Rules and Regulations

Introduction

First of all, we at FLY are excited to welcome you to our flight! We are committed to keeping dancers, teachers, and parents at the forefront of all we do, from running an on time competition to maintaining a safe, friendly environment.

Before we get started, please read the following carefully. Failure to comply may result in point deductions and/or disqualification from competition.

Event Waiver

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE WAIVER FOR YOUR DANCER

Event waivers are now digital for your convenience. Please send this link to all dancers participating in a FLY event. A waiver needs to be submitted at least 22 days before your event to prevent any delays in the competition schedule delivery to your studio.

Payments, Schedules & Refunds

Entry fees must be made 30 days before an event to keep any discounts active and avoid delays in getting a schedule.

Late fees on complete registration start 15 days before an event if fees aren't 100% paid by then.

Routines removed from registration once a schedule starts being created are subject to a $20 fee per occurrence.

A medical excuse is exempt with a doctor's note.

A tentative schedule is sent to all studios with settled balances and confirmed waivers approximately 3 weeks before your event.

All music must be uploaded to receive a revised schedule approximately 2 weeks before your event.

All scheduling requests must be made in writing to FlyDanceCompetition@gmail.com 30 days or more before an event. Any requests made after that time may not be possible. If a routine is performed out of the originally scheduled session, it will be for adjudication only.

Edits and additions past a final schedule could result in adjudication-only routines.

Bumping a routine down in level past a final schedule will make that routine ineligible for high-score awards.

Judges can bump a routine up in level if they feel the routine could have been performed at a higher level.

All payments made to FLY Dance Competition are non-refundable, no matter how early a payment is made. The only exception for refunds is if an event is canceled. If an event is canceled, a full refund will be issued. Studios have 30 days to claim a refund after being contacted by Fly Dance Competition. Unclaimed refunds are converted to FLYmiles after that with a bonus 10% in credit added. Credit is irreversible.

Safety

Safety is our number one priority at FLY. However, competition dancers take on inherent risks when participating in any physical activity. Participation in FLY Dance Competition indicates acceptance of these risks; thus, it is agreed that all participants and spectators will not hold FLY Dance Competition, nor any of its staff, liable for any accidents, Illness, injuries, or theft of any kind.

To do your part, we ask that you supervise any children in your care. We ask that you be responsible for your belongings.

For the safety of our performers, no photography, no flash photography and no videography is permitted during any competition routines.

Improv and Awards are the only time video and photo is allowed.

If you see anything suspicious or unsuitable, please let a FLY staff member know immediately.

Studios are responsible for their dancers' actions during the competition. Dancers shall never change in public areas or areas not designated as a changing area.

Title

The title competition is an opportunity for your dancer to compete against the best of the best from that event within their level and age group. Title competition takes place at the same time as the dancer's solo performance.

2025 Regional Title Winners and Runner-Ups earn a varying scholarship toward Nationals Master Classes and Nationals Opening Number performance!
- Title Winner: Free Master Classes at Nationals and Free Nationals Opening Number performance
- 1st & 2nd Runner-Up: 50% off Master Classes at Nationals and 50% off Nationals Opening Number performance
- To redeem: register the dancer for the 2025 FLY Nationals for your choice then let us know the name of the dancer, your studio name, and what event the prize was earned at via email to FlyDanceCompetition@gmail.com.

There is no limit to how many solos can also enter into title competition. Title competition is offered to First Time Flyer, Business Class, and First Class levels and one will be given out to each age division (Mini, Petite, Junior, Teen, Senior) as well.

The title score will be an independent score from the solo score and will be out of a total of 50 points and a combined score out of 150. The highest-scoring title in each age division above and level will be awarded. The Title score will be added to the routine score for a combined score of up to 450 points.

Title is an additional cost to a solo.

Spectators

FLY Dance Competition is a public event. We never have any ticket fees for the audience. Please adhere to our no food and beverage policy inside the auditorium, unless otherwise noted at the venue. Most venues do allow food in the lobby and dressing rooms but please have your dancers clean up around them before leaving. For the safety of our performers, no flash photography or videography is permitted by any spectator.

