So You're at Your Dancer's Award Ceremony: She won "Platinum 1st Place" but She Also Got 10th Place....What the Heck is Going On?!

Dance competitions can be exhilarating and a little stressful for dancers and their families. If you're a parent, you might be asking, "How exactly are dance competitions judged and scored?" Understanding this process can help clear up the mystery and allow you to better support your dancer. In this article, we will break down the judging criteria, scoring systems, and what judges are really looking for when evaluating performances.

The Role of Judges in Dance Competitions

Judges are vital to dance competitions. They usually come from backgrounds as experienced dancers, choreographers, or educators with extensive knowledge of different dance styles. Their experience helps them provide important feedback and constructive criticism to dancers and studios. Judges evaluate performances based on specific criteria, which may differ from one competition to another. However, key elements in the judging process are generally consistent across many events.

While each competition may have its unique set of rules, judges generally consider key criteria when scoring performances:

Technique

Technique is often the most influential criterion in dance competitions. Judges look for essential aspects such as proper body alignment, control, and execution of movements. This includes footwork, turns, and jumps. For example, a dancer performing a double pirouette with precision and balance will likely score higher than one who struggles with balance. Mastery of these techniques can be the difference between a score in the 280's vs. one in the 270's.

Choreography

Choreography refers to the originality and creativity of the dance routine. Judges assess how well the choreography fits the music and the dancer's skill level. A routine that highlights the dancer's strengths can score better. For instance, a piece that showcases fluid movements may receive higher marks than a routine that feels disconnected from the music.

Performance Quality

Performance quality is about how well a dancer can convey emotion and connect with the audience. Judges look for stage presence, facial expressions, and energy levels. A dancer who engages the audience and tells a compelling story through dance will likely score higher. A 2020 study revealed that about 75% of judges noted that emotional connection significantly influenced their scoring.

Musicality

Musicality is a dancer's ability to convey the essence of the music through their movements. Judges evaluate how well a dancer matches their movements to the rhythm, dynamics, and phrasing of the music.

Overall Impression

Judges also consider the overall impression of the performance. This includes how each element combines to create a cohesive and captivating routine. A favorable overall impression can have a significant impact on the final score. Judges are trained to notice when all elements are in harmony and how that affects their enjoyment of the routine.

The Scoring System

Most dance competitions use a numerical scoring system to evaluate performances. Scores typically range from 1 to 100, and combine 3 judges' scores for a total (300 being a perfect score.) Competitions rarely announce or display scores, however almost every competition announces and gives out "ADJUDICATION" awards. This is an award that correlates with the dancers score - think of it like a rubric in school.

The most common types of Adjudication Awards are:

• Diamond (a near perfect score; usually 295-300) Think of this like a 100% A++

• Platinum (usually around 285-294) This is a fantastic achievement - like a solid A!

• High Gold (275-284) This is a tipping point score - like the smallest area between an A- and B+!

• Gold (265-274) You can think of this score like a B on a paper in school. Room for improvement! :)

• Silver (264 and lower) This score reflects that the judges see lots of room for growth and improvement.

Sometimes, competitions reserve the more prestigious "Diamond" award for the higher level competitors, making Platinum or even High Gold the highest possible adjudication for more novice dancers. This is always explained in the competition's program, and parameters can vary slightly. The names of each adjudication level also vary from competition to competition, but always seem to be themed around gemstones and precious metals.

Each dance also receives placement within its category. ''CATEGORY awards'' are given to the top scoring dances in their respective age AND genre. Example: your 11 year old dancer's hip hop solo will be against other 9-11 year old Hip Hop soloists for Category awards. Their group lyrical routine competes against other lyrical routines that have the same group age-average.

Finally, ''OVERALL awards'' are given. This is usually a Top 10 (but a competition can decide to award any number of Top Overall Scores - like a Top 20 at larger competitions or only a Top 5 at others). This prestigious lineup awards the Top scoring routines in your dancers AGE range, but combines ALL genres together. Ex: your 11 year old dancer's Hip Hop solo is now being placed among ALL 9-11 year old soloists that competed. Her group lyrical routine will now be placed among all group routines that were the same size and age-average for the group overall awards.

Depending on Category size, a dancer could win her category but not even place Top 10 in the Overall Awards! See, her 9-11 year old Hip Hop Solo category had 7 dancers in it. She won! She was the best Hip Hop Soloist there and that is an exciting achievement! But if there were 25 Lyrical soloists age 9-11 and 10 of them scored higher than your daughter, she could be knocked out of the overall Top 10. This can be very confusing for dancers, which is where parent support and appropriate goal setting comes in!... (See below...Keep reading!)

The Importance of Feedback

Judges provide live audio or written comments and feedback for each performance, called "Critiques" in the dance world, which can be invaluable for dancers eager to improve. Critiques are sent to your studio director after competitions and listened to by the instructor(s) and dancer in order to apply the corrections for the next competition. Feedback from judges is an important aspect of the dance competition experience. It offers dancers insights into their strengths and areas for growth. As a parent, encouraging your dancer to accept and learn from this feedback can foster their development. When reviewing judges' comments, remember that even constructive criticism is aimed at helping dancers improve.

The Role of Dance Parents

As a dance parent, your support is crucial during competitions. Here are ways to help your dancer navigate the competition experience:

• Encourage a Positive Mindset: Remind your dancer that competitions are learning experiences, no matter the outcome.

• Assist with Preparation: Support your dancer by helping them prepare for their performance, whether through practice, organizing their costume, arriving early, or helping them mentally get ready.

• Be Supportive: Celebrate their efforts and achievements, irrespective of the score. Encouragement can significantly boost their confidence and motivation.

• Help Your Dancer Set Appropriate Goals: Sometimes you won't agree with the score or placement your dancer receives at a competition. Help your dancer set goals. Support her by turning your focus away from outcome-oriented goals (like adjudications and overall placements) and toward things they can control within their dancing (personal growth).

  • Examples of outcome-oriented goals: Judges, scoring systems, and the field of competitors vary greatly from one comp to the next; so a goal of "scoring a 280" can be very frustrating and confusing for dancer who nailed their solo last weekend and scored a 278, but had mistakes this weekend and scored a 280. A goal of "winning 1st place" is also mostly out of the dancers control since dance is a very subjective sport.

  • Examples of a tangible, process-oriented goals may be to nail a specific turn combination that your dancer struggles with; to have straight legs and pointed toes on her leap; to land his aerial without stumbling; or to execute the lift in their group routine without issue. These types of goals are specific to their personal growth in dance, and the athlete can control these outcomes by practicing, increasing motivation for the practices leading up to the next competition!

    
    

Final Thoughts

Grasping the judging and scoring process in dance competitions can help ease the anxiety that often surrounds these events. By familiarizing yourself with key criteria and scoring systems, you can better support your dancer. Remember, competitions are not solely about winning; they offer valuable experiences that promote growth, resilience, and a love for dance. As you navigate the exciting world of dance competitions, keep these insights in mind, and encourage your dancer to embrace every chance to shine on stage!