NATIONAL FINALS COMPETITION INFORMATION
The competition levels, routine divisions and scoring information outlined in our Competition Information and Scoring pages remain the same for all Regional and National Finals events. This page outlines additional competition rules, awards, information and opportunities pertaining to our National Finals event. Visit our Rates & Fees page for our national competition fees.
Age Groups
The average age will be automatically configured by our online registration system for Duet/Trios, Groups, Lines, Productions and Super Productions. All age divisions will be determined by the ages of the performers as of January 1. To determine the age division, our system will average the performers ages and drop the decimal point. Example: 12.0-12.9 will compete in the 12-year-old (junior) age division. All competing dancers must be prepared to present proof of age should a question arise.
The following age divisions will be used for Overall High Score awards for both the Performance and Competitive Levels:
Launch (6 & under)
Mini (7-9)
Junior (10-12)
Teen (13-15)
Senior (16-19)
Adult (20 & up)
Dancers will be grouped into smaller age division for our individual and category high score awards:
- 6 and under
- 7-9
- 10-12
- 13-15
- 6-19
- 20-29 (adult)
- 30 & up (adult)
* Any combined age division with more than five entries in a particular competition level and dance category will be broken down into individual ages for category high score awards. The only exception to this rule is for our adult routines. They will remain grouped together in the 20-29 and 30 & up age division, despite the number of entries within their age and competition level.
(Examples: If there are six or more age 13-15 contemporary solo routines in the competitive division, then the competitive contemporary category age divisions will be broken down into age 13, age 14 and age 15. If there are only four age 7-9 tap routines in the performance division, then the performance tap category with remain grouped to include ages 7-9)
Awards & Honors
Individual Awards
Each routine will receive a Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Double Platinum or Diamond award based on the total number of points received from the judges. Scoring systems for both our Performance and Competitive Divisions may be found in the Scoring section of our Event Information page.
Category High Score
A 1st place will be awarded to the highest scoring routine per each level, dance category and age division after the individual awards for that group of routines are announced.
Overall High Score
Overall High Score awards are given to all age divisions for the Performance and Competitive Levels:
Launch (6 & under)
Mini (7-9)
Junior (10-12)
Teen (13-15)
Senior (16-19)
Adult (20 & up)
The number of Overall High Score trophies distributed in a particular age & level is based on the following:
0-15 routines = top 5 overall scores awarded
16-30 routines = top 10 overall scores awarded
31-55 routines = top 15 overall scores awarded
56 or more routines = top 20 overall scores awarded
Judges Special Awards
Judge’s Special awards will be presented at each awards ceremony. These awards include, but are not limited to: Entertainment, Technique, Artistry, Choreography, Intensity, Costuming and Precision.
Vouchers and Cash Awards
In addition to trophies, cash awards are given to the 1st place Overall High Score winners providing the minimum number of routines is reached within that particular age and level division. Competition vouchers are given to the top 2nd and 3rd place Overall High Score winners providing the minimum number of routines is reached within that particular age and level division. The cash award and competition voucher criteria are as follows.
Cash award and competition voucher criteria for Solos, Duo/Trios, Groups, Lines & Production Entries
* There must be a minimum of 5 routines in a particular age and level division in order for the 1st place winner to receive a cash award for solos, duos/trios, groups and lines. There must be a minimum of 2 routines in a particular age and level division in order for the 1st place winner to receive a cash award for productions. There must be a minimum of 7 routines in a particular age and level division in order for the 2nd place winner to receive a competition voucher for solos, duos/trios, groups, lines & productions. There must be a minimum of 9 routines in a particular age and level division in order for the 3rd place winner to receive a competition voucher for solos, duos/trios, groups, lines & productions.
Cash award and competition voucher criteria for Super Production Entries
* An automatic cash prize is given to the 1st place high score winner for Super Productions. There must be a minimum of 3 routines in the super production division in order for the 2nd place winner to receive a competition voucher. There must be a minimum of 5 routines in the super production division in order for the 3rd place winner to receive a competition voucher.
