Jazz – Standard Jazz. This category includes: jazz technique, jazz floor work and jazz partnering work. Props, lip sync, vocalization and acrobatic moves are not permitted.

Lyrical – An emotive dance style which reflects the story line of a piece of music, or the mood or tone of the sound. Ballet & jazz technique may be included. Acrobatic moves are not permitted.

Tap – Any routine in which tap shoes are worn. This category includes: tap technique, props and partnering work. Pre-recorded tap sounds, acrobatic tricks, vocalization and lip sync are not permitted.

Note: Clogging is NOT permitted in this category and must compete in the Open Category.

Ballet – Standard demi-pointe ballet or character ballet. This category includes classical ballet technique, props and partnering work. Acrobatic tricks, vocalization and lip sync are not permitted.

Pointe – Any routine in which pointe shoes are worn. This category includes classical ballet technique en pointe, props and partnering work. Acrobatic tricks, vocalization and lip sync are not permitted.

Modern – Any routine that is interpretive and is not standard ballet or jazz. Movement should be derived from the expression of a feeling or emotion.

Acro – Any routine that features gymnastics or tumbling moves.

Musical Theatre/Song & Dance – Any routine portraying a recognizable character or a routine reflecting a Broadway show or musical. This category includes lip sync, vocalization, props and partnering work.

Hip Hop – Urban street style dance including Breakdance.

Open – Any routine which does not belong to any one of the aforementioned categories. Ethnic dances should be entered here.

Contemporary - A combination of modern, jazz and lyrical techniques with ballet fundamentals. Emphasizing artistic expression and unique choreography.

Northern Stars reserves the right to move routines entered into the wrong category to the appropriate category.