Video Critiques

At FLY, we know how important video critiques are for dancers and staff alike. That’s why they’re included with every entry. Each routine will be judged by three separate judges, whose critiques will be recorded on individual tracks.

All video critiques will be uploaded to the studio’s account within 3 business days of the event. Video critiques may be downloaded for future review.

Photo and Video

FLY Dance Competition will have a professional photographer & videographer present at every event. Images and videos of your routines will be available for purchase after the event at media.acutabovela.com . You may also preview media before purchase.

Special Studio Offer: Receive all photos & videos from all routines for a small fee per dancer. All dancers must participate in the offer to qualify at the special rate. This will be added to the registration page of the website or can be removed entirely by contacting us.

If you accept the offer, A Cut Above The Rest Productions will email your studio a shareable link with download access to all of your studio media in approx. 2.5-3.5 weeks from the event. The link is sent to the email that received Fly Schedules.

Entry Fees

Entry Types

Solos (Single Performer)

Duos/Trios (2-3 Performers)

Small Group (4-9 Performers)

Large Group (10-19 Performers)

Line (20+ Performers)

Production* (20+ Performers)

* = Production routines must have a storyline, plot or narrative throughout, like that of a film, book, play, etc. to them.

Age Divisions

FLY is pleased to offer the following categories:

Acro
Ballet

Character

Clogging
Contemporary

Hip Hop

Jazz
Lyrical

Modern
Musical Theatre

Open

Pom

Pointe

Special Flyers with Special Needs
Specialty (Traditional/Cultural Routines)

Tap

Vocal (One Wireless Microphone Provided)

Note:

Specialty category is reserved for Traditional/Cultural routines showing dance from a culture or tradition.

Any acts with more than 3 Acro tricks should be considered in the Acro or Open category*.

(*= Hip-Hop & Specialty are allowed any number of Gym/Acro tricks.)

At FLY Dance Competition, the age divisions are as follows:

Mini: 6 and under
Petite: 7-8
Junior: 9-11

Teen: 12-14

Senior: 15-18

Adult: 19+

The age division for acts with multiple dancers will be decided as such: add up the age of all the dancers, then divide by the number of dancers in the routine. Drop the decimal point, and do not round up.

Performance Time Limits

Solo - 3 minute limit

Duet/Trio - 4 minute limit

Small & Large Groups - 5 minute limit

Line: 8 minute limit

Production: 8 minute limit

Those routines exceeding their allotted time may be deducted 5 points overall. Extended performance time is available (up to 1:00 minute for a fee of $5.00 per performer) for Small Groups, Large Groups, Lines, and Productions.

Classes of Competition

Please double check your level requirements for 2025. We want to keep everything fair and make sure everyone is in the right division.

FLY is pleased to offer three divisions. Please place your dancers in the appropriate level to have a fun and fair competition

First Time Flyer — students taking approximately 1-3 hours of classes per week. This is the more recreational division of FLY. If performing in more than 1 solo, the dancer must be moved up to Business Class. To keep things fair at FLY, a first time flyer dancer should not be in more than 4 routines.

Examples of basic skills and movements allowed in First Time Flyer include single or double pirouettes, grand jeté, saut de chat, front and side battements, any basic tumbling skills including cartwheels, handstands, front walkovers, and somersaults, basic tap skills including shuffles, heel/toe and toe heel combinations, flaps, and ball changes.

Business Class — students taking approximately 4-6 hours of classes per week. This intermediate level is meant for dancers who are not beginners.

Examples of the basic skills and movements allowed in Business Class include the First Time Flyer skills in addition to double or triple pirouettes, switch leaps, reverse leaps, single leg hold turns, fouetté turns, á la seconde turns, intermediate tumbling skills such as back walkovers, aerials, back handsprings, basic tumbling passes, intermediate tap vocabulary of pullbacks, wings, and time steps demonstrating clear use of dynamics and rhythm.

First Class — students taking more than 7+ hours of classes per week. This is the more advanced level meant for more experienced dancers.

Examples of the skills and movements that would classify a routine in First Class include multiple pirouettes, consecutive fouetté or á la seconde turns followed by multiple pirouettes or other advanced turning sequences, switch leaps with varying intricacies, multiple leg hold turns, advanced tumbling skills such as fulls, layouts, back tucks, and tumbling passes, and advanced tap vocabulary demonstrating a clear understanding of timing, rhythm, syncopation, and dynamics, outstanding syncopation and rhythm.