Top Soloist & Duo/Trio Champions ~ Dupree Gala Invitation
Our 1st place overall solo champions and our 1st place overall duo/trio champions in both the Performance and Competitive level in the Mini, Junior, Teen and Senior age divisions will be invited to perform again at our Dupree Gala on the last day of our National Finals! Top soloists and duo/trios will not re-compete at the Gala. If two entries tie for a 1st Overall High Score in any one age and level division, both soloists and/or both duo/trios will be invited to perform at the Dupree Gala.
Distinguished Honors Award
Our Distinguished Honors Awards are designed to honor excellence and achievement within each distinct dance genre (or style). Our system combines all age division Group, Line, Production and Super Production entries in both the Performance and Competitive Division and presents the single highest scoring routine in each registered dance genre a Distinguished Honors Award.
Top It Off Award
Two “Top It Off” winners will be announced during our National Finals once all the group, line, production and super production routines have competed. One routine will be selected from the 12 and under age group and one routine will be selected from the 13 and over age group. Our ‘Top It Off’ award goes to the highest scoring routine from the combined Performance and Competitive division group, line, production, and super production entries. In the event of a tie, Dupree Dance will award a secondary ‘Top It Off’ winner for that age group. Our ‘Top It Off’ routines will receive a special trophy and their routine will be featured on our Dupree Dance website and Facebook following our event! Adult routines are excluded from our Top It Off Award winners.
Studio Spirit Award
This award will be selected by our Backstage Manager(s) and Dupree faculty. The Studio Spirit award will be presented to the studio that displays the most spirit, overall sportsmanship backstage and hard work and charisma during our convention classes and event schedule. Up to two Studio Spirit Awards may be given at National Finals.
Studio Appreciation Award
Two Studio Appreciation Awards will be given to the top two studios with the most participation at our National Finals competition. Each studio will receive a $200 Studio Appreciation gift certificate to apply towards any Dupree regional or national competition event within 13 months from the date awarded.
Dupree Dance Scholarships
Dupree Dance instructors and judges will use our convention classes as a platform to select scholarship winners based on their work ethic, artistry, performance, technique and overall entertainment quality or ‘charisma’ during our event. Dupree Dance convention scholarship winners will receive either a 50% off or full convention tuition scholarship. Scholarship winners will be announced at the conclusion of our convention class schedule.
Partnering Scholarships
Dupree Dance is very proud to partner with a number of prestigious organizations. Our National Finals convention class attendees will be eligible for a number of incredible awards, scholarships and opportunities through our partnerships. Those awards will also be announced at the conclusion of our convention class schedule.
Solo Title Competition
A performance division soloist may enter up to two solos to compete for the National Title of DUPREE RISING STAR in their age division. A competitive division soloist may enter up to two solos to compete for the National Title of DUPREE ELITE CHAMPION in their age division.
Contestants will be scored separately from their adjudication score and will be judged solely on their combined technique and performance score. If they choose to perform two solos, the solo with the highest combined technique and performance (presentation) score will be used. In the event of a tie, the judges will break the tie.
Three finalists in each age division will be announced during the overall awards ceremony for their solo division. A 2nd and 1st runner up winner in addition to one DUPREE RISING STAR CHAMPION (Performance Division) or one DUPREE ELITE CHAMPION (Competitive Division).
Our Solo Title Champions in each level and age division will receive
1. A Crown
2. A Custom Dupree Dance Solo Title Champion jacket
3. A year round unlimited full regional convention tuition scholarship
4. A social media request form for representation on our Dupree social media platforms
5. An invitation to a formal recognition & photo with the Dupree faculty during our Dupree Dance Gala
The 1st and 2nd runner up winners will both receive a commemorative trophy in honor of their award.
Our 1st runner up winner will also receive a guaranteed and free solo entry at any single Dupree Dance regional event of their choice on our following regional tour (This does not apply to late registrations; registration must be secured by/before the stated deadline). In order to redeem this award, the dancer must remain registered under the same studio profile as they were when they were the named as the 1st runner up winner.
