RULES AND GUIDELINES

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General Rules
• All Dancers must be registered with a studio in British Columbia. No independent entries will be accepted.

• 90% of training hours must be in a studio located  in BC. FDB reserves the right to ask for verification 
• Entries will not be processed until full payment is received, no exceptions.
• Each solo, or duo must be entered into at least one group from the same studio to qualify for high score awards.  EXCEPT in Novice.

•  NEW !!!!! Novice Level dancers do NOT need a group to qualify for high scores

• Re-dances are permitted in Novice and Intermediate categories only. Re-dances are permitted in all categories due to technical problems or anything not of the dancer’s fault.
• Categories may be combined or separated based on entries received and at the discretion of the Committee.
• Choreography may contain props.
• Dance offs must be requested in advance and will be approved at the discretion of the committee and the availability in the schedule. Dance offs are not guaranteed. 

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Entry Information

• Registration will open September 30th, 2024 • Final Entry deadline is December 31st, 2024

• Entry fees are non-refundable.  The Committee reserves the right to refuse entries.
• Studios may pay by e-transfer to info.bcdea@gmail.com.  Studio cheques will not be accepted. 
• Entries will not be processed until full payment is received.
• Entries will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Please enter early!

• Early Bird deadline is Nov.15,2024    Regular deadline is Dec 15/24   Late Entries Dec 16  All entries close     December 31st at noon.
• Schedule sent to email provided on registration forms at least 4 weeks prior to event. Please ensure email provided is correct.
• Thank you in advance for ensuring all entries are accurate. Any changes to entries after the 2nd draft has been sent are subject to a $15 change fee per dancer. This includes incorrect levels, categories, dancers, titles etc.

Please note:  Confirmation email from online submission does not guarantee entry. Email from the Committee confirming space and payment received secures your place.
 

Categories

• Classical- Demi pointe 

• Classical – Pointe

• Demi – Character

• Contemporary Ballet

• Contemporary Pointe

• NEW ** Neo Classical Ballet 

• Interpretive Ballet

• Repertoire (Intermediate, Advanced and Accelerated only)

• Variations on Demi-Pointe (ages 9-11yrs)

• Variations on Demi-Pointe for 12yrs and up

• Variations en Pointe  for ages 12yrs and up

• Dancers with Two Variations - they will not compete against themselves, there will be a separate category.

• Contemporary
• Modern

• Interpretive Contemporary/Modern 

• Open

•  Self Choreography (not eligible for overall high score awards) This Category is open to registered dancers age 12 to 18 years for solo entries only. The choreographer must be the dancer in the solo. The Category will be split into Ballet and Modern/Contemporary and not split by ages. Genre must be as listed in FDB Categories. Entry fee is the same as a solo fee . Self Choreography will receive adjudication and be placed. A Microsoft Form will be sent to all registrants asking for the idea/theme/inspiration for the solo. Forms will be due back by Feb 1/2025. 

•  Adult 19-29 years and 30+ years (not eligible for high score awards)

Category Descriptions
 

CLASSICAL • Routine uses traditional ballet technique and classical steps in ballet slippers only.

CLASSICAL – POINTE • Routine uses traditional ballet technique and classical steps. Pointe shoes only.

DEMI-CHARACTER • Routine has a strong classical Ballet base while portraying a character throughout. Pointe shoes or Ballet slippers may be worn. Category will not be separated based on shoe style. *Title must be on entry form. Absolutely NO Variations permitted in Demi Character , teachers original choreography only

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NEW ** NEO CLASSICAL BALLET • Dance based on classical ballet technique in the style of the 20th and 21st Century. Original Choregraphy should be plotless and musically driven without narrative or mime. Dancers   movements should be the main artistic medium.

CONTEMPORARY BALLET • Routine is a combination of unstructured dance form and classical ballet technique. It is ever changing and evolving and should involve emotion.  Ballet slippers only.  Pointe shoes (enter Contemporary Pointe).
 

CONTEMPORARY POINTE • Routine that has an ever changing style of dance, drawing from, but not limited to, ballet, modern and jazz techniques.  Must wear 2 pointe shoes.

