RULES

Some rules have changed! UPDATED for 2025 tour dates!

General Information

Doors will open exactly 45 minutes prior to the first performance time. For the start of the day, please do NOT arrive earlier than 45 minutes as you will be asked to wait outside while the venue and AMP staff prepare for our event. Audience admission is free and the general public is welcomed. For the safety of our dancers and the focus of our judges, NO air horns or noisemakers of any kind are permitted in the audience. We encourage your support but please cheer with your applause and voices only. All participating teachers, dancers and spectators are expected to display good sportsmanship. No food, drinks, or smoking is allowed in the competition performance area or inside the contracted venue.

AMP provides a professional photography and videography service through DanceBUG for all routines. Therefore, NO VIDEO OR FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY are allowed, including on your cellular devices. This is done to protect the rights of the choreographer, maintain the children’s safety, and make it possible for AMP to provide studios with their full media services/packages. It is the responsibility of the studio owner/director to inform their students and parents of the NO Photo/Video rule. If you fail to comply with this rule, you will not be allowed in the auditorium for the remainder of the competition. If you have any trouble receiving your media, please reach out to DanceBUG by emailing Support@dancebug.com.

All contestants grant permission for AMP to use photography and videography of their performances for promotional purposes including advertising, publicity and posting on social media outlets.

Registration

Official online entries must be completed in their entirety. Studio owners/directors must check the release clause at checkout. ENTRIES MUST BE received in our office 45 days prior to the event date to receive discounts and promotional offers. AMP does not hold competition during school hours, therefore we do have a “sell-out” number. Entries will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis and will be limited to the amount of performance time available. A late fee will be applied after the deadline date. No entries are considered “registered” until paid in full, nor will any entries be allowed to take the stage without full payment. Any routines not paid 7 days prior to the start of competition, will be removed from the schedule. Only Visa, Master Card, or EFT Debit transactions will be accepted. The deadline for category/competition changes is 2 weeks prior to the event date. No changes will be accepted after this date without a late fee applied (please refer to “Performance Rules” for more details regarding this late fee). AMP reserves the right to add additional competition days or move the competition location due to unforeseen circumstances. AMP also reserves the right to cancel any event that does not meet the minimal number of acceptable entries. In the event this should occur, all entry fees will be refunded. There will be NO refunds on entries after the minimum numbers of entries have been received and the competition has been confirmed. If AMP has to cancel due to natural disaster/weather, AMP will reschedule the event within the same season. If you are unable to attend the newly scheduled event, AMP will refund 50% of your fees, OR you may choose to receive 100% credit for a future event. Credit must be used within 3 years of receiving. No student may compete under two or more studios. Failure to comply could result in immediate disqualification and loss of privileges to participate in future AMP Competitions.

Categories

Solos (limit of 2 per dancer), Duet/Trios (duets and trios will compete against each other), Small Group (4-9 performers), Large Group (10-17 performers), Super Line (18-24 performers), Production (25 or more performers).

Time Limits

All Solos and Duet/Trios must be limited to 2:45 minutes. Small Groups must be limited to 3:00 minutes. All Large Groups and Super Lines must be limited to 4:00 minutes. Production performances have a 7:00 minute time limit for performance and a combined total of 4:00 minutes for set-up and removal of props. Extended time for routine length is available (up to 1:00 minute for a fee of $5.00 per performer) for Solos, Duet/Trios, Small Groups, Large Groups, Super Lines and Productions. Prop set-up time is available for purchase ahead of time through registration – this is for props that can not be set up by the performers themselves or require additional time to set up. Routines that exceed the time limits at competition can choose to pay a late fee at the check-in desk OR receive a 1-point deduction per minute over the limit. This applies to routine length and Prop Set Up time.

Dancers are expected to perform in the order published, unless the Competition Director grants special permission or it has been pre-approved and documented by the office administration prior to the competition. AMP does NOT provide time or space for rehearsing routines. Unauthorized delays of the performance schedule will result in a half-point deduction per judge. Dances not performing within 10 acts after their scheduled performance time will not be eligible for Overall High Point Awards, unless it has been pre-approved by the office administration or by the Competition Director. An act that re-performs will only be re-adjudicated if it experiences a technical error on AMP’s behalf. A tentative schedule with the performance time of each act will be available online. Contestants in the first 10 acts competing should arrive in full costume including hair and make-up and be ready to perform. All other competing dancers must be ready to perform one hour prior to their scheduled performance time.

