).

Ages groups offered- 6/u, 8/u, 10/u, 12/u, 14/u, 16/u, NEW 18/u & Open Age

Where enough entries are received, we may split troupe sections in small troupes (5-12 dancers) and large troupes (13 dancers and more). Please specify number of competitors on entry form.

Age limit for troupes is taken by the age of the eldest competitor on Jan 1, 2025
Open Age Troupes have a minimum age of 16yrs as of Jan 1, 2025

NEW IN 2025- NOVICE TROUPE DIVISIONS & ALL ABILITIES TROUPE DIVISIONS!!!

  • JAZZ

  • TAP

  • LYRICAL

  • CONTEMPORARY

  • MUSICAL THEATRE (can be either song & dance OR a theatrical piece)

  • HIP HOP

  • CLASSICAL BALLET

  • BROADWAY JAZZ

PRIZES

Trophies to all place getters
Certificate to Highly Commended

PRIMARY & HIGH SCHOOL TROUPES

Age divisions- K-2, Yrs 3-4, Yrs 5-6, High School Yrs 7-9, High School Open Age

Where enough entries are received, we may split troupe sections in small troupes (5-12 dancers) and large troupes (13 dancers and more). Please specify number of competitors on entry form.

Age is taken from the oldest member of each team.

  • JAZZ

  • LYRICAL

  • CONTEMPORARY

  • MUSICAL THEATRE (can be either song & dance OR a theatrical piece)

  • HIP HOP

PRIZES

Trophies to all place getters
Certificate to Highly Commended

BALLET SCHOLARSHIP

  • All entrants will participate in a one-hour master class taught by a leading professional.

  • Dancers are to wear full ballet attire for the class (leotard, stockings, ballet shoes, hair in a bun).

  • After the class, dancers will be allocated 20 minutes to change from their ballet attire into their solo costume. All entrants will dance their solo for the adjudicator.

  • This can either be a solo or a variation.
    Dancers will be adjudicated on their technical & performance ability.

  • Only senior scholarship entrants may wear pointe shoes

  • Please supply solo music on a USB or device and dancers are to bring with them side of stage when they perform,

  • Finalists will be selected to compete their classical solo/variation at the TUDC Final

  • Finalists will not be announced on the scholarship day- they will be announced via email the day after.

Eligibility

  • To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must meet the following qualifications:

  • Age is as per dancer’s year of birth (the age they will be on Dec 31, 2025)

  • Demonstrate proficiency and above average interest in dance.

Participants of the Event

  • The scholarships are open to classical ballet students aged 8 and over who are studying a recognised syllabus.

Important Information

  • The scholarships are only for students of amateur status. Students cannot derive any regular income from the art form.

  • Participants must appear in the order of which their name appears in the class/program.

  • Any person/s whose conduct is off putting to other participants or the Committee will be asked to leave. If they are a participant they could face disqualification.

  • A breach of any rules or conditions may result in either disqualification of the participant or the student might be asked to dance as a non competing performer.

  • It is incumbent on the teachers/parents to ensure they enter students into the correct section. Any entries that are incomplete, incorrect or not accompanied by full payment of the required & accurate fee will not be processed.

  • Full-time students are eligible to enter providing they enter under the name of their full-time school and the entry form is signed by the principal.

  • Winners of the ballet scholarship in each age division will be awarded with cash & prizes to the value of $500.

Finals Requirements

  • All finalists are selected from their master class & solo performance

  • Pointe work is optional for female finalists.

  • Short classical tutus must be worn for all girls

  • Finalists arriving late will be allowed to dance at the end of the section as a non competing performer.

  • If a finalist leaves the stage before the end of a solo, other than by fault of the committee, they will be allowed to dance at the end of the section as a non competing performer.

  • Only finalists and/or Committee members are allowed backstage at any time.

  • No rehearsals allowed at any time backstage. Students will be supervised by the Committee whilst warming up on stage for each section.

Age Restrictions

  • Age is as per dancer’s year of birth (the dancers age as of Dec 31, 2025)

  • Competitors may only enter in their own age group.

  • The Committee reserves the right to ask for a Birth Certificate of any participant in any section.

Music Requirements

  • No solo may exceed 3 minutes in length.

  • All items will be timed from the commencement of the performance or music (whichever comes first). Commencement of performance is the commencement of the first step (other than a straight forward walk and placement to starting position).

  • Music to be provided on USB or device and to be the only track