Age Categories and Levels
Dance Competition Guide
1. Big Event / Cheer & Street Competitions
Age Divisions
- 4 & under
- 6 & under
- 8 & under
- 10 & under
- 12 & under
- 14 & under
- 16 & under
- 17+
Skill Levels & Notes
A. Beginners
- New to the style or competition
- Limited performance experience
- Focus on basic technique, rhythm, and performance skills
B. Intermediate
- Some competition experience
- Can perform moderately complex choreography
- May include basic acrobatics or stunts
- Note: Assistant teachers can also compete
C. Advanced
- Extensive competition experience
- Complex choreography, advanced technique, tumbling/stunts, formations, and stage presence
- Note: Lead teachers can also compete
2. Union Dance Festival
Levels
Novice (Beginner Level)
- For dancers new to competition or first-time performers
- Simple choreography, basic formations, low difficulty
- Focus on fundamental technique, stage confidence, and clean execution
- Judging: More lenient; rewards effort and learning
Opener (More Experienced Level)
- For dancers with some competition experience
- Choreography is moderately complex; may include intermediate combinations, jumps, or turns
- Focus on technique, timing, and performance quality
- Judging: Looks for clean execution, synchronization, and overall stage presence
Age Categories
- Baby
- 6–7
- 8–9
- 10–11
- 12–13
- 14–15
- 16+
Mixed Age Groups (All Competitions)
•Add all dancers’ ages together, divide by number of dancers → average age
- Average 12 or under → Junior
- Average 13 or above → Senior
Example: Dancers aged 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 → Average = 12 → Junior category