Entry Guidlines I General Guidelines I Entry Fees I Adjudication/Awards l Top 10 The Legacy Award I Scholorships I Special Awards I Cash Prize Disbursement I Regional Event Schedule I Other Important Rules, Disclaimers & Guidlines

Legacy Dance Championships

2008 / 2009 Rules

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

INDEPENDENT ENTRIES ARE NOT ACCEPTED

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE RULES MAY RESULT IN
DISQUALIFICATION

ANY DANCER(S) AFFLIATED WITH DAVID SANDERS OR DAVID SANDERS DANCE DYNAMICS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE AT ANY LEGACY EVENT

ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE LEGACY OFFICE 30 DAYS PIOR TO THE COMPETITION DATE

ENTRIES RECEIVED AFTER THE 30 DAY DEADLINE WILL BE ASSESSED A 10% LATE FEE

Legacy wants to provide a positive experience for everyone that attends our events. To assist us in achieving this goal, it is expected that every member of competing studios (directors, teachers, students and parents) will be courteous and supportive of each other in a manner that displays respect for the Art of Dance.

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Entry Guidelines

Types of Entries: Solo, Duet/Trio, Small Groups (4 – 9 dancers), Large Groups (10 – 16 dancers), Lines and Small Productions (17 – 24 dancers), Large Productions (25 + dancers) and Extended (any “group” routine that exceeds our standard time limits).

Soloists are limited to 3 entries and must be in different categories of competition, their highest score only is eligible for the Top 10.

Divisions of entries are competitive, which anyone may enter, and our ~ NEW ~ recreational division, which only dancers who take a total of three hours or less of dance lessons per week during the last three years are eligible to enter. This applies to all members of a duet/trio or group.

Note: All Recreational Entries are for adjudication only and are not eligible for cash prizes. As the point system for Recreational and Mini Divisions are the same, there is no Mini Recreational Division. All Mini entries are considered Competitive.

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Performance Categories: Acro/Gym, Ballet/Pointe, Contemporary/Modern, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theater, Specialty (our “open” category) and “The Legacy Zone” (Parents Category. All contestants must be 20 years or older)

Age Divisions: Mini (Ages 3 – 8), Petite (Ages 9 – 10), Junior (Ages 11 – 12), Teen (Ages 13 – 15), Senior (Ages 16 -19), and Open (Ages 20 and up. Not eligible for cash prizes).

Time Limits: Solos, Duet/Trios, Small Groups, and Large Groups (3 Minutes), Lines (4 Minutes), Small Productions (5 Minutes), Large Productions (6 Minutes) and Extended (any group that exceeds our standard time limits. Solos & Duet/Trio are NOT eligible). Small & Large Group Extended (Max. Time Limit 4 Minutes), Line Extended (Max. Time Limit 5 Minutes), Small Productions Extended and Large Productions Extended (Max. Time Limit 8 Minutes). Time limits will be strictly adhered to. A deduction of one-half (.5) point for every 10 seconds or portion thereof in excess of the time limit will be made.

Entry Ages: 3 - 4 years, 5 - 6 years, 7 years, 8 years, 9 years, 10 years, 11 years, 12 years, 13 years, 14 years, 15 years, 16 years, 17 years, 18 - 19 years, 20 - 25 years, 26 - 35 years, 36 - 49 years, 50 - 64 years and 65 years and over.

Acro/Gym, Ballet/Pointe, Contemporary/Modern, & Hip-Hop will compete in the following entry ages: 3 - 4 years, 5 - 6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years, 11-12 years, 13-15 years, 16-19 years, 20 - 25 years, 26 - 35 years, 36 - 49 years, 50 - 64 years and 65 years and over.

Age & Avg. Age Calculation: With the exception of Soloists, all ages will be determined by Legacy's National birth date of June 1, 2009. For regional events, Soloists will compete at their age as of the first day of competition, however, for our National event, soloists ages will be determined by our National birth date of June 1, 2009.