Dancers do not need to qualify their competing solo(s) regionally in to compete for a national title. As long as their studio met our qualification rules at an attending regional event, their solo can be added with no additional qualification fees.
Competition Rules
Acrobatic Tricks Rule
There is a maximum of three acrobatic tricks permissible in every category except our Acrobatic Dance or Open dance categories. Any routine consisting of 4 or more acrobatic tricks must be entered in the Acrobatic Dance or Open category regardless of the style of routine that is mixed along with the acrobatic elements. A deduction of 1 point per judge will result for routines that do not comply. Acrobatic tricks are considered movements that pass through or stop at a fully inverted (upside down) position with both feet off the floor (the torso passing or stopping directly over the top of ones head/shoulders). Forward, backward and shoulder rolls, and acro tricks in lifts (a lift being defined as being supported by another dancer with any body part) are not considered acrobatic tricks. A gymnastic pass will be counted as one trick (i.e. a round-off back-hand spring into a back flip = 1 trick) 3 dancers performing a gymnastics trick or pass in unison = 1 trick. 3 dancers performing a gymnastics trick or pass separately from one another = 3 tricks.
Dancer Variance Rule
The same exact group of performer(s) who compete 2 or more routines in the same dance category may not place more than once for overall high score awards for those routines. The exact same group of performers may win more than one overall high score award if they perform in a different dance category for each routine. (i.e. The same exact 8 dancers cannot compete two jazz routines and win an overall award in both unless there is at least a one-member variance to the secondary jazz routine. The same exact 8 dancers CAN compete a jazz routine and a lyrical routine and win an overall award for both numbers.)
2 Solos Per Dancer Limit
Soloists may perform a maximum of two solo routines at Nationals, but they must be within different categories (i.e.: jazz and lyrical, NOT tap and tap). The same contestant may not place more than once for overall high score awards in the solo division. Only his/her highest scoring routine will be eligible to receive an overall high score award. Dupree Dance reserves the right to limit solo entries due to time constraints. Once the solo limit has been reached, no more solo entries will be accepted. If a dancer opts to compete for the Solo Title Competition, our system will automatically use the highest scoring solo to qualify them as a finalist/winner.
2 Duo/Trio Exact Dancer Limit
There is a maximum of two duet entries that are comprised of the exact same dancers, but each duet must be within different categories. There is a maximum of two trio entries that are comprised of the exact same dancers, but each trio must be within different categories.
For duo and trio entries, there must be at least a one dancer change in order for each routine to still be eligible for an overall high score award. Unless there is at least a 1 dancer change in a secondary duo or trio entry, only the highest scoring duo or trio entry containing the exact same dancers is eligible to receive an overall high score award.
Registered Teacher Rule
Registered teachers are welcome to compete and are eligible for Individual awards only. Any routine containing a registered teacher (despite age of teacher) will not be eligible for an Overall Award at our Regional and National events.
Age 20 Dancer Rule
If any duet/trio, small group, line, production or super production has any dancer age 20 or over, they must compete in the Adult age group despite the routines average age. This applies to even one dancer in the routine who is 20 or over, NO exceptions. Adult routines are not eligible for overalls at regionals or for the Dupree Dance Gala at Nationals.
Special Needs Rule
Any routine registered in our Special Needs category will be eligible for Individual awards only.
Incomplete Routine Rule
A 5 point deduction will be in effect for a routine that is not completed by a dancer or group of dancers due to memory mistake(s). "Not completed" is defined as exiting the stage before the routine is finished. The routine will be scored from the time it started up until the point the dancer(s) exit the stage. The tabulator will note the 5 point deduction (5 points total, not per judge) on the score sheet(s) per our Incomplete Routine rule. IF TIME PERMITS, that routine may be given the opportunity to re-perform but will not be re-scored. If a dancer or group of dancers forget one portion of their routine but remain on stage and complete the routine, our incomplete routine rule is not in effect. In this case, the judges will take the portion of the routine that was forgotten into consideration and that will be reflected in their individual scores.
