COMPETITION INFO

AGE GROUPS

Mini

Ages 6 and under

Petite

Ages 7-9

Junior

Ages 10-12

Teen

Ages 13-15

Senior

Ages 16-19

Adult

Ages 20+

Eligibility

• All competing dancers must be registered through a participating studio for both the convention and competition.
• Teacher workshop registration is not required for dancers to compete.
• Independent entries are not accepted.
• Dancers may compete for only one studio during the Frequency season.
• Professional dancers over the age of 18 may participate in convention classes but are not eligible to compete.
• Registered teachers are not eligible to compete.

Performance Standards

• Dancers should be prepared to perform at least 60 minutes before their scheduled competition time.
• If the competition is running ahead of schedule, performers are expected to be ready to take the stage.
• Entries must perform in the scheduled order unless prior approval is granted by the Stage Manager or Emcee.
• Any intentional manipulation of the schedule may result in disqualification.

Age Appropriate Standards

Frequency prides itself on providing a professional, family-friendly environment where artistry and creativity are celebrated appropriately for all ages. Judges will consider age-appropriate choreography, music, costuming, and performance quality as part of the overall adjudication process. Entries deemed inappropriate may receive a 10-point deduction or disqualification at the judges’ discretion.

The Frequency Stage

Stage Dimensions: 40′ Wide x 32′ Deep

Adjudication

Every routine is evaluated by a panel of three qualified judges. Awards are presented based on the combined judges’ scores:

• Platinum
• Gold
• Silver
• Bronze

All routines receiving Platinum, Gold, or Silver adjudications qualify for the 2027 True Talent National Finals.

Competition Awards

Every competing entry will receive an adjudication award recognizing their achievement and artistry on stage. At Frequency, we celebrate more than scores – we celebrate creativity, teamwork, performance, and the passion that brings dancers together. Amplify Your Artistry.

Performance DIVISIONS

Ballet

• routine consists of classical ballet movements and techniques.

Contemporary

• routine influenced by multiple styles of dance including Jazz, Modern, and Lyrical. The movement is expressive, gestural, and unique in its dynamics.

Hip-Hop

• routine consisting of mostly Hip Hop or Street Style moves characterized by bounces, rocks, krumping, popping, locking, breaking, etc. This style places emphasis on rhythmic isolations and strong musicality.

Jazz

• routine consisting of Jazz technique in which the movements traditionally mimic the sounds, rhythms, and syncopations of the music.

Lyrical

• routine that places an emphasis on expression and connection to the lyrics of a song.

Musical Theatre

• routine choreographed to a song from a Broadway or movie musical using song, dialogue, and/or dance. This form of dance strongly focuses on elements of performance quality, such as connecting with the audience, facial expressions, and/or storytelling.

Open

• routine consisting of multiple or unspecified styles of dance.

Specialty

• routines that fall outside traditional categories including: Acro/Gymnastics, Ethnic/Folk Styles, Novelty, Cultural Fusions, Unique Specialty Acts.

Student Choreography

• routines choreographed by students with minimal assistance from an instructor.

Tap

• routines consisting of Tap technique. No pre-recorded Tap sounds are allowed. Use of pre-recorded Tap sounds will result in a 2-point deduction. Tap shoes must be worn.

Competition Entries

• To be considered a different routine within the same age division, performance division, and competition division, at least 50% of the dancers must be different.
• Studios may attend multiple Frequency regional events. Once an entry receives a Platinum adjudication, it is no longer eligible for Overall High Score Awards at another city and may only compete for adjudication purposes.
• Entries containing more than two gymnastic passes must be entered in the Specialty or Open category. Frequency reserves the right to reclassify entries when necessary.
• Tap sounds recorded within music tracks are prohibited and will result in a 5-point deduction.
• Entries exceeding the designated time limit will receive a 10-point deduction. Time limits are strictly enforced.

Sportsmanship

All competitors, teachers, studio owners, family members and audience members are required to show respect, courtesy and sportsman-like behavior to all competitors, staff, teachers, etc. at all times during the competition. Our aim is to provide an environment where the dancers can enjoy themselves while gaining valuable performance experience and learning the nature of healthy competition. We reserve the right to remove anyone from an event if they are hindering the achievement of any of the above goals.

No air horns, bells, whistles or other noise making devices are allowed.

Critique Only Entries

Studios may enter routines on a non-competitive “Critique Only” basis. Frequency must be notified at the time of registration. Standard entry fees apply.

Music Requirements

• Music uploads must be completed 30 days before the start of the event. A late fee of $100 will be added onto accounts if music is not uploaded by deadline.
• Studios must have a backup copy of each routine available.
• Backup music must be provided on a flash drive.
• Please note that audio files are accepted in MP3 & M4A format only, up to 50 MB each. We recommend MP3 format.