**If the competition is running ahead of schedule, dancers are expected to perform in order of the program and / or when called upon backstage. AMP will not allow the competition to run more than 30 minutes ahead of schedule.

Music

All music must be submitted online via “DanceBug” no later than 3 weeks from the event date. Please bring a back-up flash drive with all competition entries in order of performance. No profanity or strong vulgar content of any kind will be tolerated at any AMP Dance Competition. AMP reserves the right to disqualify any routines from Overall High Points if there are concerns about the appropriateness of music. If a lyric sounds like profanity, or is interpreted as such, it will be disqualified regardless of the exact word used – when in doubt, please edit out.

Age Divisions

Age Divisions are as follows: Bitty: 3-6 Mini: 7-9. Junior: 10-12. Teen: 13-15. Senior: 16-19. Adult: 20+. AGE DIVISIONS ARE DETERMINED AS OF JANUARY 1ST CUT OFF. Bitties must be entered in our NEW BEAT Level ONLY. If you have a Bitty age routine that would like to try our LOW FREQUENCY category, they must age up to Mini to be eligible for High Point Overalls. Our Adult category is for adults looking to perform and receive Feedback from our judges – No Overall High Points will be given in the Adult age division. The average age will determine the age group for Duet/Trios, Groups, Super Lines and Productions. When determining the average age of an act, always drop the decimal. The average age of each entry must not drop more than one age division below the age of the oldest dancer in the entry, regardless of the actual average age. Example; an entry contains dancers ranging in age 10-17, the entry may not compete younger than the Teen Category (one division younger than the oldest dancer; 17). This does not apply to Productions – Average age will determine where all productions are placed. Routines are allowed to “age up” (compete in an age category higher than the average age) at the teacher’s/studio owner’s discretion.

Levels and Guidelines

UP BEAT LEVEL: This level is designed to serve, uplift, and empower dancers with special needs and developmental disabilities. It is a category for those stars who want to smile BIG, shine bright, and be part of a team. Whether you are beginning your dance journey or are more advanced, this “UP Beat” level provides an accessible and safe environment for YOU to grow, develop, and thrive. AMP is committed to building the best community and the UP Beat Level will focus on the dancers’ strengths and talents within the special needs community through art, music and passion!

NEW BEAT LEVEL: This level is designed for our dancers who are just beginning their dance training and competitive journey. This category is STRICTLY for beginner dancers who train at a recreational level. Though this is at the discretion of the studio owner/director, AMP reserves the right to bump routines to the next level if they feel they do not belong in the NEW BEAT division. We want this category to be fair and non-intimidating to our new dancers, and encourage a healthy introduction to the competitive experience. If two or more judges feel the routine should be bumped up, it will be moved to the Low Frequency Level. A studio representative will be called down to be made aware of the change prior to awards. 75% of your participating dancers in group/line numbers must be New Beat level dancers in order to compete in this category. No High Frequency level dancers are allowed to compete in New Beat Level dances.

LOW FREQUENCY LEVEL: This competitive level is for your intermediate dancers who have had some, but minimal competitive experience, and should be determined at the discretion of the studio owner/director. This level is for the dancer who only trains up to 6 hours a week; however this is just a suggested guideline and age and technical ability should be taken highly into consideration. For example, if your student only trains 5 hours a week but is executing triple pirouettes, power acro skills, advanced flexibility, jump and turn sequences, then your dancer should be in our High Frequency division regardless of hours trained in a week. 75% of your participating dancers in group/line numbers must be Low Frequency level dancers in order to compete in this category.

HIGH FREQUENCY LEVEL: This competitive level is for your advanced dancers and should be determined at the discretion of the studio owner/director. This level is for the experienced competitor or a dancer who trains over 6 hours a week. Age and technical ability should be taken into consideration. Routines can always choose to compete up.

*For our competitive levels, in the event we do not have enough entries in a particular level/age category, then Low & High Frequency will be combined to provide ALL participating studios with a competitive experience and diverse awards.

Style of Dance

* There are no restrictions on the number of “tricks” or “acro moves” allowed in your routine regardless of style.

BALLET/POINTE – Performance should contain ballet technique incorporating classic movements. Ballet or Pointe shoes must be worn. Barefoot dancing is NOT allowed in this style.

JAZZ – Performance must consist of jazz technique; splits and floor rolls are permissible.

