If you’re new to the competition world, you may have found yourself wondering about the many dance competition categories.
What’s the difference between Lyrical and Contemporary?
Why is Pointe separate from Ballet?
What exactly qualifies as Open?
There are many dance competition categories, and while studios typically handle registration, understanding the various performance divisions helps parents feel more confident and informed throughout the season.
Not every studio competes in every category — and not every competition offers the same divisions. This guide provides general definitions of common dance competition categories you may see at regional or national events.
| Performance Categories |
|---|
| Acro/Gymnastics: Blending dance technique with acrobatic movement, this style highlights tumbling skills, transitions, strength and flexibility. |
| Ballet: A classical dance style emphasizing technique, grace and precision demonstrating clean lines, turnout, control and traditional movement vocabulary; ballet shoes required. (Pointe shoes cannot be worn.) |
| Ballroom: A style using traditional social and competitive influences and techniques emphasizing rhythm, fluid movement and precise footwork; ballroom shoes required. |
| Baton: Combining baton twirling with dance elements, this style features coordinated movements, tricks and rhythmic patterns using baton(s). |
| Character: A style reflecting pop culture or theatrical themes through dynamic and expressive movement, often incorporating stylized footwork and gestures. |
| Cheerleading: Style of routine that incorporates jumps, stunts, tumbling and dance, often performed with chants or cheers (up to 50% acro/gymnastics allowed). |
| Clogging: A rhythmic style of dance featuring percussive footwork where dancers use their shoes to create distinctive sound. |
| Contemporary: Blending many traditional styles of dance, Contemporary emphasises fluid movement, innovative techniques and emotional expression. |
| Drill Team: A precision-based style of dance combining sharp, synchronized movements, marching and military-style formations; may incorporate any type of dance. |
| Folkloric: A traditional dance style reflecting cultural heritage and regional movements (Ex: Polkas, Hawaiian, Irish Step Dance, Spanish Flamenco, Chinese Classical Dance, Belly dance, etc.). |
| Hip Hop: A dance style that originated in street culture, this style includes a wide range of movements, from dynamic popping and locking to smooth, rhythm-based grooves. |
| Jazz: A style incorporating sharp, rhythmic movements with smooth, fluid transitions, emphasizing both technical precision and emotional expression. Skills often include isolations, leaps, turns, kicks, etc. |
| Lip Sync: A performance style combining dance with lip-syncing through synchronized movement and pantomime. |
| Lyrical: A style that combines ballet and jazz techniques, emphasizing expressive and fluid movements to convey emotion and storytelling through music. |
| Modern: A style with emphasis on creative expression and movement concepts structured through composition of movement idioms. |
| Musical Theater: A performance style that blends acting and dancing to tell a story through expressive choreography, often portraying specific characters and emotions from stage shows, theatre productions, or Film Musicals. Lip sync is allowed. |
| Open: A versatile style that allows for a mix of styles and techniques. Routines in this style have the freedom to incorporate elements from various genres, showcasing creativity and individual expression (any dancer in pointe shoes must be an Elite dancer, NO Vocal routines permitted.) |
| Pointe: An advanced style of Ballet performed in pointe shoes, requiring strength, control and precision. Reserved to Elite Level only. |
| Pom Pom: Incorporating the use of pom poms, this style emphasizes precision, rhythm and coordination. Pom poms must be used for at least 80% of the routine. |
| Song & Dance: A performance style that integrates singing and dancing, with dancers performing choreographed movements while simultaneously vocalizing lyrics. No lip syncing allowed for lead vocals. Must contain at least 50% vocal / 50% dance. |
| Tap: This style is performed in tap shoes, using the feet to produce rhythmic sounds with the floor. Tap focuses on timing, rhythm and coordination. |
| Vocal: A performance category focused on singing, where performers showcase their vocal technique, tone and expression through song (lead vocals must be live). The use of motions and movement can be added to compliment the style of song. |
Even though studios manage registration, knowing the different dance competition categories helps parents:
✔ Understand what their dancer is performing
✔ Follow along during awards
✔ Appreciate technical differences between styles
✔ Support their dancer’s training and development
The more familiar you are with competition divisions, the more confident you’ll feel throughout the season.
Understanding dance competition categories is just one part of preparing for a successful year. Be sure to read our Prepping for the New Season guide for tips on organization, expectations and setting your dancer up for success.
