Utah Valley University is excited to once again host its 2025 UVU DanceSport Festival at its Orem Campus, in the Rebecca Lockhart Arena.

The UVU DanceSport Festival is a regional Ballroom Dance competition. Dancers in each level will have an opportunity to compete with dancers at their same level. The competition features elementary, junior high, and high school syllabus events. We also offer preteen, junior, youth, and adult open events in Latin, Ballroom, Smooth, and Rhythm. For Latin, Ballroom, and Smooth, we offer novice, pre-championship and amateur events.

The competitive categories offered in the UVU DanceSport Festival competition allow beginning, intermediate, and advanced dancers an opportunity to compete among some of the best amateur ballroom dancers in the region.

The UVU DanceSport Festival also offers formation team competition in preteen, junior, and youth in the Latin, Ballroom, and Showdance categories.

Sincerely,

-Chris Witt

801-863-6757


Details

The Festival will be located at Utah Valley University’s Orem Campus, 800 W. University Pkwy. We are excited to be back in the Rebecca Lockhart Arena (RL Building).

  • Date: Friday & Saturday, February 28 – March 1, 2024
  • Estimated Start Times:

    • Fri, February 28: 3:00 p.m.
    • Sat, March 1: 8:00 a.m.
  • Location: Rebecca Lockhart Arena, 800 W University Pkwy. in Orem

Parking is available in lots L3, L4, L5, L6, L8, & L14 on the northwest side of the campus.

Admission tickets will be $10 for general admission available at the door.

Registration fee will be $8/syllabus, $15/Novice and Prechamp, $20/open, $25/cabaret, $20/team routines.

  • Entry Deadline without late fee: Friday, February 21, 2025
  • Late Registration: $15 late fee on all registration forms received February 22-25
  • Registration closes: End of Tuesday, February 25.
  • Some late registration may be possible at the festival on a first come first serve basis if the entry does not add any rounds to the event

Friday Events:

  • All Team Formation events
  • Youth and Adult Cabaret
  • All Open Rhythm Events

Saturday Events:

  • All College Events
  • Danzinskule Elementary and Jr High Team match and Events
  • Solo Girl Events
  • Syllabus Events
  • All Open Smooth, Ballroom and Latin events

Festival Events

Elementary

Elementary Newcomer Swing
Elementary Syllabus Latin (PD)
Elementary Syllabus Ballroom (Q)
Elementary Syllabus American (F)
Elementary Syllabus (Bonus) American Swing

Junior High

Junior High Newcomer Swing
Junior High Syllabus Latin (R)
Junior High Syllabus Ballroom (Q)
Junior High Syllabus American (F)
Junior High Syllabus (Bonus) American Swing

High School

High School Newcomer Swing
High School Syllabus Latin (S)
High School Syllabus Ballroom (W)
High School Syllabus American (F)
High School Syllabus (Bonus) American Swing

Solo Girls

Junior High Solo Girls Syllabus American Cha Cha
Junior High Solo Girls Syllabus American Swing
Junior High Solo Girls Syllabus Ballroom Waltz
Junior High Solo Girls Syllabus Latin Samba
High School Solo Girls Syllabus American Cha Cha
High School Solo Girls Syllabus American Swing
High School Solo Girls Syllabus Ballroom Quickstep
High School Solo Girls Syllabus Latin Rumba

Open Pre-Teen

Open Pre-Teen Latin (CC, S, R, PD, J)
Open Pre-Teen Ballroom (W, T, VW, F, Q)
Open Pre-Teen Novice Latin (S, R)
Open Pre-Teen Novice Ballroom (W, Q)

Open Youth Novice

Youth Novice Latin (S, R)
Youth Novice Ballroom (W, Q)
Youth Novice Smooth (W, F)

Open Junior

Open Junior 1 & 2 Pre-Championship Latin (CC, S, R)
Open Junior 1 & 2 Pre-Championship Ballroom (W, T, Q)
Open Junior 1 & 2 Pre-Championship Smooth (W, T, F)
Open Junior 1 Latin (CC, S, R, PD, J) - may be combined with Junior 2
Open Junior 1 Ballroom (W, T, VW, F, Q) - may be combined with Junior 2
Open Junior 1 Smooth (W, T, VW, F) - may be combined with Junior 2
Open Junior 1 Rhythm (CC, R, SW, B, M) - may be combined with Junior 2
Open Junior 2 Latin (CC, S, R, PD, J) - may be combined with Junior 1
Open Junior 2 Ballroom (W, T, VW, F, Q) - may be combined with Junior 1
Open Junior 2 Smooth (W, T, VW, F) - may be combined with Junior 1
Open Junior 2 Rhythm (CC, R, SW, B, M) - may be combined with Junior 1

