C. Competition – Classical Division
Application Guidelines
Overview
In the Competition – Classic Division, participants may perform a free-choice piece. Scoring, evaluation, and ranking will be assigned.
There are no preliminaries or finals; judging will be based on a single performance. Participants will be evaluated according to their age category, and rankings will be determined. Unlike in the Pre-Competition Division, no advice sheets will be provided.
Eligibility
Eligible participants
Amateur dancers (male and female) from 2nd grade of elementary school (7 years old) up to 30 years old.
Participants in the B. Pre-Competition Free-Choice Division may also enter this division concurrently.
(Same or different variations may be chosen for each division.)
Not eligible
Those who belong to studios managed by the judges, or those who are engaged in professional ballet activities.
Also, participants in the Pre-Competition Assigned Variation Division may not enter.
Nationality
No restrictions.
Combination with B. Pre-Competition Free-Choice Division
It is possible to participate in both divisions. For those who wish to receive an advice sheet, we recommend entering the B. Pre-Competition Free-Choice Division alongside this one.
Judging Method
Performance
There are no preliminaries or finals; scoring is based on a single performance.
Judging criteria
An absolute evaluation system is used, not relative comparison.
This means that judges do not determine superiority by comparing one participant to another. Instead, each judge evaluates each performance individually based on their own judging standards.
Judges will focus on the following aspects:
• Technical ability: Accuracy of steps, positions, acquisition of techniques
• Expressiveness: Emotional expression, individuality
• Artistry: Understanding of the piece, overall stage beauty
• Musicality: Rhythm, unity with music
• Stage manners: Posture, etiquette, stage presence
Judging results
Based on the judges’ scores, rankings will be determined within each category.
Participants are encouraged not to compare themselves with others but to bring out their full potential and deliver outstanding performances.
• All categories will be judged separately for male and female participants.
• Each judge evaluates individually, and rankings are determined by average score.
Judging scope
• Costumes, makeup, choreography differences, or methods will not be evaluated.
• Reconstructing choreography according to the participant’s age is acceptable.
• For divisions where both pointe and ballet shoes are allowed (E6/J1 and above), there is no judgment on whether wearing pointe shoes or ballet shoes provides advantage.
• Participants should select works appropriate to their level.
Categories
Pointe
• E2–E5 (2nd to 5th grade elementary): pointe not permitted
• From E6 (6th grade elementary): pointe permitted
• Up to J1 (1st grade junior high): ballet shoes also permitted
| Grade/Age | Female | Male | Pointe |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Grade Elementary 7-8 years old April 2, 2018- April 1, 2019 |
E2 | EB2 | Pointe shoes not permitted |
| 3rd Grade Elementary 8-9 years old April 2, 2017- April 1, 2018 |
E3 | EB3 | Pointe shoes not permitted |
| 4th Grade Elementary 9-10 years old April 2, 2016- April 1, 2017 |
E4 | EB4 | Pointe shoes not permitted |
| 5th Grade Elementary 10-11 years old April 2, 2015- April 1, 2016 |
E5 | EB5 | Pointe shoes not permitted |
| 6th Grade Elementary 11-12 years old April 2, 2014- April 1, 2015 |
E6 | EB6 | Pointe shoes permitted |
| 1st Year Junior High 12-13 years old April 2, 2013 - April 1, 2014 |
J1 | JB1 | Pointe shoes permitted |
| 2nd Year Junior High 13-14 years old April 2, 2012 - April 1, 2013 |
J2 | JB2 | Pointe shoes permitted |
| 3rd Year Junior High 14-15 years old April 2, 2011 - April 1, 2012 |
J3 | JB3 | Pointe shoes permitted |
| Senior High School 15-18 years old April 2, 2008 - April 1, 2011 |
S | SB | Pointe shoes permitted |
| Adult（18〜30） Age shall be determined by the full age of individuals whose birthdays fall between January 1 and December 31, 2026. |
A | AB | Pointe shoes permitted |
Awards
Ranking
In each category, rankings from 1st to 10th place will be awarded.
All participants ranked below 11th will receive an Encouragement Prize.
Instructor’s Prize
The instructors of participants ranked 1st to 3rd will receive an Instructor’s Prize.
Special Judge’s Award
Special prizes may also be given, to be announced at the award ceremony or later.
About the Free-Choice Piece
Performance Time and Music
Performance Time: The performance must be within 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
Music: Please prepare your own music source. Music must be in a digital format. Instructions for submission will be provided after entry.
