ELIGIBILITY

Competitors must be between the ages of 9-21, as of January 1, 2027. Students who are younger or older than regulation cut-off may participate in an ensemble, pas de deux, or duet/trio as long as the average ages still falls between ages 9-21.

 

The ADC IBC welcomes dancers of all nationalities.

 

Professional dancers are not permitted to enter the competition. "Professional Dancer" is defined by ADC IBC as, an individual who is or has been in the past employed as a full-time dancer with a professional dance company, and has been bound by contract for at least 26 weeks per year. Dancers holding Studio Company/Second Company or Trainee type positions are eligible. Company Apprentices are not eligible participants.

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Non-Compete Partners

Professional, non-competitive partners of eligible participants are permitted to perform. This provision is strictly intended for:
 

• Individuals currently engaged under a professional performance contract.

• Outside male student dancers who are not otherwise competing in the competition.
   

Restrictions
 

• Exclusions: This allowance does not extend to school teachers, coaches, or choreographers serving in a supervisory, instructional, or administrative capacity.
   

• Registration: All professional or outside partners must be explicitly denoted and registered within the event application.
  
   

Spirit of the Competition: To maintain fairness and a student-centered environment, participating schools are strongly encouraged to designate a student partner whenever possible. This exception is provided solely to accommodate schools facing a lack of available male dancers; utilizing professional partners to gain a perceived advantage violates the spirit of this rule.

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Please refer to HOW TO JOIN Page for details on how to participate.

 

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AGE DIVISIONS

Primary Division: 9 -11 yrs old

Junior Division: 12-14 yrs old

Senior Division: 15-21 yrs old
 

 

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PERFORMANCE DIVISIONS

• Classical Ballet Division  - As a requirement to present a Classical Ballet variation, dancers must select from the provided Repertoire List for each respective age. 

 

• Contemporary Dance Division - Dancers are responsible for obtaining rights to choreographic works. If the piece was created for the participant, this does not apply. If wanting to perform the exact work of Jerome Robbins, for example, you must contact the rights holder.

 

• Ensemble Division (2 or more dancers)
   

1. Classical Pas de Deux  - Required to select from Repertoire List. Adagio & coda only. Coda not required. Must notate on Application if performing Coda.

2. Duet | Trio - May or may not select from Repertoire List. Any Contemporary style pas de deux will compete as a Duet.

3. Ensemble - Groups of 4 or larger. May or may not select from Repertoire List.
    

*Dancers younger or older than regulation age may participate in ensemble division as long as average age of group fits within criteria.

 

 

POINTE WORK & REPERTOIRE REGULATION

ADC IBC is an Internationally respected platform for pre-professional dancers and is such working with a governing body to set forth best practices for health and welfare of dancers. The regulations below are NOT addressing the age at which pointe training should begin, as many variables exist. This is to dictate a suitable age for the presentation of pointe work at our events.

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AGE 9-11

Age 9 & 10, strictly prohibited. If a dancer still chooses to present en pointe, deductions or disqualification may occur.

Age 11, strongly discouraged (at discretion of teacher).

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*Teachers may make adjustments to original choreography to reflect the dancer's current level.

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Please see Repertoire List at top of page for Age specific variations.
 

 

AGE 12-14

ADC IBC's evaluation process is strenuous and is only recommended for serious ballet dancers. For Regional locations - If an Age 12 dancer feels additional pointe training is necessary in order to present such work, dancer may receive permission from competition to perform on demi-pointe without penalty. Age 13 & 14 - required.

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To Qualify & Participate in Finals Event - ages 12-14, pointework is a requirement.

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Please see Repertoire List at top of page for Age specific variations.

 

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AGE 15 - 21
Required for all female dancers.
 

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ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING POLICY, please email office@adcibc.com

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TIME LIMITS
 

Solo Variations: no more than 2:30 min (STRICT ADHERENCE)
 

Pas de Deux: no more than 6:00 min (inclusive of adagio & coda, if more than limit, you must find another recording or perform only the adagio.) 
You are allotted a total of 7min for your pas de deux track. All pas de deux entries must submit music on ONE musical track. The time needed to walk around to begin Coda, must be factored in to the 7 min total track time.
 

