Ability Level Guidelines
NOVICE
For dancers who are new to competitive performance and developing foundational technique.

Eligibility

  • Has not previously placed Overall or Top 5 High Point in the Novice division.


Technical Expectations

  • Consistent single pirouettes.
  • Basic leaps and jumps (including grand jetés).
  • Basic turns such as chainés and piqués.
  • Focus on developing proper technique, control, and performance quality.


Restrictions

  • No double pirouettes.
  • No aerials or back handsprings.


Please Note
Novice is intended for dancers with beginner technical skills—not simply dancers performing their first competitive solo.

BEGINNING
For dancers with solid foundational technique who are beginning to master intermediate skills.

Eligibility

  • Has not previously placed Overall or Top 5 High Point in the Beginning division.


Technical Expectations

  • Strong, consistent single pirouettes.
  • Working toward consistent double pirouettes.
  • Grand jetés and leap combinations.
  • Side leaps and beginning turning sequences.


Restrictions

  • No triple pirouettes.
  • No three-turn combinations.


Permitted

  • Aerials and back handsprings are allowed.


BEGINNING PLUS
For dancers who have mastered beginning skills and are transitioning into intermediate technique.

Eligibility

  • Has not previously placed Overall or Top 5 High Point in the Beginning Plus division.


Technical Expectations

  • Consistent double pirouettes.
  • Up to two fouettés or à la seconde turns in combination.
  • Beginning leap combinations.
  • Beginning turn combinations without traveling or spot changes.


Restrictions

  • No triple pirouettes.
  • No turn combinations of three or more consecutive turns.
  • No advanced leap combinations.
  • No spot changes.


Permitted

  • All tumbling skills are allowed.


INTERMEDIATE
For dancers with strong technical proficiency and consistent execution of intermediate skills.

Eligibility

  • Has not previously placed Overall or Top 5 High Point in the Intermediate division.


Technical Expectations

  • Consistent double and and working on triple pirouettes.
  • ONLY Three fouettés or à la seconde turns.
  • Intermediate leap and turning combinations.


Restrictions

  • No quadruple pirouettes.
  • No turn combinations exceeding three consecutive turns/rotations.


Permitted

  • All tumbling skills are allowed.


INTERMEDIATE PLUS
For dancers who have mastered intermediate technique and are preparing for advanced competition.

Eligibility

  • Has not previously placed Overall or Top 5 High Point in the Intermediate Plus division.


Technical Expectations

  • Consistent triple pirouettes.
  • Working toward quadruple pirouettes.
  • Four or more fouettés or à la seconde turns.
  • Advanced leap combinations and complex turn sequences.


Restrictions

  • No turn combinations of five or more consecutive turns.


Permitted

  • All tumbling skills are allowed.


ADVANCED
For highly trained dancers demonstrating advanced technical ability, consistency, and performance quality.

Technical Expectations

  • Consistent triple and quadruple pirouettes.
  • Five or more fouettés or à la seconde turns.
  • Advanced leaps, jumps, and turn combinations.
  • Traveling turns and spot changes are permitted.


Permitted

  • All tumbling skills are allowed.


PROFESSIONAL
For elite dancers competing beyond the Advanced division.

Eligibility

  • Intended for dancers who have won an Overall High Point Award in the Advanced division one or more times.
  • Open to dancers of all ages.


Purpose

  • The Professional division provides an opportunity for exceptionally skilled dancers to continue challenging themselves after achieving consistent success in the Advanced division, creating a more competitive experience for elite performers.

SKILL LEVELS

LEVEL PLACEMENT GUIDELINES

The following level descriptions are intended to serve as guidelines only. As competition organizers, we do not have firsthand knowledge of each dancer's training, experience, or technical ability. We rely on the honesty, integrity, and professionalism of studio owners, directors, teachers, choreographers, and parents when selecting the appropriate competitive level for each routine.

Basic dance technique includes, but is not limited to, posture, alignment, balance, coordination, control, flexibility, mobility, and strength. These foundational skills, along with overall technical proficiency, performance quality, and training, should be considered when determining a dancer's competitive level.

While these guidelines are designed to assist with placement, no written criteria can account for every dancer's unique abilities. We ask that all participants register in the level that most accurately reflects their current skill level and training. Fair and appropriate placement helps ensure a positive and meaningful competitive experience for every dancer.

The judging panel reserves the right to move any routine to the level they believe is most appropriate based on the performance presented on stage. Decisions regarding level placement made by the judges are final.

High Point (HP) Eligibility: If a routine is moved to a higher competitive level by the judges, it will no longer be eligible for the High Point (HP) Winner Award for that event.

Additionally, once a dancer has earned the High Point Award in any competitive level at SDC, they are no longer eligible to compete in that same level at future SDC events and must advance to the next appropriate level.

If you have any questions regarding level placement, please contact us prior to registering. We are happy to help ensure your dancers are entered in the most appropriate division.

​Please read carefully