Rules & Regulation

Eligibility:
The Washington D.C. Grand Prix is open for students  ages 8 – 19 years old
A participant’s age is determined strictly as of January 1, 2027.
Participants may enter the competition as soloists, part of an ensemble, or in any combination there of.

Participants are welcome to register at multiple semi-final locations!

**Beginning 2025 season, all solo registrations can be made by parents/dancer! ALL ENSEMBLE PIECES must be registered by school! **

Solo Age Divisions:

  • Debutante Division age 7 – Dancers can dance any piece, classical or contemporary style, classical variation should be from our repertoire list under our Pre-Competitive Division and adopted for appropriate age. NO POINTE allowed. 
  • Pre-Competitive Division

Ages 8-9, NO POINTE allowed (Boys and Girls compete together)

  • Youth Division
    Ages 10-11, Pointe allowed by teachers’ discretion
  • Junior Division
    Ages 12-13
  • Teen Division
    Ages 14-15
  • Senior Division
    Ages 16-19
  • Ensemble Age Divisions: Ages 8-19

**For Youth, Junior, Teen, Senior and Professional divisions, boys and girls compete together UNLESS there is 5 or more boys in that age category, they will compete and be awarded separately** 

Categories, Time Limits, and Fees

PAID IN FULL AT REGISTRATION

Registration Fee – $110 per dancer 
*Registration Fee is NON-REFUNDABLE, NON-TRANSFERABLE, and NON-CREDITABLE*

Solo Classical or Solo Contemporary
2 min, 30 sec MAX (Please check your track timing carefully)
$110 per dancer, per entry

Duet/Trio (Classical or Contemporary or Character/Folk or Contemporary Pas)

3 min MAX (Please check your track timing carefully)
2, 3, dancers
$65 per dancer, per entry

Pas De Deux (Classical Pas De Deux)

$100 per each dancer, per entry
*Adagio and Coda ONLY – no variations but Coda is REQUIRED* – Any contemporary style pas-de-deux will compete as a duet

** Make sure to register your ensemble pieces correctly, by style**

Small Ensemble (Classical or Contemporary or Character/Folk)

4 dancers
3 min MAX (Please check your track timing carefully)
$60 per dancer, per entry

Large Ensemble (Classical or Contemporary or Character/Folk)
5+ dancers
4 min, 30 sec MAX (Please check your track timing carefully)
$50 per dancer, per entry

*LATE REGISTRATION FEE – $50 PER PIECE*

If you register after the deadline, we cannot guarantee that there will be space available. Please make sure to register in advance! Any registration accepted after the deadline will acquire the $50 late fee, per piece!

Payments are non-refundable and non-transferable. No credit is offered for the next season. 

Refunds are issued only in the event of an injury, with the exception of the $110 registration fee. Refunds are not given when the registration for competition is officially closed and schedule has been finalized and sent to everyone. If an injury occurs please present to the competition office with an official note from a doctor, including ink signature, doctor’s stamp and office letterhead. All emails notifying the Washington D.C. Grand Prix of a withdrawal due to injury must be sent to info@dcgrandprix.org. 

Photo/Video Rights:
The Washington D.C. Grand Prix reserves the right to make photo and/or video recordings at any time during the event. This includes, but is not limited to, the recordings of master classes, participants’ rehearsals or performances during the competition, or any activities in the venue lobby or backstage. By participating in the Washington D.C. Grand Prix, participants and their parents and/or legal guardians give their express permission for the Washington D.C. Grand Prix to make any photo/video recordings at any time. Also, by participating in the Washington D.C. Grand Prix, participants and their parents or legal guardians give the Washington D.C. Grand Prix their express permission to use any such photo/video recordings (including those containing their name or likeness) for promotional purposes (including any uses in print, online, or in social media). Video order inquiries go to video@dcgrandprix.org

Music Submission:
Please check the quality of your music submission! There should no applause or other sounds in the record. All Music Submissions should be emailed to music@dcgrandprix.org in mp3 only no later than March 22nd, 2027! 

The email should contain:
*  City Location ( Important ) please indicate your city participation

  • Participant’s Name
  • Participant’s Age
  • Participants’ Division
  • Competition Category
  • Title of Music
  • Length of Music
  • Attached MP3 music file (MP3 only!)

Participants are responsible for bringing additional copies of the music to the competition in case of emergency.

Fees: A $50 will be assessed for any changes made after the deadline of the competition. This fee will be applicable for registration after deadline, changes to music, changes to variation and changes requested to our schedule. Please contact us by email first to see if changes can be made, then the process to pay will begin. This fee can be paid by Zelle to 443-851-1650, only after we receive this payment can we proceed if possible.

