rules & regulations

new in
2025

new levels:

We will be adding a 2 new levels at Leap
 • Jump Level: Intermediate
• Star Level: For routines including dancers with exceptional mental and/or physical abilities, or dancers with special needs.

new adjudication:

We will be adding a new level of adjudication:
4 stars / 4 1/2 stars / 5 stars / SuperNova
SuperNova will be reserved for the highest scores of 293.0 and higher.

new awards:

LEAP beyond: Leap Level Highest Scoring Non-Solo Routine in each age division. (mini, Junior, Teen, & Senior)
LEAP above: Jump Level Highest Scoring Non-Solo Routine in each age division. (mini, Junior, Teen, & Senior)
Title Upgrade: Leap title upgrade is now available for both the Jump and Leap Level dancer.

first things first!

(GENERAL INFORMATION)

    • SKIP LEVEL: The Skip Level is for recreational dancers with little or no competition experience, dancing less than 3 hours per week. Any dancer competing in the skip level may not compete in the leap level with the exception of production routines. Dancers competing in the skip level may compete in the jump level; however, the Skip level should be reserved for truly recreational dancers. The judges may move up routines from the Skip level to the Jump Level at their discretion if they believe that the routine does not belong in the Skip level division. There will be a presentation of top scores as well as a gift certificate presented to the top scoring routine.

    • JUMP LEVEL:The Jump level is for dancers with limited competition experience and who perform at a level that would be expected from dancers that study between 3-5 hours per week.

    • LEAP LEVEL: The Leap level is for dancers with significant competition experience and who perform at a level that would be expected from dancers that study more than 5 hours per week.

    • ADULT LEVEL:For routines with any one dancer age 20 or older.  Regardless of the average level of dancers, if there is any dancer age 20 or older, the routine must compete in the Adult level.

    • STAR LEVEL: For routines including dancers with exceptional mental and/or physical abilities or dancers with special needs. Special rates apply, please contact the office when registering in this division.

    *Training is defined as any non-rehearsal classes that are instructional based and focus on technical aspects of dance regardless of genre.  Because NO competition can possibly know how many hours a child dances or for how many years they have danced, teachers are left to their own sound judgment when entering routines. Routines that are obviously under-placed may be elevated by the judges or Leap management. All decisions are final. Routines that are moved to the Leap level by the judges are exempt from the rule regarding the percentage of leap/jump level dancers in a routine. Routines with the same or similar performers that have competed in any prior award segments will not be affected by the move. Future routines with the same or similar performers will be handled on a case by case basis.

    NOTE: If a duo/trio contains a Skip Level and a Jump Level dancer, it must dance as Jump Level. If a duo/trio contains a Jump level and a Leap Level dancer, it must dance as Leap Level. Productions may contain dancers in any level.

  • Studios will assign a level to each dancer during the registration process. Level placement is at the discretion of the studio directors and teachers. Read descriptions carefully and be fair and honest with dancer placement. Please also keep in mind the skill of the dancer and the difficulty level of the choreography; just because a dancer qualifies at the Skip! level doesn’t mean their skill set warrants that placement. 

    • SOLOS: Soloists must perform all solos within their assigned competitive level.

    • DUOS/TRIOS: Division is determined by its highest level dancer.

    • GROUPS: The competitive level of all group routines will be determined by the competitive level of each dancer in a given routine. For routines comprised of dancers of varying competitive levels, the routine will default to the competitive level in which the majority of the dancers are classified.  For example, a routine comprised of six Leap level dancers and four Skip level dancers would default to the Leap level. In the event that a routine contains an equal number of dancers from both competitive levels, the routine will default to the highest level. For example, if a given routine contains five Leap level dancers and five Skip level dancers, the routine would automatically default to the Leap level. If a studio should desire for a dance to compete in a higher competitive level than it is organically registered for, they may bump the routine up. No routine may have its level bumped down.

  • During the event, our judges will ensure proper placement in our levels. If two or more judges indicate that a routine or dancer should compete at a higher level, the routine will be bumped.  If the higher division hasn’t competed yet, the routines score will be considered in the overalls.  If the higher division award ceremony has already taken place, then the routine that is bumped will be adjudicated only.

