Everything studio directors, teachers, dancers and families need to know before competing. Please read in full – all rules are enforced at every city on the tour and for the duration of National Finals.
January 15, 2027
5% late fee applies after this date
January 1, 2027
Average age — drop the decimal place
3 Qualified Judges
All adjudications are final
No Refunds
Under any circumstance
Entry deadlines are as follows:
All Fees due January 15th, 2027
Age of dancers as of January 1st, 2027
Candance will accept TWO forms of payment, Studio Cheque/Money Order – OR – E-Transfer (Online). All electronic transfers (e-transfer) must be sent to info@candancecompetition.ca and promptly followed up by e-mail, or phone, to confirm your studio name/city of interest and receipt of deposit.
Please indicate your studio name/city of interest in the message* section of the e-transfer. Should your e-transfer exceed the maximum transferable amount, multiple e-transfers will be accepted to cover the balance. Canadian cheques or money orders are payable to “Candance Entertainment Group Inc.”.
Late entries must be paid for by certified cheque. All studios must send in a deposit when making your reservation in order to hold your space. This is mandatory, there will be a 5% late fee on all fees if received after January 15th, 2027. Studios will not receive any schedules if fees are not paid on time. No post-dated cheques will be accepted. If there are changes after the preliminary schedule deadline there will be a $10 surcharge per entry/pre-change.
Absolutely NO refunds will be given under any circumstance.
Full-time teachers and/or full-time professional dancers are NOT ALLOWED to compete in the regular competition; they may however compete in the Adult division (no overalls awarded).
Candance uses the latest digital sound systems at all events. Music uploads for this season will be available upon registration. All uploaded music will be obtained 48hrs prior to event start time. It is MANDATORY that all studios must upload ALL music files by the city deadlines. All music files and entries must indicate song titles. Please make sure that each routine has a DIFFERENT song title. Please hand in to the music technician a backup Please be ready with phone/computer for any music issues onsite key with ALL music files in order of performance and with ALL correct song titles. Candance will not tolerate any inappropriate music, please edit music when necessary. This could result in disqualification. Please DO NOT name music files junior jazz class Monday night” as this may cause confusion which could result in a technical difficulty.
Any photography, flash photography, digital photography, videotaping, and/or recording of any kind is STRICTLY PROHIBITED at all Candance has the right to stop any routine if Photo/videos are taken during the routine. Routines risk being disqualified!
Each event will have 3 qualified judges, all adjudications are final.
Time Limits
– 1 minute for prop set up
-PAID ADDITIONAL TIME
-Any routine over the time limits is able to buy time. Please contact the Candance office to make the time and fee adjustments.
Each registered routine that performs on stage will receive three (3) judge s critiques. All judge’s critiques will be provided online via Video Judge. Critiques will be available within 24 Hours of the event finish date. Only studio directors/teachers are allowed access to the critiques with credentials provided upon registration.
Candance now has a Novice/Pre-Competitive Dance Off at each regional event if the number of entries allow. (GROUPS ONLY) There must be 30 group entries or more to allow said dance-off to take place. The Top 10 novice/pre-competitive group routines will re-dance for top awards.
Dancers must be ready at least 30 MINUTES before their scheduled time to perform. Dancers must sign in with a backstage manager at least 3 numbers prior to their scheduled performance.
Once the first draft of the schedule is out and you are given a deadline for all changes, Candance will NOT accept any further changes of any kind after the deadline or at the event. If there are changes after the preliminary schedule deadline there will be a $10 surcharge per entry/change. If any changes are made onsite at the event, an added fee will apply to your DanceBUG account and must be paid at the event.
A soloist scoring 80 or higher can only win “Title Soloist Regional Winner” or “Runner-Up” in one city per season. If for any reason a dancer at the regional level is unable to attend our National Finals Title Soloist Competition, Candance retains the right to offer this position to eligible dancers within the top 25 in their division, contacting the studio(s) by June 1st.
NO Independent entries are allowed at Candance. To have a solo compete at Candance, the registered studio must enter four or more groups. Candance will announce top 15 solos in each division and only ONE dancer can place ONE time in the top 15 solo category.
All scholarships and awards are subject to change without notice.
There will only be a Diamond Dance Off at events with over 400 registered entries. If there are less than 400 entries, we will award High Scores and Overalls in We will still award High Score and Overall Awards. This will be at the discretion of the competition directors.
Although not limited to a set number of routines, soloists will be subject to an increase in fees after the first solo performed on stage. The first solo routine will be charged the base rate. For the 2nd solo (or more), an additional fee will be added.
Candance reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of days per event.
A Competitive dancer is NOT eligible to compete in the Novice or Pre-Competitive divisions.
Candance will follow all government/venue regulations & policies moving forward in January 1st, 2027. All health and safety regulations will be put into place. These regulations will be posted under each city on the Candance website as the information comes into us from each venue. These may vary from city to city, and province to province. Candance’s concern is for the wellbeing of all dancers, parents and clients entering Candance. All policies must be followed by everyone in attendance for the January 1st, 2027 season.
