NATIONALS

Rules

Sample Nationals Schedule

Two New National

Locations for 2024!

 

2024 INSPIRE National Competition

June 24-28 | Huntsville, AL | Von Braun Center

North Hall and Concert Hall

700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801

Host Hotels

JULY 6-10 | Charleston, SC | North Charleston Coliseum & PAC

Performing Arts Center and Exhibit Hall

5001 Coliseum Dr, North Charleston, SC 29418

Host Hotels

Thank you so much for joining us this year! We hope that you are having an amazing season. We would love for you and your dancers to join us at one of our Nationals Event. Outlined below are the qualifications, key features and general guidelines for attending the INSPIRE National Finals.  There is also a SAMPLE of what the event schedule could be like posted online. The official schedule will be posted 2 weeks prior to the event. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Qualifications

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Studio entries must achieve a Crystal Diamond, Diamond or Sapphire adjudication at a regional event to attend the Inspire NDC Nationals.

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If a studio does not attend an Inspire Regional Competition or if a particular entry was unable to compete at a regional, they may contact Inspire NDC management for consideration.

BONUS EVENTS AT NATIONALS

INSPIRE All-Star Classes & Choreography

Select Junior, Teen and Senior Competition and Competition Elite dancers will be selected at INSPIRE 2024 regional events to participate as INSPIRE All-Stars.

PARENT SHOWCASE

Any parent or guardian of a registered Dancer may register to participate in our Parent Showcase Closing Number. Registration to participate is $40 (shirt included). There will be a class to teach the closing number choreography. The Parent Showcase will take place at the end of the Solo/Duo/Trio Showcase.

INSPIRE Improv

Our Improv Auditions are available for all dancers.  There is a $65 registration fee for entry into this audition.  Dancers will receive a number upon registration on-site.  Dancers will receive audition and improvisation tips from our choreographers prior to their audition.  The audition will be divided by age division.  All participants will listen to an excerpt of the music that has been selected.  They will be divided into groups and will perform.  Select dancers from each age division will be selected as INSPIRE Improv Winners.  These winners will be given a certificate, a dance top and will perform a selection of improv as an opening for our INSPIRE S/D/T Crystal Showcase.  

2023 Improv Opening Number

Master Classes

FREE Master Classes are available to all dancers registered for the Inspire Nationals Event. The schedule of classes will be based upon the competition schedule. Parents and teachers are welcome to watch classes. No cell phones, small children or other distractions will be allowed.

2024 NATIONALS RULES

Please read all our rules carefully. Failure to comply could result in disqualification. INSPIRE NDC reserves the right to alter or make adjustments to these rules and guidelines as they deem necessary.

GENERAL RULES & GUIDELINES

  • All National entries must registered online 30 days prior to the competition date.

  • All entries will remain in the same age division for Nationals as they competed at Regionals. Entries may change levels and categories with permission from INSPIRE Management.

  • Entries may drop from a Line to a Large Group, a Large Group to a Small Group, a Small Group to a Duet/Trio.

  • Inspire will allow dancer substitutions for duet/trios, small groups, large groups, and lines. However, permission must be obtained before the Nationals event.

ADJUDICATION CRITERIA & AWARDS

Awards for Round 1

All entries will be adjudicated during round 1 of the Nationals competition.

Nationals Crystal Adjudication Scale:
Competition Elite Division Competition Division Recreational Division
Flawless Gem 295-300 292-300 N/A
Crystal Diamond 282-294.9 278-291.9 275-300
Diamond 268-281.9 258-277.9 250-274.9
Sapphire 253-267.9 238-257.9 225-249.9
Emerald 238-252.9 218-237.9 200-224.9
Ruby 225-237.9 200-217.9 175-199.9

Top Performance awards will be given to performances with the highest overall total points in each category (when there are 5 or more entries).  The 8 Top Performance Awards categories are as follows:

  • Top Jazz Performance

  • Top Tap /Clogging Performance

  • Top Hip-Hop Performance

  • Top Lyrical Performance

  • Top Contemporary Performance

  • Top Character/ Musical Theatre/ Vocal Performance

  • Top Ballet/ Pointe Performance

  • Top Open/ Modern/ Acro / Pom Pon Performance

Each Top Performance group will be awarded a plaque, and each Top Performance solo/duo/trio will be awarded an award.

  • Judges Choice will be awarded during each initial round of competition.

  • Entries that are selected to return for the Crystal Showcase (solo/duo/trio) and the Crystal Showcase Championship (groups) will be awarded with a “Back to the Stage” Crystal Showcase Pass (one per dancer).  Please see specifics below for information on selection into the Showcase.

Crystal Showcase Showdown

Solo and Duet/Trio Crystal Title Showcase

• The top scoring solos and duet/trios in two age brackets (11 and Under & 12 and Up), in all divisions (Rec/Comp/Comp Elite), will compete in the Crystal Title Showcase, which will take place on the second or third day of Nationals.

• The top 3-6 scoring Solos and the top 2-4 scoring Duo/Trios will be invited back based on the number of routines in round one. 

• A cash prize will be paid to the highest scoring solo and duet/trio in each age and division with the minimum number of solos/duos/trios required. 

A soloist may only perform their highest scoring solo in the showcase.

• Duet/Trios must consist of at least one differing dancer in order for two duet/trios from the same studio to be eligible for the showdown.

• In addition there will be Top Score of the Showcase awards presented.

11 & Under Solo Crystal Showcase: Top 3-6 12 & Up Solo Crystal Showcase: Top 3-6
For all Minis, Petites & Juniors, Broken down by level For all Teens & Seniors, Broken down by level

 

11 & Under Duet/Trio Crystal Showcase: Top 2-4 12 & Up Duet/Trio Crystal Showcase: Top 2-4
For all Minis, Petites & Juniors, Broken down by level For all Teens & Seniors, Broken down by level

Group/Line/Production Crystal Showcase Championship

• The top 3-5 highest scoring groups in 2 age brackets (11 and Under & 12 and Up), in all divisions (Rec/Comp/Comp Elite), will compete in the Crystal Showcase, which will take place on the final day of Nationals. 

• In addition, one routine from each age bracket will be selected as the Judge’s “Golden Egg” and will be invited back to the showcase. 

• The top 2-4 highest scoring lines/productions in 2 age brackets (11 and Under & 12 and Up), in all divisions (Rec/Comp/Comp Elite), will compete in the Crystal Showcase, which will take place on the final day of Nationals. 

• A studio can only have 2 dances in a particular age bracket and division.  

• Cash prizes and awards will be awarded to the top three placements in each division if there are five routines. Cash prizes and awards will be awarded to the top two placements if there are four routines and to the top first place only if there are three or less routines. 

11 & Under Group/Line Production: Top 2-5 12 & Up Group/Line/Production: 2-5
For all Minis, Petites & Juniors, Broken down by level
Additional Golden Egg Determined by Judges
For all Teens & Seniors, Broken down by level
Additional Golden Egg Determined by Judges