TAP – Performance consisting primarily of tap technique. Tap shoes must be worn.

LYRICAL – Performance consisting of dynamic emotion and expressive movements demonstrated with fluidity, balance, extension and control. ALL LYRICAL ROUTINES MUST CONTAIN LYRICS IN THE MUSIC. All routines performing to instrumental music will be moved to the contemporary or open category.

CONTEMPORARY – Performance that combines both lyrical and modern movements.

MUSICAL THEATRE – Performance featuring any style of dance from a Broadway Musical, Movie, or Television Show.

HIP HOP/FUNK – Performance demonstrating street style of jazz that incorporates hip-hop and/or funk choreography. Acrobatics and break dancing are permissible.

OPEN – Performance demonstrating any dance style or combination of dance styles.

ACRO DANCE – Performance must consist of classical dance technique with acrobatic elements. This category is for unique choreography which blends dance and acrobatics, and its use of acrobatics in a dance context. No “3-highs”, no “Blinds” front and back allowed. 

SPECIALTY – Performance highlighting special techniques or unique dance styles such as acro/gymnastics, ballroom, clogging, cultural/ethnic styles, novelty, etc. Note that all routines are judged based on the execution of core dance elements such as technique, movement quality, storytelling, staging, performance etc.

PRODUCTION – Performance must utilize at least 25 dancers incorporating any style of dance that portrays a theme or storyline throughout. Production performances have a 7:00 minute time limit for performance and given a maximum of 4:00 minutes total for set-up and removal of props. NO EXCEPTIONS (unless extended time was purchased).

PERFORMANCE RULES

Dancers must perform in their scheduled order unless permission is given for costume changes. Competition will not be delayed for performers or teachers rehearsing numbers. A half-point per judge will be deducted from acts that do not comply. Dancers who do not perform within 10 acts of their scheduled time will be ineligible for Overall High Point awards. The only exception to this rule is if the AMP office administration has prior notification or the Competition Director has pre-approved the delay. Dancers and teachers agree to comply and communicate with backstage staff to ensure a smooth and timely competition experience for all participants.

Dancers must perform their ENTIRE act on the stage. Performers may not enter or exit the stage from anywhere other than the wings. Starting or ending the performance in the audience is also not permitted. Jumping off the front of the stage is not permitted. Running in front of the judges’ table or approaching the panel of judges is also not allowed. For safety purposes, props and performers should never come within 1 foot from the edge of the stage.

Special stage or house lighting will not be provided for any performance. If the stage is littered during an act, please be ready to clean it up immediately following the performance. AMP is not responsible for providing a rehearsal space. Rehearsing on stage prior to the start of a competition or after the completion of a competition day is strictly prohibited. At no time are teachers, parents or dancers allowed to practice, rehearse or meet on stage.

Any changes made after the FINAL schedule is released will incur a $50 fee per change. This includes changes made at the event. If not paid prior to or at the event, the routine will not be eligible for Overall High Point Awards. These include:

• New Music file submitted on site
• Change of level
• Change of age division
• Change of division type
• Change of category (this includes if AMP needs to change from Lyrical to Contemporary due to our “lyrics” rule. All Lyrical entries must contain lyrics. If this is moved at the competition, this fee will apply.)
• Addition of prop set-up/take-down time
• Addition or deletion of performers (this only applies if the category is affected, i.e. a small group changes to a Trio or a small group changes to a large group)

*By not abiding by the previously stated rules, this may result in a deduction from each judge.

SAFETY

AMP and the hosting facility are not responsible for any kind of damage, loss or injury sustained by contestants or spectators or their property while attending any area of the venue premises. Dancers competing take certain inherent risks when involved in any physical activity. Participation in this competition indicates the acceptance of such risks by the performers. Therefore, upon registration to any AMP event, it is agreed that participants will not hold AMP Dance LLC, its directors or employees responsible for injuries that occur or illnesses that may be contracted during the competition event. Studio Owner/Directors agree to adhere to the Release of Liability Clause which is completed during the registration process.Due to AMP being a public event, AMP encourages all attendees to:

• Supervise children at all times
• Be responsible for personal belongings
• Be aware of surroundings
• Inform an AMP employee of unsuitable or suspicious activity