It will be MANDATORY that all studio directors/owners and parents/guardians fill out, sign and submit our waivers to the Candance office 3 weeks prior in order for dancers or attendees to participate in any Candance event. All waivers will be sent out via DanceBUG and submitted electronically.
Any rule and/or regulation may be updated and/or changed at any time.
Candance is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. Studios will be responsible for any damages in common areas, backdrops, staging area and dressing rooms. Please be responsible to keep dressing rooms tidy when leaving each day. Studios are subject to cleaning fee.
Except for the use of rosin, the use of baby powder, oil, paint or any other substances that could damage the stage is strictly prohibited.
Pre-Competitive dancers must stay within the 6 hours of less of training. This does not include rehearsal time.
Digital music is uploaded online upon registration. All files are pulled 48 hours before your event start time — one different song title per routine.
Please bring music files on a phone or computer as backup — NO USB’s. Studios are responsible for the content and edit of their own tracks. No pre-recorded tap sounds are permitted in the Tap genre.
Unauthorised photography and videotaping of performances is not permitted. Official video critiques and scores are provided through Video Judge.
Livestream, social media photos and all awards photos are provided free by Candance.
Adjudication is by 3 highly-qualified professional and/or celebrity judges. Scores are an average of the panel’s marks and all adjudications are final.
Each registered entry receives 3 high-quality videos with judges’ voice critiques plus all final scores, via online access to Video Judge.
A maximum of 2 minutes is allowed to set up props and/or sets for small groups, large groups, lines and extended lines. Contact the office regarding production props and sets.
Routines over the time limit are subject to point deductions, and additional fees apply for up to 5 seconds of overtime, increasing as needed. See your DanceBUG account for details.
Please contact the Candance office to confirm setup and submit a prop list with all corresponding routines.
Please have prop people/dads rehearse all prop placement.
The studio is responsible for completely clearing the stage of all items following their performance.
Adult / Parent / Professional entries are not eligible for overalls, cash awards or the Diamond Dance Off. Production is not eligible for the Dance Off.
A professional is a dancer who is no longer a student and earns a full-time income dancing and/or teaching.
Medals, ribbons, pins and plaques are awarded in all divisions. Novice, Pre-Competitive and Production have separate overall awards. The top 3 routines are announced when there are 6 or more routines in a category.
Waivers are sent out via DanceBUG and submitted electronically, 3 weeks before your event. Candance requires all attendees to sign the required waivers at the time of registry.
Rules may be updated or changed at any time.
To calculate the average age of a routine: add the ages together (as of January 1st, 2027), divide by the number of competitors, then drop the decimal place.
- 5 & Under, 6 Years, 7 Years, 8 Years, 9 Years, 10 Years, 11 Years, 12 Years, 13 Years, 14 Years, 15 Years, 16 Years, 17 Years, 18 Years, 19 & Over
- 5 & Under, 6 Years, 7 Years, 8 Years, 9 Years, 10 Years, 11 Years, 12 Years, 13 Years, 14 Years, 15 Years, 16 Years, 17 Years, 18 Years, 19 & Over
- 12 & Under, 13 & Over
- 19 & Over
This division is suited for a dancer that has never competed before in a Solo, Duet, and/or Trio. They may have competed in a group. All novice small groups, large groups, lines and extended lines must be 100% novice.
*A novice dancer is allowed to compete in both the “Pre-Competitive” and “Competitive” divisions **This division is ONLY ELIGIBLE for the Novice/Pre-Competitive Diamond Dance Off ***All dancers must be 100% novice, first time competing within the same dance season. Once the dancer does a novice solo in any genre, the next season they’re a competitive dancer if they do a different genre.
This division is suited for both recreational and part-time competitive dancers. They cannot exceed a maximum of 6 hours of training per week; this does not include all rehearsal time.
*A pre-competitive dancer CAN compete in a competitive routine, but CAN NOT compete in the Competitive solo division. All Pre-Competitive routines MUST be 100% Pre-Competitive **This division is ONLY ELIGIBLE for the Novice/Pre-Competitive Diamond Dance Off
This division is suited for a dancer that has competed before and is a full-time competitive dancer. This division is eligible for all Overall Awards and the Diamond Dance Off (small groups, large groups, lines, and extended lines).
*Dancers in this division have the opportunity to qualify for our Title Soloist Competition and National Finals Performing Arts Competition **A competitive dancer is NOT ALLOWED to compete in the “Pre-Competitive” or “Novice” divisions
This division is suited for any combination of professional-teacher and/or professional-dancer, and dancers, that do not fall into any other division.
**Professional: is a dancer that is NO LONGER a student and earns a full-time income to dance professionally and/or teach.
Mini
5–9 years
Junior
10–12 years
Teen
13–14 years
Senior
15+ years
Dance Off Pairing: for the Diamond Dance Off, Junior means 12 & Under and Senior means 13 & Over.