Duet|Trio: no more than 2:45 min (contemporary pas de deux's are considered a 'Duet')
 

Ensemble (4-7 Dancers) - no more than 3:30min
 

Ensemble (8+ Dancers) - no more than 5:00min
 

 

*For Ensemble Division:

Extended Time Permitted, subject to time availability of event schedule.

A $100 charge per additional minute will apply. Pro-rated minutes available. Please contact our office, and charge will be added to your DCG account.

With Extended Time, Duo/Trio must NOT Exceed 3:45min.

With Extended Time, Ensemble (4-7 Dancers) must NOT Exceed 5:00min.

With Extended Time, Ensemble (8+ Dancers) must NOT Exceed 6:00min.

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ADDITIONAL GENERAL RULES
 

• Semi-final soloists - may solely enter one category, for example the Classical Ballet Division, for they are scored separately, and receive their own awards. To be eligible for Finals, dancers will need to perform a classical variation in a semi-final event. 
  
  All Selected Finalists - will be required to perform in both classical & contemporary styles.

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• Semi-final soloists - may register more than one variation in each category, however the solo with the highest score will be selected in consideration for top placement. Ex: one participant will not be awarded both 1st & 2nd Place in the same category.
  
  All Finalists - may only register 2 prepared solos (1 classical and 1 contemporary). The compulsory classical variation is given at the event.

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• ADC IBC reserves the right to decline any registration at it's discretion.

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• Dancers are welcome to participate in more than 1 semi-final event, if space permits.

 

• Competitors may enter as a soloist, part of an ensemble, or both. (Ex: a student may enter a classical variation, contemporary solo, pas de deux, and be a part of an ensemble).

 

• ADC IBC will determine whether all ensembles will compete together in the same age grouping or separated by age. In the case of separation, the average age will determine the age division for ensembles. Pas de Deux will compete Separate. Duo|Trio will compete separate.
   

• Master classes - Soloist Dancers: all scored master classes are required for Semi-final & Final competitions. 
  Ensemble Dancers: students only participating in an ensemble are not required to participate in the provided master classes. If students wish to participate, they will join their age appropriate class on the schedule, and will not receive a participant #.

 

• Medium to Large Prop usage is NOT permitted in any performance division. Only small props may be used, such as hat, chair, etc. The stage must be cleared in a timely manner after a routine. Dances are not permitted to leave articles on the stage such as feathers or confetti. All props must be in place and also removed within 15 seconds. ADC IBC does not provide storage for props, does not assist with the movement of props on or off stage, and is not responsible for lost props or injury resulting from prop usage.

 

• ADC IBC values age appropriate dances. If the judges consider the costuming or choreography to be inappropriate, immediate disqualification or point reductions may occur.

 

• If an ensemble loses a member right before competition, and drops below the original number registered, they may still compete in the time limit allowed for the larger group. Ex: a group of 8 loses 1 member, giving them 7, they may still compete with the 5:00min length. If this circumstance occurs, immediately contact our office, so no points will be deducted from the groups' score the day of competition.

 

• ADC IBC will determine whether Males & Females of the same age will compete in the same Division. Generally, males will compete separate from the females when more than 6 males are in an age division.

 

• All Rules and the Release Agreement must be read and agreed upon before permitted to compete. Acknowledgement of these items are completed online during registration. (Before Payment screen)

 

• All Performances are held before a public audience.

 

• ADC IBC reserves the right to use any photo or video recording of the participants during the competition for promotional purposes.

 

• A tentative schedule will be available prior to event date. No time requests will be accepted. However, when you receive the schedule and find that you do not have enough time to change costumes, it is imperative that you contact our office immediately. If the office is not notified, and the stage manager and emcee are not aware of the situation, points will be deducted if not ready to compete. 8 numbers in between classical entries is sufficient time. 6 numbers in between contemporary numbers will act as sufficient time.

 

• ADC IBC does run the competition numerically, but each competitor must be prepared to perform out of order. This is necessary to prevent delays in the competition due to costume changes.

 

• Costumes and make-up are the responsibility of each competitor, and are not required.

 

• ADC IBC holds the right to amend competition days and times if pertinent, and has the right to move the competition location if circumstances are presented beyond ADC IBC's control.

 

• ADC IBC EXPECTS SPORTSMANLIKE behavior from ALL of our competitors, teachers & families. Failure to comply with this could result in disqualification.