Example: If Paula is 12 at our Regional event, but turns 13 before June 1, 2009, she will compete in the 12 year old age division as a soloist, however, her age for determining the avg. age of Duet/Trio or group entries she may be in at this Regional event will be 13. At Nationals, she will also have to solo in the 13 year old age division. If Paula were born June 1 st or later, then she would remain 12 years old at Nationals as well as in avg. age calculation.

Also: No dancer is ever allowed to compete against themselves in the same age & performance category. Example: Paula is in 2 small group tap routines age 12. This is not permitted under our rules, however, you still want to compete both entries. How can you accomplish this? You can either move 1 of the routines to another performance category, i.e. specialty, musical theater, etc, or keep both routines in the tap category and compete 1 at age 12 & the other “up” at age 13.

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The following will apply to all types of Duet/Trio and Group entries regardless of average age: Duet/Trio and Group entries that consist of dancers with different ages, will be allowed to compete only one age division down from the age of the oldest dancer in that entry, regardless of the groups average age. Example: A group with an average age of 10.49 has a 13 year old dancing with them. This group will compete in the Junior Age division at 11, which is one age division lower than the oldest dancer, even though their average age is in the Petite division. If the oldest dancer in that group were 16 years of age, said group would have to compete in the Teen Age division at 13, even though their average age of 10.49 is still in the Petite Age division. Also: The youngest dancer in the group must perform in at least 50% of the routine. These rules will be strictly enforced.

Names, ages and birthdates of all contestants must appear on the entry form or it will not be accepted. Contestants will be responsible for producing proof of age to the competition directors should a question arise.

Determining Avg. Age: Once you have determined the national age of all dancers in your duet/trio, group, line or production entry, add their ages together and divide by the number of dancers in said entry. Drop all decimal points. Do not round up or down. Example: Paula’s National Age is 13, Dylan’s is 13 and Aidan’s is 12. Their duet/trio avg. age is 12.67. Drop the decimal points and they will compete in the 12 year old age division. Please keep in mind our rule about D/T’s & Groups with mixed age divisions only being able to compete 1 age division down from the oldest dancer. Worried about messing up? Don’t be, our computer program will catch any error and place your entry in the proper Age Division.

Note: All entries are eligible to compete “up” in age & division at the discretion of their competition director, however, at no time is any entry ever allowed to compete “down” in age or division.

Category Interpretation/Definition: Is left to the discretion of the studio owner/choreographer at the time of entry. For scoring purposes only, our judges panel reserves the right to place a routine in a more appropriate category.

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General Guidelines

Acro/Gym: A routine containing blended choreography between gymnastic passes and acrobatic moves such as, but not limited to: chest rolls, headstands, limbers and walkovers, tumbling passes, etc.

Ballet/Pointe: Routine containing classical steps and movement utilizing ballet and/or pointe technique. Performers must use Ballet or Pointe shoes. No acro tricks or tumbling passes permitted.

Contemporary/Modern: A performance incorporating Ballet, Modern and/or Jazz techniques, while pushing the envelope of the Jazz standard vocabulary. Up to 3 Acro tricks allowed which must be used to further the choreography and remain in the context of the routine. No tumbling passes permitted.

Hip Hop: A routine definitely utilizing street, funk and urban style Jazz techniques. Up to 3 acro tricks and tumbling passes are permitted.

Jazz: A routine utilizing primarily Jazz technique. Could be upbeat, or could be slow & bluesy. No acro tricks or tumbling passes permitted.

Lyrical: A routine using choreography based on the interpretation of lyrics. The routine should emphasize communication with the performers audience, incorporating strength and control while utilizing Ballet and Jazz techniques. No acro tricks or tumbling passes permitted.

Musical Theater: A routine consisting of Broadway/Theater dance styles. Up to 3 acro tricks and 1 tumbling pass permitted.

Song & Dance/Vocal Routines are permitted in the Musical Theater and Specialty categories only. Legacy will provide only one wireless “hand held” microphone for these routines, however, you may use your own wireless equipment provided it is cleared by the Legacy staff prior to the event and is set up and tested before the event begins. Legacy can not be held liable for loss, damage or performance of your personal equipment.