Awards and Scores
Scoring:
Total 100 points to include:

  • Technique
  • Artistry
  • Musicality
  • Presentation
  • Style
  • Control and Coordination

The total score is the average of scores given by all of the judges. In addition to providing a numerical score for each participant’s performance, judges may offer personal comments on the score sheet to help guide participants in their training. Scoring is adjusted to students’ individual technical levels.

Top of 12 Winners: Winners of 1st, 2nd, 3rd place are not included in the Top 12 category. Top 12 are awarded by scores from high to low after the three top places.                 

Evaluation forms are available after the competition in yellow envelopes by school name. It is the school’s responsibility to pick up or have someone pick up their sheets. We do not keep the evaluation forms in our files, please ensure someone will pick these up for your student or your school. 

If a tie between two places happens and we do not have extra plaque, we will send it to the school by competition’s expenses. 

Master Classes: Master classes are preferable for all competitors to attend. 

Awards -Semi Final Round

  • Grand Prix Award
  • Youth Grand Prix
  • Youth Star Award
  • 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place in each category
  • Excellent School Award
  • Excellent Coach Award
  • Best Male Teacher
  • Best Teacher in each age category
  • Best Choreographer in Solos
  • Best Choreographer in ensembles
  • Top 12: Certificate of Achievement
  • Certificate of Recognition for ALL Participants

Awards – Final Round

  • Grand Prix Award: $1000 (For Final Round Senior ONLY)
  • Youth Grand Prix: $500 (For Final Round Junior/Teen ONLY)
  • Youth Star Award: $200 (For Final Round Pre – Competitive/Youth ONLY)
  • 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place in each category
  • Excellent School Award
  • Excellent Coach Award
  • Best Teacher in each age category
  • Best Choreographer in Solos
  • Best Choreographer in ensembles
  • Top 12: Certificate of Achievement
  • Certificate of Recognition for ALL Participants
  • All scholarships will be awarded at the Final Round
  • The Washington DC Grand Prix jury reserves the right not to present all of the announced awards on semi -final and final rounds
  • Safety and Security
  • Entrance into the event will require advanced registration. The event is open to the general public. Entry fees may apply depending on location. Entrance backstage and into dressing room areas requires a parent, teacher, or contestant nametag before the competition begins only! Guests will not be permitted in these areas. Note: absolutely no photography or videotaping is permitted in dressing rooms. No parents or teachers are allowed to be on stage or wings. Teachers are only allowed on-stage with students during open stage/warm-up time.
  • Audience Code of Conduct:
  • Standards of Audience Conduct are taken seriously. All competitors and their teachers, families, and guests must adhere to professional standards as set forth below.
  • All Venue/theatre rules: No one is allowed to change their costumes, eat, or loiter in the main lobby in any theatre at any competition date.
  • During the competition, the audience will be silent at ALL times. Audience may get up between performances. It is not acceptable to get up in during a performance. It is not reasonable to expect babies and young children to remain quiet during a ballet competition. Please make alternate plans for them. Photography and Videotaping are not permitted. Washington D.C. Grand Prix aims to create a positive environment for all dancers. Please keep your commentary to compliments and appreciation.
  • Any negative comment is considered unacceptable.
  • WDCGP Competition is not responsible for any injuries, damage, or theft that may occur during the competition and master class time. All competitors must have their own medical insurance. 
  • Technical Difficulties may occur during the competition. If this occurs, please bring this to our attention immediately. 
  • General Information:
  • Stage Costume and Makeup should be worn when competing.
    Photography and Videotaping are not permitted. Professional versions may be purchased.
    Competitor entry number and detailed schedule will be sent via email 1 week prior to the competition.
    No performances will occur before 8am or after 10pm.
    No stage set is permitted.
  • Violations: Should a competition number not meet the Washington D.C. Grand Prix variation requirements or time limits, that piece will be disqualified. Dancers will be permitted to complete their performance and their teacher/parent will be notified.
  • Deadlines:
    Registration Deadline: 2 weeks before date of Competition for your location.
    Music Submission Deadline: 2 weeks before date of Competition for your location.
    Deadline for Changes: 2 weeks before date of Competition for your location 
  • Selection for the WDCGP Final Round: Competitor must receive a total score of 90 or higher for solo entry in the classical ballet category and 90 or higher in the contemporary category to be considered for the final round. For those who compete in the semi-final and win Youth Grand Prix, Grand Prix, Youth Star, 1st 2nd 3rd place in classical or contemporary categories, ensembles & pas-de-deux, as well as top 12 in classical or contemporary for all age group are automatically invited to the Final Round. 
  • Competitors who did not receive a total score of 90 or higher in classical or contemporary category can be considered for the Final Round at the judge’s discretion or by special invitation by the Founder/Artistic Director.
  • Invitation for Final Round will be sent to the School’s Director after each semi-final competition. Registration for final will close 2 weeks before the date of the Final Round.  
  • The Washington D.C. Grand Prix reserves the right to refuse or restrict participation at will.