Open Youth Pre-Champ

Open Youth Pre-Championship Latin (CC, S, R)
Open Youth Pre-Championship Ballroom (W, T, Q)
Open Youth Pre-Championship Smooth (W, T, F)
Open Youth Pre-Championship Rhythm (CC, B, M)

Open Youth

Open Youth Latin (CC, S, R, PD, J)
Open Youth Ballroom (W, T, VW, F, Q)
Open Youth Smooth (W, T, VW, F)
Open Youth Rhythm (CC, R, SW, B, M)
Open Youth Cabaret (Both partners must be 16 or older)

Open Adult Novice

Open Adult Novice Latin (S, R)
Open Adult Novice Ballroom (W, Q)
Open Adult Novice Smooth (W, F)

Open Adult Pre-Champ

Open Adult Pre-Championship Latin (CC, S, R)
Open Adult Pre-Championship Ballroom (W, T, Q)
Open Adult Pre-Championship Smooth (W, T, F)
Open Adult Pre-Championship Rhythm (CC, B, M)

Open Adult Amateur

Open Adult Amateur Latin (CC, S, R, PD, J)
Open Adult Amateur Ballroom (W, T, VW, F, Q)
Open Adult Amateur Smooth (W, T, VW, F)
Open Adult Amateur Rhythm (CC, R, SW, B, M)
Open Adult Cabaret

College Bronze

Bronze Latin Samba
Bronze Ballroom Quickstep
Bronze American Cha Cha

College Silver

Silver Latin
Silver Ballroom
Silver American

College Gold

Gold/Gold Bar Latin
Gold/Gold Bar Ballroom
Gold American

All-Girl Junior Teams

Junior All-Girls Latin/Rhythm Showdance
Junior All-Girls Ballroom/Smooth Showdance
Junior All-Girls Swing Showdance
Junior All-Girls Latin Medley
Junior All-Girls Novelty Showdance

Pre-Teen Teams

Latin/Rhythm Show Dance
Ballroom/Smooth Show Dance
Swing Show Dance
Latin Medley
Standard Medley
Large Group Showdance
Novelty Showdance

Junior Teams

Latin/Rhythm Show Dance
Ballroom/Smooth Show Dance
Swing Show Dance
Latin Medley
Standard Medley
Large Group Showdance
Novelty Showdance

Youth Teams

Latin/Rhythm Show Dance
Ballroom/Smooth Show Dance
Swing Show Dance
Cabaret Show Dance (Youth only)
Latin Medley
Standard Medley
Large Group Showdance
Novelty Showdance

All-Girl Youth Teams

Youth All-Girls Latin/Rhythm Showdance
Youth All-Girls Ballroom/Smooth Showdance
Youth All-Girls Swing Showdance
Youth All-Girls Latin Medley
Youth All-Girls Novelty Showdance


Terms & Conditions

Rules & Regulations

The UVU DanceSport Festival will abide by rules and regulations governing competitions and championships recognized by the National Dance Council of America, Inc. Some of the NDCA rules that directly apply to amateur competitors, along with additional rules are as follows:

  1. ALL COMPETITOR AND SPECTATORS must have an admission ticket for the day.
  2. A couple is defined in the traditional Ballroom Genre and in all dance genres included in championships, competitions, and events sanctioned by the National Dance Council of America, Inc. as a leader and follower without regard to the sex or gender of the dancer. This rule applies to all classifications of dancers, professional, amateur, pro/am student competitors, student/student, and mixed amateur.
  3. No couple is exempt from competing in any round. Any couple who fails to appear at the scheduled time for the first round of any event will be disqualified from the event.
  4. No entry may be accepted that does not include any required entry fee. Requests for refunds will only be honored up to the closing date.
  5. No person may compete in an age classification lower than their own. A couple’s age classification eligibility is defined as the age of the older partner. However, this definition does not allow the younger member of the partnership to dance up two age levels. Specifics are listed below:

Age Category Classifications

OPEN CATEGORIES

Age classifications will become effective on the individual’s actual birthday. On a year where a competitor is going to move from one classification to the next they may make this change anytime during a 60-day period that begins 30 days prior to their birthday and ends 30 days following their birthday.

