1. Entrant’s age range for each Competition shall be stated on the Competition Entry Form.

2. For Solo Title Event, a "Welcome" letter shall be sent and/or emailed to each entrant and include:

• Dates, starting times, locations, and arrangements for each phase of the event. Attendance will be taken at each phase of the event. Entrants must be "signed-in" prior to the start of each phase. Failure to be "on time" will result in a three (3) point deduction for each infraction. Entrants are urged to arrive at the appointed locations at least 10 minutes prior to the "sign-in"

• Time, date and location for the mandatory parent's meeting

•. Lists of contestants with their competition numbers and interview times

3. Competition entry forms must be submitted as stated on the entry forms .

4. Each entry kit includes:

• ALL forms with all relevant blanks completed without "TBD" or similar information

1. a. Only members in good standing with DMM/DMA (dues paid for the current year) may enter students in competitions.

1. b. Pending members are not eligible to submit entries for competitions.

2. a. All entrants must be registered for at least ten (10) months prior to the competition at the studio of the DMM member(s) who signs the entry form. This rule could be waived by the Board of Directors of DMM in extenuating circumstances.

2. b. With written permission from the former teacher, the entrant may have studied with the teacher of record for a period of less than to (10) months prior to the competition.

2. c. An entrant may have studied with the teacher(s) of record for a period of not less than three (3) years, have less than one (1) year lapse in training with the teacher(s) of record and is now in a position that does not permit the entrant to study with the teacher(s) of record on a regular basis.

3. All competition entrants must be registered for one of the DMM conventions/workshops as follows:

4. Studios participating in the Solo-title Competition must enter a $250 minimum fee with entries or workshop registrations for Performing Arts Competition and/or Spring Workshop.

6. Rehearsing in hallways and public areas of the convention/competition site is strictly prohibited. Practicing in rented DMM/DMA space excluding the competition stage(s) is allowed when such space is available. This practice must be done under member teacher supervision and space must be shared equally by those wishing to rehearse. Under no circumstances is DMM/DMA audio equipment or DMM/DMA rented equipment to be used in these rehearsals.

7. All rule violations are now dealt with by a point deduction rather than a placement dropping (see "Judging").

8. The "teacher of record" shall be the DMM member teacher whose signature appears on the competition application as the "teacher of record" and who shall be legally responsible for the entrant. All other DMM member teacher(s) to be recognized shall sign as "teacher(s) of recognition" on the competition application. Only one person can receive cash prizes; SSN or EIN must be provided, where requested.

• Ballet................................Ballet

• Pointe...............................Ballet

• Tap...................................Tap

• Jazz ................................Jazz

• Lyrical...............................Ballet or Jazz

• Ethnic ..............................Any DMM Certification

• Hip Hop ...........................Jazz

• Contemporary .................Ballet, Jazz or Modern

• Modern............................Ballet, Jazz or Modern

• Musical Theatre ...............Any DMM Certification

• General Variety ................Any DMM Certification

• Clogging ..........................Tap

• Kick Line .........................Any DMM Certification

• Open ...............................Any DMM Certification

2. Age specifications, by June 1 of the "dance year," for each solo-title competition shall be:

• 7-9 for Petite Miss or Master Dance of Michigan

• 10-12 for Junior Miss or Junior Mr.. Dance of Michigan

• 13-15 for Teen Miss or Teen Mr. Dance of Michigan

• 16 - 23 for Miss or Mr. Dance of Michigan (assistant teacher or advanced student of DMM member)

3. Solo-title competition entrants must be:

• single • never married • never had a marriage annulled • childless • never convicted of a crime

4. Solo-title competition entrants must display a solo talent routine with a maximum time limit of 2:50 minutes. The talent routine must be a performing arts dance routine. Singing, baton twirling, or playing of musical instruments will not be allowed. Audible taps on recordings will not be allowed. Only props that are functional and an integral part of the routine will be allowed. Important: Music over the time limit will cause the entrant to drop one (1) point per adjudicator in the final standings.

6. Failure of the entrant to comply with any and all of the rules of the solo-title competitions as stated here or announced hereafter, will result in a penalty of the entrant being lowered one position in placement for each infraction. Excluded: Music over time limit (see #4 above).

1. Entrants for ALL solo-title competitions are required to sit before the judging panel for an interview of

• 5 minutes for Miss/Mr. Dance

• 3 minutes for all other solo-title competitions

3. The name of the teacher, choreographer, and studio is not to be mentioned during the interview.

Specific details will be listed in the letter from the competition director.

• Females — Black leotard (entrant's choice}; pink tights for ballet; pink or suntan tights for tap, jazz, and acrobatics.

• Anyone not in proper attire will be disqualified from the audition.

4. Attire for interviews:

• Female entrants are required to wear a daytime dress or business-type suite.

• Male entrants are required to wear dress shirt and tie with either dress slacks and jacket or business-type suite.

