Eligibility

• All competitors must have:
  • A valid Division/Category Pass
  • A valid Competitor Full Pass

⚠ Only the director of a team/school may contact the organizers to resolve issues with incorrect division/category registration.
Dancers or parents may not contact organizers directly, unless the dancer is independent and not affiliated with a team or school.

Divisions

• Salsa
• Bachata
• Hip-Hop

Categories

• Junior: Ages 9–12
• Teen: Ages 13–17

Subcategories

• Soloist
• Couples
• Teams

Levels

• Amateur
  Dancers who dance for enjoyment or as a hobby. Dancing is not a primary source of income or a professional career.

• Intermediate
  Dancers with a solid understanding of basic dance fundamentals who are developing more complex skills, technique, and flexibility. Dancing is not a primary source of income or a professional career.

Music Submission

• Upload music via the registration form on the Podium Website.
• A backup flash drive must be brought, containing only one song in MP3 format.
• All music should be tested on a different device than the one it was created on to ensure compatibility and minimize playback issues.

File Naming Format

Each song must be named exactly as follows:
DanceStyle_Category_CompetitorName_TeamOrSchool

Examples:

• Salsa-Amateur-Mary-StarsAcademyDC
• Bachata-Intermediate-Mary-StarsAcademyDC

❗ Failure to follow these instructions may result in a 10% deduction from the final score.

Music Guidelines & Time Limits

Music must be at least 80% aligned with the chosen dance style (Salsa, Bachata, or Hip-Hop).

Durations (including entrances & exits):

• Soloists: 1:30 – 1:45 minutes
• Couples: 1:30 – 2:00 minutes
• Teams: 2:00 – 3:00 minutes

Scoring Criteria

• Timing – 20%
• Musicality – 15%
• Technique – 15%
• Difficulty – 15%
• Partnering/Connection – 15%
• Choreography – 10%
• Overall Presentation – 10%

1. Timing (20%)

• Salsa: Must follow 1-2-3, 5-6-7 structure. Break on 1 or 2 but must remain consistent.
• Bachata: Must follow 8-beat structure (3 steps + tap). Break “On 1” or “On 2”. Inconsistent timing leads to deductions.
• Hip-Hop: Must follow rhythm/tempo precisely, hitting beats, snares, and drops in time.

2. Musicality (15%)

• Creative interpretation of music using:
  • Patterns & transitions
  • Footwork & shines
  • Hits & breaks
  • Tricks & dynamic changes

3. Technique (15%)

Evaluated on:

• Balance & body control
• Clarity of weight transfer
• Precision in foot placement & lines
• Partner dancing: grounded movement, clear lead/follow signals, authentic style

4. Difficulty (15%)

• Number/complexity of turns
• Intricacy of shine sections
• Tricks, dips, drops, flares, etc.
• Athletic elements (jumps, kicks, extensions)
• Note: Credit only for successfully executed movements.

5. Partnering / Connection (15%)

• Lead/follow dynamics
• Synchronicity in side-by-side sections
• Awareness & interaction between partners

6. Choreography (10%)

• Originality & creativity
• Reflects music
• Uses stage space effectively
• Creative transitions & turn patterns
• Highlights musical accents

7. Overall Presentation (10%)

• Costuming & grooming
• Showmanship & stage presence
• Professionalism & sportsmanship

Performance Procedures

Stage Timing

• 20 seconds max to get into position before music starts
• 20 seconds max to exit after music ends
• Entrances/exits with choreography count as part of performance time

Costume

• Required for all routines
• Must be tasteful & cover private areas with non-transparent material

Props

• Allowed but included in 30-second setup/exit window
• Entrances/exits with props that include choreography count toward routine time

General Rules

• Partner routines must consist of one male and one female
• Duos must consist of two males or two females
• Competitors must behave respectfully & professionally
• Unsportsmanlike behavior may result in disqualification or ban

Schedule

• All schedules are subject to change

Competitors must:

• Be in the ballroom 30 minutes prior to division
• Be in on-deck area at least 2 routines before their own
• Events will not be delayed for late arrivals

Minimum Entry Requirements

• Events with fewer than 3 entries may be canceled or combined
• Events with fewer than 3 entries may have reduced prize money

Registration & Payment

• Completed PODIUM online registration form
• Signed waiver (if under 18)
• Full payment (Competition Division + Competitor Pass)

✅ Entries are only complete when all three are submitted.

Payment Information

• Registration Deadline: June 30, 2026
• No personal/studio checks at the event
• Late payments must be in Visa or cash at Registration Desk

Cancellation & Refund Policy

• Credits toward future events may be considered in emergencies (before start of event)
• No substitutions for canceled entries
• No refunds or exchanges on general admission tickets
• Organizers may allow changes to entries at their discretion
• No competitor substitution once event begins

Liability & Media Release

• Organizers/venue not responsible for lost/stolen items or injuries
• Attendees assume all risks by attending/participating
• Registration = agreement to waiver & release policies

Media Policy

• Event will be photographed and/or filmed
• Attendance = consent to use of image for promotional purposes
• All media rights reserved by Vivelo Competitions and Baltimore Dance Festival

Final Notes

• Judges’ decisions are final and non-negotiable
• Harassing or confronting judges is prohibited
• Organizers may reject future entries from rule violators