Rules and Information
General Rules
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Videos submitted can be from any competition, in studio or home. You may also use videos from recitals, showcases, in person competitions or any other performances or rehearsals. Home recordings and professional recordings accepted. To make it fair for everyone, recording/video quality will NOT affect your score.
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All performances will be scored using our score system (see Judging/Scoring tab).
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We are accepting Solos, Duet/Trios, Small Groups and Large Groups.
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Please make sure your performances are family friendly!
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The Title competition is open to soloists who wish to enter the Virtual competition. A separate entry fee will apply for each Title performance. The entry fee is $40 USD per routine.
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All entries MUST be PAID IN FULL before or on registration deadline day. Under NO circumstances will refunds be given for any event.
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Payments must be made by PayPal or Credit Card or Klarna/Affirm. After you register and make payment, you will receive a confirmation email within 24hrs.
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All entries must include the correct names and ages of all contestants.
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Be certain that you are entering in the CORRECT PERFORMANCE LEVEL when inputting your registration data. This WILL NOT be able to be changed after the schedule is completed. After payment is made, you will receive a summary via email of all routines registered. It is imperative that you review this information age division and section, and reply IMMEDIATELY with any corrections.
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Starlight Online Dance Competition is not responsible for any injury before, during, or after the filming of your routines.
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This is a WORLDWIDE Competition, everyone can enter.
Awards
Every Participant will receive a ribbon and an E-Certificate
-1st Place to 8th Place will receive a Starlight Banner
-Overall awards for Solos, Duet/Trios and Groups. A top 4 in each level and age category! Overall winners will receive a special banner.
-Special Awards in every age and level category (recipient will receive a printed certificate)
-Title Winners: MISS Starlight will receive a tiara, banner, crown charm and e-certificate. MR Starlight will receive a banner, crown, crown charm and e-certificate. All Title recipients will be featured on our social media and website.
-Title Runner Ups: Will receive a small Tiara, banner, crown charm, and e-certificate. MR Starlight will receive a sash, small crown, crown charm and e-certificate. All Title Runner Up recipients will be featured on our social media and website.
We give out Titles for Novice, Elite, and Vocal!
-Miss/Mr Photogenic Competition: Recipients will receive a tiara, an e-certificate and photo will featured on our Instagram and Facebook pages.
-Improv Challenge winners will receive a starlight improv banner and be featured on Starlight’s social media pages.
-Scholarships are awarded at each competition to selected dancers, all participants are eligible to win prestigious scholarships. (All details can be found in the Scholarships Tab)
Special Awards:
Starlight Storytelling Award
Starlight Costume Award
Starlight High Energy Award
Starlight Choreography Award
Starlight Elegance Award
Starlight Duet Award
Starlight Group Award
Starlight Impact Award
Starlight Creative Award
Future Star Award
Judge’s Choice Awards
Most Entertaining
Most Promising Mini
Most Promising Junior
Most Promising Teen
Most Promising Senior
Most Promising Adult
and more!
*Special Awards are not based on judge’s marks. Winners will receive a printed certificate*
Judging/Scoring
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Each performance will be adjudicated by an experienced judge.
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All routines will receive score sheets and e-certificates. These will be sent to your registration email the 1-2 weeks after the live awards show.
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The judge's decisions are final.
Each performance in the online event will be evaluated on the following four elements:
• Technique 40 points total
• Stage Presence 25 points total
• Execution of Performance 25 points total
• Choreography 10 points total (for vocal: vocal quality 10 points, for acting monologue: characterization 10 points)
Each participant will receive a Ribbon just for participating.
Scores are as follows:
Novice: Platinum 80-94 , High Gold 70-79, Silver 60-69
Elite: Platinum 84-96, High Gold 74-83, Silver 60-73
Ultimate platinum score 95-100 for novice, 97-100 for elite
Scholarships
Starlight is so excited to offer scholarships to selected dancers at each online competition. We are so grateful to award dancers from around the world the opportunity to further their dance education.
A massive thank you to our generous our 2025-2026 sponsors/partners: Prodigy The Dance Team Convention and Artists In Training In-Studio Conventions!
****Stay tuned for the announcement of our 2026-2027 sponsors/partners!****
If you are a business/company and think your business would be a great fit to be a Starlight sponsor, please email us at starlightdancecompetition@gmail.com
Pricing/Entry Fees
Solo Entry Fee: $40 USD Per Solo
Duo/Trio Entry Fee: $40 USD Per Routine
Groups Entry Fee: $40 USD Per Routine
Title (Miss/Mr Starlight Awards): $40 USD Per Solo (You may enter as many solos as you would like in the title competition, payment is required for each entry)
Photogenic Contest: $25 USD
Improv Challenge: $25 USD
Payments must be made by PayPal, Credit Card, Klarna or Affirm. After you register and make payment, you will be sent a confirmation email within 24hrs.
