GEMS 2025 Chicago Dance Competition
JANUARY 25, 2025Join us for a dance competition designed by studios for studios. Free dancer swag, free programs, outstanding independent judges and so much more. Check out the be awesome experience to see what’s included.
GEMS 2025 - CHICAGO
Place your deposit to save your space and save 15% on your entry fees when paid by the discount deadline.
Double Diamond
Designed for dancers in class less than 4 hours/week
Triple Diamond
Designed for dancers in class more 4+ hours/week
Sparkling Diamond
Designed for dancers with special needs
Mini (under 7)
Petite (8-9)
Junior (10-12)
Teen (13-15)
Senior (16-19)
Adult (20+)
Acro • Ballet • Contemporary • Hip-Hop • Jazz • Jazz Funk (new for 2025) • Lyrical • Modern (new for 2025) • Musical Theatre • Open • Pointe • Tap
FREE PROGRAMS
Beautiful glossy printed programs - no charge!
FREE SWAG
Every dancer receives a custom GEMS swag item
FREE LIVE STREAM
Share the fun with friends and family at no charge
There's more! Check out The Be Awesome Experience
IMPORTANT DATES
JULY 18
Registration opens
NOV 11
Payment deadline to maintain early discount
DEC 11
Late entry prices apply to all unpaid entries
DEC 30
Prelim schedules released
JAN 11
Final schedules released
& custom studio plaques are started
JAN 18
Music Upload Deadline
JAN 25
DANCE COMPETITION!
VENUE
Oswego High School
SCHEDULING
We send schedules well ahead of time, so you can keep families informed and the crazy at bay.
Doors will open 1 hour before the first dancer is on stage.
Reasonable start and end times, because sleep keeps us pretty.
JUDGING
We exclusively use Impact Dance Adjudicators for our events, providing you with independent judges with extensive training in providing feedback and adjudications you can use in the classroom.
LIVE STREAM
Free livestream for this event will be available on our website and in the Dancebug app.
Live stream starts with the first dancer on stage.
PHOTOS & VIDEOS
Photos and videos are available for purchase at Dancebug.com
Be sure to check out the season passes that Dancebug offers which include all events you attend for one flat price.
Taking Home Some Hardware
Our full rule book includes all of the finer details including costumes, tricks, music, entry lengths and the bump rule.
ENTRY ADJUDICATION
Every entry will be adjudicated on a 300 point scale to earn an award of silver, gold, high gold or platinum.
OVERALLS
Overalls are awarded by Solos, Duet/Trio and Groups in each age group and diamond level.
Mini (under 7) • Petite (8-9) • Junior (10-12) • Teen (13-15) • Senior (16-19)
TOP SCORES
The top scoring entries from each diamond level – Double, Triple and Sparkling – will receive special recognition. All age groups and styles of dance within the level are included.
SPECIAL AWARDS
- Studio of Excellence
- Diamond Award
- IDA Impact Award
- Judge's Choice Award
- Costume Award
- Choreography Award
- GEMS Stage Star Award
- Hidden Gem Award
- Practice Makes Perfect Award
- AYA Scholarships
Ready to Join Us?
We use Dance Bug, one of the best registration systems out there! If you have an account, simply login. Otherwise, you'll need to create a new account and have your credentials verified. (They work fast, but it's not instant!)