• Deadline for Entries: All entries must be submitted by December 15th 2025. Payments must be received in full by January 6th, 2026. Registrations made after this date will incur a 10% late fee.
• Limited Space: Studios are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis due to limited space.
• Non-Refundable Fees: Entry fees are non-refundable. Credit may be issued in the name of the studio for unforeseeable medical issues with a doctor’s note (valid for one year). No refunds for entry cancellations.
• Independent Entries: No independent entries are allowed.
• ODE’s Right to Change: The One Dance Experience (ODE) reserves the right to add, change, or cancel tour dates if necessary. ODE may also refuse, cancel, or limit registrations, and change the format or location of events. Cancellations may occur due to insufficient registration, at ODE’s discretion.
• Music Submission: Music must be uploaded online two weeks prior to the event through Dance Comp Genie). Music cannot be changed on the day of the competition and should be in .MP3 or .M4a format. Backup music is recommended.
• Waiver Submission: All studios must sign and submit a waiver on behalf of their dancers prior to the competition. Studios without a signed waiver will not be eligible to participate.
• Media Consent: By agreeing to the Terms & Conditions, participants grant The One Dance Experience permission to use any photos or videos taken at the event for social media, the website, or promotional materials. This includes platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

• Arrival and Check-In: Upon arrival, studio owners and teachers must pick up their event packages.
• Performance Readiness: Dancers must be ready to perform 30 minutes before their scheduled time and report to the ODE Stage Manager four numbers before their routine.
• Performance Order: All routines must perform in the scheduled order. Any exceptions require approval from the ODE backstage manager, and the performance must occur before the category’s end.
• Safety Regulations: 
  • The use of baby powder and other substances is prohibited, except for rosin.
  • No fire, gas, propane, or dry ice.
  • No live animals.
  • No water, liquid, or food on stage.
  • No helium balloons.
  • No fake weapons.
  • No stage markers.
  • No dance studio names on costumes.
• Props:
  • Props must be submitted at registration and take 15 seconds or less to set up.
  • Unlisted or time-consuming props may incur a fee.
  • Need more time? Let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly.
  • Props cannot exceed 9ft in height.
• Backstage Access: Parents are not allowed backstage during the competition.
• Theatre Regulations: Food and drinks are prohibited in theatres unless otherwise stated.
• Studio Responsibility: Studios are accountable for any damages to theatre change rooms. ODE is not responsible for any personal belongings, costumes, or dance apparel left behind.
• Conduct Expectations: Harassment or unruly behavior will not be tolerated and may result in disqualification.
• Video and Photography Policy: Photography and videography are strictly prohibited in the theatre, as professional services are provided. Free downloads of all photos and videos will be available via the Dakiki App.

• Content Guidelines: Any routine with suggestive or inappropriate content will incur a 3-mark deduction and may face disqualification.
• Soloist Qualification: Soloists who do not also perform in a group will not be eligible to qualify for overall & cash awards. They can receive scholarships and qualify for The Final One.
• Judging Finality: All judging results are final and non-negotiable.
• Routine Restrictions: Dancers cannot compete against themselves in the same performance style and category. If a dancer has two routines in the same style, the second must be entered in the next age division unless an alternative category is available.
• Second Attempts: A second performance attempt is permitted only for technical issues, with the discretion of the adjudicators and if time allows.
• Tie-Breaking Procedure: In the event of a tie for overall awards, adjudicators will determine the winning routine at their discretion.
• Award Distribution: Cash awards may be issued by cheque or E-transfer. Credit awards will be sent a promo code to apply at checkout.
• Adjudication Delivery: Video adjudications will be emailed to studios once the event concludes.

Acro: Routine incorporating 50% acrobatic technique and tricks and 50% dance technique.

Breakdance: A high-energy street dance style combining athletic footwork, spins, freezes, and acrobatic moves-often performed to hip-hop music.

