Performance Levels

Novice

• Solo: never competed
• Duo/Trio: 2 or 3 have never competed
• Groups: majority have never competed

Competitive

• Dancers who dance 5 hours/week or less or have competed for 3 years or less

Advanced Competitive

• Dancers who dance more than 5 hours/week or have competed for more than 3 years

High School

• Groups only will be accepted at this level
• Solos and Duo/Trios entered by a high school must compete at either the novice, competitive or advanced competitive performance level

University

• Groups only will be accepted at this level
• Solos and Duo/Trios entered by a university must compete at either the novice, competitive or advanced competitive performance level

Professional/Teacher

• Dancers who have graduated from high school and earn wages as either performers or teachers of dance
• Dancers competing at this performance level do not qualify for overall awards

Parents

• For fun only
• Family routines may enter in this category
• Dancers competing at this performance level do not qualify for overall awards

Teachers are asked to use their discretion and place dancers at an appropriate performance level based on guidelines above.
Northern Stars reserves the right to move dancers to a higher performance level if they’ve been misplaced. Northern Stars will NOT move dancers to a lower performance level.

Age Divisions

Age division is determined by calculating the average age of the dancer(s) as of December 31st, 2010. Soloists will compete in individual age categories (i.e. 9yrs, 12yrs, 16yrs). The age divisions are as follows:

• Tyke: 4-6
• Mini: 7-9
• Junior: 10-12
• Teen: 13-15
• Senior: 16-18

Entry Divisions and Time Limits

Entry divisions and time limits are as follows:

• Solos: max. 3 minutes
• Duos/Trios: max. 3 minutes
• Small Groups (4-9 dancers): max. 4 minutes
• Large Groups (10-17 dancers): max. 5 minutes
• Line (18+ dancers): max. 5 minutes
• Production (minimum 12 dancers): 5-10 minutes

Kindly also note the following:

• Overtime penalty: 1 point deduction from average score for every 15 seconds over maximum time. (Unless previously arranged with NSDC)
• Re-dances will be permitted with a 3 point deduction from the average score. There will be no penalty for re-dances due to technical difficulties.
• Substances that alter the condition of the stage are strictly prohibited.
• Northern Stars will not be responsible for injury or loss of personal belongings.
• Northern Stars reserves the right to disqualify any contestants infringing on the rules or disrespecting their fellow contestants. Any complaints must be received in writing.