FAMILY FRIENDLY

AMP realizes that dance and art cross a broad range of styles, taste and appropriateness. However, AMP is a family event and we are determined to set some sort of standard to make sure inappropriate routines are penalized or disqualified. At a minimum, these routines should not be rewarded with the highest scores of the competition. To handle this, AMP has set up a “Family Viewing” system. It’s simple: Each judge can voice “This routine might not be AMP friendly”. For each judge that voices this opinion, there will be a 1-point deduction from a routine’s total score. So, if two judges check this box, a routine’s score would drop 2 whole points. If all three judges check the box, the routine will be disqualified. Again, this is not a perfect science. AMP’s opinion might be too relaxed for some and too strict for others. We can only do what we think is right. In the event that a routine is deducted points due to appropriateness, a studio representative will be asked to come speak with the Show Director for further discussion. This is a work in progress but we feel that it’s a step in the right direction. As always, we welcome your feedback!

PROP RULES

Dancers should pre-set their own props and remove them after their dance whenever possible. During registration, studio owners must select and pay for additional time to set a prop if the dancer(s) cannot set it on their own. If additional set-up time is required at the event and was not previously paid for, the routine can choose to pay a 50% increased on-site fee or receive a 1 point deduction for every minute over time. No form of liquid, gel, aerosol, glitter, powder may be used that would affect the dancing surface. If the stage is littered during an act, please be ready to clean it up immediately following the performance. When sliding props or moving scenery, you must use sliders or other precautionary tools to not damage the marley dance floor. If marley floor is damaged beyond repair, the studio owner/director will be responsible for its replacement. Hanging backdrops and special lighting requests may not be used. Fire, swords, knives, and use of live animals are prohibited. Helium balloons are only allowed if they are weighted and if permitted by the venue. If the weight of a prop exceeds the maximum weight limit for a built stage, or the Competition Director feels the weight of the prop is a safety hazard, the dancers will not be allowed to use the prop. Props must be loaded in and out of the venue on the same day they will be used. Storing props in the wings or backstage is not allowed. AMP will not be responsible for props left overnight or unattended. Any special request for the assembling of props must be discussed with the Competition Director upon arrival to the venue. All props backstage MUST be labeled with the studio name for identification purposes. *Any violation of the above rules in the routine being ineligible for any high score awards and will be announced for adjudication ONLY.

JUDGING

You spoke, we listened. One judge on the panel is for Teachers and Studio Owners only. This judge is there to dig a little deeper into choreography, costuming, content, staging and training tips for the Teachers ONLY! We hope that this will provide the teachers with feedback to continue growth from the teacher side of things. The other two judges will be speaking to the dancers to help with routine cleanliness, technique advice, performance tips and timing. These comments will always stay constructive and positive for the students to grow and learn from.

A predetermined panel of judges will judge contestants, and all entrants agree that all decisions of the judges are final. All entrants agree that the time, manner and method of judging the competition will be solely within the discretion of the Directors and Producers of AMP Dance Competition. All score sheets will be available to studio owners/directors only. Each performance will be evaluated on the following five elements: 1.) Technique – 40 points total 2.) Stage Presence – 25 points total 3.) Choreography – 20 points total 4.) Timing and Music – 10 points total 5.) Difficulty – 5 points total There is a maximum of 100 points per judge. Ties will not be broken for the general competition awards. However, all ties will be broken for Overall High Point Awards by using the Technique score first, Performance score second, and “judge’s choice” third. Judges’ score sheets and critiques are confidential and are given out to studio owners and teachers ONLY. All Score Sheets and critiques can be received through the AMP registration/studio page.

General Awards

UP BEAT LEVEL, NEW BEAT LEVEL, LOW FREQUENCY LEVEL, and HIGH FREQUENCY LEVEL: Each act that performs will receive a score from a panel of three predetermined judges at Regional competitions. New Beat dances will receive an adjudication award of Extreme Voltage, High Voltage, Voltage or Amp. Low and High Frequency & Up Beat dances will receive an Adjudication award of Blown Speaker, Extreme Voltage, High Voltage, Voltage, and Amp. Here at AMP, we do give out ALL adjudication levels in hopes that this, along with your judges critiques, will help you improve on your dance journey.

All routines will receive an adjudication announcement and an award. Placement for adjudication awards will reflect the range of talent at each event. From there, a “Category Winner” will be announced in each category for solos and duo/trios, or a “Best in Style” for group numbers. Overall high point awards will be rewarded in the solo, duet/trio, small group, large group, super line/production divisions. A routine in a very high scoring category could easily make the top ten overalls though they were not announced as a category winner or Best in Style winner.

