General Rules
& Basics
ENTRIES
Gems does not accept independent entries and all must be registered with a studio.
Entries are accepted on a first come, first served basis until the allotted competition time is filled.
Entries may be paid by studio check, credit card or Gems award certificates (only original certificates will be honored).
Returned checks will be charged a $30 fee plus recovery charges.
Award certificates credited against entry fees submitted online must be postmarked within 3 business days of the online registration.
Under no circumstances will refunds be given for submitted entries.
In the event a child is unable to perform due to a documented injury or illness, Gems may issue an award certificate to be used for future entry fees or Gems merchandise at the discretion of Gems directors.
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Gems will be taking photos and video during the competition; All contestants consent to the use of photos and video by Gems for the purpose of marketing, advertising and social media.
One camera pass per studio will be given out to be used in the designated photography area.
Flash photography and video cameras are not allowed during competition routines.
Failure to adhere to these rules may disqualify your studio’s routines.
PROPS & STAGE TREATMENT
No dangerous props (weapons, fire, etc.) are allowed.
Helium balloons are only allowed if secured to a person or prop and only if the building allows them.
Prop set up on the stage must be complete within 90 seconds or deductions will be applied.
Props must not damage the floor and must not stand taller than 10 feet. Dancers may not be more than 6 feet off the floor.
No substances that could affect the dance floor may be used, including but not limited to: liquids, gels, aerosols, or glitter.
JUDGING
Gems will provide three judges per competition that will give verbal critiques and scores.
Our judge’s panel will consist of teachers, choreographers and working professionals.
All judges scoring decisions are final.
Each studio director will receive all routine critiques and score sheets at the conclusion of the competition.
MUSIC
You may submit music on CD or flash drive. CD’s or flash drives must be properly labeled and turned in to the registration table at the beginning of the competition.
Performance Levels
& Categories
CATEGORIES
Tap – routine consisting of primarily tap work. No prerecorded sounds allowed.
Jazz – routine consisting of jazz technique & choreography
Ballet – routine containing classical ballet movement and choreography, must wear ballet shoes
Hip-Hop – routine consisting of hip-hop, street dance & break dance styles of dance performed to hip-hop/rap/R&B music
Pointe – routine must be performed in Pointe shoes including classical ballet movement
Lyrical – routine consisting of jazz & ballet movements while expressing emotion and meaning in the song
Modern – routine contains modern dance elements and choreography
Open – any routine that does not fit in the above categories or contains elements from multiple categories
Musical Theater – any routine that interprets a song from a broadway show, movie, or musical featuring any style of dance
PERFORMANCE LEVELS
Adult 20 & Over
Senior 15 – 19
Junior 12 – 14
Petite 8 – 11
Mini 7 & under
The age classification is determined as of Sept 15 prior to the competition year. To determine the average age add all the ages of the performers in the routine together, then divide by the total number of dancers in the routine. Drop all decimal points and do not round up.
Studio owners, directors, teachers, choreographers are not permitted to compete with any age level from their studio.
Any age protests must be submitted in writing within one hour of the routine in question and must be signed by at least one registered teacher or studio owner.
DIAMOND LEVELS
Gems offers two performance levels for dancers:
Dancers who attend class less than 4 hours per week will compete in our Double Diamond Level.
Dancers who attend class more that 4 hours per week will compete in our Triple Diamond Level.
Because there is no way for our competition staff to know how many hours per week a student dances, we are all on the honor system as to the entry level you choose for your routines.
Tricks are defined as acrobatic or gymnastic element where the feet pass entirely over the head. An exception would be shoulder rolls, cartwheels, and non-aerial walkovers.
Ballet and pointe may not contain any tricks.
Jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, and musical theater may contain up to 2 tricks.
Hip hop and open can contain unlimited tricks.
Each group entry will receive a plaque for adjudication placement; group members will receive a custom lapel pin. Solo, Duo, and Trio entries will recieve a custom medal for each participant for adjudicated placement.
Judges Choice
Costume – creative or original costumes
Choreography – artistic/originality
Practice Makes Perfect Award – highest technical score of the competition
Diamond Award – for any routine that is especially entertaining and deserves special recognition
Scoring
& Awards
Technique – 40 points
Presentation – 25 points
Choreography – 20 points
Appearance – 5 points
Overall – 10 points
DOUBLE DIAMOND ADJUDICATION SCALE
Platinum – 285 – 300
High Gold – 270 – 284.9
Gold – 255 – 269.9
Silver – 230 – 254.9
TRIPLE DIAMOND ADJUDICATION SCALE
Platinum – 290 – 300
High Gold – 280 – 289.9
Gold – 270 – 279.9
Silver – 269 – 269.9
Bump Rule: If a routine scores 290 or above, it is bumped up to our Triple Diamond Level. Any routine bumped up by Gems will be competing for Overall Awards at the bumped up level.
DEDUCTIONS
Up to 20 points for routines that are deemed unsuitable for family viewing (costume, music, choreography etc.). This deduction will also remove the routine from eligibility for high point and judges’ choice awards.
Up to 5 points for exceeding time limits or exiting the stage before completion of a routine (unless due to technical issues)
Up to 5 points for visual or audible coaching of the dancers during their performance, from the wings or the audience. Additionally, the routine will be ineligible for high point and special awards.
Up to 5 points for other rule infractions, at the discretion of Gems staff or judges.
A Gems staff member or judge will issue all point deductions. All decisions are final.
Performers must compete on their designated day and time. Routines that compete out of their scheduled time will be eligible for adjudication only.
TIME LIMITS & GROUP SIZE
Performances will be timed and deductions will be given for overages. Extended Time (Groups & Lines Only) is available for additional entry fee. Studio owners/managers, see your pricing guide for details.
Solo 2:45 1
Duet 2:45 2
Trio 2:45 3
Small Group 3:00 4-9
Large Group 4:00 10-19
Line 6 :00 20 & up
* Dancer(s) cannot compete more than once in the same category and age group in solo, duet, trio, or group to avoid competition against themselves.
Conduct
& Expectations
Good sportsmanship is expected from performers, students, parents, coaches, teachers, studio owners and the general audience at all times.
Horns, whistles and other noisemakers are not permitted at Gems events. Signs will be allowed at award sessions only.
Failure to adhere to these rules may result in point reduction and/or disqualification.
Coaching from the wings is prohibited
Risk
& Responsibility