 

• The Jury reserves the right to not award all scholarships & prizes, and to divide any award between more than one competitor.

 

• ADC IBC will provide electronic scoresheets to studio directors and independent dancers at the conclusion of the competition. Located in your registration dashboard.

 

• The competition is of a fair nature, and solely based on merit; thus the decisions of the judges are final.

 

• All Medalists & Top Score Winners agree to perform, if requested by ADC IBC, for no fee at subsequent competition gala performances.

 

• ADC IBC or it's hosting venues are NOT responsible for any damage, injury, or loss during the competition.

 

• NO SMOKING IS PERMITTED IN ANY OF OUR VENUES.

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• If any Issue arises, and it is not clearly addressed in the rules and regulations, the decision of ADC IBC shall be binding.
   

• We strongly recommend all dancers, parents, and teachers to FOLLOW ADC IBC on our primary social media outlets @adcibc (INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK) for the most up-to-date news for all events, including venue information, registration information, and important updates.
   

• Livestreams will not be available for Semi-Final events. Only available for the St. Petersburg Finals.

 

 

 

FEES & REFUND POLICY

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SEMI-FINAL REGISTRATION FEES
 

View the different fee schedules listed below. We are offering Early Registration rates. Please make note of the date payment is required to receive the stated rate. The system will automatically adjust the fee schedule on September 1 at midnight EST. And will adjust again 60 days prior to each event for late registrants.


Early Registration

Full Payment Required by August 31, 2026

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Solo Variations - $125 per variation

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Pas de Deux - $125 per dancer

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Duo|Trio - $80 per dancer

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Ensemble - $60 per dancer

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Administrative Fee (per person, per location)  - $125

 

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Regular Registration

Full Payment completed on/after September 1, 2026
 

Solo Variations - $135 per variation

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Pas de Deux - $135 per dancer

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Duo|Trio - $90 per dancer

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Ensemble - $70 per dancer

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Administrative Fee (per person, per location)  - $125

 

 

 

Late Registration

Full Payment completed 60 days or closer to event date.

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Solo Variations - $145 per variation

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Pas de Deux - $145 per dancer

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Duo|Trio - $100 per dancer

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Ensemble - $80 per dancer

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Administrative Fee (per person, per location)  - $125

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NOTES ON REGISTRATION PROCESS

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• Register through online portal: https://adcibc.dancecompgenie.com/
   

• Participants may either open an individual account as an Independent dancer or Studios can register entire school with their account.
   

• There are 2 types of accounts. 1. Individual account for Independent Dancers (please still list the school you train with in the application even though you may be entering the competition alone.)
  
  Under 'Studio Name' please type the following: Studio Name / Your Last Name.
  For Example: Ballet Academy of Texas / Smith
  
  2. Studio Accounts – for schools registering altogether where the school representative has full control over registration and payment.
  
   

• No school codes are used for parental payment access. Our system does not allow payments to be made from parents on studio accounts. Studio’s will need to collect funds from parents on their end and provide registration payment to ADC IBC as a school.
   

• It is the responsibility of Registrants/Schools to ensure all information entered is correct in the system.
   

• Once your registration details are entered into the system, it will then prompt you to the payment screen. Partial payments or deposits are not accepted. To complete registration, you will need to finalize payment. 
   

• Account holders will be able to go back into their account to make changes to entry titles. You will not be charged to make these changes unless it is shorter than 2 weeks prior to the event. If you have fully paid your account and go in to add entry titles, your account status will change to Incomplete. All you will need to do is, check-out again. No fees will assess, no data will be lost, and your account will go back to its Complete status once you re-checkout.
   

• When registering a pas de deux, duet, trio, or an ensemble, our system does not allow individual parents to go in and make payments. These entry types will need to be paid in full by a single individual, whether it’s the school or a parent of an independent duet. The per dancer charges will need to be handled between the dancers' families.
   

• DOUBLE CHARGES - The administrative fee is a one-time fee per location per dancer, thus if a student is charged for their solo entries (on an individual account), and also charged again when an ensemble dance is registered (on a separate studio account), you will be responsible to contact office@adcibc.com , so we can reverse the double charge. This only occurs when solos are registered on a different account from the ensemble dances. If all studio routines (solos & groups) are registered by the school, these double charges will not occur. 

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• All online applications will be required to complete full payment at time of registration. There will be no option to make partial payments or a deposit.
   

