DECEMBER 13, 2025
Location: Orange County, CA
Online registration begins on 9/7/25 @ 9:00AM
Limited Space!
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CALIFORNIA’S DANCE TEAM ATHLETES
The Dance Team California solo championship event provides a unique opportunity for dancers wishing to represent their School Dance Program while building confidence, community, and camaraderie alongside their peers. It’s also the perfect opportunity for coaches & directors to celebrate their soloists while developing performance strengths and areas of growth before the California regional season begins!
School programs with competing soloists can also join our season preview showcase: Coaches & Directors may submit one team routine or group concert piece for pre-season feedback from our panel of judges.
COMPETITION ELIGIBILITY
Contestants must be in school grades 6-12 and an active member of their school dance program.
Students enrolled at schools that do not have an official dance program may also participate, but must have permission from their school site administrator or academic counselor to do so.
All solo contestants must register under their school name.
SOLO DIVISIONS
Contestants in High School (grades 9-12) will compete against dancers in their own grade.
Contestants in Middle School (grades 6-8) will all compete in one division.
Solo routines at Dance Team California may be of any competitive dance team genre or combination of styles (i.e. Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical)
RULES & SCORING
12th Grade
Solo Routine
Routine length is 1:30-2:00.
Scoring is based on Routine Content (40%), Technique (30%), and Performance/Showmanship (30%).
Technical Improv/Skills Spotlight
Allows dancers opportunity to demonstrate special skills, areas of strength, and movement qualities that might not already be included in their choreographed solo routine. Up to 0:45 in length and scored based on the dancers technique, movement and style.
Interview Question
Senior soloists will be provided an interview question to prepare an answer prior to entering the interview room (closed to public). Dancers are given up to 0:45 to answer the question in front of a friendly panel of judges. Scoring is based on answer content and overall delivery.
Special Awards / Recognition For Graduating Seniors
At awards we will present awards to the Top 5 Interview scores, the Top 8 Spotlight scores, and the Top 10 Solo Routine scores! (Along with other special awards).
We will then announce the Dance Team California (Top 5) 12th grade overall winners… which is based on the combined total score of all three categories. The highest scoring overall winner will be crowned our Top Overall Senior Solo Champion!
There will also be a Team California announcement to recognize additional graduating seniors, plus high scoring soloists from other grade levels. Scroll down for more information on Team CA!
*Total award recipients may be adjusted higher or lower based on registration numbers. Dancers will receive their scores, along with their placement in comparison to others in their category following the competition.
11th Grade, 10th Grade, 9th Grade & Middle School
Dancers will compete a solo routine that is 1:30-2:00 in length.
Scoring is based on Routine Content (40%), Technique (30%), and Performance/Showmanship (30%).
Dancers will receive their scores, along with their placement in comparison to others in their category following the competition. We will announce/award approximately the top 1/4 of each grade level division. Additionally, we may also present special awards to Top solo routines by dance genre: Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Music
All music for routines must be edited to 1:30-2:00 in length. Assure that lyrics are suitable for a middle and high school dance competition. Music MUST be uploaded in your registration account 1-week before the event.
Props
The use of props is allowed. Please choose props based on the ability for quick set-up and take down with minimal post-performance cleanup.
Costume & Footwear
The contestant’s costume is left up to the discretion of the dancer and coach/director. Costuming must be appropriate for middle and high school age performers. Dance footwear is optional (dancers may have bare feet or wear dance socks if they wish).
Choreography
Choreography can be done by a coach or choreographer, or the dancer may choose to create on their own. Movements must be appropriate for middle and high school age performers.
PREVIEW SHOWCASE
Your Team’s Opportunity For Pre-Season Critique
Wanna get your group dance routines on the floor before the regional competition season begins? School dance programs with at least FIVE competing soloists have the option of also participating in our preview showcase! Give your dance team this opportunity to prepare for the demands of the upcoming performance season…
Coaches & Directors may register one team routine or group concert piece for pre-season feedback from our panel of judges. This is an ideal chance to receive constructive feedback and professional critique before the California regional dance competition season gets underway. This opportunity also allows your younger dancers to support your team’s soloist role models.
Showcase routines may be of any style or genre (Time Limit Maximum: 3:00). There is no registration fee associated with this opportunity.
The preview showcase is scheduled after all solo competition has concluded on the day of our event (prior to awards).
Judges video critiques and scores will be provided following the event; But NO awards will be presented to showcase routines.
While there is NO registration fee associated with this optional performance opportunity, coaches & directors must still register their showcase routine using our online registration system.
TEAM CA
National Exposure For California’s TOP Dance Talent
At the conclusion of this event a select group of high school dance soloists will be named to Team CA… an exciting friendship-building travel experience that dancers will never forget!
Students named to Team CA have the opportunity to represent their School Dance Program AND the State of California at a National Championship Title Solo dance competition during the winter/spring competition season of the same school year as our event (participation is optional, yet highly encouraged!)
For the upcoming dance/drill competition season, Team CA designees shall receive bids to compete at one or both of the following upcoming National Championship dance team competition events:
DTU National Championship
February 6-8, 2026
Orlando, Florida
Dance Team World National Title
March 20-22, 2026
Las Vegas, Nevada