We now accept payment via Klarna or Affirm, making Starlight more affordable than ever, spread the cost out in 4 small instalments.
Age Divisions & Levels
AGES ARE DETERMINED BASED ON THE DANCERS AGE ON JANUARY 1ST, 2026.
DIVISIONS: MINI: 4 -7; JUNIOR: 8-11; TEEN: 12-15; SENIOR: 16-19; & ADULT: 20+
DUO/TRIO & GROUP AGE DIVISIONS: MINI: 4 -7; JUNIOR: 8-11; TEEN: 12-15; SENIOR: 16-19; & ADULT: 20+
TITLE DIVISIONS: MINI Miss/Mr Starlight: 4 -7; JUNIOR Miss/Mr Starlight: 8-11; TEEN Miss/Mr Starlight: 12-15; SENIOR Miss/Mr Starlight: 16-19; & Miss/Mr Starlight: 20+
Levels: Novice and Elite *both levels may enter for Title competition*
NOVICE: This competition level division is for beginning dancers who have little or no experience competing. If you have competed for more than 3 years please enter as elite.
ELITE: This competition level is for top-level competitive dancers who perform at an advanced technical level and is recommended for dancers who have had approximately 3+ years of experience.
Adaptive Division: Dance is for everyone, and Starlight is for all who wish to dance! Our adaptive division is an inclusive category designed specifically for dancers with physical, cognitive, developmental, or intellectual disabilities.
Performance Categories
Acro/Gymnastics – A routine that contains primarily gymnastic tricks, including, but not limited to walkovers, front/back limbers, handstands, headstands, cartwheels, etc. There should be a blend of gymnastics and dance together.
Ballet/Classical – Ballet Only. A routine consisting of classical steps & ballet technique. Ballet shoes must be worn.
Pointe – A routine that consists of ballet/pointe technique. Pointe shoes must be worn.
Contemporary – A routine that combines both lyrical and modern movements.
Hip Hop – A dance that consists of the latest street dance style, as seen in current dance videos.
Jazz – Can be Broadway or Commercial Jazz. A routine that utilizes jazz technique such as splits, isolation, leaps, etc.
Lyrical – A routine that is performed to the lyrics or mood of the music.
Musical Theatre – A routine performed to the music of a Broadway musical or a movie musical.
Open – A routine that is a combination of any of the other categories; a routine that does not exactly fit any of the definitions of any other category. (No Vocals permitted)
Song and Dance – A routine that combines dancing and singing. Styles of dance can include Tap.
Tap – A routine utilizing tap technique and must be performed with tap shoes only.
Own Choreography- A routine of any style choreographed only by the dancer performing the solo.
Vocal – A performance of any type of vocal presentation. Please enter songs that are family friendly.
Acting Monologue- A theatre/acting performance of a memorized monologue. Please enter scripts and scenes that are family friendly.
Time Limits
Solo – (1) Performer: Time Limit –3:00 minutes
Duet/Trio – (2-3) Performers: Time Limit – 3:00 minutes
Groups: Time Limit – 5:00 minutes
Vocal- 4:00 minutes
Monologue- 4:00 minutes
*If your routine is longer than the above time limits, please note in your registration form or email starlightdancecompetition@gmail.com to let us know, to avoid point deduction.
*Note: Routines that are over the time limit without Starlight's permission will result in automatic point deduction of one point or a fraction thereof for every 10 seconds of overtime if extended time has not been registered for that routine.
Title Competition
The Title competition is open to all soloists who wish to enter the Virtual competition. A separate entry fee will apply for each Title performance. The entry fee is $40 USD per routine.
Title Winners Awards: MISS Starlight will receive a tiara, banner, crown charm and e-certificate. MR Starlight will receive a banner, crown, crown charm and e-certificate. All Title recipients will be featured on our social media pages.
Title Runner Ups will receive a small Tiara, banner, crown charm, and e-certificate. MR Starlight will receive a banner, small crown, crown charm and e-certificate. All Title Runner Up recipients will be featured on our social media pages.
Title (Miss/Mr Starlight Awards) $40 USD Per Solo (You may enter as many solos as you wish in the title competition, payment is required for each entry)
TITLE DIVISIONS: MINI Miss/Mr Starlight: 4 -7; JUNIOR Miss/Mr Starlight: 8-11; TEEN Miss/Mr Starlight: 12-15; SENIOR Miss/Mr Starlight: 16-19; & Miss/Mr Starlight: 20+
Both Novice and Elite levels may enter the Title competition.
Must register at least one solo to be eligible to compete in the Title division.