• WHEN VENUES APPROACH MAX CAPACITY OR WAITLIST STATUS:
  ADC IBC will email all accounts for that specific venue to require payment to secure spot. This will likely occur for several cities prior to the prescribed fee schedule of deadlines below. If no response or no payment is completed, dancer’s application will be deleted or moved to the waitlist automatically. To view deadlines click here.
  
   

• Check payments are NOT accepted.
   

• ALTERNATE OPTION AVAILABLE TO AVOID CC CHARGES.
  APPLICABLE TO LARGE STUDIOS ONLY (with 10 or More Registered Soloists, Not 10 Routines)
  
  Eligible to submit payment via an E- TRANSFER (ZELLE for US Schools or WISE for International Schools).
   

• Studios must email our team at office@adcibc.com  to coordinate such payment. 
   

Payment by Zelle
Email: adcibc@live.com

Add as a Business: The American Dance Competition Inc

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FINALS REGISTRATION FEES

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Invited Soloists - $450 (inclusive fee - see below)

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Invited Ensembles - Pas de Deux - $135 per dancer, Duet|Trio - $90 per dancer, Ensemble - $70 per dancer
 

Administrative Fee (per person)  - $125

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FINALS REGISTRATION INCLUDES:
 

• Soloist Participant - 3-4 performed solos (4 if pass to Final Round), all open & scored master classes, repertoire classes, company audition for ages 16+, direct access to scholarship opportunities, sponsor gifts, event all-access pass which includes any special events and Final Round Gala ticket. 
   

• Ensemble Participant - Event all-access pass which includes access to: open masterclasses, any special events and a Final Round Gala ticket.

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TICKETS OR PASSES TO VIEW EVENT (Teachers, Parents & Guests)

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Semi-Final Events:  Coach Pass - $25

Available for teachers or parent of independent student. Access to open stage, dressing rooms, and scored classes (subject to venue's policy). Passes can be purchased in advance during registration or at the Regional event's check-in table.

 

 

St. Petersburg Finals: (Below will be the options available)
 

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• Discounted VIP Pass (Teachers Only) - $90

Includes access to: Round 1, All Round 2 days, Open stage, Dressing Rooms, all Master Classes, Rep Rehearsals, any special events, and
1 Patrons Circle Final Round Gala Ticket per pass.

 

** VIP passes can be purchased through ADC IBC registration website or at the event through ADC IBC only. These are not purchased through the Mahaffey Box Office.

 

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• Multi-Day Pass (Parents & Guests)
   

Adult Multi-Day Pass - $75 + facility fees

Includes Access to: All Round 2 days, Dressing Rooms, 1 Orchestra Seat Ticket to Final Round Gala per pass.
 

 

Student Multi-Day Pass - $37.50 + facility fees

Includes Access to: All Round 2 days, 1 Orchestra Seat Ticket to Final Round Gala per pass.

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Multi-Day Passes are purchased through The Mahaffey Theater only.

 

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• Single Day Tickets - $15 + facility fees

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Choice of any Single Day Admission. Does Not Include Final Round Gala. Access in theater only. Backstage not permitted.
Admission hours cover the entire event day purchased. 

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Single Day Tickets are purchased through The Mahaffey Theater only.
 

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• Final Round Gala Tickets Only - From $27.50 + facility fees
  
  Tickets are purchased through The Mahaffey Theater only.

 

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FINALS REHEARSAL SPACE 
 

Limited Space available: 1 Hour @  $150
 

You will need to reserve your space early through the registration process. When schedules publish, you will have first choice of time block.

No 30 minute blocks available. Rehearsal space is located in the Round 1 venue. You will need to book your hours During the Registration Application Process. If you wait to purchase at the event, all space will be booked. 

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In the event that purchased rehearsal space is either unavailable or unusable due to competition schedule conflicts, a credit will be issued to the user's DanceComp Genie account. To request a credit, please submit an official credit inquiry directly through the rehearsal reservation form.

*Rehearsal space is not a requirement. We offer a limited amount of private studio space for dancers to rehearse during the competition week. Competition teachers, judges, nor staff will be in these private rehearsals.

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LATE, CHANGE, OR PENALTY FEES

 

• Late Registration Fees are listed above in the Fee Schedule Chart.
   