Hours practicing routines or privates also count towards total hours. We want to keep the First Time Flyer division for more recreational dancers that are not ready for the intermediate levels.

How routine levels are determined

Each level is assigned a point value in our registration system (1, 2 or 3).

A tie in the points system will make the routine the higher level of the two.

The routine level will be determined by the highest dancer level combined points

Example:

A small group with 4 First Time Flyer Dancers (4 points) and 2 Business Class Dancers (4 Points) would be a tie in our points system and therefore be assigned the Business Class level.

A small group with 3 First Time Flyer Dancers (3 Points) and 1 Business Class dancer (2 Points) would be assigned First Time Flyer level for that routine as that level has the most points (3).

and,

A small group with 2 First Time Flyer dancers (2 Points), 1 Business Class dancer (2 Points), and 1 First Class dancer (3 Points) would be assigned the First Class level as that level has the most points (3).

Props

Props are permitted at FLY Dance Competition. Please be courteous will all props. Do not leave them backstage when not in use, defined as more than one (1) hour prior to or after the routine. Props must be able to be fully set up onstage within one (1) minute or the routine may suffer a point reduction. Any props left after the event will be disposed of. For the safety of all dancers, no props may be taller than ten (10) feet, and no dancer may stand on platforms higher than six (6) feet. No dangerous props may be used. If a prop will take longer than 15 seconds to place please notify FLY so we can add time into the schedule for larger props

Prohibited Props

Glitter is not allowed in routines.
- Routines using glitter will have points deducted by each judge or may be disqualified
Animals (Any)
Fire (in any way),
Fireworks (of any kind),
Down Feathers
Liquid and gels of any kind on any surface.
Weapons (non-sharp toy weapons allowed),
Confetti (Any kind in any shape in any form).
Powder-like items such as but not limited to...flower, glitter, dirt, sand...

Exceptions

Your studio must be able to safely clear the following items from the stage within 15 seconds.

Failure to do so could lead to point deductions,

Leaves
Rose Petals
Shredded Paper
Feathers or Boas (No Down Feathers, point deduction for down feathers)

Music

All music must be uploaded during the registration process. No changes to the music are permitted less than two (2) weeks prior to the event. Please bring a backup of your music to the event on a phone, USB drive, or iPod in case of of technical difficulties. Title your music in the following format: ACTNUMBER_ROUTINENAME_STUDIO.

FLY Dance Competition is a family friendly competition. The use of profanity and vulgar language is strictly prohibited. Should any staff member or judge feel uncomfortable with a chosen song, there may be a point deduction and/or disqualification.

Judging

FLY has three judges at each competition. Each judge will score the routine out of a total of 100 points. The three scores will be added to get a cumulative score. The routines will be judged on the following:

Technique (50 points)

Performance/Execution (25 points)

Stage Presence (15 points)
Overall Impression (10 points)

In the "First Time Flyer" division:

Million Miler: 286-300

Private Charter: 271-285

International Traveler: 255-270

Frequent Flyer: 0-254

In the "Business Class" division:

Million Miler: 288-300

Private Charter: 274-287

International Traveler: 255-273

Frequent Flyer: 0-254

In the "First Class" division:

Million Miler: 290-300

Private Charter: 276-289

International Traveler: 255-275

Frequent Flyer: 0-254

FLY is a family-friendly competition, and we take this very seriously. Any inappropriate or vulgar routines will be deducted up to twenty (20) points or may be disqualified.

FLY Improv Competition

FLY is pleased to offer an improv competition at every event. Each age division (Mini-Juniors will be combined and Teen-Seniors will be combined) will hold an improv competition at their awards ceremony after their Large group routines. Each dancer may enter one time per competition weekend.

Dancers will perform in groups to 2-3 different songs in different genres. Judges select dancers from each group until the top 3 are chosen.

Placements can vary depending on the number of registrants.

Improv can be pre-registered up to 10 days before your competition. Impcov can also be added at the competition.