Cirque: Routine with a majority of acrobatic and circus technique. This includes canes, contortion, aerial hoop, clowning etc.

Classical Ballet (Demi-Pointe): Traditional ballet technique performed on demi-pointe.

Classical Ballet Variation (Demi-Pointe): Classical solo from repertoire performed on demi-pointe.

Contemporary: Routine demonstrating exploration of ballet training and combines elements of various dance styles, prioritizing expression, fluidity, and versatility in movement.

Contemporary Ballet: Ballet technique fused with contemporary movement and expression. May be performed en pointe or demi-pointe.

Demi-character: Routine using ballet technique to portray a character or narrative.

Street Dance: Routine consisting of hip hop, popping, or any other street dance technique.

Jazz: A high-energy routine incorporating jazz technique including jumps, turns and kicks.

Lyrical: Routine combines ballet and jazz techniques and lyrics/music to express emotion. Balance, control, and extension should be demonstrated.

Modern:Routine diverging from ballet, blends techniques like contraction, release, and improvisation, encompassing styles such as Graham, Cunningham, Horton, and Limón, emphasizing freedom and emotion.

Musical Theatre: Prerecorded vocals with lip-synching and dramatization. Emphasis on theatrics and facial expression.

National/Traditional: Routine rooted in national or cultural dance traditions. (e.g., Chinese Dance, Highland)

Open: This category is for any routine that does not seem appropriate in any of the above listed categories.

Pointe: A routine where 30% or more of the dancers are on pointe or 50% or more of the routine is performed on pointe. This division is to be calculated utilizing overall years of ballet training.

Production: A production can consist of any combination of dance or musical theatre disciplines. There is no age or division for productions. Productions are a minimum of 6 minutes and a maximum of 10 minutes. An extra 5 minutes will be provided for prop set up and take down.

Song & Dance: A routine that involves both live singing and dancing. Pre-recorded vocals are not permitted.

Student Choreography: A routine choreographed by a current student, not an instructor. It can be for themselves or others and highlights young dancers’ creativity and leadership.This category is an open category for dancers performing a routine of any discipline.

Tap: No prerecorded tap sounds permitted.

Music Interpretation: A piece of music will be provided and used for all dancers in the category. Each dancer will have one listen before permoring an improvised routine. No costume is required. Proper dance attire is sufficient. All dancers must be present at the start of the category to hear the music choice. Open genre.

Inclusive Performance:This category is for unique performance situations such as wheelchair dances,  visually or hearing-impaired performers, or other special circumstances not suited to the Open Division For adjudication only. Please contact u s in advance for accessibility needs or special arrangements.

Adult Division: Any routine where the average age of all dancers is 19 or up. Routines may be any dance form. Solo/Duo/Trios – ONE or more dancers aged 19 and over.  Groups – TWO or more dancers aged 19 and over. 

• Execution/Precision
• Technique
• Performance/Stage Presence
• Choreography
• Overall Appearance

Distinction 95-100

Platinum 93.5-94.99

High Gold 90-93.49

Gold 85-89.99

Rising Star Scoring:

Gold 75-85

High Gold 86-100

* Specialty events may vary.

Levels:

• Rising Star – Novice
• Elevate – Level 1
• Core – Level 2
• Elite – Level 3

Please contact us for more information on level breakdowns.

Age Divisions:

• Petite: 4-6 years
• Mini: 7-9 years
• Junior: 10-11 years
• Teen: 12-13
• Intermediate: 14-15 years
• Senior: 16-18 years
• Adult: 19+ years

All ages as of December 31st, 2025.

• Solo/Duo/Trio: 2 min 45 s max.

• Small Group: 4 min max.

• Large Group/Line: 5 min max.

• Production: 10 min max + 5 min set up.

Additional time available for purchase.

Small groups consist of 4-9 dancers.

Large groups consist of 10-16 dancers.

Lines consist of 17+ dancers.

There will be a fee of $25 for every minute over.