Rules and Policies

 

1.All students may enter in two age categories. Adults may enter their true age division and one lower while Pre-Teen-Youth students may enter their true age division and one higher. See entry forms for age categories.

A student may enter at the Rising Star Level if they have never won a contested event in that dance in that level and age group at the South Open.

The Proficiency option is available - these events are uncontested but "scored" events.  (Please indicate your preference on the entry form.)

 

2. Dance Level Categories: Material used should be based on an NDCA approved syllabus and ISTD syllabus.

 

3. A student may enter two consecutive dance standards (Bronze and Silver, Silver and Gold, Gold and Gold Star). If you are entered in Bronze you may dance Bronze and Silver levels but may not enter Gold or Gold Star levels. You may only dance Newcomer if you are attending the South Open for the first time. A student may only dance up in level, never down.

 

4.. There is no limit on student entries in Open or Closed Freestyle Divisions.

 

5. In any category with three entries or less, the organizer reserves the right to eliminate the age and sex divisions and merge competitors into one category. In any category with prize money, including professional and amateur scholarships, the organizer reserves the right to reduce the price money by half if there are 3 or fewer entries.

 

6. Pro/Am Scholarships: To qualify for all scholarship events, a student must enter a minimum of 10 (Smooth, Rhythm, Ballroom, Latin) Pro/Am single dances per scholarship event entered. All scholarships are unisex competitions for adults. Closed scholarships are restricted to Bronze & Silver students. Please remember that the closed scholarships are restricted to closed syllabus figures (Bronze restricted to Bronze Syllabus and Silver restricted to Bronze & Silver Syllabus). Open scholarships are not restricted to any figures. In any scholarship event with fewer than three entries, the organizer reserves the right to eliminate the age and sex divisions and merge competitors into one division.

 

All Scholarship competitors will receive 50% of the prize money offered if the event is held with three or fewer couples.

Students may NOT enter both Bronze & Silver scholarship levels in the same style.

Students MAY enter both the Silver & the Open scholarships in the same style.

A student may dance two age levels. Their true age and one below.

 

7. No Solo Exhibition is to exceed two minutes and forty-five seconds (2:45). Music must be on: a. Compact Disc, b. mp3 Player/ iPod/ iPad, c. USB Audio media.

 

8. Formations For additional rules please refer to the current N.D.C.A. Rules & Regulations. Maximum time - limited to three minutes (3:00) for a single dance and four minutes (4:00) for a medley. Timing of routine shall begin and end with the accompaniment. Pro/Am and Amateurs will be judged against one another.

 

9. Dress Code Evening wear is suggested for Newcomers. Beginning and above levels are open for ball gowns, Latin dresses or matching costumes, but are not mandatory.

 

10. Restricted Categories/Closed Division Freestyle A panel of invigilators may be used for all restricted categories/closed divisions. The categories will be strictly supervised and competitors committing infractions may be disqualified.

 

11. Critique/Score Sheets Critique/Score sheets will be given on Solo Exhibitions only.

 

12. Registration All competing Professionals must be currently registered with the N.D.C.A. Registration forms will be available at the competition, or go online at www.ndca.org

 

All individuals attending this event, whether as spectators, officials, competitors or guests of the Organizers shall be bound by the N.D.C.A. rules and by participating in this competition automatically become obliged to adhere to them.

 

The organizers of this competition and the N.D.C.A. are not responsible for the loss or theft of articles left in the changing rooms, ballroom(s) or hotel rooms. The Organizer(s) and the N.D.C.A. will not be held liable for injuries sustained by persons attending this event, whether as spectators, officials, competitors, or guests of the Organizer(s). Everyone attending does so at his/her own risk.

 

Because of N.D.C.A. rules no video taping or filming will be allowed. However, a professional video production company will be on hand to video your dancing. Tapes will be made available for purchase.

 

13. The deadline for a refund on a cancellation is 30 days prior to the date the competition commences. Refunds will be made by mail once the organizer has been contacted 30 days following the completion of the competition. The organizer will not refund any money for expenses he has paid that cannot be recuperated. Any canceled entries are subject to a cancellation fee of %10 but no less then $100 per participant for cancelation. If the Organizer is notified of cancellations after the deadline, credit toward the following year will be considered in cases of emergency only and must accompany a Doctor's Certificate. No substitutions will be allowed for entry cancellations taken at the event. No exchanges or refunds will be made on admission tickets.

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14.All vouchers for money, Teachers Pot of Gold, prizes, scholarships etc. must be redeemed and collected before the end of the competition or they become invalid. Checks are not going to be mailed!

(ALL TICKET SALES ARE FINAL)