The classiest & most prestigious dance team competition in California!
GENERAL INFO
GENERAL COMPETITION INFORMATION
DANCE COMPETITION JUDGING CRITERIA
Performances are judged on routine construction, technical execution and showmanship. A panel of highly qualified judges scores each performance in the above areas. Routines in all divisions must demonstrate formation changes and technique appropriate to the dance genre/category entered. All judges’ decisions are FINAL.
ROUTINE TIME LIMIT REQUIREMENTS
Performers have 30 seconds to enter and exit the performance floor. Timing and judging begin with the first beat of the music and end with the last beat of the music. Solo and duet/trio routines must be 1:30–2:00 minutes in duration. Team routines must be 2:00–3:00 minutes in duration.
MUSIC REQUIREMENTS — NO COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS
MDDTUSA allows teams permission to use any music they wish, excluding profanity and suggestive lyrics. All music must be family-friendly. To avoid a 5-point penalty, Directors/Coaches must upload music through the online registration system no later than 7 days prior to the event date.
COSTUMES & FOOTWEAR
Performance costumes must enhance the theme and/or style of the routine and be in good taste, appropriate for a family audience and approved by the team’s Director. Performers may wear any style of soft/rubber-soled shoes; half-soles and bare feet are also permitted.
PROPS & SETS
Props and sets must be rubber-tipped to prevent floor damage. Any damage to facilities or the performance floor caused by props and/or sets will result in disqualification, with damages charged to the team’s school.
PAYMENT METHODS
Registration fees are non-refundable. We accept certified funds, cashier’s checks, or school/booster checks. No personal checks or credit/debit cards. Online payment is available through Zeffy for participating teams. Payment information will be provided upon registration.
Please make checks payable to:
Miss Dance Drill Team USA
Attn: MDDT California
5318 E 2nd St. #603
Long Beach, CA 90803
TECHNICAL SUPPORT?
Please email us at mddtusa4evr@gmail.com with any music upload questions or technical issues that arise during your online registration. We are always here to help and do our best to respond to all inquiries as quickly as possible.
SOLOS & SOLO TITLE
DANCE SOLO CATEGORIES
1. GRADE LEVEL SOLO (BEST OF CALIFORNIA)
For soloists who wish to compete within their school grade and preferred style: Jazz, Lyrical/Contemporary, or Hip Hop. Divisions are separated by school grade and dance genre.
2. IMPROV SOLO
Dancers perform a contemporary freestyle to a piece of music selected by our judges. Preliminary performances are 45 seconds. Top solos advance to Finals.
3. CALIFORNIA SOLO TITLE CHAMPIONSHIP
The most prestigious solo competition in California!
MISS DANCE TEAM CALIFORNIA: Ages 16–19
MISS TEEN DANCE CALIFORNIA: Ages 13–15
MR. DANCE CALIFORNIA: Ages 13–19
Solo Title contestants are evaluated by a highly qualified panel of judges in the areas of dance performance, technique Spotlight, and oral response to a judge's question. The Top 10 from each Solo Title age class qualify and are obligated to represent the State of California at MDDT Dance Team Nationals.
Solo Title contestants also participate in our Orientation/Reception, perform in the opening number, and have the opportunity to build friendships with other title contestants.
DANCE ROUTINE — 70% OF TOTAL SCORE
Contestants must display their talent in a dance routine 1:30–2:00 minutes in duration, using any or all disciplines of dance performance styles. The routine is limited to three gymnastic/tumbling feats. Contestants are judged on routine construction, technical execution, and showmanship. Costuming for this element may be as creative as you wish.
SPOTLIGHT — 15% OF TOTAL SCORE
Contestants perform a compulsory format demonstrating five movement combinations. Dancers should present areas of personal strength in technique, tricks, movement specialties, and related skills. This element is not performed to music and must not exceed 45 seconds.
Required Spotlight Pattern:
Position #1: SKILL/POSE (pause), then WALK 8 steps to...
Position #2: SKILL/POSE (pause), then WALK 8 steps to...
Position #3: SKILL/POSE (pause), then WALK 8 steps to...
Position #4: SKILL/POSE (pause), then WALK 8 steps to...
Position #5: SKILL/POSE (pause), and then EXIT.
Dancers must walk naturally from position to position. No walking on relevé, strutting, jazz walks/runs, or dancing. Total timing must not exceed 45 seconds.
SPOTLIGHT DRESS CODE
Spotlight attire is separate from the dance routine costume, with an emphasis on simplicity. Contestants MUST WEAR ALL BLACK fitted dance attire. Any style of dance shoe may be worn; bare feet are also permitted.