    • MINI: 8 years old and under

    • JUNIOR: 9-11 years old

    • TEEN: 12-14 years old

    • SENIOR: 15-19 years old

    • ADULT: 20 years old and up

    If a dancer 20 years of age or older (regardless of professional or amateur status) competes in a routine, the routine must be in the Adult division. There will be no cash award in the Adult age division.

    NOTE: Dancer’s age is as of January 1st, 2025.
    For Duo/Trios, Groups, and Lines, the dancers’ ages will be averaged, and the decimal dropped to determine the age category.

  • EXTENDED TIME:  All size divisions except for solos are eligible to purchase extended time for an additional $3.00 per dancer.  Up to 1 additional minute for duo/trios and small groups.  Up to 2 additional minutes for large groups and up to 4 additional minutes for lines/productions. Routines must be pre-registered for Extended Time as this cannot be added after a routine has already performed. 

    • SOLOS :
      Number of performers: 1
      Standard Time: 3 mins
      Extended Time: n/a

    • DUO/TRIO :
      Number of performers: 2-3
      Standard Time: 3 mins
      Extended Time: 4 mins

    • SMALL GROUP :
      Number of performers: 4-9
      Standard Time: 3 mins
      Extended Time: 4 mins

    • LARGE GROUP :
      Number of performers: 10-19
      Standard Time: 4 mins
      Extended Time: 6 mins

    • LINE :
      Number of performers: 20+
      Standard Time: 4 mins
      Extended Time: 6 mins

    • PRODUCTION :
      Number of performers: 20+
      Standard Time: 7 mins
      Extended Time: 10 mins

    • ACRO DANCE: Acrobatic routine incorporating dance choreography.

    • BALLET: Routine containing classical ballet technique.

    • CLOGGING: Routine containing clogging technique and style performed in clogging shoes.

    • CONTEMPORARY: Demonstrates a fusion of ballet, lyrical, or jazz with modern movement and technique. 

    • Folkloric: Ethnic dance such as Hawaiian, Irish, Spanish, etc.

    • HIP-HOP: Street Dance, Freestyle, Pop n’ Lock, etc.

    • JAZZ: Routine containing traditional or current jazz technique.

    • LYRICAL: Choreography that expresses the lyrics of the music.

    • Modern: Emphasizing interpretive movement using modern technique.

    • Musical theatre: Broadway, novely, or theme-based.

    • Open: Any style or combination of genres. Anything goes!

    • POINTE: Classical ballet technique performed en pointe.

    • Pom/Drill: Drill-team style, with or without poms.

    • Song & Dance: Contains live singing and dance choreography. No pre-recorded vocal melody is permitted. Backup vocalizations are allowed. Performers are welcome to bring their own microphones if they choose. Please email leap@spotlightevents.com for compatible microphone options with Leap equipment.

    • TAP: Any style of tap work & technique.

let’s get going!

(registration process & policies)

Completed online entries and payment in full must be submitted for entries to be scheduled. No exceptions.

Leap National Dance Competition does not accept Independent entries.
However, we do accept single entries as long as they are registered under a verified studio account.

  • Please log in to your studio account for current entry fees and discount information.

  • Payment is required at the point of registration via our online payment system. Accounts not paid in full by the Closing Date will automatically adjust from the Savings Rate to the Regular Rate.

    PAYMENT TIMELINE AND PAYMENTS TYPES ACCEPTED

    • Prior to the Closing Date (32+ days prior to the event): Credit/Debit card, Studio Check, cashier’s check, money order, gift certificates. Savings Rates apply.

    • After the Closing Date (31-21 days prior to the event): Credit/Debit card, cashier’s check, money order - NO STUDIO OR PERSONAL CHECKS. Regular Rates apply, and expedited shipping of cashier’s checks and/or money orders is required.

    • After the Closing Date (1-20 days prior to the event): Credit Card only. Regular Rates apply.

    • At Event: We do not accept payments at the event. All payments must be completed prior.

    *Returned checks are assessed a $50 fee; any applicable discount is forfeited and delinquency charge and/or Regular Rate will apply.