Depending on how many dancers sign up, there may be cash prizes awarded

Prizes can be collected at the merch table after placements are announced. Should you miss that opportunity, please email us with your dancer's information, your studio name, and the PayPal email address to which you would like to receive your dancer's winnings. The email must come from the dancer's studio.

Cash Awards, Scholarships & FLYmiles

FLY Dance Competition offers cash prizes, FLYmiles and scholarships at every competition.

Redeeming Prizes

SOLO PRIZES
- Top-placing 2025 Competition Season solo winners earn a varying scholarship toward our 2025-2026 Nationals and 2025-2026 Competition Seasons.
  - First Place Soloist: $75 FLYMiles
  - 2nd & 3rd Place Soloists: $50 FLYMiles
    - To Redeem
      - Register the dancer for any 2025/2026 FLY Regional or National Competition, then email FlyDanceCompetition@gmail.com with the dancer's name, your studio's name, and the event city where the prize was earned.
  - Adult age division routines do not qualify for FLYmiles.
- FLYmiles/Frequent FLYer must be redeemed at least 4 weeks before an event.
  - Studios redeeming a scholarship/prize/FrequentFLYer for a routine must have one other paid routine alongside the scholarship routine.
  - All prizes must be redeemed before final payment.
TITLE PRIZES
- 2025 Regional Title Winners and Runner-Ups earn varying scholarships for Nationals Master Classes and Nationals Opening Number performance!
  - Title Winner: Free Master Classes at Nationals and Free Nationals Opening Number Performance
  - 1st & 2nd Runner-Up: 50% off Master Classes at Nationals and 50% off Nationals Opening Number performance
  - To redeem: register the dancer for the 2025 FLY Nationals for your choice, then let us know the name of the dancer, your studio name, and what event the prize was earned at via email to FlyDanceCompetition@gmail.com.
  - Adult age division routines do not qualify for FLYmiles.
- FLYmiles/Frequent FLYer must be redeemed at least 4 weeks before an event.
  - Studios redeeming a scholarship/prize/FrequentFLYer for a routine must have one other paid routine alongside the scholarship routine.
  - All prizes must be redeemed before final payment.
TAKE OFF TO NATIONALS
- The highest scoring Mini/Petite/Junior and Teen/Senior Small or Large Group earn this prize.
- Studios qualify for each prize only once per event.
  - The same routine must be registered at nationals to redeem the prize.
  - This prize is non-transferable.
- To redeem, register the routine for the 2025 FLY Nationals for your choice and email FlyDanceCompetition@gmail.com with your studio name, the routine name, and the event the prize was earned at.
IMPROV PRIZES
- If your dancer wins an Improv., you can collect a cash prize at the event. If, for some reason, it wasn't, please email us with your dancer's information, your studio name, and the PayPal email address you would like to have your dancer's prize sent to.
  - If you are part of a studio, the email must come from the studio.
  - The prize must be claimed within one year of it being awarded.