Specialty: Any routine incorporating any of our performance categories or combination of categories, “The Legacy Zone” excluded, or any other style of dance not listed (i.e. clogging, character, drill team…). Unlimited acro tricks & tumbling passes are permitted.

Tap: A routine utilizing Tap technique. Tap shoes only. No acro tricks or tumbling passes permitted.

Teacher: Any one person 20 years of age or older that competes in any entry type, (Solo, D/T, Groups), who are teachers or professional dancers and/or who have ever been teachers or professional dancers are to compete in this category. There will be no exceptions. Entry types may compete in any of the above listed performance categories, however, there will be no age divisions. All Teacher entries will compete against each other for their own Top 10 recognition provided there are more than 2 entries. Teacher routines are not eligible for cash prizes. If it is found that any entry meets the above criteria, it will automatically be entered in the teacher performance category.

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“The Legacy Zone!”: Parents and/or Grandparents, who wish to “showcase” their talents on the Legacy stage in any style of dance, are more than welcome. In fact, we encourage them to do so. Legacy requirements are simple: They may compete as groups/lines/ or productions. Parents in the routine must be at least 20 years of age or older and teachers are not permitted in the entry. Legacy Zone entries are not eligible for cash prizes, although they will have their own Top 10. All Legacy Zone entries will compete against each other regardless of age, group size, or style of dance and will be scored under the recreational point system as seen below. After all…this category is all about having fun. Above all else, we ask our Legacy Zone contestants to acknowledge that they are about to be introduced to a world that was once dominated only by their children… a realm void of maturity as they know it… they are about to enter … “The Legacy Zone!”

Entry Fees

 Entry Fees: Solo $ 75.00, Duet/Trio $90.00, Small Group $29.00 per person, Large Groups & Lines $28.00 per person, Small Productions $30.00, Large Productions $29.00 & Extended -Appropriate entry fee listed above, plus an additional $5.00 for each dancer. Example: You have a small group entry that is 3 minutes 24 seconds long. This is above the standard time limit of 3 minutes, so it must be entered as Extended. Entry fee would be $29+$5 for a total of $34.00 per person. If there were 7 dancers in this entry, the total entry fee would be $238.00. Please refer to time limits and types of entries when determining extended fees. If in doubt, feel free to call the Legacy office.

Entry fees are due 30 days prior to the first day of competition and are to be paid on one studio check made payable to Legacy Dance Championships. Canadian checks are not accepted – please pay with Bank money orders in U.S. Funds only. Entries received after the deadline are subject to a 10% late fee, must be paid by certified funds and might not be listed in the program.

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Adjudication / Awards

Adjudication: Legacy will provide only competent judges. Our panel will consist of teachers, choreographers, and working professionals that are well versed in all categories of dance. They will also have an understanding of what it takes to choreograph for children, and mold them from a young age thru adult. Routines will be scored and audio critiqued from each judge. The judge's scores & critique tapes will be released to the STUDIO DIRECTOR ONLY after your studios last routine is performed. In the event an authorized representative is needed from the studio to receive scores and critique tapes, our National Headquarters will need to be notified by the director prior to the event. The scores and comments of the judges do not necessarily represent the opinions of Legacy’s directors or its staff. The judges will base their score on the following criteria:

 

Technique Execution/Musicality Choreography/Showmanship Overall Appearance

50% 25% 15% 10%

 

Awards: Medals are adjudicated based on the following point system:

 

Mini & Recreational Div. Platinum 279-300.00 Gold 270-278.99 High Silver 261-269.99 Silver 243-260.99 Bronze 210-242.99

Petite & Junior Division Platinum 285-300.00 Gold 276-284.99 High Silver 267-275.99 Silver 249-266.99 Bronze 225-248.99

Teen, Senior & Open Div. Platinum 291-300.00 Gold 282-290.99 High Silver 273-281.99 Silver 255-272.99 Bronze 231-254.99

 

Ties will only be broken to determine the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th place finishes in the Overall Top 10 for each entry type and age division. See Top 10. Soloists and Duet/Trioperformers will be presented with a medal for their placement of Platinum, Gold, High Silver, Silver and Bronze, as well as our ever popular Legacy Bracelets. Honorable mention recipients will be presented with a certificate. Legacy Bracelets will be presented to performers in competing group entries that meet the Platinum, Gold, High Silver, Silver and Bronze criteria. Honorable Mention recipients will be presented with a certificate.