  • Pre-Teen: 11th birthday or less
  • Junior: 12th through 15th birthday
  • Youth: 16th, 17th or 18th birthday
  • Adult: 19th birthday or greater

SYLLABUS CATEGORIES

The following designations will be used for the syllabus categories. The following categories will be used for competitors who are in the following grades this school year:

  • Elementary School: Grades K – 6
  • Junior High School: Grades 7 – 9
  • High School: Grades 10 – 12
  • College: 19th birthday or greater or enrolled in college courses

Youth competitors turning 19 years of age during the school year may still dance in the Youth or High School age categories until they have graduated from high school.

Elementary school competitors may not dance in the High School category even if partnered by a Junior High or High School competitor.

Junior High competitors may dance up one designation to the High School category, but only as defined in entry restrictions below.

Entry Restrictions

  1. Competitors who dance in a syllabus event may not dance in any open event of the same style, and vice versa.
  2. Competitors dancing in a Newcomer event may not dance in any open event in any style, and vice versa.
  3. Competitors may dance up one age classification only in each competition style.
  4. Competitors may dance up one age category.
  5. Competitors may enter at most two consecutive proficiency classifications in any particular style and age group at a particular competition.
  6. A competitor is eligible to dance in the “Newcomer” event (Elementary, Junior High, High School) until they have placed in a final of any event at an NDCA recognized competition, provided a semi-final was danced.
  7. A competitor is eligible to dance in the “Novice” or “Pre-Championship” classifications until they accumulate three proficiency points. Please refer to the NDCA rulebook for point accumulation information.
  8. All international style syllabus competitions are restricted to the ISTD Bronze, Silver & Gold syllabus. Newcomer and American style syllabus events may use any syllabus from member organizations of the NDCA. Couples must dance within the framework of the accepted syllabi, including precedes and follows, and without embellishment. For ISTD syllabus events, all figures must be danced as defined in the ISTD technique book. Partial figures may not be utilized unless so specified in the “precedes and follows” sections. Couples dancing out of syllabus will be penalized per the specifications in NDCA rule III. D3a.8.
  9. Any competitor who wears a costume deemed by the organizers to be unsuitable will be requested to change. If such request is not followed, the competitor will not be allowed to dance and their entry will be cancelled without a refund of fees. See below for specific costume rules.
  10. Competitors in the Latin American divisions must not be overly suggestive in their movements at all times while on the floor. Couples who are viewed as inappropriate will be warned once, and then will be subject to disqualification.
  11. Competitors must wear costuming that corresponds with their gender. Girls may NOT dress up as boys or vice versa.

INFRINGEMENTS OF THE RULES WILL BE GIVEN A WARNING AND ASKED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IF THE INFRINGEMENT IS NOT RESOLVED BY THE NEXT ROUND, ORGANIZERS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO DISQUALIFY A COMPETITOR.

Costume and Competition Attire

Syllabus Events - Elementary, Junior High, and High School Ladies Skirt and top must be worn:

Girls entered in all School Syllabus events must dress as listed below.

  1. A black skirt and a black top must be worn
  2. Skirts
    • Plain or pleated with minimum 1 to maximum 3 half circles. One plain simple underskirt allowed which is no larger or longer than top layer, and is the same or similar color as the outer skirt
    • No uneven hemlines, use of boning, frills, splits, openings, fishing line, horsehair, or edging (including "lettuce edging"). Edging or trim of any kind, including ribbon, satin, lace, sequins, etc, is not allowed. A simple hem is required.
    • Length of skirt must be at least knee length.
  3. Bodice
    • Necklines: Boat, high neck, v-neck, sweetheart, 'peter pan' collar, and regular collar are allowed. No low cut necklines. Edging or trim of any kind, including ribbon, satin, lace, sequins, etc, is not allowed on the neckline
    • Gathering or shirring on the bodice in parallel rows is not allowed
    • Edging or trim on the bodice is not allowed
  4. Sleeves
    • Long, short, elbow length, cap, puff. or sleeveless styles are allowed
    • Cannot be replaced by trimmings, frills, or edging on the shoulder line
    • No "finger loops" allowed
  5. Materials
    • No glitter, metallic thread, or fabric creating pattern effects
    • No use of feathers, fringes, bows, belts, frills or sequins
    • Any use of color coordinated 'see through' fabric must be lined from waist to shoulder; for use on arms no lining is needed
    • Lace (or similar fabric) is not allowed. Lycra, spandex, polyester, velvet, satin or jersey is encouraged.
  6. Shoes and Socks
    • Shoes - Elementary School girls must wear shoes with heels that are no higher than 1.5 inches, including if they dance up a level. Junior High School and High School girls are not restricted by any heel height.
    • Socks - White ankle socks (lace allowed), natural colored pantyhose, or fishnet tights.
  7. Trunks
    • Trunks are required if the movement of the skirt would reveal this area.
  8. Accessories, jewelry, and makeup
    • No use of arm bands, chokers or headbands
    • No decoration is allowed on dress or in hair
    • No jewelry is allowed, other than one simple earring in each ear (no dangling earrings allowed)
    • Neutral or lightly shaded lipstick is allowed for Elementary School girls, as well as mascara and blush. Elementary School girls are not allowed to wear eye liner, eye shadow, false eyelashes, lip liner, and severe or extreme colors of lipstick (including, but not limited to, hot pink, red, black, brown, etc). Competition makeup is allowed for Junior High School and High School girls.

