Competition

All competing dancers must be registered as full weekend convention participants for the same Regional event.

One-day convention participants are not eligible to compete.

Independent dancers are not eligible to compete.

Any dancer who currently trains with a studio must be registered through that studio’s official Velocity account. Parent registrations will not be accepted for dancers affiliated with a studio.

By registering for the competition portion of a Velocity Regional event, the studio acknowledges that competition may begin as early as 7:00 AM on Friday.

For the Layton, Utah Regional event, competition may begin as early as 7:00 AM on Thursday.

Competition may continue as late as 11:30 PM, with awards following the final routines.

When competition begins on Friday, Velocity will generally begin with solos and duo/trios before group routines.

Studios, dancers, teachers, and families should plan all travel, hotel, school, and work arrangements with these possible competition hours in mind.

Competition schedules are determined by the number of entries received.

Final convention and competition schedules will be emailed to the registered studio owner or director approximately one week before the event. Schedules will also be posted on the applicable city page.

Each dancer may register one solo at each Regional event.

A dancer does not need to participate in a group routine in order to compete a solo.

If the event schedule and competition capacity allow, Velocity may open registration for a second solo per dancer.

When second solos become available, Velocity will email the studios already registered for the applicable city. A second solo may not be entered unless Velocity has officially opened additional solo registration for that event.

When two solos are permitted:

• The dancer must compete a different genre for each solo
• The dancer may appear only once in the Top 10 solo overalls for that age division

Routine limits are based on the total number of dancers registered with the studio for the event.

Solos are included within the studio’s total routine limit and are not additional routines.

Studios with 1 to 39 dancers:

• Maximum of 40 total routines
• Up to 30 of the 40 routines may be solos
• One solo per dancer unless Velocity officially opens second solos

Studios with 40 to 75 dancers:

• Maximum of 65 total routines
• Up to 40 of the 65 routines may be solos
• One solo per dancer unless Velocity officially opens second solos

Studios with 76+ dancers:

• Please contact the Velocity office before entering routines
• The total routine limit will be determined based on the event’s competition capacity
• One solo per dancer unless Velocity officially opens second solos

Routine and solo limits may vary by city based on venue availability and competition capacity.

Studios are responsible for reviewing the applicable city page before entering routines. The registration system may occasionally allow a routine to be entered even when it does not meet the published limits. Acceptance by the registration system does not override Velocity’s published policies.

Registration and payment deadlines vary by city.

Competition may reach capacity before the published registration deadline. Studios are encouraged to complete their registrations as early as possible.

All dancers, routines, music, and required routine information must be completed by the registration deadline listed for the applicable city.

A requested competition placement is not permanently held until the routine registration is complete.

If dancers or routines are not completed by the deadline, the requested space will no longer be reserved for the studio.

Incomplete routines may be removed after the deadline so that available competition space can be offered to studios on the waiting list.

Studios are responsible for reviewing their registration before the deadline and confirming that all routines are complete and comply with Velocity’s published rules.

A separate competition deposit is required for studios planning to compete.

When beginning competition registration, studios must enter the number of routines they anticipate registering.

A $50 deposit is required for each anticipated routine.

Studios should enter their routine count as accurately as possible. The number submitted during the deposit process is used to reserve competition space and plan the event schedule.

Studios may register up to five fewer routines than the number originally reserved without forfeiting those routine deposits. For example, if a studio reserves space for 20 routines but registers only 12, the studio has eight unused routine spaces. Five fall within the allowed grace, while the $50 deposits for the remaining three routines will be forfeited.

All competition deposits are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

Competition deposits cannot be transferred to another city, event, studio, registration account, or season.

Velocity is proud to continue our partnership with C EVENT PICS to bring dancers professional Photo & Video coverage of all their routines throughout the entire Regional Tour. Dancers will gain access to their photos & video through our new Velocity Connect.

Each dancer participating in competition is required to pay a $50 Regional media fee.

The media fee is charged once per dancer for the entire Regional season.

If a dancer competes at more than one Velocity Regional event during the same season, the media fee will be applied only to the dancer’s first Regional competition registration.

The Regional media package provides access to professional photo and video coverage of the dancer’s routines at each Velocity Regional city in which the dancer competes.

Each dancer will receive personalized access to their media through Velocity’s official media platform.

Season Finale requires a separate media package and fee.

Studios should enter each dancer’s name and date of birth consistently at every event so the registration system can correctly identify dancers who have already paid the Regional media fee.

If a dancer who is not competing is charged the media fee, please email info@velocitydanceconvention.com. The Velocity office will review the registration and remove the fee when applicable.

Please carefully review every dancer’s name and date of birth before completing registration.

Names must be spelled correctly and dates of birth must be entered accurately.

Incorrect information may prevent waivers from being completed, affect age calculations, and cause the system to apply duplicate media fees.

Names, ages, and birth dates for all dancers must appear in the registration system before a routine can be accepted.