Studio Directors will receive a Legacy Regional Plaque commemorating their studios achievements during that competing cities event. Plaques will contain the names of all group entries accompanied with their placements and will be presented onstage following the weekends activities. High Point status is recognized when there are more than two entries in any one-age division and a Gold Medal placement is received.

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Mr. & Miss Legacy

All competitive soloists in the mini, petite, junior, teen & senior age divisions receive automatic entry into our title category. At each Regional event, the judges’ panel will determine the soloist who displays the best overall performance by one female and one male dancer in the Mini, Petite, Junior, Teen and Senior Age Divisions. Title winners are selected by different judging criteria. Overall performance and showmanship take precedence in the Title category, although a gold medal score must be achieved to qualify for the title. It is not uncommon for the High Score soloist to not win Title. Title recipients will receive a trophy, special Legacy Hoodie and the coveted title:

"Mr. Legacy or Miss Legacy"

  The Top 10

For all entry types (see entry types), the overall ”Top 10 Highest Scores” for each age division (see age divisions), will be presented as long as there are more then 2 entries in the category and a gold medal is achieved. With the exception of High Score thru the 5th highest score, ties will not be broken. In the event of a tie for the above mentioned, the technique score will break the tie. If this does not break the tie, we then go to the execution/musicality scores. At this point, if there is still a tie, the judges’ panel will determine the winner. The judges’ decision is final.

The Overall 1 st, 2 nd, & 3 rd place winners are eligible to receive cash prizes for all entry types and eligible age divisions. See Legacy Cash Prize Chart for details.

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 "The Legacy Award"

At each regional event, every competing studio’s Top 5 Highest Scores from the group segment of competition in the combined age divisions of Petite/Junior (9-12 yrs. old) & Teen/Senior (13-19 yrs. old) will be tabulated. During the final awards, the one studio with the highest point total from the combined Petite/Junior age division and the one studio with the highest point total from the combined Teen/Senior age division will be crowned The Jr. Legacy Award winner and The Sr. Legacy Award winner. In the event of a tie, Legacy will add in succession, each studios next highest scoring group entry until the tie is broken. The Legacy Award winners will receive a beautiful trophy and be forever enshrined on our websites "Legends Page". If entry criteria are met, the teacher/studio director will also receive a check from Legacy in an amount ranging from $500.00 - $1,500.00 (see cash prize chart). This is our way of saying Thank You for your overall Commitment to Excellence in Dance!

Scholarships

 At Legacy, we believe that continuing education from the industries top teachers and choreographers is crucial for both growth and personal achievement in the field of dance. This is why we are proud to have Adrenaline Dance as one of our sponsors. They will be providing weekend Convention Scholarships, as well as Scholarships to their 5 DaySummer Dance Intensive at all of our Regional events!!

ALSO

 Legacy will be awarding scholarships to the prestigious Broadway Dance Center in NYC as well as SHOCK the Intensive at each Regional event!! Just our way of showing you support for showing us support.

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Special Awards

 Choreography Awards: The judge's panel will select one routine from our 12 & Under segment of competition and one routine from our 13 & Over segment of competition which best represents overall excellence in choreography for each age division. The chorographer of these routines, or their representative, will be asked to come on stage and receive a plaque and recognition for their accomplishment.

Sportsmanship Award: The Legacy backstage staff will choose the one studio that best displays overall courtesy and support to all of their fellow competitors. This studio will be presented with the: Legacy Sportsmanship Award

Cash Prize Disbursement

 One check will be presented to the Studio Directors for all their prize money earnings after the events final award segment. With the exception of an emergency on the studios' behalf, checks will not be mailed to the director - please be present to receive your check.