    NOTE: Payments received through the mail will be credited on the date of postmark. We recommend you mail your payment a few days early or use an expedited service to assure the deadline is met. Please be aware that any payment received more than 6 days after the closing date will be applied to your account; however, Regular Rates will apply to ALL registration and you will be billed for the updated balance due. 

    NOTE: All Monetary Awards must be applied prior to completing the payment process, instructions are available in your studio account. 

  • No refunds will be issued after the Closing Date for an event. In the case of a cancelled event that is unable to be rescheduled, entry fees and 5 Star Pledge deposits may be added as an account credit, transferred to another Regional or National event, or refunded, as requested by the studio. 

    Please note that any refunds due as a result of overpayment of $250 or more will be issued automatically in the original form of payment within 10 days following the event. Overpayment ranging from $35 to $249 will be automatically applied as a credit to the studio account for use through May 31st 2026, unless a refund is requested in writing by emailing leap@spotlightevents.com. Any refund of less than $35 will only be processed as a refund or a credit if requested by the studio by emailing leap@spotlightevents.com. 

    In the case of injuries and medical emergencies, a Medical Gift Certificate may be issued to your account for one year upon receipt of an official doctor’s statement emailed directly to leap@spotlightevents.com. In order to receive a Medical Gift Certificate, an official doctor’s statement must be submitted within 2 weeks of the event. 

    Deposit payments are non-refundable, but may be credited towards a future event.

  • Check your invoice carefully and immediately for accuracy prior to the Closing Date. You will receive a tentative schedule approximately 14 days prior to the event. You will be given 2-3 days to send in corrections. Once the schedule goes final, there will be no changes allowed, so please be sure to proof the tentative schedule carefully.

  • Leap does not accept registrations at the event. A studio must be included in the program in order to compete at the event. Entries submitted after the closing date will be charge at the regular rate (see Fees in your Studio Account). 

  • Leap reserves the right to limit and/or close registration at any time, cancel or reschedule an event, add additional days, extend any competition as a result of the number of entries received, change venues, limit solos to 1 per dancer, or to make any other reasonable changes deemed necessary. When an event is closed due to over-capacity registration, entries will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis according to the actual received date of full payment and completed registration.

KNOW BEFORE YOU go!

(EVENT PREPARATION)

  • Tentative event schedules will be sent to the studio director approximately 2 weeks prior to the event. The email used is the email listed in your online studio account. The tentative schedule will include: tentative schedule, door times, award times, special event times, venue address, and deadline date to have final changes returned to us.  A studio specific final schedule will be emailed one week prior to the event.

    NOTE: All specific information for studios will be available only when accounts are paid in full. 

  • Leap does not have a general schedule format for our competitions. Schedules are uniquely created based on the registration for that particular city. The routine count and type is different for each event, and we do not have this information until after the Closing Date for the event. This allows us to create a schedule that best accommodates each studio and dancer, utilizing competition time in an efficient manner. 

    If you would like to make special schedule requests, these must be made via email to leap@spotlightevents.com. In the subject line list the city you are attending and “Schedule Request”, ie: Tampa - Schedule Request.

    We do NOT accept schedule requests for solos.

  • Music Upload: All music MUST be uploaded online via the registration process. Deadline for uploading music is Tuesday prior to the regional event, by MIDNIGHT.

    Backup USB Flash Drive: MANDATORY. All studios will be required to submit a backup USB flash drive with all music properly labeled for the weekend at studio check-in.

    Each routine must be labeled as follows: 
    ###_routine name (example: 012_Fever) 

    All music for the event can be submitted on one USB flash drive, in mp3 format, with a minimum bit rate of 128. Music can also be submitted in .m4a or .wav formats, but .mp3 is most preferred. However, if you are attending an event with multiple stages, please provide separate flash drives for each stage. Regardless of how music is submitted prior to the event, you must have a backup available in the form of USB flash drive to submit at check-in. We also recommend having an additional backup on another device in case of technical issues with the USB. 

    NOTE: Please pick up all music submitted at the event following your last awards ceremony, from the DJ. Leap is not responsible for music left behind at the event.

  • PROHIBITED PROPS: Fire, knives, weapons, live animals, helium-filled balloons, fog machines, and any objects that would cause damage or leave residue on the stage floor such as glitter, liquids, gels, confetti, paint, sand, aerosol powders, etc.