Birth certificates must be available upon request if age verification is needed.

Competition ages for the 2026-2027 season are determined by each dancer’s age as of January 1, 2027.

The dancer’s age as of January 1, 2027 applies to every Regional event during the season, including events held in fall 2026 and spring 2027.

Velocity competition age divisions are:

• Petite: Ages 5 to 6
• Mini: Ages 7 to 8
• Junior: Ages 9 to 10
• Pre-Teen: Ages 11 to 12
• Teen: Ages 13 to 15
• Senior: Ages 16 to 18
• Pro-Am: Ages 19 and older

The age division for a solo is based on the dancer’s age as of January 1, 2027.

The age division for a duo, trio, or group routine is based on the average age of all dancers participating in the routine.

To calculate the average age:

• Add the ages of all dancers in the routine
• Divide the total by the number of dancers
• Drop the decimal from the final average

Group routines may compete in the next older age division when requested by the studio.

Routines may not compete in an age division younger than their calculated age.

Velocity competition routine sizes are:

• Solo: 1 dancer
• Duo/Trio: 2 to 3 dancers
• Small Group: 4 to 9 dancers
• Large Group: 10 to 19 dancers
• Line: 20 to 24 dancers
• Extended Line: 25 to 30 dancers
• Production: 31 or more dancers

Standard time limits and any applicable extended-time options are listed with each routine category during registration.

Studios may purchase up to three additional minutes for a Group, Line, Extended Line, or Production routine.

Additional time is $5 per dancer, per additional minute.

Studios requesting extended time must contact info@velocitydanceconvention.com before the event.

A routine that exceeds its registered time limit without prior approval may receive a point deduction.

All competition music must be uploaded through the online registration system by the deadline listed for the event.

Music may be uploaded through the competition portion of the studio registration.

Accepted file formats include MP3 and MP4.

Studios should preview every uploaded file to confirm that the correct music has been attached to the correct routine.

Teachers must have backup music available for every routine.

The only accepted form of backup music is a USB-C drive.

Entries and music will not be accepted by email or telephone.

Competing dancers are expected to perform in their scheduled order.

A studio may request that a routine be held when additional time is needed for a reasonable costume change. All holds must be approved by Velocity.

Competition order will not be changed to allow for rehearsals, run-throughs, or circumstances within the studio’s control.

Holding routines out of order for reasons within the studio’s control may result in a point deduction.

Velocity will work with studios when a dancer is experiencing an injury, illness, or another circumstance outside of the studio’s control.

Visual coaching from the audience, backstage area, or side of the stage is prohibited.

Only registered studio owners, directors, and teachers are permitted backstage.

Parents may assist with props only when directed by their studio owner and approved by Velocity staff.

Studio Representatives do not receive backstage access.

Dressing rooms and changing areas may not be created backstage or in undesignated areas without approval from Velocity.

Teachers are not permitted to perform with students.

Reserved seating will be available for registered teachers with competing routines.

General props are permitted. Ceiling heights, door access, and backstage areas vary by venue. Studios are responsible for ensuring their props fit within the venue.

Dangerous props or materials are prohibited, including fire, weapons, swords, guns, sparklers, live animals, water, paint, food, or other hazardous materials.

Props that leave residue or debris, including confetti, feathers, or glitter, must be completely cleaned up by the studio. The stage must be left in the same condition it was in prior to the routine.

Props may not damage the Marley flooring, video walls, wings, or other Velocity equipment. Studios are responsible for all repair or replacement costs resulting from damage caused by their props.

Prop setup and strike times must be entered with the routine during registration. A maximum of 1:00 minute for setup and 1:00 minute for strike is permitted. Studios must provide enough personnel to safely move, set, and remove all props within these time limits. Velocity crew members are not permitted to touch, move, set, strike, or otherwise handle props at any time. Exceeding the allotted time may result in deductions or disqualification.

All props must be able to safely access the stage using the 3' wide × 3' tall stairs provided by Velocity.

Helium balloons may be used but may not be released.

Prop storage is not guaranteed. If storage is available, Velocity is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged props. All props must be removed following the event; any venue storage, removal, or disposal fees will be charged to the studio's Velocity account.

The Velocity main stage generally provides a danceable area of approximately 40 feet wide by 28 feet deep.

The main stage may include approximately eight additional feet of offstage wing space on both stage right and stage left, creating a total stage deck of approximately 56 feet wide by 28 feet deep.

Stages are professionally decked and may be elevated approximately two to three feet above the ballroom floor.

Stairs lead to the offstage wing areas. Handrails are provided for dancer safety and may be temporarily removed to allow approved large props onto the stage.

Handrails must be returned to their proper position before performances continue.

Velocity provides professional audio, stage monitors, lighting, Marley flooring, and downstage tap microphones.

Some cities may use a secondary competition stage.

