Dance Competition Guide

Introduction | Event Types | What To Expect | What To Wear | Checklist

FUN OVER FIRST PLACE

Dancing in competitions are a great way to make your dancing bigger and better as you see people around you trying their hardest, it makes you try yours too! We want all our dancers to be the best they can be can be and be satisfied with reaching their potential and competitions are a great way of thrusting your dancing forward.

Winning is a fantastic achievement and of course we want all our students to do as well as possible in competitions however there is a greater importance to being there.

Not only that but dancing is fun! and being cheered on by your fellow dancers is a great way to celebrate one of the best sides of Ballroom Dancing!

Event Types

Each competition is slightly different but below are some of the types of events that can be in competitions.

You can dance in as many different types of events as you would like to however per event-type you can only dance in one Ballroom event and one Latin event.

Teacher/Pupil

For dancing with a teacher. This is the only section that you can dance with a teacher for and it is also the only section that is usually organised by grade as well as age.

Solo

Solo competitions are where you dance by yourself alongside other competitors also dancing by themselves. Events are separated by age.

Couples

As the name suggests, you dance with a non-professional partner for this section. This is not usually grade restricted so use whatever grade of group you would like to use. Events are separated by age.

What To Expect

Competition days start relatively early with doors opening around 9/10am and the first round starting around half hour after that.

Starlight Dancing will be in a section all together so look out for your teachers! Every one of our dancers are incredibly supportive and helpful so you’re sure to be sitting in a good spot. You’ll be given your competition number, which you’ll need to safety-pin on your back - remember this number!

The day will start with the compere welcoming the judges on to the floor with a big round of applause (be nice to them - we want them to like us!)

After that the teacher/pupil events will start and will roughly go in event order (unless circumstances deem it necessary to change).

Listen out for your event number/event name (e.g. Event 12, Teacher/Pupil Waltz) and if you get a call back to a later round, listen out for your number being called also!

When on the floor, each dances duration will be for anything from 70 seconds to 90 seconds.

After your dance, the audience will be applauding you, so give them a quick bow/curtsey and then head back to your seat for a breather!

After the Teacher/Pupil events are completed, the competition will then go onto the next event

What To Wear

    • White shirt

    • Black tie or black bowtie

    • Black trousers

    • Belt

    • Waistcoat

    • Dance shoes

    • Black socks

    Hair

    Of a tidy nature, gelled (to stop it moving)

    • Ballroom/Latin dress

    • Tights

    • Dance shoes

      OR

    • Leotard

    • Skirt

    • Dance shoes

    • White socks (under 12’s only)

    Hair

    Tied in a bun if you have long hair

Dance Competition Checklist

✅ All clothing

✅ All accessories

✅ Water

✅ Packed lunch (in case food isn’t available)

✅ Safety-pins

✅ Dance shoes

✅ Hair spray

✅ Emergency sewing kit

✅ Money (for raffle or canteen)

✅ Phone (for taking photos!)