    Motor vehicles: Cannot be started.

    PROPS INVOLVING ELECTRICITY: 

    • Must be UL approved, portable, and self-contained. 

    • Extension cords mus be provided by the studio. 

    • Available outlets are not guaranteed. 

    • Maximum power is limited to a single 110v/15a outlet.

    The stage must be returned to it’s original pre-performance condition within 30 seconds.

    Choreography that allows any dancer to be physically placed more than six feet off the ground on any scenic piece or prop may be considered hazardous and result in a point deduction penalty. Routines in violation of these safety standards may be penalized or disqualified at Leap’s discretion.

  • Dancers competing for this prestigious leap title award will perform in two categories - title solo and improv.  Title upgrades are only eligible for the leap and jump level dancer. Only 1 solo per dancer is permitted in the title category.  Title solo scores will be included in the regular overalls.  Title upgrades are not allowed at the event and must be registered and on the final schedule to participate.

    TITLE SOLO: Title Solos may be in any category and are still eligible for overall awards.

    IMPROV: All contestants in the same Age Category will join the Show Director on stage to improv in a style of the Show Director’s choice.

    Title Winners will receive a Leap Title Winner Jacket, a Team Leap invitation to participate at the Leap 2025 National Event, and one free solo entry (credit of $135) at any Leap regional competition next season.

    Title Age Divisions:

    • MINI: 8 years old and under

    • JUNIOR: 9-11 years old

    • TEEN: 12-14 years old

    • SENIOR: 15-19 years old

  • Leap is excited to the be the first competition in the industry to host a leaping competition at each regional event.

    The Leap For The Stars Competition is open to every registered dancer.  It is split into two age divisions (Ages as of January 1st):  Ages 11 and under and 12 to 19 years old. The cost is $20 at the event (sign up at the Leap Boutique). The winner receives a $50 credit to the Leap Boutique. We need at least 3 leapers per age division to hold this event. See the schedule for times.

  • Dancers are invited to participate in our photogenic competition. 50% of all proceeds from submissions are donated to Dancers Against Cancer. To register for the photogenic competition, bring any printed photo to the Leap Boutique at the event with the dancer’s name, age, and studio labeled clearly on the back, along with the $35 submission fee. Participants are allowed to submit multiple photos for consideration, each with a separate submission fee. We will continue to accept submissions up to the award ceremony in which the winner is announced. 

    The winner for each age division (Mini, Junior, Teen, and Senior) will be announced during their respective group award ceremonies. We are not responsible for any photos left at the event. All photos should be picked up at the Leap Boutique after the award ceremony, or at the end of the event.

LIGHTS… CAMERA… ACTION!

(AT EVENT INFORMATION)

  • Directors (or designees) are required to check in either 30 minutes prior to the start of the event or at least one hour prior to their first scheduled performance. At this time, you will submit your USB Flash Drive with all pre-labeled music for the event and receive all pertinent event information. Check-in is at the Leap! Boutique.

  • Routines are expected to perform in the order they are scheduled. If for any reason a routine performs outside of its listed order, media (photo/video/critique) cannot be guaranteed. In extreme cases only will routines be granted permission to perform out of performance order. This must be approved by the Show Director only. In all cases, routines must be performed during the awards session in which they are scheduled. If the routine cannot be performed in the awards session in which it is scheduled for any reason, it can perform at any time for adjudication only. It will still receive its respective adjudication trophy, however, the routine will not be eligible for any overall awards. Each Leap event is run in numerical order.

    • Please be prepared to perform up to 1 hour earlier than scheduled.

  • JUDGES: Leap’s judges are comprised of championship caliber studio directors, professional dance instructors, and performing dance professionals. Our judges are well trained in multiple genres of dance and are sensitive to the various skills represented by the dancers’ differing ages and levels. This mixture of age, breadth of dance experience, and extensive background in performing arts contributes to the diverse range of feedback our judges offer competitors. Every effort is made to provide feedback in five main areas: Technique, Execution, Presentation, Choreography, and Difficulty. All decisions made by our highly qualified and competent judging panel are final, and all judging methods used will be at the sole discretion of Leap National Dance Competition. 