5. Attire for awards portion of each event:

• Mr. entrants are to be in a dress suite or blazer with dress slacks.

• In other competitions, the attire to be worn is specified by the competition director.

6. The Miss Dance of America competition may require Chapter winners to wear specific attire.

1. All entrants are required to take a minimum of two (2) and a maximum of four (4) competition classes. A tap class, a ballet class, a jazz class and an acrobatic class will be offered. Each class has a point value of 1-15. The two (2) highest scores will be added to the overall score (1-30 points).

2. It is in this area of the competition that the adjudicators will take into consideration the body of the dancers. The "ballet body" will be considered in the ballet class only and the "acrobatic body" will be considered in the acrobatic class only, etc.

3. Entrants reprimanded twice during the class process will be excused from the classes and no score will be entered for any subject class.

4. Classes will be conducted according to the "Scholarship Class Instructors 'Handbook'" located in Section III.

1. Rehearsals for solo-title competition entrants will be scheduled by the director of each competition. Solo-title entrants will learn and rehearse an opening routine. Entrants must have required dancewear for first rehearsal unless otherwise specified.

2. Rehearsals and designated backstage areas are closed to all except the entrants and pageant officials (those specified by the competition director). Any infraction of this rule will cause the entrant to drop one place in the final standing.

4. The Teacher of Record is responsible for obtaining any penalty point deduction notifications. Entrants' point deductions will be accessible at the Tabulation table to the Teacher of Record following each event.

1. Each entrant into the Solo Title Event will receive two (2) tickets for the weekend competitions and one (1) "pass" to attend other competitions held the same weekend. No other complimentary tickets will be provided. All others (including members) must purchase the general admission tickets.

2. Entrant agrees that if she/he is selected as the winner of a DMM solo-title competition, she/he will not sign a management contract with any individual corporation; that she/he will not give any written or verbal endorsement of any mercantile commodity or commercial organization; nor will she/he permit any photographs to be used in connection with any advertised commodity or service not associated with the competition or Dance Masters of Michigan, without the permission of the Board of Directors of Dance Masters of Michigan, Inc.

4. Solo-title competition title holders are required to attend the National Finals of the titled competition at Dance Masters of America.

5. If for any reason Chapter solo-title competition winners cannot compete at the National Finals, the first runner up of the particular competition will be given the opportunity to compete and the Competition Director must be notified of the change no later than April 1. If a Chapter solo-title competition winner fails to do so, a $500.00 fine will be levied on the signatures of the winner’s application.

6. The teacher of record, teacher(s) of recognition, and official chaperone (listed on the application) must be preregistered for the full National Convention. The entrant, teacher of record, and chaperone must be registered guests at the National Convention Hotel.

7. If an emergency prevents the member teacher from attending the convention, he/she will still be required to pay the full national convention registration fee and designate a Chapter representative to be the student’s official chaperone. Chaperones who are DMA members will be required to register for the convention and stay at the convention hotel. Upon selection of a chaperone, the teacher of record will be assessed a $25.00 processing fee.

8. In the event that the Chapter solo-title competition winner does not proceed to the National Finals for whatever reason, the first runner-up or the person who does represent the Chapter at the National Finals will assume the title. A winner who does not proceed to the National Finals will forfeit their title(s) and all benefits associated with winning the title. The new Chapter representative will receive the title and benefits of the title.

9. Entrants must agree to abide by all rules of each competition now in effect or as announced hereafter. Failure to abide by the Rules will lead to disqualification.

10. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to insure that your contestant is:

4. Inappropriate costumes, music, choreography: Three boxes will be placed on each judge's talent form indicating the three categories above. If three (3) judges initial a box (all the same box) then 3 points will be deducted from the final score.

1. Be sure to finalize and test all CD recordings.

• Application forms clearly printed in ink or computer formatted

• Medical Release form signed by all individuals whose signatures are on the front of application

1. All Performing Arts entrants must be registered for the Spring Workshop unless indicated otherwise on the entry forms

2 Studios participating in the Solo-title Competition must enter a $250 minimum fee with entries or workshop registrations for Performing Arts Competition and/or Spring Workshop.

5. The "teacher of record" shall be the DMM member teacher whose signature appears on the competition application as the "teacher of record" and who shall be legally responsible for the entrant. All other DMM member teacher(s) to be recognized shall sign as "teacher(s) of recognition" on the competition application. Only one person can receive cash prizes; SSN or EIN must be provided, where requested.

2. In the event of misconduct during the competition, the entry will be subject to disqualification. Smoking by contestants will not be allowed during any rehearsal and/or the competition in the backstage area. The backstage area shall be defined by the Competition Director.

3. Infractions of the rules and/or failure to compete the entry form or submit the correct entry fees will result in point deductions from the total score (drop one place in final standing). Teachers are urged to double check entry forms and entry fees prior to mailing.