Solo
1 dancer
Duet
2 dancers
Trio
3 dancers
Small Group*
4 to 9 dancers
Ext. Small Group*
4 to 9 dancers
Large Group*
10 to 15 dancers
Ext. Large Group*
10 to 15 dancers
Line*
16 or more dancers
Ext. Line*
16 or more dancers
Production
16 or more dancers
Solo
3 minutes
Duet/Trio
3 minutes
Ext. Duet/Trio
4 minutes
Small Group
3 minutes
Ext. Small Group
4 minutes
Large Group
4 minutes
Ext. Large Group
5 minutes
Line
4 minutes
Ext. Line
5 minutes
Production
8 minutes
All Novice, Pre-Competitive and Competitive routines have a maximum time limit of 3 minutes.
A maximum of 2 minutes is allowed to set up props and/or sets for small groups, large groups, lines and extended lines.
Additional fees apply for up to 5 seconds of overtime, and routines over the limit are subject to point deductions.
— The opportunity to perform on a professional stage equipped with a high quality sound system
— Adjudication by 3 highly-qualified professional and/or celebrity judges
— The ability for you and/or your studio to upload your digital music online upon registration
— Video critiques and judge’s scores provided via online access to Video Judge; Includes 3 high quality videos with judges voice critiques for each entry and final scores
— Fun, safe, and family-friendly environment
Candance is a competition where all forms of dance are equally acknowledged and rightfully adjudicated. Each genre is judged against its own craft.
Demi-Pointe, Demi-Character & Pointe
Only 3 Acro tricks allowed
Street & commercial
No Pre-recorded Tap sounds
Story through movement
Floor work, body release, contractions and spiral movements.
Tumbling & balances in choreographed dance routine
Song & Dance & Broadway style
any style/genre
Production is NOT eligible for the Diamond Dance Off.
All scores are based on an average mark by our prestigious judges.
Hand-selected by one of our directors at each event, featured at the Diamond Dance Off.
Top 15 placements in all divisions.
Highest scoring group routine of each genre at each event.
One Jr/Sr routine featured for online voting June 1–30. Champions awarded only at National Finals, with a $1,000 charitable donation of their choice.
Junior/Senior champions and runner-ups — only at Canadian events of 400 entries or more.
Most entertaining routine of the event.
Top 15 placements in ALL divisions qualify at regionals.
Jr/Sr routines awarded and featured on our YouTube channel.
All separate overalls and high score awards.
Plus tons of cash prizes throughout the season!
A coveted honour in dance excellence, recognising the studio that demonstrates exceptional versatility, creativity and excellence across a wide range of genres. Studios combine their top five junior and top five senior group routines — each in a different genre. Open category is NOT included.
*Only available at Canadian regional dance competitions
Candance is thrilled to keep growing and shaping our events based on what matters most to you! This season, we’re introducing exciting updates to the highlight of our regional competitions — the DIAMOND DANCE OFF!
Each studio can qualify four routines to compete in the regional Diamond Dance Off:
Each studio qualifies 4 routines — two 12 & under group routines and two 13 & over group routines. These routines MUST receive a Diamond award to qualify.
• Two 12 & Under Group Routines
• Two 13 & Over Group Routines
To qualify, these routines must achieve a Diamond award.
*For the Diamond Dance Off to take place, the regional event must have 400 or more registered entries. At an event with no Diamond Dance Off we will award high score and overall awards.
Top 10 group routines dance off for top awards. Similar rules apply, however only 1 entry per studio (if minimum numbers required have been fulfilled) — and no Diamond award is needed to qualify.
Limited to 10 of the highest scoring routines!
*For the Nov. & P.C. Dance Off to take place, the regional event must have 30 or more registered Nov. & P.C. group entries. At an event with no Dance Off we will award high score and overall awards.
**The Top 10 novice/pre-competitive group routines will compete again for top awards.
***Production, Adult/Parent/Professional are NOT ELIGIBLE for the Dance Off Events.
****Novice/Pre-Competitive division will dance in their respective Dance Off Events (if applicable).
*****Does not include rehearsal time.
The National Dance off is slightly different from the Regional Diamond Dance Off.
At the National Dance Off routines do not need to receive a Diamond award to qualify.
Candance will announce the top 10 Junior (12 & under, 13 & over) Solos, Duet/trios, small groups, Large groups & Lines. Routines will re-dance on the final day of the event and all awards will be announced at The Gala.
• Two 12 & Under Group Routines
• Two 13 & Over Group Routines
The National Novice/Pre-Competitive Dance off is slightly different from the Regional Dance Off.
At the National Dance Off routines do not need to receive a Diamond award to qualify.
Candance will announce the top 5 Novice Solos, Duet/Trios & Group routines. Plus, top 5 Pre-Competitive Solos, Duet/Trio & Group routines. Routines will re-dance on a scheduled day during the last few days of the event.
All regional Title Soloist winners from the Top 25 will be awarded & are eligible to compete in the “Title Soloist Competition” at our exciting National Finals this season!
Mini Miss & Mister
5–9 years
Junior Miss & Mister
10–12 years
Teen Miss & Mister
13–14 years
Senior Miss & Mister
15-19 years