OVERALL HIGH POINT AWARDS: High Point Emblems will be presented to the top scoring Solo, Duet/Trio, Small Group, Large Group and Super Line/Production in Up Beat, New Beat, Low Frequency, and High Frequency levels. AMP Cash will be awarded to the highest scoring solo, duet/trio, small group, large group, and super line/production in each age division. A minimum of 5 entries in each division is required for AMP Cash awards to be given to the overall winner. All AMP cash will be applied to your studios registration for the following year. AMP Cash can NOT be used for lobby merchandise. Overall High Point awards will be divided into 5 age divisions: Bitty 3 to 6, Mini 7 to 9, Junior 10 to 12, Teen 13 to 15, Senior 16 to 19. The exact same Soloist or Duet/Trio contestants may place only once in the Overall High Point Awards. All acts must perform on the same day OR before their awards ceremony to be eligible for Overall High Point Awards. Any act which does not compete during or prior to their scheduled awards segment, will only receive their general award. Should an act drop below the minimum number requirement for the group size during the competition, it will compete for adjudication only and is ineligible for Overall High Point Awards. Should an act drop below the minimum number requirement for the group size after the program is printed and AMP is notified before the start of the competition, the act may compete in the appropriate division and time for eligibility.

The following High Point Awards will be given…

• A Top 1 High Point is given if there are 1-4 routines in that total category (Level, Age, Group Size)
• A Top 3 High Point is given if there are 5-8 routines in that total category (Level, Age, Group Size)
• A Top 5 High Point is given if there are 9-13 routines in that total category (Level, Age, Group Size)
• A Top 10 High Point is given if there are 14-29 routines in that total category (Level, Age, Group Size)
• A Top 20 High Point is given if there are 30 or more routines in that category (Level, Age, Group Size)

Additional Awards

AMP SCHOLARSHIP– This scholarship is presented to one or more outstanding soloist. Each winner receives a full solo entry scholarship to attend any AMP event the following consecutive year only. The AMP Scholarship is non-transferrable and cannot be redeemed for studio credit.

COSTUME AWARD – The judges will select a winner based on design, originality, fit & routine appropriateness. This will be in the solo category, duet/trio category, and groups/super lines/ productions category.

DIFFICULTY AWARD – The judges will select a winner based on the execution of difficulty in technique and choreography. This will be in the solo category, duet/trio category, and groups/super lines/productions category.

CHOREOGRAPHY AWARD – This award will be presented to the choreographer who has displayed exceptional choreography with their solo, duet/trio, group, super line or production performances. The dances with the most nominations by the panel of judges will be deemed the winner of this award.

MOST ENTERTAINING AWARD – This award will be chosen by the panel of judges and presented to the Solo, Duet/Trio, Group and/or Line deemed to be most entertaining.

TECHNIQUE AWARD – This award will be chosen by the panel of judges and presented to the Solo, Duet/Trio, Group and/or Line deemed to showcase outstanding technical ability.

WELL ROUNDED STUDIO AWARD – Here at AMP, we want to acknowledge those studios who are truly providing their dancers with a full rounded education and training their students in multiple genres of dance. In order to qualify for this award, a studio must perform group routines in at least 5 of the following styles: Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical/Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Open, Specialty, Hip Hop, Tap. All studios who qualify for this award will receive recognition with our colorful Record Award. The studio that participates in group routines with at least 5 different styles of dance and has the highest average score will also receive the Well-Rounded Studio trophy and AMP Cash. We will award an Up Beat, New Beat, Low Frequency, and High Frequency Well Rounded Studio Award.

CULTURE AWARD – NEW THIS YEAR, as each studio competes, you will have the chance to dance for a children’s charity of your choice through our “Culture of Caring” Award. The Culture Award will be awarded to the studio we felt brought love, positivity and kindness to our event and their competitors. Not only will they win a beautiful trophy for their studio, but they will also win our largest cash prize to a charity of their choice. The charity must be a children’s charity and an officially registered non-profit organization. If the awarded studio does not have a specific charity they would like to donate to, AMP will donate to Sunshine Angels, a nonprofit committed to providing life changing guidance for foster children on behalf of AMP and the winning studio. This provides an opportunity for every student to use their skill and love for dance to better their community and directly impact someone’s life.