Acceptable dance wear includes:
- ¾-sleeve or sleeveless leotard; lace, sheer fabric, and cutouts are acceptable; rhinestones, beading, and sequins are not permitted
- Black tights, leggings, dance pants, or capri pants
- Fitted top with no cleavage; extremely baggy tops are not permitted
Unacceptable dance wear includes:
- Low-cleavage tops of any kind
- Spandex shorts without accompanying tights or leggings
JUDGES QUESTION — 15% OF TOTAL SCORE
Contestants are judged on their response to an impromptu question from the judges. Responses must not exceed 45 seconds to avoid penalty. Scoring is based on confidence, projection, poise, diction, and enthusiasm. No notes or props are allowed.
During Prelims, Solo Title contestants must wear their Spotlight outfit for the Judges Question element. All Solo Title contestants should also be prepared with formal or semi-formal attire for recognition during Finals & Pageant.
SOLO TITLE FINALS & CROWNING
The Top 10 Miss finalists and Top 10 Mr. finalists are announced and re-compete in the routine category. Following that round, the Top 8 Miss contestants and Top 8 Mr. contestants advance to the Spotlight presentation. The Top 5 Miss finalists and Top 5 Mr. finalists then advance to the final impromptu question. Scores are tabulated and the MDDT California Solo Title winners are announced.
IMPORTANT: The Top 10 Solo Title placements in each Solo Title division qualify for MDDT Dance Team Nationals and are required to represent the State of California during the same competition season. Directors, coaches, and contestants should be fully prepared to honor this commitment. Failure to fulfill this obligation may result in rescindment of the California Solo Title, with the title passed to the next eligible runner-up.
TEAM ROUTINES
TEAM ROUTINE CATEGORY GUIDELINES
DUET/TRIO
Routines are limited to 2–3 performers of any age and may compete in either Open Dance or Open Hip Hop.
OFFICER/MINI
Routine may be of any style or combination of styles.
JAZZ
Routine emphasis must be on jazz dance technique. Props are permitted but must not be the focal point of the routine.
LYRICAL
Routine must be of a poetic style with soft, flowing choreography that focuses on lyrical interpretation. Music selection must contain audible song lyrics. This category is more technical and controlled in nature than other divisions.
CONTEMPORARY
Routine must contain creative, abstract and dramatic movements that showcase emerging contemporary/modern dance, unique musical interpretation and/or concert dance techniques.
HIP HOP
We currently offer three Hip Hop divisions: Open Hip Hop, All Male Hip Hop and All Female Hip Hop. Routines must demonstrate any combination of street dance choreography, including hip hop, funk, freestyle, house, grooves, popping, locking and breakdancing. Dancers may compete in any division(s) in which the team's choreography best suits their gender identity.
MILITARY
Routine displays precision movements. Choreography must demonstrate sharp angular arm sequences, a variety of marching styles and contagion/level dynamics. A kickline sequence is allowed. Traditional Military includes leading with the left foot.
KICK
The majority of the routine must emphasize defined and precise kicks, with focus on technique, height, timing and unison.
POM/SONG
Routine must focus on the use of poms, featuring innovative dance and precision movements. All division sizes are separated by Varsity or JV, except for the Pom/Song Team Performance category, which may include all dancers in your pom/song program. There are no movement restrictions.
NOVELTY/CHARACTER
Routine emphasis must be on characterization or be of a unique, thematic nature. Routines must use clever costumes and unusual or innovative movements to convey the thematic, character-driven choreography. Small sets are allowed.
PROP
Routine emphasis must be on the use of a prop or variety of props as the major focal point.
DANCE/DRILL
Routine must consist of 50% Jazz or Lyrical/Contemporary choreography and 50% Military choreography.
OPEN DANCE
Routine may be of any style or combination of styles.
TEAM DIVISION SIZE GUIDELINES
|
DUET/TRIO MINI OPEN/OFFICER JAZZ CONTEMPORARY LYRICAL MILITARY FEMALE HIP HOP MALE HIP HOP |
OPEN HIP HOP OPEN DANCE DANCE/DRILL KICK NOVELTY/CHARACTER POM/SONG PROP SHORT FLAGS |
PLEASE NOTE: There must be at least three teams in each division, or those routines will perform in the Open category. Competitors are not allowed to compete against themselves within the same size division. Our staff reserves the right to combine divisions as needed to ensure a highly competitive event.