May 29th – June 1st
AGE DIVISIONS
The American Ballet Competition has three age divisions.
Age of each competitor is determined as of June 1.
DIVISION I
Pre-Competitive: Ages 9
Pre-teen: Age 10 to 12
DIVISION II
Juniors: Ages 13 to 15
DIVISION III
Seniors: Ages 16 to 20
CATEGORIES
CLASSICAL BALLET SOLOS
Variations selected from the classical ballet repertoire are to be chosen from ABC’s approved variation list – see Music.
Variation maximum time limit: 2.5 minutes in length.
CONTEMPORARY SOLOS
Contemporary Dance is a genre of concert dance that uses methods found in modern, post-modern as well as classical and neo-classical ballet. Contemporary is based on the evolving philosophies of dance movement that often omits structured movement and form and draws on modern dance techniques. Some of the dance techniques and philosophies used includes those of the pioneers of contemporary dance such as Martha Graham, Loie Fuller, Jose Limon, Ruth St. Dennis, Merce Cunningham, Doris Humphrey and Mary Wigman, to name a few.
No tap or extreme hip-hop is to be incorporated in contemporary solo. Jazz and lyrical may be integrated as the choreography may require. Contemporary solos may be performed on or off pointe.
Contemporary solos time limits: no longer than 2.5 minutes and no shorter than 1.5 minutes.
ENSEMBLES
Ensembles include duets, trios, groups of 4-30 dancers and Classical Pas de Deux couples.
Choreography may be from the classical ballet repertory or original choreography combining elements of contemporary and classical dance styles.
Ensemble time limits:
Duets & Trios – up to 3 minutes
Ensembles – 4 to 9 dancers up to 3:45 minutes; 10-20 dancers up to 5:30 minutes; 21-30 dancers up to 7 minutes
Pas de deux – up to 6 minutes, may include adagio and coda sections. No variations.
50 States Initiative
We understand the importance of nurturing and supporting emerging talent, which is why an anonymous donor has offered dance scholarships to ballet students from each state across the nation. We believe that every aspiring ballet dancer deserves a chance to participate and grow, regardless of their financial circumstances. This scholarship will cover the full entry fee for one participant from each state to compete at this national competition American Ballet Competition in June 2024 in beautiful Ogden, Utah.