Overall Awards + Basics on Categories, Age Division, Levels

So now that you understand Adjudication Awards, explained in the last post, let's jump into the Overall Awards + the basics on Categories, Age Divisions, and levels. When the awards ceremony starts, it can be exciting as the DJ will crank up the music, play popular songs, and go crazy with the stage lights for the dancers to get hyped. The dancers storm the stage while they belt out songs with their friends. Then, T-shirts, glow sticks, and other random merch are launched into the mosh pit. After a few minutes of headache-inducing excitement, the MC quiets the stage and starts zipping through awards. This is when you need to know your dancer's Routine Numbers, Routine Names, Categories, Age Division, and Levels.

There are different Dance Categories, Age Divisions, and Levels. Below are some general examples to give you an idea of how these are broken out. Reading the competition rules is the way to know how their specific categories, ages, and levels are determined. 

Categories Example: solo (1 person), duo/trio (2 or 3 people), small group(4-9 people), large group(10-18 people), line (19 + people), and production(19+ people.)

Age Divisions Example: mini (2-5yrs), petite(6-8yrs), junior(9-10yrs), pre-teen(11-12yrs), teen(13-15yrs), senior(16-19yrs), and adult(20+.)

Levels Example (experience): novice (3 hrs of dance per week), intermediate(4-5 hrs of dance per week), and advanced (6 hrs of dance per week.)

Each Category often has each Age Division and each Level within the Category. There can be a lot of routines in a category.

There are beginner to advanced dancers of all ages. A beginner dancer practicing in the studio two hours a week should not be competing a solo against a very advanced dancer who is in the studio six hours per week even if they are both 9 years old or both 16 years old. The age divisions and levels are intended to allow dancers to compete against others at the same experience level and similar ages.

For duos, trios, and group dances different aged dancers can participate together in the same routine. In this situation, the ages of each dancer are usually averaged together to determine the age division for the routine. Double-check the competition rules to see how they determine the age divisions for duos, trios, and groups.

The Overall Awards are the placements for each Category, Level, and Age Division. There are often a top 1, 2, 5, 10, or 15 depending on how many competitors are in that group. The MC will say for example, "There is a Top Ten for Teen Intermediate Solos." He will start with number ten and work up to the winner, number one. The dancers typically make a line at the front of the stage and smile to audienceland when their routine number is called, so this is a great photo opportunity. The Overall Placements are based on the dancer's score, with the highest score winning. The dancers are usually handed a trophy, placard, banner, or ribbon. If your dancer's routine is not called, then she did not place in the overalls.

It's hard when your amazing dancer doesn't place (get an overall award) at a competition, but it definitely happens. Sometimes the categories are large with a lot of competitors. There is also a lot of subjectivity in dance. Different judges see things differently and have expertise in certain dance styles. Sometimes dancers slip, forget the choreography, or aren't feeling their best. Every competition is different. It's incredible what a dancer accomplishes by stepping onto the stage, no matter the outcome.