The iWISE Olympiad’s dance category aims to provide a global platform for young performers to showcase their artistry and technical skills. The competition’s objective is to celebrate dance as a universal art form and a vital mode of creative expression, fostering a supportive environment for emerging talent from around the world.
– Provide an international stage: Offer an international platform where dancers from diverse backgrounds and cultures can share their talents and gain global exposure. This broad audience provides invaluable recognition and visibility that can help launch a young dancer’s career.
– Encourage artistic expression: Inspire young dancers to explore their creativity and individuality through movement. The competition aims to evaluate not only the dancer’s technique but also their ability to communicate emotion, tell a story, and demonstrate a unique personal style.
– Showcase technical excellence: Motivate performers to refine their technical skills and precision. The competition is a chance for students to test their abilities against high standards and receive feedback from experienced judges.
– Facilitate cultural exchange: Bring together dancers and audiences from different countries to promote cultural understanding and appreciation through dance. This interaction can broaden a performer’s artistic perspective and repertoire.
– Foster community and collaboration: Connect young dancers with peers, choreographers, and industry professionals. International dance platforms are vital for networking, building relationships, and fostering collaborations that can define a dancer’s career.
Ready to hit the stage and make it yours? Whether you dance solo or bring your closest teammates, this is your chance to move, express, and perform!
You can enter as:
- – Solo — one dancer, all eyes on you!
- – Duo — two dancers, double the energy!
- – Trio — three dancers, three times the impact!
A maximum of 3 performers is allowed in each entry.
Each performance can be a maximum of 3 minutes.
Need more time? Extended performance time may be available for purchase for solo or group entries that exceed the standard time limit.
If you perform beyond the permitted time without the applicable extension:
1 point will be deducted for every 20 seconds over the time limit.
So plan your routine carefully, rehearse your timing, and make every second count!
Your music is a big part of your performance, so make sure the correct performance track is provided to the relevant iWISE personnel before you perform.
Please check your music carefully before submitting it.
iWISE will not be responsible for incorrect music being provided for judging, so make sure you submit the right track!
Finalists must wear appropriate costumes that suit and complement their chosen dance style. Your costume should allow you to perform comfortably and safely while helping bring your routine to life.
Finalists must be fully prepared and ready before their scheduled judging time.
Listen carefully for your call time and make sure you’re ready to perform when called.
Judges have the right to disqualify performers who are not present at their designated call time.
Rehearse your routine. Check your music. Prepare your costume. Watch the clock.
Then step onto that stage and dance like the spotlight was made for you!
Acrobatic/Gymnastics: Controlled acrobatic or gymnastic movements involving flexibility and balance. The routine must include any form of dance techniques, choreography, and fluid moves.
Ballet: The performance piece must consist of ballet technique, classical steps, and movements, performed in soft shoes.
Character: The routine must portray an easily recognisable character throughout the performance.
Clogging: The routine must consist of the correct clogging shoes and technique.
Contemporary: The routine must consist of contemporary jazz and lyrical techniques.
Folkloric: The use of ethnic styles of dance such as Polkas, Hawaiian, Spanish, Celtic, etc.; must be consist throughout the performance number.
Hip Hop: Routine using primarily hip-hop technique or street style moves from at least one of the various styles; no jazz technique.
Inspirational: Dancers who portray a performance piece showing life challenging abilities.
Jazz: The routine must primarily consist of the correct jazz shoes and technique.
Lyrical: The lyrical routine must emphasize control of utilizing the lyrics and mood of the music piece.
Modern: Interpretive dance being expressed through principles as space, force, weight, and time. Dancers demonstrate balance, extensions, isolations, and control.
Musical Theatre: Designed primarily for musical comedy and Broadway dancing. Mime, lip sync singing, etc. are allowed.
Open: To encompass any form of dance not already listed or which is a combo of two or more performance categories.
Photogenic: Contestants must electronically upload their photos into the registration system. Photogenic entries must be registered prior to the competition. NO photogenic entries may be added to the competition on the day of the event.
Pointe: Routine containing pointe technique. At least 50% of the performers must be on pointe.
Song and Dance: Routine must consist of both singing and dancing in any category. Music may only have back-up vocals.
Student Choreography: Any style of dance choreographed by a student.
Tap: Dancers wear tap shoes and execute tap technique. May be performed with or without music accompaniment. Tap sounds may not be recorded.
- Click on the Registration Tab
- Select one of the Virtual Rounds
- Fill in your details.
- Fill in your selected category details on the corresponding form.
- Select your available time for the Judging process.
- Submit your zoom judging session.
- Proceed to payment.
- Complete your submission.
Evaluation Criteria
The judging process for the Dance category considers both the technical and artistic aspects of a performance. Finalists will showcase their artistry and technique in a performance evaluated by a panel of expert judges.
– Technique and execution: This includes the precision, clarity, and control of a dancer’s movements. Judges evaluate everything from footwork and posture to body alignment and balance.
– Artistry and expression: This criterion judges a performer’s ability to embody the music and choreography, conveying emotion and a unique personal voice. It includes facial expressions, stage presence, and the overall emotional impact of the routine.
– Musicality: Judges will assess a dancer’s ability to interpret and respond to the music, including rhythm, tempo, and the various layers of the soundtrack.
– Choreography and composition: The originality, creativity, and flow of the routine are evaluated. For those who choreograph their own pieces, this involves how movements are structured and how well they tell a story.
– Overall presentation and performance: The total impression of the performance, including costuming, use of space, and the dancer’s confidence and energy on stage.
Requirements for Virtual Finals:
– Participants are allowed to use music of their choice.
– The music can be any language.
– Communication with judges will be in English.
– Pre-record a video of the performance, share your screen and present the video to the judges.
– Share link of the video performance via zoom chat with Judges, you can use a google drive link or YouTube link.
– Group submission is up to 3 participants.
– No theme for this category.
Requirements for Global Finals:
– Participants are allowed to use music of their choice.
– The music can be any language.
– Performance will be live before a panel of judges.
– Communication with judges with be in English.
– Group submission is up to 3 participants.
– No theme for this category.