4. The Performing Arts entrants are permitted to view the competition but shall not wear their costume in the auditorium. All teachers are required to inform their students of this prior to competition day.

5. One responsible adult per group/line may remain with the group/line as chaperone.

6. Each studio is responsible for keeping their dressing area clean. A fine will be levied against offending studio/teacher if studio dressing area is not cleaned and critique/CD will not be released until fine is paid.

7. On the day of competition, all performers must be dressed and ready to line up one hour before the performance time, which will be mailed to each teacher before the competition.

8. No exception to the rules pertaining to the entering of this contest will be made. Entrants agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the contest now in effect or as announced herein. Failure to abide by the rules will lead to disqualification.

1. There shall be three levels of competition:

• "Primary" — for students attending 1-3 class hours per week or less.

• "Secondary" — for students attending 4-7 class hours per week.

• "Intensive" — for students attending 8 or more class hours per week.

2. The age divisions are:

Professional will be defined as a staff member employed by a dance studio to teach, making 50% of their livable wage or a student who receives more than $10,000 per year as a teacher or a professional dancer or holding membership in a professional dance teachers organization.

3. An age division is determined by averaging. Add the ages of all contestants in the entry and divide the total by the number of dancers in the entry. Decimal points are to be "dropped."

5. In case of question, participants’ birth certificates must be available upon request.

6. No duo, trio, group, line, or production may enter into an age category that is more than one age category lower than the oldest dancer in the routine.

1. Categories, number of dancers, and time limits are:

Non-title Solo 1 dancer 2:50

Production 12 or more dancers 6:00

Collaboration: one or more teachers combining their talents and students. Awards and prized shall not be combined with any other categories.

Extended 4 or more dancers 6:00

Production 12 or more dancers 8:00

2. Current reigning solo titleholders are not eligible to enter the Solo category.

3. Dancers may not compete against themselves unless 50 percent of the entrants are different students. By averaging ages, a student could appear in the Junior age division for the Ballet category and also appear in the Senior age division for the Ballet category.

• Tap

• Jazz — A form of dance incorporating Jazz techniques

• Lyrical — A form of dance that incorporates the interpretation of the lyrics of a song or the lyrical quality of the music

• Acrobatic

• Ethnic — with or without music

• Hip Hop — Stylized dance incorporating some jazz technique

• Contemporary — A combination of modern or contemporary dance techniques

• Modern

• Musical Theatre — A dance style based on Broadway or movie musicals; may denote comedy, depict a character, relate a story, or create a theatrical mood; pantomime (lip sync) and singing permitted

• General Variety — Any routine that incorporates more than one dance form; pantomime (lip sync) and singing permitted

• Clogging

• Open — Any routine that does not fit the description of subjects listed above

1. Any routing that contains more than three (3) acrobatic tricks must be entered into either the General Variety or Acrobatic category.

• Ballet................................Ballet

• Pointe...............................Ballet

• Tap...................................Tap

• Jazz ................................Jazz

• Lyrical...............................Ballet or Jazz

• Acrobatic..........................Acrobatic

• Ethnic ..............................Any DMM Certification

• Hip Hop ...........................Jazz

• Contemporary .................Ballet, Jazz or Modern

• Modern............................Ballet, Jazz or Modern

• Musical Theatre ...............Any DMM Certification

• General Variety ................Any DMM Certification

• Clogging ..........................Tap

• Kick Line .........................Any DMM Certification

• Open ...............................Any DMM Certification

3. Audible taps will not be allowed. No special technical effects will be permitted.

1. Be sure to finalize and test all CD recordings.

2. Two (2) new, high quality CD recordings of the music must be provided as noted below in item #3. One is for performance; the second is for back up.

3. CDs must be turned in by 10 routines prior to stage entry of the routine. A 3-point penalty will result if the entry is turned in late.

• CATEGORY

• SUBJECT

• AGE DIVISION

• TITLE OF MUSIC

• MEMBER NAME

6. Inappropriate costumes, music, choreography: Three boxes will be placed on each judge's talent form indicating the three categories above. If three (3) judges initial a box (all the same box) then 3 points will be deducted from the final score.

2. Entrants shall be adjudicated on their performance only and Awards shall be as follows: Platinum, Gold, High Silver, Silver, High Bronze, and Bronze.

3. The following "High Score" (Overall) Awards shall be given based on their performance scores only, in each of the following Age Divisions: 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, and 17 and over.

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

2. BALLET AUDITION CLASS

• Petite Allegro combination — Jeté, Battu, Entrechat, Assemble

3. JAZZ AUDITION CLASS

4. TAP AUDITION CLASS

• Turn combinations across the floor — Any Basic Tap Step in turn combination

5. ACROBATIC DANCE AUDITION CLASS

• Center Floor Warm Up — Be sure to include legs, back and arms

• Controlled Movements — Head Stand, Hand Stand, Elbow Stands, Chest Stand

• Personal Best — Something that they have not done to this point of the class