*The following guidelines are suggestions to be used in determining the appropriate level placement for each routine.  Because no competition can possibly know how many hours a child dances or for how many years they have danced, it is up to the discretion of the Studio Director to determine the division placement of their dancers.  Routines that are obviously under-placed may be elevated by the Judges or Inspire Management.  All decisions are final.

• All solos performed by the same dancer must be registered in the same division. Example:  a dancer taking 3 hours of Lyrical and 2 hours of Acro per week, the dancer should be placed in the Competition level, regardless of the number of hours in each genre.
• Petites (7-8) may only be registered in the Recreational or Competition division, not Elite. Minis (6 and under) may only be registered as Recreational.
• n a mixed Recreational/Competition/Competition Elite group routine, the division for the performance should be the level that applies to at least 50% of the dancers. For Duo/Trios with dancers from a variety of levels, at least 2/3rd of the dancers should be from the level. If you have a mixed-level routine with 50% Competitive dancers, but you feel the overall level of the routine is elite, please challenge your dancers by placing them in the Elite division.

Pro/Am Division – Any act in which a teacher 20 years of age and above performs. All Pro/Am performances are ineligible for Top Score of the Day Awards or Cash prizes. Student teachers ages 19 and under are permitted to compete in other competitive levels.  The Pro/Am division will be scored on the Competition Elite Level Scoring system.

All solos, duet/trios and groups will be judged on a point system.  In the case of a tie, the technical score will break the tie.  The scoring guideline for all adjudications is determined by the scoring range of that regional event. Each studio will receive a digital video recording of the judges’ critique of their studio’s entries.  Judges scores may also be accessed online.  All scoring is completed electronically.  In the event of technical malfunctioning, judge scores and feedback may be provided in a written format. 

Criteria

• Technical Ability: 35%
• Synchronization/Execution: 25%
• Choreography/Routine: 20%
• Presentation/Performance: 20%

Scoring Scale:

**Only Competition and Competition Elite routines are eligible for the Flawless Gem.  This award is for near perfect routines.

Each entry will be adjudicated and receive an award indicating their entry’s achievement based on the scoring system for each level of competition.

Overall Awards will be presented to the TOP scoring entries in each level of competition. Inspire will determine whether the Top 12, 10, 8, 5, 3 or the overall 1st place entry will be recognized during the Overall Awards, based on the number of total entries at the regional competition. Soloists are allowed to enter as many solos as they wish, however
only the top scoring solo from any individual dancer may place in the Overall Award category.

Our judges will select certain outstanding performances for achievement awards.

Top Performance awards will be given to the top performances with the highest overall total points in each category and age group (when there are 5 or more entries).

The 8 Top Performance Awards for categories are as follows:

• Top Jazz Performance
• Top Tap /Clogging Performance
• Top Hip-Hop / Pom Pon Performance
• Top Lyrical Performance
• Top Contemporary Performance
• Top Character/ Musical Theatre/ Vocal Performance
• Top Ballet/ Pointe Performance
• Top Open/ Modern/ Acro Performance

Each Top Performance will be given an award.

Junior, Teen, and Senior dancers competing in the Competition and Competition Elite Divisions will be eligible to be selected for the Inspire All Stars. These dancers will be invited to perform in of the Inspire All Star Opening Numbers at one of our 2025 Nationals Events.

Photogenic entries are to be entered the day of competition only.  Photographs will be submitted in electronic form via a high quality JPEG or PNG. Studio representatives or parents will complete an entry form at the merchandise table when you check in the day of competition. In addition to the award, the winning entries will appear online and in the
Nationals Program Book. Cost is $50/entry. We also offer a separate Online Photogenic Competition for the 2025 “Face of Inspire/Empire”.  If an image is entered in the regional photogenic competition, it may be entered in the online competition for an additional $40 fee. This is a $10 discount.

Costume entries are open to all Solo acts and judged during the performance.  The selection will be made by the judges on overall creativity and design. They are to be entered on the day of competition only. Studio representatives or parents will fill out a digital form at the merchandise table when scanning the QR code the day of competition.  Photographs MUST be digital.  In addition to the award, the winning entries will appear online and in the Nationals Program Book.  Cost is $50/entry for Regional and $65/entry for Nationals.

Golden Egg Award  

Our three judges will each be given “Golden Egg Award” trophies to hand out during each group session.  They can at any point stop the competition, let the ducks loose and award the Golden Egg.  This award is for any group who has stood out to them as an inspirational dance! 

STUDIO AWARDS

Inspire will award the INSPIRE Studio of Excellence Award to the studio with the highest average score of their top 10 scoring routines. Studios must have 10 routines registered to be eligible for this award. This award will be presented during the final group session of the event using the scores from that point and before.

Inspire will also award the Most Entertaining Studio Award, Studio Spirit Award, and Studio Sportsmanship Award based on the principles of competition and family values that we honor.

All Entries must be submitted Online through the DanceCompGenie Account.   We DO NOT accept independent entries.  Registration is accepted on a first come, first served basis, and is limited to the amount of competition time available.  This varies from city to city.  Many of our events reach capacity well before the deadline and any entries exceeding the limit will be turned away.  If an event reaches SOLD OUT status, a deposit of $500 will be requested to hold your space in the event at that time. 

Early Bird Discount

In order to receive the Inspire Early Bird 1 Discount, payment for all entries must be submitted online and PAID 90 days prior to the competition starting date. To receive the Inspire Early Bird 2 Discount, payment for all entries must be submitted online and PAID 45 days prior to the competition starting date (please email us prior to payment for the discount to be applied).  