A secondary stage may provide a 40-foot-wide by 28-foot-deep danceable area with direct stair access and limited or no additional wing space.

Stage configurations vary by city and venue.

Personal photography and video recording are prohibited during competition.

This policy applies to all devices, including cell phones, tablets, digital cameras, and professional cameras.

The policy protects dancer privacy and safety while also protecting the choreography and intellectual property of studios, teachers, choreographers, and performers.

Professional photo and video coverage is available through Velocity’s official media provider.

All ties will be broken in the following order:

• Technique score
• Performance score
• Judges’ decision

Adjudicated awards are based on combined score, out of 300:

Entries receiving a High Gold award or higher are eligible to attend the 2027 Velocity Season Finale.

Overall awards may be presented to the highest-scoring routines in each eligible age division and routine size.

Cash awards require at least three routines competing within the same age division and routine size.

When fewer than three routines compete in the applicable division, the top-scoring routine may receive a Velocity studio credit instead of a cash award.

Choreography awards may also be presented to routines demonstrating outstanding creative work.

All judging decisions are final.

Adjudication awards are not distributed during the onstage award ceremonies.

Silver, Gold, High Gold, and Platinum awards will be organized by studio and placed in studio award boxes.

Award boxes will be available for pickup at the Velocity registration area beginning after lunch on the final day of convention classes.

Award boxes must be collected by the studio owner, director, or an approved studio representative.

Unclaimed adjudication awards will not be shipped after the event.

Studios are responsible for collecting all awards before leaving the event.

Dancers may compete at more than one Velocity Regional event during the same season.

A routine that receives first overall at a Regional event may not be entered again at another Velocity Regional event during that same season.

Studios should contact the Velocity office with questions about entering revised or substantially changed versions of a previously performed routine.

All routines must be age appropriate and suitable for family viewing.

Velocity supports artistic expression while also expecting costuming, movement, music, and themes to be appropriate for the dancers performing the routine and the family audience attending the event.

A routine that judges determine to be inappropriate may receive a point deduction or be disqualified.

General dance lifts are permitted.

Velocity accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express through the online registration system.

Velocity also accepts studio and business checks.

Personal checks, Canadian checks, and cash are not accepted.

Studios paying by check should submit a separate check for competition fees.

A $35 fee will be charged for returned checks.

Checks should be made payable and mailed to:

Velocity Dance Convention

11159A South Towne Square

St. Louis, MO 63123

Please include the studio name and event city with the payment so it can be applied to the correct registration.

Please mail payments in a standard letter-size envelope. Do not send boxes, oversized envelopes, or packages requiring a signature.

Competition registration fees and deposits are nonrefundable.

Studio credits may be issued only at the discretion of Velocity Dance Convention.

Competition schedule times, travel conflicts, school conflicts, or a studio’s decision not to use reserved competition space does not change the refund policy.

Velocity dressing rooms are shared spaces intended only for changing costumes, hair and makeup preparation, and other necessary performance needs.

To protect the privacy, safety, and comfort of all dancers, the following rules must be followed:

• Photography and video recording are strictly prohibited inside all dressing rooms
• Rehearsing, running routines, marking choreography, stretching across walkways, and practicing tricks are not permitted
• Dancers should change only in the dressing room designated by event
• Parents, teachers, and dancers must respect the privacy and personal space of everyone using the room
• Costumes, bags, makeup, and personal belongings must be kept organized and out of entrances, exits, and walkways
• Music should not be played through speakers
• Food and open beverages are not permitted unless otherwise approved by Velocity or the venue
• Dressing rooms may not be reserved, blocked off, or used as private studio spaces
• Children must remain supervised by their parent, guardian, teacher, or approved studio representative
• Dressing rooms must be left clean and free of trash at the end of the event

Any photography, filming, inappropriate behavior, or misuse of the dressing room should be reported immediately to a Velocity staff member.

Velocity and the host venue are not responsible for lost, damaged, stolen, or unattended belongings.

All dancers, teachers, parents, guardians, and guests are expected to follow Velocity’s Code of Conduct and Safe Dance Commitment.

Attendees must:

• Treat dancers, teachers, staff, judges, and venue employees with respect
• Follow instructions provided by Velocity and venue staff
• Respect all backstage and restricted-area policies
• Maintain appropriate boundaries and behavior
• Keep aisles, exits, entrances, and backstage pathways clear
• Report unsafe or concerning behavior

Bullying, harassment, discrimination, intimidation, retaliation, threatening behavior, and deliberate disruption are not permitted.

Unsafe or inappropriate conduct may result in loss of access, point deductions, disqualification, or removal from the event.

For additional information about Velocity’s safety standards and reporting resources, please visit the Safe Dance Commitment page.

Velocity may update competition policies when necessary to address safety, venue requirements, event operations, or changes to the Regional season.

The current rules published on the Velocity website and within the registration system apply to each event.

Studios are responsible for reviewing all current policies before completing registration.