Boys entered in all School Syllabus events must dress as listed below.

  1. A black skirt and a black top must be worn
  2. Trousers
    • Must be black
    • High waist optional
    • Underfoot strap optional
    • Satin stripes are allowed.
  3. Shirts
    • Plain white long sleeved collared shirt only (no wing collars)
    • No pleats or ribbing
    • Sleeves to be worn at wrist length
  4. Sweaters and vests are not allowed.
  5. Tie - Black color only, may be either straight or bow
  6. Socks - Black only
  7. Shoes- no restrictions
  8. Materials - Fabrics must be plain, ie: cotton, polyester, cotton/polyester blend, wool blend
    • No satin or shiny fabrics
    • No rhinestones, glitter, metallic thread, patterns or sequins allowed
    • Decorations - not allowed
  9. Makeup - Not allowed
  10. Hairstyle - Long hair must be worn in a ponytail

Syllabus Events – Adult/College

Gentlemen: Dress shirt, tie, slacks (optional bow tie and/or vest or sweater, suspenders or cummerbund). Plain black Latin pants or tails pants may be worn. No color restrictions.

Ladies: Nice dress or skirt and top with no sequins, rhinestones, feathers, glitter, fringe or similar decorations. No color restrictions. No accessories. Hose or fishnets are required.

Competition organizers may determine syllabus attire constitutes a costume and ask couples to change. Couples who continue to wear attire determined to be a costume in a syllabus event will be subject to disqualification.

Open Events - Pre-Teen 1 and 2

Gentlemen: Same as Syllabus costume restrictions above, however, gentlemen may substitute a black shirt or dark blue pants or dark blue socks.

Ladies: Same as Syllabus costume restrictions above, however, Ladies’ dresses must be made of fabric only one color throughout. Must have block heel style not to exceed 1.5 inches in height. NO FISHNETS! NO MAKE UP!

*Pre-Teen 2 competitors who dance up to Junior categories must remain in the approved Pre-Teen costumes.*

Open Events - Junior & Youth & Adult

WOMEN

  1. Shoulders
    • Shoulders require stoned straps or fabric. Straps must be a minimum of 1/4 inch in width. Flesh colored fabric must be heavily stoned.
  2. Bodice
    • Bust must be fully covered, including the sides, with no plunging necklines.
    • Front and sides of the bodice must be covered with solid non-sheer fabric.
    • Back of bodice must be covered in solid non-sheer fabric from three inches above the waist down.
    • Open backs must taper inward to a point no lower than three inches above the waistline.
    • Flesh-tone fabrics require heavy use of rhinestones or similar decorations so as not to reveal the skin or create a similar effect.
    • Halter tops are not allowed.
  3. Skirts
    • Must reach mid-thigh in length.
    • May not use transparent fabric above mid-thigh for the Latin, Rhythm, and Cabaret styles.
    • May be broken or slitted from the trunk line down and fully cover the legs when not in motion.
    • Fringe skirts must reach mid-thigh in the front, back, and sides and must be thick enough to fully cover the legs when not in motion.
    • Flesh-tone fabrics require heavy use of rhinestones or similar decorations that do not reveal the skin or create a similar effect.
  4. Trunks
    • Regular cut dance trunks.
    • No flesh tone fabric.
  5. Fishnets
    • Fishnets or tights are required for lady competitors in the Adult Amateur Cabaret.