Full Payment

Payment by check is appreciated and can be mailed to: 3002 Hawks Ridge Drive, Statesboro, GA 30461.  Studio directors may also send a cashier’s check.  Payment may be made by credit card through the registration system only.  We CANNOT accept credit card payment over the phone.   Only VISA & Mastercard will be accepted. We DO NOT accept American Express.  A 3% service charge will be added to all credit card payments. 

A 50% deposit must be received 30 days prior to the event.  Full payment must be received at least 15 days prior to the competition date or a late charge per entry will be accessed.  A $35 fee will apply to all returned checks.  Returned checks will automatically be turned over to an outside Collections Agency and/or the Solicitor’s Office.  Absolutely no personal checks or credit card payments will be taken at the event, and any unpaid entries will not be allowed to perform. 

No refunds of fees will be given after the deadline date (14 days prior to the event).  Credit for another regional competition or nationals for the current or following year will be issued to the studio in the event that a dancer is unable to perform.  

Advanced submission of music must be submitted online through the DanceCompGenie Studio Center as an mp3. Please verify that all music uploads are the correct versions of the song.  These must be submitted 4 DAYS PRIOR to the date of the competition. 

Studios must bring a backup for ALL music.  We do require backup music in the form of USB to be brought to the event.  Please label your USB with your studio name.  USB files must be labeled with the three-digit entry number and Routine Title.  For Example: 007 Pretty Ladies  

Please do NOT bring CDs to the event. 

All music must be recorded at the proper speed and should be a good high-quality recording.  No Tap sounds are allowed on recordings for entries in the Tap category.  INSPIRE is not responsible for music left at the show. ​Any music or performances which contain inappropriate content or profanity will result in at least a 5-Point Penalty.  Note:  If you are questioning if your music is appropriate, please send us your music in advance and we will check it. 

A confirmation of your studio’s entries will be sent through the email address which is associated with your DanceCompGenie Account.  Please review and ensure entries are in the proper categories, performance levels and age divisions.  Once the final schedule is completed, the ability to make changes and/or corrections is considerably limited, if not impossible. 

When possible, every Regional schedule is based on the breakdown of entries by division level and type (solo, duet/trio, groups, lines and productions) for that particular city.  Dancers must be ready to perform 1 ½ hours before their scheduled time.  

A final schedule will be available to each studio 3 days (or before if available) prior to the first day of competition. 

SCHEDULING

INSPIRE does not have a set schedule.  Schedules are formulated based on the number and type of entries received to best serve the majority of participants.  INSPIRE will attempt to accommodate scheduling requests, however, due to the amount of requests received, it is not always possible to accommodate everyone.

Free videos for all registered dancers and their studios – no additional fees! Each dancer registered will receive UNLIMITED download access to ALL of their videos.

Props

The placement and removal of props, mats, etc., must be completed by representative(s) from your studio within 1 minute.  If the prop set-up exceeds the 1-minute time limit, please speak to the backstage manager.  Additional fees and/or a point deduction may apply if set-up exceeds the time limit.  **Productions will be allocated additional time based on need.  This will be decided by the backstage manager.  No form of liquid, gel, glitter, or other substance may be used that would affect the dancing surface.  No items may be thrown or shot off the front of the stage.  Props should not be built backstage (see Stage Manager for accommodation).  For safety measures, performers cannot stand above 6’6” on the prop.  Props which exceed 10’6” in height cannot be guaranteed to fit on stage.  Inspire will not supply power.  Inspire is not responsible for props left overnight or unattended during the eve

Dressing Rooms

Dressing rooms will be assigned.  All studio representative, parents, dancers and items must remain in your assigned dressing room space.  Inspire cannot be responsible for any items left in the dressing room during or after the event. 
Men are not allowed in the assigned dressing rooms.  There will be spaces designated for boys and men dressing.  We ask that all studio owners check their dressing rooms at the end of each day to ensure that the space is neat, orderly and that all personal items are collected.

Studio Hospitality Suite & Reserved Seating

At each event, studio directors and teachers will have a space to enjoy a quiet moment, some refreshments and coffee.  There will also be 2-3 rows reserved at the front of the auditorium specified for our studio directors and teachers.

Family Environment

This is a family event, sexually explicit dance, costumes or music will not be tolerated.  Any music or performances which contain inappropriate content or profanity will result in at least a 5-Point Penalty.  This will be determined by Inspire Management. If there is a routine with subject of a sensitive nature that may not be appropriate for all audiences,
please inform the event Director to proceed cautiously. 

Routines

There is no limit to the number of entries a studio may perform.  All routines will be adjudicated.

Re-Performance

Except for technical difficulties on the part of INSPIRE, re-performance of any routine will be adjudicated only.  Please see backstage manager for additional information.

Video & Photography

No video cameras of any kind will be allowed during performances.  The use of any type of camera or video camera during the competition will result in a point deduction, the disqualification of a number or the disqualification of a studio.  Please inform parents of this rule to avoid conflicts. You may use flash photography and video cameras during the awards ceremony.

Liability

INSPIRE, its staff, the hotel, theater or site of the competition will not be responsible for any accident or injury that may occur to anyone participating in or attending these events.  Inspire cannot be held responsible for unforeseen flaws in theatre stages that may inadvertently lead to the causing of an accident.  Persons entering the competition and/or participating as a spectator or in any other aspect MUST assume the responsibility for any unforeseen injury.  It is the responsibility of the dance teacher and/or person in charge of the participating entries to educate them and other attendees from their studio as to these rules and policies.

Inspire reserves the right to cancel any competition due to weather or any other circumstances deemed necessary. In case of cancellation, all registration fees will be promptly refunded. Inspire reserves the right to move the competition location due to unforeseen circumstances. Inspire reserves the right to make adjustments to these rules
and regulations if necessary.

Inspire NDC reserves the right to make adjustments to these rules and regulations if necessary.