    POINT SYSTEM: A panel of three judges will score each routine based on a system of 100 points per judge. Ties will be broken based on 1) highest technique score, 2) highest choreography score, 3) judges’ decision.

    • Technique: 30 points

    • Choreography: 25 points

    • Execution: 25 points

    • Presentation: 10 points

    • Difficulty: 10 points

    NOTE: A routine that is re-performed for any reason other than technical difficulties (costume malfunction, music cutting out, power outage, etc.), will be adjudicated only and not eligible for overalls. The dancer may perform the routine again at the studio directors discretion, however it will be for adjudication only. 

  • Adjudicated & Category Awards: Each dancer / routine will receive a 4, 4.5 or 5 Star Placement Award based on our adjudicated point system.  

    • A SuperNova Award is reserved for the Leap Level only.

    • SUPERNOVA:
      LEAP LEVEL: 293.0 - 300
      SKIP / JUMP LEVELS: n/a

    • 5 Stars:
      Leap Level: 285.0 - 292.9
      SKIP / JUMP LEVELS: 280.0 - 300.0

    • 4½ Stars:
      Leap Level: 278.0 - 284.9
      SKIP / JUMP LEVELS: 273.0 - 279.9

    • 4 Stars:
      Leap Level: 264.0 - 277.9
      SKIP / JUMP LEVELS: 264.0 - 272.9

    OVERALL AWARDS: Overall Awards are given in each division and group size, will range from 1-20, and are based on total registration numbers. The same dancer cannot place more than once as an overall soloist. 

    MONETARY AWARDS: Cash awards and/or gift certificates may be given when the minimum requirements are met. Monetary prizes are the property of the studio and distributed at the director’s discretion. Monetary Awards are stored on the studio account homepage.  All awards are property of the Dance Studio or Studio Director.

    Judge’s Choice Awards: Judge’s Choice Awards will be given at each awards ceremony in the following areas: “Choreography, Technique, Precision, Costume, and Entertainment”. Any award ceremony with a Skip level routine may award a “Performance Plus” award to a Skip Level routine only. 

  • Team Leap Invitations: The top two scoring soloists from each studio in the junior, teen, & senior age divisions will be presented with an invitation to participate in the 2025 Team Leap Program at our National Event in Orlando, Florida.

    Leap into the Spotlight Award: Leap will present this award to two group routines at each event. The recipients will receive a special plaque and certificate for a free small group entry to any Spotlight Dance Cup regional event in the 2026 season.

    Industry Dance Awards: The judges will select from Leap Level Groups and Lines (age 12 and up) one routine from each regional event for the following Specialty Award Nominees: Outstanding Choreography, People’s Choice, and Best Performance of 2025, as well as Outstanding Performance Nominees for: Best Jazz, Best Lyrical/Modern/Contemporary, Best Musical Theater/Novelty/Character, Best Hip-Hop, Best Open/Acro/Ballet, and Best Tap. 

    In August, we will select one routine in each category from the regional nominees to represent Leap. The final IDA nominees will be announced in August 2025 at industrydanceawards.com and on social media.

    ADCC Studio of Excellence: Leap will present this award on behalf of the Association of Dance Competitions and Conventions, whose mission is to promote excellence in the Dance Competition Industry. Leap will present this award, chosen by our entire staff, to the studio that displays the most spirit, as well as overall good sportsmanship onstage and offstage during the competition weekend. 

    LEAP SUPREME SOLOIST: Highest Scoring solo of the competition.

    LEAP PINNACLE GROUP: Highest Scoring group of the competition.

    LEAP Beyond: Leap Level Highest Scoring Non-Solo Routine in each age division (Mini, Junior, Teen, Senior).

    LEAP ABOVE: Jump Level Highest Scoring Non-Solo Routine in each age division (Mini, Junior, Teen, Senior).

  • Dancers against cancer donation option: Studios will have the option to donate back their awards received during each ceremony. Once the ceremony concludes, studios can bring any awards that they would like to donate to the Awards Coordinator backstage. At the end of the season, the proceeds from the donated awards will be given to Dancers Against Cancer! This is completely optional and studios may choose which individual awards they would like to donate back.

