Dance Categories & Definitions:

Acro, Adagio, Ballet, Demi/Character, Contemporary, Ethnic, HipHop, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Musical Theater, Open, Pointe, Production, Song & Dance, Tap & Vocal

• Acro: Rountine using controlled moves mainly consisting of acrobatic tricks such as walkovers, limbers, handstands, illusions, etc. The routine must contain dance steps and choreography.
• Adagio: Routine containing partner work and/or overhead lifts.
• Ballet: Routines which must include classical ballet technique, ballet slippers only.
• Demi/Character: Routine which portrays a recognizable character with the use
  of props. Can be performed in any form of dance.
• Ethnic: Routine using ethnic style of dance, such as Highland, Celtic, Irish Jig, etc.
• Hip Hop: Routines choreographed using more than 50% hip hop technique such
  as funk, free-style or music video type dances.
• Jazz: Routine consisting of jazz technique may contain a maximum of 2 acrobatic tricks total - a trick is classified as a movement where
  the hips pass over the head. Any routine exceeding 2 tricks must be placed
  in Acro or Open.
• Lyrical: Routine must tell the story of the music while demonstrating emotion, balance, technique, extension and control
• Modern: Routine must execute creativity and expression of music through
  modern technique
• Musical Theatre: Routine consisting of a Broadway or movie musical song.
  Must portray the feeling of the lyrics and music through the use of any
  form of dance. Lyp-Synching is permitted.
• Open: Routine that does not fit into any other dance category, up to only 3 acro tricks allowed, any routine exceeding 3 ticks should be placed in Acro.
• Pointe: Routine must consist of pointe shoes using classical music.
• Production: Routine incorporating any form of dance with a theme or story which
  is portrayed throughout the dance using formations and/or
  rhythm changes. Please notify if routine exceed 10 minutes
• Song & Dance: Routine must contain both singing and any form of dance. Accompaniment must be on pre-recorded tape.
• Tap: A routine consisting of tap technique. No pre-recorded tap sounds
  in the music & must not contain more than 2 acro tricks.
• *NEW* Contemporary - Routines that are interpretive using contemporary style dance, modern dance technique and movement with no limitation, while incorporating balance, control and extensions. No Acro tricks allowed.
• Vocal: Routine must consist primarily of vocals.

**Tricks are defined as 360 degree rotations when the preformers feet are above their head.**

*NEW*
Pre-Competitive Category, The pre-competitive category is for dancers who dance 6 hours or less a week.This includes all rehearsal time. All members of a solo/duet/trio/quartet/group dancing in the pre-competitve category should have NO more than 6 hours of training per week. Seperate overalls will be awarded for this category.

Novice Category, A Novice soloist/duets/trios/quartet may have competed before in a group
or line, but never in any number with less than 5 dancers. A Novice group/line must consist
of 75% novice dancers, who have never competed before. A new dance form performed by an experienced soloist, duet/trio/quartet group or line is NOT Novice. A Novice dancer is classified Novice throughout the entire 2010 season. The maximum age for Novice is 16 years.
Novice entries are not eligible for Star Beat Overall awards.

Pro/Am (Professional), A “Professional” is defined as a person who choreographs and conducts class full time and is paid for, performing and/or teaching as a major source of income. Performers meeting the above criteria are classified as “Professional” and must
enter the Pro/Am Division only. Pro/Am Groups are not eligible for High Score Overall Award.
A dancer who teaches, in exchange of classes is not classified as a professional.
This is the only performance category in which Professionals may dance.

Independent, A Contestant with no affiliation with a Studio, this category is not eligible
for Overall Awards.

Workshops, Star Beat offers workshops at every venue, pending entries.