We will have two Miss/Mr Starlight Titles to award in each age group (Novice Miss/Mr Starlight and Elite Miss/Mr Starlight)
Vocal Titles: Each participant that registers for a vocal solo and vocal title will be eligible to be awarded Vocal Miss/Mr Starlight.
Photogenic Contest
Judges pick based on overall clarity, quality and captivating image. Winner in each category will receive a crown and receive an e-certificate and be featured on our Instagram and Facebook pages. Images can either be either stage make up, costume or regular clothes. Head shots only. One photo submitted per person.
The Photogenic competition is open to all participants who wish to enter the Photogenic competition. Virtual competition. A separate entry fee will apply for the photo entry. The entry fee is $25 USD.
Photogenic DIVISIONS: MINI Miss/Mr Photogenic: 4 -7; JUNIOR Miss/Mr Photogenic: 8-11; TEEN Miss/Mr Photogenic: 12-15; SENIOR Miss/Mr Photogenic: 16-19; & ADULT Miss/Mr Photogenic: 20+
Must enter/participate in least one solo/duet/group routine to be eligible to compete in the Photogenic Competition.
We will have one Miss/Mr Photogenic winner in each age group Miss/Mr Photogenic, and one runner up per age group.
AI use for any Photogenic Entries is strictly prohibited.
All entries must be authentic, human made photographs of the registered dancer. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) to generate or alter any part of the image is strictly prohibited.
Standard photographic adjustments are allowed. This includes color correction, exposure adjustments, cropping, blemish removal, etc.
Improv Challenge
Judges pick based on overall quality, variety, creativity of movement, and captivation/stage presence. Winner in each category will receive a Starlight banner and be featured on our Instagram and Facebook pages. Dancers will submit a one minute video of improvisation in any style to a song of their choice. Dancers can wear either a dance costume or regular dance attire. One video submitted per person.
The improv challenge is open to all participants/soloists who wish to show off their improv skills and who compete two solos at least into the competition. A separate entry fee will apply for the improv video entry. The entry fee is $25 USD.
Improv DIVISIONS: NOVICE MINI/JUNIOR 4 -7;8-11; ELITE MINI/JUNIOR 4 -7;8-11; NOVICE TEEN/SENIOR/ADULT 12-15;16-19; 20+, ELITE TEEN/SENIOR/ADULT 12-15;16-19; 20+
We will have one Improv winner in each age group, and one runner up per age group.
Any style of dance improvisation is accepted, however participants must improvise and not dance a set routine or the participant will be removed from the challenge.
Must register and participate in at least one solo to be eligible to compete in the Improv Challenge.
Shipping Awards
Starlight Dance Competition requires participants to pay for shipping of any awards and banners received.
-In order to keep entrance fees affordable, shipping of awards is the responsibility of participants.
-Shipping prices varies based on weight, size, country, and method of shipping.
-We do our best to give options of shipping methods, and package tightly and safely to ensure your awards arrive in excellent condition.
-If you would like to combine shipping with another participant you must email us in advance.
-If you would like to combine awards from more than one competition in one package, you must email us in advance. We are very happy to do so, as it saves you money, and is a one time shipping fee.
-You will receive a shipping estimate email 1-2 months after the live award show of the competition you participated in.
-If you do not pay for tracked package, Starlight will not be able to track or know the whereabouts of your package.
-Starlight Dance Competition is not responsible for lost or stolen packages.
-Starlight Dance Competition is not responsible for the time it takes to receive your package, Shipping time varies and is in complete control of postal carrier and their delivery times.
-Starlight Dance Competition is not in control of shipping prices.
-Starlight Dance Competition is not responsible for duty fees or any additional charges that may come up in your Country.
-Starlight currently ships all packages from Canada to Worldwide.
-If you require more time to make payment for shipping, we are happy to accommodate to an extent, please let us know as soon as you receive your estimate via email.
-You have 90 days after the shipping awards estimate email is sent to you to make payment for shipping of your awards. Past the 90 days, we will not hold or store your Starlight awards, and awards will no longer be available to ship. Under no circumstances will we ship your awards after the 90 days. In a result that you are signed up with a studio, and the studio does not pay for the shipping cost within 90 days, we cannot send the awards to any of the studio's students separately. Only if you register as an independent can we ship awards to the individual. If shipping estimate/fee is not paid within the 90 days, we will not keep/hold the awards won in our possession. Awards with no shipping fee payment take up a lot of space in our warehouse and will be recycled or repurposed after 90 days. The Starlight team hopes for prompt shipping fee payment after shipping estimate sent, to ensure each participant will receive their well deserved Starlight awards! We appreciate your understanding to this matter and apologize for any inconvenience.