FREQUENT FLYer PROGRAM
Studios earn one free solo per 10 paid routines for the competition season the following year.
- There is no rounding up on this offer.
- Limited to up to 10 free solos each year.
- The program resets at the end of each Nationals season.
  - Example: In 2024, a studio earned 1 free solo from 16 paid routines. The studio can redeem that credit until the end of the 2025 Nationals competition session.
- Solos that were free due to a solo prize are not counted toward the FrequentFLYer program
- The offer must be claimed before submitting payment and at least 4 weeks before the competition event weekend.
- Studios redeeming a scholarship/prize/FrequentFLYer for a routine must have one other paid routine alongside the free routine.
GENERAL INFO ON PRIZES
- Solos that were free due to a solo prize are not counted toward the FrequentFLYer program
- The offer must be claimed before submitting payment and at least 4 weeks before the competition event weekend.
- Studios redeeming a scholarship/prize/FrequentFLYer for a routine must have one other paid routine alongside the free routine.
- All prizes and offers carry no cash value.
- Prizes earned by a dancer as part of a studio remain with the studio.
- Studios may transfer prizes earned by an individual dancer by emailing FLY Dance through the email address on file in their studio account.
- - The following must be noted: name of the original studio, event city and year where the prize was earned, and name of the dancer.
- Scholarships/Prizes/FLYmiles/Frequent FLYer must be redeemed at least 2 weeks before an event.
  - Studios redeeming a scholarship/prize/FrequentFLYer for a routine must have one other paid routine alongside the scholarship routine.
- FLYmiles may not be transferred between studios nor to an independent dancer.
- FLYmiles may not be used toward an event deposit. Deposits must be new funds.
- FLYmiles can be used toward up to 50% of your routine fee balance.
  - Any remaining Flymiles can be used at a future FLY event.
    - Individual and group discounts are applied before any FLYmiles.
    - Any deposits are applied before any FLYmiles.
    - Promotional credit earned from FLY is defined as "FLYmiles"
    - FLYmiles cannot be redeemed for Media Fees, Improv. Competition entries, or Title Competition entries.
- Studios may redeem up to one personal prize or scholarship per dancer per event.
  - Example: Jane earned $100 toward a Convention and a Free Solo for any FLY event. Only one of these may be redeemed at an event. The second can be redeemed at another FLY event that year.
    - Group discounts, such as Adjustable Early-Bird Discounts remain unaffected.
    - Flymiles cannot be combined with Dancer Prizes (Free Solo, Free Half Solo, Free Convention Entry...)
  - Dancers in the Special Flyers and Adult age divisions can only redeem a Personal Prize/Scholarship once per age division.
    - Example: Jane earned a free solo from 2022 High Score in the Teen age division. Jane can redeem that prize in 2023. Should Jane again earn another free solo in Teen high score, Jane must be a Senior in 2024 or can redeem that prize when Jane becomes a Senior.

Performance Order

In order to run on time events, FLY performs routines in order. Please check in with the backstage manager thirty (30) minutes prior to the scheduled performance time. Dancers not present due to rehearsing or dancers that perform out of order without prior permission may receive a point deduction. Dancers shall have at least 3 dances in between numbers to change.

Routines that are moved from one scheduled session to another perform for adjudication only.

We accept schedule requests up to 30 days prior to a competition weekend.

Tentative and Revised schedules are subject to changes.

Turbulence Showdown

The three highest-scoring routines* from each category below will perform on the last day of our Turbulence Showdown to compete for over $6000 in FLY Miles!

Closing Showcase for Convention

At each of our FLY conventions, we will be having a closing showcase. Throughout the weekend, the convention faculty will be selecting certain dancers or the entire class to perform the choreography from their class that they just learned. Anywhere between 5-15 classes will be selected to perform in front of their friends and family at the end of the convention. Also, the top 3 highest scoring solos from the competition from Saturday will also be asked to perform. At the end of the closing showcase, we will announce our co-pilot program where certain dancers who have impressed the faculty, may be selected to be an assistant for the following year. This showcase should run between 20-30 minutes and all are welcome to attend.

Additional Information

There are no refunds for entry fees, media fees, improv or title fees for any reason or at any time.

Venues are subject to change.

The doors to the theatre open thirty (30) minutes before the start of the competition, and the doors to the dressing rooms open 45 minutes before the competition.

By attending a FLY Dance Competition event, all students, choreographers, and teachers agree to give permission to be photographed and videotaped and agree to allow FLY to use any photos or footage for publicity, branding, and advertising.

By registering a routine, the studio or independent dancer states that they have the right to perform that choreography and anything encompassing that routine's performance.

Independent performers are subject to a one-time fee per registration.

A refund may be granted if an event is canceled and not replaced. Studios have 30 days to claim a refund after being contacted by Fly Dance Competition. After that, unclaimed refunds are converted to FLYmiles, with a bonus of 10% in credit added. Credit is irreversible.

Rules are subject to change and updates at any time.

Welcome

Welcome

Welcome

to the

Fly Dance Competition Family

to the

Fly Dance Competition Family

to the

Fly Dance Competition Family

Chicago

Rules and Regulations

Introduction

Event Waiver

Payments, Schedules & Refunds

Safety

Spectators

Video Critiques

Photo and Video

Entry Fees

Categories

Entry Types

Age Divisions

Performance Time Limits

Classes of Competition

Props

Music

Judging

FLY Improv Competition

Cash Awards, Scholarships & FLYmiles

Performance Order

Turbulence Showdown

Closing Showcase for Convention

Additional Information