‘At event’ Changes/Injury Rule
During the competition live event, if any dancer is injured or unable to perform, the routine must still remain in the exact same age division, routine division, competition level and category. In other words, a competitive small group routine of 4 dancers that becomes a trio at our live event for unforeseen reasons will still be judged in the competitive small group category (despite whether or not the missing dancer could have changed the competition level of that routine). That routine will still be eligible for individual and overall awards in the category in which it was originally registered for. ‘At event' changes due to injury/illness/unforeseen reasons are not permitted once the first day of our event has begun, regardless of the day that a routine is scheduled to perform. Dancers will not be removed from our registration system at any time for any reason during a live event, despite whether or not they perform.
Gala
The Dupree Dance National Finals Gala is a way to feature the ‘best of the best’ amongst studios in an exciting conclusion to our National Finals event. We want to highlight the talent of these amazing routines one more time and give them an opportunity to re-compete for the title of Dupree Dance Grand National Champion!
In order to qualify for the Dupree Dance Gala, each studio will look at the highest scoring routine (numeric point value) in both their Performance and Competitive division combined Group, Line, and Production routines in each of the Launch, Mini, Junior, Teen and Senior age divisions. Providing the highest scoring entry in each age and level division received either a Double Platinum or Diamond award, it qualifies to re-compete at the Dupree Dance Gala on the last day of our National event. Our Super Production category will be separated from the Group, Line and Production in our Dupree Gala and will follow the exact same rules.
Each studio may only be represented once in each age group within the Performance and Competitive divisions in the combined Group, Line and Production category. In addition, each studio may be represented once in each age group within the Performance and Competitive divisions in the Super Production category. *If a studio has two entries that our system awards a tie in a particular age and level division, then both routines will qualify for the Dupree Dance Gala. Our system tie breaking procedures are provided under our Judging section.
There are no written scores or audio critiques provided during our Dupree Dance Gala. We want our judges to sit back, relax and focus on the ‘full effect’ of each routine without the pressure to adjudicate. The Gala is all about having fun and entertaining your audience! Dancers need to focus on pouring their hearts out and leaving all they have on the dance floor! During our Gala, each age and level division’s qualified routines will perform, and then the judges will take a short break to determine the Grand National Champions, and 1st and 2nd Runners Up. During the judges’ voting breaks, our 1stPlace High Score soloists and duo/trios from each age and level division will be featured on stage and have the opportunity to showcase their award winning routine.
1st and 2nd Grand National Champion Runners Up will be presented in each age group. Dupree Dance Grand National Champions will receive a unique trophy, Championship banner and a cash award! 1st and 2nd Runner Up winners will receive a banner and gift certificate to apply towards any regional competition registration of their choice within 18 months from our National Finals event.
Numbers that qualify for the Dupree Dance Gala will be announced at the appropriate Group/Line/Production award ceremonies for each age division at our event. Studio owners/directors will receive a special Gala questionnaire form per each routine that qualifies to re-compete. The competition emcee will utilize your form in order to share something special regarding each Gala routine as they take the stage for the last time.
Adult age division routines are not able to qualify for our Dupree Dance Gala.
Improv Dance Challenge
We will host two exciting Improv Dance Challenges at our event! The first will be for any attending dancer age 7-12 and the second will be for any attending dancer age 13-19. The exact day/time of each Improv Dance Challenge will be stated when our general schedule is issued (at least one month prior to event).
The Improv Dance Challenge (IDC) is an additional opportunity for all National Finals attendees whose age falls within the stated guidelines. The participation fee for our Improv Dance Challenge is $25 per dancer and dancers must be added to the IDC during the initial online registration process if they wish to participate. Convention class registration fees do not include participation in the Improv Dance Challenge. Observer fees are not charged for viewing our IDC, all are welcomed and encouraged to watch and cheer on participants during this exciting portion of our event!
** Note: Collective Dancers who have registered for our Collective National Finals Competition are automatically enrolled in our Improv Dance Challenge.