General Information   Videotaping
Age Groups Scoring Awards: Regional Competitions
Divisions Time Limits Awards: National Competitions
Categories Penalties & Deductions Scholarships

Contestants may enter as many categories as desired but each routine must be different.  The same contestants cannot compete more than once in the same category and age group in solo, duet/trio, small group, large group, line or super group competition.

The average age determines which age group one fits into. THIS AVERAGE MUST INCLUDE ALL PERSONS APPEARING ON STAGE AT ANY TIME DURING A NUMBER. When an average age ends in 0.5 or above, it is rounded up to the next age. Names, ages and birthdates of all contestants must appear on the entry form. Contestants will be responsible for producing proof of age to contest directors, should a question arise. Failure to do so may result in disqualification and forfeiture of award. PROOF OF AGE MUST BE AVAILABLE AT EVERY CONTEST.

All ages are set as of January 1; however, at Finals, all contestants will compete in the same age group that they qualified in at Regionals. (EXCEPTION: If an act qualifies in more than one age group at Regional Competitions, they must compete in the higher age group, no matter what the category, at Nationals.) If a duet/trio or group has ANY CHANGES of performers between regional and nationals, Rising Star will re-average the age with the new performer(s) and they must compete at the new average age at nationals. No solo performer will be allowed to compete in more than one age group, e.g., (11-12) Jazz or (13-14) Open -- the act must perform in one age group, not both.

OVER ALL AWARD AGE GROUPS:  PETITE (8 & UNDER), JUNIOR (9-12), TEEN (13-14) AND SENIOR (15-19)!!!!!

Adult: Adult acts are only eligible for Top Adult Act award. Any act that has a minimum of 50% of the participants 20 years of age or older performing in it, or any one person who is 20 years of age or older and a full-time dance studio owner or dance teacher.  They can win the category but will not be eligible for top awards. Example: In a duet, if a participant is 20 years old or older it would be an Adult act. In a group, 50% or more of the total number of participants must be 20 or over or a full-time owner or teacher; if a solo, in the 17-18 age group is a full-time teacher at a studio; these are considered an Adult act.

12 & Under 13 & Over Adult
4 & Under 13-14 20-39
5-6 15-16 40 & Over
7-8 17-19  
9-10  
11-12