  • Division Challenges / Protests: If you, as the studio director, believe that a routine has not been entered in the correct division, you may challenge the specific routine by following our written protest procedures. Please see the Show Director at the event for the appropriate protest form. Any routine challenged and found to be in violation of the division criteria may be disqualified, adjudicated only, or bumped to the proper division at Leap’s discretion. Protests must be submitted at least one hour prior to the applicable awards ceremony and preferably within 30 minutes of the performance in question. 

    SAFETY: Dancer’s safety is paramount at Leap. Stage Managers, marley floor, and first aid kits are provided. Leap stresses the importance of safety and executing only those skills, techniques, and practices that will not cause undue harm or injury to performers, spectators, or the stage. To ensure the safety of all, 100% of choreography must be performed within the boundaries of the provided stage area. Dancing in aisles, on or around the judges’ table, jumping off the stage, and/or performing in any other part of the theater is strictly prohibited. Routines in violation of these noted safety standards will be penalized or disqualified at Leap’s discretion. 

    Family Friendly Policy: Leap is dedicated to providing an environment that is family friendly. We realize that dance is an art form and crosses a broad range of styles and tastes; however, routines, costumes, and music must be age appropriate and suitable for audiences that include children of every age. Offensive language/lyrics, choreography, costuming, and/or the use of dance themes such as rape, suicide, murder, sex, domestic violence, or other dark undertones presented with a lack of “artistic discretion” may be considered inappropriate. We recognize that this is extremely subjective and sensitive, therefore, Leap judges and staff will use their utmost professional judgment to ensure appropriateness while still encouraging artistic creativity. 

    Photography and Video Recording: Recording and transmitting devices of any kind are strictly prohibited, as in any professional performance venue, in order to abide by copyright law and due to the prevalence of persons of questionable nature. This includes FaceTime and similar mobile technology during a performance.
    Your cooperation is appreciated to protect the dancers and the work of the choreographers.

    No recording devices of any type are allowed in the dressing rooms. We have the exclusive right to deny any person(s) or studio(s) access to the competition in any way due to misconduct, misuse, or otherwise. Failure to comply with these guidelines could result in penalties or disqualification of the dancer(s) and/or studio. We urge all studio owners, teachers, and especially parents and families to help keep our performers photographically safe.

    • NOTE: Leap reserves the right to use any image taken at our events by our partners and affiliates.

    Dressing Rooms: Same gender parents and teachers only allowed in dressing rooms. Family dressing space is available upon request. Please see your Stage Manager at the event for Dressing Room details or contact our office prior to the event. 

    Backstage Policy: Teachers and performers only allowed backstage. ALL parents and students not performing in the current routines are to watch from the audience. 

    Jurisdiction: Upon submission and acceptance of entry registrations, all parties irrevocably agree that all contractual agreements between studios, registrants and Leap National Dance Competition shall be construed and governed by the internal laws, and not the law of conflicts, of the State of Idaho. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any legal action, suit or proceeding arising out of relating to the agreement may be brought in the courts of the State of Idaho or of the United States of America for the District of Idaho, (ii) submit to the jurisdiction of any such court in any such action, suit or proceeding, and (iii) waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection that they may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any action or proceeding arising out of relating to this agreement in any court referred to in this section. Final judgment against a party in any action, suit or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in any other jurisdiction by suit on the judgment. 

  • Admission: Leap events are general admission. No saving of seats.

    TEACHER ROW: Leap will provide a teacher row at the front of the auditorium.  This row is for Studio Directors and Teachers only.  No dancers or parents allowed.  

    Facility Respect Policy: Dressing rooms, performance, workshop/loading dock and audience areas are to be left in the same condition after the competition as before. If any attendee abuses the premises in any way, or food/drink/gum is found on the premises, Leap reserves the right to discard it and to excuse spectators and competitors from the event. Non-compliance could result in disqualification of the dancer and/or studio. 

that’s a wrap!

(AT EVENT INFORMATION)

  • Log in to your studio account on the Registration Portal following the event.
    Score sheets will be available on Tuesday following your event by end of business.
    Video critiques & monetary awards will be available no later than Friday end of business.

    Information is provided to studio directors only.