MEN

  1. Shirts
    • Back and sides of the shirt may be of a sheer fabric. Front of the shirt must be of a solid non-sheer fabric. The front of the shirt must also come to a closed point.

Rules for Formation Team Showdance Events

  1. All routines must be either ONE style OR ONE song only. This can consist of one song that has multiple style characteristics in it (maximum 3 dances) OR it can be a mix of songs in the same style. For example, a song that is mostly Foxtrot but has a section of the same song that could be Swing. Or 2 songs mixed together that are both Cha Cha.
  2. At least 50% of each routine must consist of a recognizable competitive NDCA style. (Excluding Novelty)
  3. Props that do not require additional set up time are allowed.
  4. Routines must not exceed 3:00 minutes.
  5. Routines (excluding Cabaret) may only have 3 lifts of any kind. On the fourth lift, the routine will be considered in the cabaret category. Tricks, drops, and stunts that are within 2 beats of music are NOT considered lifts. A lift is any movement when a dancer assists another and both feet leave the floor for more than 2 beats.
  6. Show dances will be divided into the following categories/genres for competition:
    • Smooth/Ballroom: Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz, Quickstep
    • Latin/Rhythm: Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, Bolero, Mambo
    • Swing: Jive, Swing, Lindy, West Coast Swing
    • Novelty: If the routine is not one of the recognized styles listed above, it will be considered for the Novelty category. The routine should still show the essence of ballroom dancing. This includes but is not limited to: Hip Hop, Jazz, Single Gender, Disco/Hustle, Square/Folk Dance, Charleston, Polka, and Salsa.
    • Cabaret
    • Large Group
  7. Teams of three, four, five, six, seven, or eight couples may compete in each formation style. A couple is one boy and one girl. Girls may NOT dress up as boys or vice versa.
  8. A routine with more than 8 couples (or 16 people) is considered for the Large Group category.
  9. The Large Group category is always one category at competition. It is not divided into any categories based on the style or genre.
  10. A team may only compete once in each category. Teams cannot compete against themselves.

Rules for Formation Team Medley Events

Formation teams competing in the medley categories must follow the rules and guidelines established by the NDCA.

Media Release

"In consideration of all goods and valuables, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned hereby irrevocably give and grant to Dancesport Festival/Utah Valley University the right to use, refer to and reproduce programs by means of video tape recordings, hereinafter referred to as "Reproductions"), edited and arranged as you desire, using my name, voice, likeness, acts, poses, appearances and utterances as part of and in connection with my appearance on any program, and in any advertising, publicity and promotion relation to your activities, the program and the products or serviced of any sponsor(s) thereof; and to exhibit, transmit, distribute, and otherwise use same as you desire in all fields and media throughout the world without limitations. We agree that Dancesport Festival/Utah Valley University, any of their affiliates, subsidiaries and employees shall be free of any liability or claims arising from the production, exhibition, transmission, distribution or use of said programs. -- All reproductions shall be your sole and exclusive property. We hereby forever release and discharge you of any and all liabilities, claims and demands, suit and actions which we ever had, now have, or may have based upon any agreements herein made. We shall defend, indemnify and hold you harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, suits and expenses relating to this agreement. We agree that we have not and shall not accept any money or other valuable consideration for the inclusion in the program of any matter promoting any product or service. This agreement is intended, among other things, to fulfill all requirements of the Civil Rights Lay and of any and all other restrictions against violations of our so-called right of privacy. The terms "you and your" and words of similar import, as herein used shall include you and your officers, directors, licensees, lessees, assigns, successors, affiliates, associates, subsidiaries and parents, and all other users of the reproductions, and their employees. We warrant that we are over eighteen (18) years of age, or are the parents of Junior competitors, and have full right, power and authority to make this agreement. We understand that in permitting us to appear on the program, you are acting in reliance upon this agreement." "No responsibility for loss or theft of articles left in Changing Rooms, Ballrooms, Locker Rooms, or Gymnasiums can be accepted by the Organizers, and neither can they be held liable for injury sustained by persons attending this event. Everyone attending does so at his or her own risk." "All persons attending this event, whether as spectators, competitors, officials, or guests of the organizer, shall be bound by the printed rules, and by participating in this event automatically become obligated to adhere to them."