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INTERPRETIVE BALLET • Ballet technique may be used if the body is used to translate and interpret an idea or mood, feeling or emotion, human condition or dramatic expression combined with dance movement. *Title must be included on entry form.  Pointe shoes or Ballet slippers may be worn.   Category will not be split based on footwear.  No Lyrics are permitted, humming and chanting is allowed.

REPERTOIRE • Intermediate, Advanced and Accelerated duos, trios and groups only. Must be traditional choreography from a known Classical Ballet. To be identified on registration form.

 

VARIATIONS - Intermediate, Advanced and Accelerated soloists only. Must be traditional choreography from a known Classical Ballet.  Title and dancer name to be identified on registration form . Age appropriate modifications based off of original choreography are permitted. Can be performed en pointe or demi pointe.

9-11yrs - Variations on demi-pointe only

12yrs + Variations on demi-pointe and en pointe.  Categories will be split based on footwear​

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CONTEMPORARY • Routine that has an ever changing style of dance, drawing from, but not limited to, classical ballet, modern and jazz techniques. No formal footwear permitted in this category. If wearing ballet slippers (enter contemporary ballet) and pointe shoes (enter contemporary pointe).

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MODERN • Routine is a free, expressive style of dance that includes contract and release, floor work and fall and recovery. Style is based on the methods of Graham, Limon, Horton, Hawkins, Humphrey etc. Bare feet or socks only permitted in this category.

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INTERPRETIVE CONTEMPORARY/MODERN • 

Dance that uses movement of any kind from stylized to pedestrian (with modern technique as its basis) to tell a story, express a feeling, interpret a character, behaviour, or emotional state; Movement should be related to the intent of the music while the choreography must engage the whole body.   Title must reflect the interpretation.  Bare feet or socks only permitted in this category. Lyrics are permitted.

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ADULT DANCE • 19-29 years or 30+ years • Any routine where the average age of all dancers is 19-29 or 30+. Routines may be any dance form. Dances with 2 or more dancers aged 19 and over must be entered into Adult Dance.  Categories will be split depending on number of entries and at the discretion of event management. Adult Category does not qualify for high scores.

*Need help with category placement? Please ask before entering!

Levels

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Levels are calculated based on total hours of the following styles per week :

• Ballet Syllabus and Technique Classes

• Ballet open/unset

• Pointe

• Repertoire

• Contemporary ballet

• Contemporary

• Modern

• Ballet related conditioning- eg Pilates or PBT

• Choreography Rehearsals

• Private/Semi private/Coaching lessons

• Exam Practices

• Do not include hours of jazz, lyrical, musical theatre, tap, hip hop or acrobatics 

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NEW**

Novice : 0 – 4.0 hours of training per week
Intermediate : 4.25 –7.25  hours of training per week
Advanced : 7.5 – 10.25 hours of training per week
Accelerated : 10.5 - 13.5 hours of training per week

Intensive : 13.75 - 16.5 hours of training per week

Pre-Professional : 16.75 hours + of training per week

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Example of calculating level: 1.5 hours ballet technique +1 hour modern +1 hour contemporary ballet+1.5 hours ballet choreography per week = 5 of training = Intermediate Level
More Info:
• Levels are calculated by averaging the hours of training per duo, trio or group member. (0.5 is rounded to the higher level).

• All dancers must participate evenly in a group performance 

• NEW ** CALCULATING A DANCERS LEVEL

 WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW LEVELS FOR THE 2025 SEASON, DANCERS MAY NOW BE REGISTERED UP TO ONE LEVEL LOWER THAN PAST FDB SEASONS. 

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Age Divisions

• The system will calculate age division using dancer’s age as of December 31, 2024.
• Duos, trios, and groups - add and average the age of all the dancers (0.5 is rounded to the higher age).
• Age Divisions may be combined or separated based on entries received and at the discretion of event management.
• Adult Category:  Solo/Duo/Trios - If ONE or more dancers are aged 19 and over they must enter the Adult Category.  Groups – If TWO or more dancers in a routine are aged 19 years and over they must enter and perform in the Adult Category.

Adjudication/Awards 

• 3 experienced adjudicator specializing in the art of ballet, modern and contemporary.