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Regional Event Schedule

 An event schedule will be provided for studios 6 days prior to the first day of competition for each regional event. This will be sent via one of the following: regular mail, fax, or e-mail. All entries must be prepared to perform up to one hour in advance of their scheduled performance time. Legacy will never start an event before 8am or end an event later then 10pm on a Sunday. Unless otherwise approved by the Legacy Director(s), should an entry not perform in the order of appearance, as listed in the Legacy program, there will be a 1/2 (.5) of one point deduction from the entries total score. This rule will be strictly adhered to and frequent offenders risk further point deductions, as well as possible disqualification.

Music: Turn in your music to our MC at the sound table, which will be located in front of stage. Please turn in your music at least 30 minutes prior to your performance. If you wish, you may turn in your entire days’ worth of music. You may pick up your music after your performance, however, all music must be picked up at the end of each day. Legacy will not be held responsible for lost music and will not mail music back to competing studios. Please, have a back up CD or cassette tape ready if necessary.

The following information is required to be clearly labeled on all music:

Studio Name, Studio Code, Routine Name & the Entry Number assigned by Legacy.

IMPORTANT: CD's should be new, free of scratches and in a CD case. I PODS are more then welcome!!

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Other Important Rules, Disclaimers & Guidelines

 For the protection of choreography, video taping of any performance (with any recording device) is strictly prohibited. Legacy will extend one warning, after that, violators will be asked to leave the performance area. Failure to comply with this rule may result in studio disqualification. This will be strictly adhered to.

Fire, swords and knives on stage are prohibited. Simulated weapons with dull, safe edges are acceptable. Props are allowed, however they must be freestanding.

PROPS: FOR SAFETY MEASURES, ALL PROPS (FREE STANDING OR HAND HELD) ARE RESTRICTED TO A MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF 12 FEET. IN ADDITION, A DANCER MAY NOT STAND ABOVE 8FT. THE USE OF SAFETY RAILINGS MAY BE USED, HOWEVER THE TOTAL PROP HEIGHT WITH RAILINGS MAY NOT EXCEED 12 FT. ANY VIOLATION OF THIS RULE WILL RESULT IN THE ACT NOT BEING ELIGIBLE FOR THE TOP TEN AND THE AWARD WILL BE ANNOUNCED FOR ADJUDICATION SCORES ONLY.

Please contact our National Headquarters if you need further clarification of prop guidelines. Props must be essential to the act and must be carried on & off stage by the performer or your own staff (instructor, parent, coach, etc.). The placement of props, mats, etc., must be completed within 1 minute. The timing of the act will begin after the 1-minute prep time. Performers must be prepared to completely clear the stage in the event of any loose items. ABSOLUTELY NO ITEMS MAY BE THROWN OR SHOT OFF THE FRONT OF THE STAGE. Scenery or backdrops requiring the use of theater fly bars, or special theater lighting may not be used. Helium balloons are not permitted. Special fog or smoke is not permitted. Safety is always a major concern. If the stage is "littered" during a routine please be prepared to clean it up immediately after the routine is finished. Failure to do so will result in a 1 point deduction from your total score.

If dance movements, lyrics, or costuming are deemed to be too suggestive or otherwise age inappropriate for our family audience, it will be scored lower at the discretion of the judges and will not be eligible for Top 10. Overly suggestive, overly sexual or extremely violent content is not acceptable on the Legacy stage.

Judges Score Sheets, critique tapes & all performance music must be picked up at the event. They will not be available for mailing afterward.

Contestants and teachers, by virtue of entering a Legacy Event, give their permission and consent to the directors of Legacy to use their images, photographs & videos to appear on television, or any other electronic media for advertising, news coverage or any other commercial use of our events.

Any performer competing in a dance competition takes certain inherent risks. These include, but are not limited to sprains, bruises, pulled muscles, and broken bones. Participation in this competition indicates the acceptance of such risks by performers. Therefore by virtue of entering this event, it is agreed that participants will not hold Legacy National Dance Championships, LLC® its officers, directors, officials, staff or employees responsible for injuries sustained or illnesses contracted by them while in attendance and/or participating in any activity related to a Legacy Competition. Legacy National Dance Championships® and the hosting facility are not responsible for personal injury or property loss to either contestants or spectators.

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