• A $25 Change Fee will be assessed to your account if a change is needed after the modification period has been closed. Account holders are notified via email of the modification window. This includes any TBD information remaining on your account, that you would like updated outside of the modification deadline.
   

• A $25 Music Fee, per Entry will be assessed to your account if music is missing or submitted/updated past the venue's music deadline. (2 Weeks Prior to Event Date) Music changes at the event may not be allowed, and if accepted, a premium charge will be added to your account, and will need to be paid before dancer performs.
   

• Paper Checks are not permitted. If parent or studio mails anyway without communication with the competition office.
  1. Check may not be accepted as payment.
  2. May not be delivered to proper office for payment.
  3. If the check is returned by the Bank, your Dance Comp Genie account will be charged $75.00 each time the check is returned.

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REFUND POLICY
 

There are NO REFUNDS for ANY REASON. 

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Credit to a future event provided only. See details below:
 

• Administrative Fee ($125) is non-refundable & non-creditable for any reason.
   

• Credits are only applicable to physically injured dancers. (Full registration amount, minus administrative and credit card fees.)
   

• Credits are only valid for 1 Year. Funds will be held in dancers DCG account to be used for the 2027/2028 Season. Administrative fee is non-transferrable from season to season.
   

• Description of "Credit": Credits are placed back into your Dance Comp Genie Account for future use. Original form of payment will not be credited.
   

• To Request a Credit (For Physical Injury Withdraw Only):  a doctor's note must be submitted to office@adcibc.com  on official letterhead with doctors’ signature. Letter MUST be from a Specialist. A Family Doctor letter will not be accepted. Doctor’s note must be received by our office within 1 week of withdraw date. If note is received later, request for credit will not be granted. If our office is not notified prior to the start of the competition and is a no-show or later notified while the event is active, a credit can not be issued.
  
   

• For Illness Withdraw: If illness occurs, a doctor's note must be submitted, and you may transfer the entire semi-final registration to a later regional event. In the case of the last semi-final, a video submission will serve as the dancer's audition to qualify for the Finals. No credit provided. Transfer Only to a later location.
   

• All other requests for refunds or credit will be denied.

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MUSIC POLICY, DEADLINES & SCORING SYSTEM

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ADC IBC uses digital files. The only accepted format is MP3, M4a. Music must be received by specified deadlines per location (2 weeks before regional competition start date). If received late, a $25 fee, per entry will be assessed to your account. All files are to be uploaded through your Dance Comp Genie Account. You are responsible for uploading the correct music file to the appropriate dance entry field. This is an important reason why your TBA information needs to be added by the deadline. When uploaded correctly, you will be able to play back music file to check.

 

If circumstances present itself where you must change the music from what was submitted prior to the deadline, upload your new file into your Dance Comp Genie Account & YOU MUST EMAIL office@adcibc.com to notify us of the change. A $25.00 change fee will be applied to your account.

 

If music changes are requested Day of Competition or if have not been received at all, a charge of $75 will be required. *Please be aware that ALL our staff members are busy during the event & limited wifi in venues create added complications, thus the premium change fee during event, if allowed at all.

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Back-up Music - Accepted Formats

Our music technicians utilize Apple MacBook for music playback.

Best format to receive music at events – have a MP3, MP4, WAV, M4A, or M4P file on your Apple device (iphone, ipad, mac, etc) with ability to AirDrop.

 

Second Best format to receive music at events – provide a downloadable link like dropbox, google drive, or wetransfer

 

ADC IBC Technician can also retrieve files from a USB-C drive.
 

 

Participants are responsible for back-up files. The cue should not exceed 5 seconds at the beginning of the music. Note...music should be recorded at desired speed, for there will be NO adjustments made during the competition.

  

*Participants need to also notify the backstage manager about any music irregularities, such as pauses, volume changes, etc so that we do not re-start the performance.

 

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Finals music deadline: March 1, 2027

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If circumstances present itself where you must change the music from what was submitted prior to the finals deadline, you may upload your new file & YOU MUST EMAIL office@adcibc.com with the change. After March 1 a $25.00 change fee will be applied to your account.

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** NOTE: Even if there are no changes to your music files from the regional competition to Finals, you will still need to re-upload music files into your FINALS Registration portal in Dance Comp Genie. Files will need to be uploaded to any location that you are participating.​

 

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