• Performances receive video adjudications.
• Awards Sessions to be held at least 3 times per day.
• High Score Awards will be presented at the completion of each level.In order to qualify for High Scores, dancers must be registered in a group, under the same studio as their solos. EXCEPT NOVICE. Novice solos may compete for high scores with out having a group.
• The Rose Gala Finale held at the end of the event.

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Marking System

 

                                                                                         Novice         Intermediate       Advanced       Accelerated

 

** NEW ROYAL ROSE 

"Absolutely Outstanding"                                            97-100              97-100              97-100               97-100

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ROSE GOLD

"Excellence for their level” In all 4 CATEGORIES      94-96.99           94-96.99           94-96.99           95-96.99

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HIGH GOLD/EXCEPTIONAL

1-2 areas are lacking minimally in refinement             90-93.99           90-93.99           90-93.99           90-93.99

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GOLD/ GREAT POTENTIAL                                                                               

Most areas are secure with room for                            85-89.99           85-89.99           85-89.99           85-89.99

continuing improvement

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HIGH SILVERS/SOLID FOUNDATION                         80-84.99           80-84.99           80-84.99           80-84.99                                    

Good base established. Room for progress

in all areas

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SILVER/ BASIC BASE                                                     75-79.99           75-79.99           75-79.99          75-79.99 

Needs to establish basics in all areas. 

All areas require further development

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** First , Second and Third Place will be awarded in categories larger than 3 

Rose Gala 

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Cash Awards in Each level 

Our 2024 Event saw over $3000 go back to our dancers

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Top scoring solos, duos trios and groups will advance to compete in the Rose Gala Finale 

Exact number from each level Novice , Intermediate , Advanced and Accelerated to be determined based on Entries.

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Wild Rose Award **NEW NAME

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Each Adjudicator will select an entry to compete at the Rose Gala. ( Solo , Duo , Trio or Group )

Winners of the Wild Rose Award will be announced at each applicable High Score Award Session and will compete in the Rose Gala Finale for cash and prizes.

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Scholarships and BC Provincial Rep Announcements will be made during the Rose Gala  Finale

Music

• All music must be uploaded to DanceSync by January 15th, 2025
• Please be sure to carry backup copies of all music.
• CD and iPod connection will be available.

Time Limits
 

SOLOS, DUOS, TRIOS - 3 minutes
GROUPS - 5 minutes

• Dancers are timed from the first note of the music until the last dancer exits the stage.
• All dances are timed by a Festival Du Ballet timer.
• Overtime entries are subject to a $25 penalty

Please ensure prop set-up and take-down is prompt.

Audience/Dancer Information
• Admission for audience is $5 per session or $10 per day

• Rose Gala entrance fee is:

• Ages 0-3, Free

• Children 4-15yrs, $5

• 16yrs +, $7 

• Seniors, $5

• No entry fee for studio owners and teachers with a wristband

• No entry fee Gala Competitors with a stamp

• Dancers are FREE for the competition event with a sign in each day. ( this does not include entry to the Rose Gala)
• At the request of event choreographers there is to be NO camera or video equipment of any kind used in the theatre.
• Professional photographers and-or videographers will be at the event if possible.
• Doors to theatre will open 1hr prior to the start of each day.
• Doors to the change rooms and lobby will open 1hr prior to the start of each day.

• Programs : Will be for sale for $10 each

• FDB Will not be livestreamed

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Studio Directors/Teachers

• Festival Du Ballet requires pre-registration of all teachers by January 15th as buttons will be required. Further information will be emailed at the beginning of January.

•Studio fee of $60 per 3 teachers is payable at the time of registration.  This fee will cover 3 staff and include - Studio Program, Studio Owner/Teacher admission to Festival and Gala, coffee, tea ,water and snacks .We will request teacher names via email in January. 
• Please sign in backstage upon arrival at the event. If your name is not found on the list please find your studio director.
• Teachers are responsible for uploading music prior to the event.  Please be sure to carry backup copies of all music.

•Each Studio Director will receive one complimentary program.  Other programs can be purchased for $10 each

Entry Fees 
 

All fees and related information is sent directly to the studio director or studio main contact. Please ensure the we have the correct email information and a contact cell phone number.

 

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