Restrictions: Please select a piece from the classical ballet repertoire. It is acceptable to re-choreograph the piece to suit the participant's age, but it is desirable to arrange it in a way that respects the original choreography.
・ Restricted Repertoire: Please note that the following pieces cannot be performed.
Restricted Repertoire for Female Dancers, Elementary Grades 2-4
• Swan Lake: Odette / Odile
• The Sleeping Beauty: Aurora (Acts 1, 2, 3)
• The Nutcracker: Sugar Plum Fairy
• Don Quixote: Kitri Act 1 / Dulcinea
• The Pharaoh’s Daughter: Aspicia
• Esmeralda Variation
• Grand Pas Classique – Variation
• Laurencia Variation
• Diana Variation
• Walpurgisnacht Variation
Restricted Repertoire for Male Dancers, Elementary Grades 2-4
• Swan Lake: Prince Siegfried
• The Sleeping Beauty: Prince Désiré (Acts 2 & 3)
• The Nutcracker: Prince
• La Bayadère: Solor
• Don Quixote: Basil (Acts 1 & 3)
• Le Corsaire: Ali / Lankendem
• Acteon Variation
• Giselle: Albrecht
• Laurencia Variation
• Grand Pas Classique – Variation
Restricted Repertoire for All Divisions
■ Works by George Balanchine
(e.g., "Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux," "Sylvia," and all other Balanchine works)
■ WBC Set Choreography
(Cannot be performed by those not participating in the Pre-Competition Set Choreography Division)
Performance Time & Music
• Performance time: Within 2 minutes 30 seconds
• Audio files: Please prepare your own audio files. Audio files must be in digital format. Submission instructions will be provided after entry.
Other Notes
• Participants must perform works and choreography suitable to their age group.
• Costumes and makeup are not subject to evaluation, but please ensure they do not interfere with performance.
About Program NamesProgram name
| 【Le Corsaire】 | Medora Variation Gulnare Variation Ali Variation (age-restricted) Lankendem Variation (age-restricted) Odalisque 1st Variation Odalisque 2nd Variation Odalisque 3rd Variation |
|---|---|
| 【The Nutcracker】 | Sugar Plum Fairy Variation (age-restricted) Prince’s Variation (age-restricted) |
| 【Coppélia】 | Swanhilda 1st Act Variation Swanhilda 3rd Act Variation Franz Variation |
| 【Giselle】 | Giselle Variation Peasant Pas – Female Variation Peasant Pas – Male 1st Variation Peasant Pas – Male 2nd Variation Albrecht Variation (age-restricted) |
| 【Swan Lake】 | Pas de Trois 1st Variation Pas de Trois 2nd Variation (male) Pas de Trois 3rd Variation Odette Variation (age-restricted) Odile Variation (age-restricted) Siegfried Variation (age-restricted) |
| 【Don Quixote】 | Kitri 1st Act Variation (age-restricted) Basil 1st Act Variation (age-restricted) Cupid Variation Queen of the Dryads Variation Dulcinea Variation (age-restricted) Kitri 3rd Act Variation Basil 3rd Act Variation (age-restricted) Kitri’s Friend Variation |
| 【The Sleeping Beauty】 | Prologue Fairies Fairy of Tenderness Variation Fairy of Energy Variation Fairy of Generosity Variation Fairy of the Songbird Variation Fairy of Courage Variation Lilac Fairy Variation Aurora Aurora 1st Act Variation (age-restricted) Aurora 2nd Act Variation (age-restricted) Aurora 3rd Act Variation (age-restricted) Prince Désiré Prince Désiré 2nd Act Variation (age-restricted) Prince Désiré 3rd Act Variation (age-restricted) Jewels & Divertissements Gold Fairy Variation Silver Fairy Variation Sapphire Fairy Variation Diamond Fairy Variation Princess Florine Variation Bluebird Variation |
| 【Raymonda】 | Raymonda Variation Jean de Brienne Variation Henriette Variation Clemence Variation |
| 【La Bayadère】 | Nikiya Variation Gamzatti Variation Solor Variation Kingdom of the Shades – 1st Shade Variation Kingdom of the Shades – 2nd Shade Variation Kingdom of the Shades – 3rd Shade Variation |
| 【Other Repertoire】 | Acteon Variation (age-restricted) Harlequinade Variation Esmeralda Variation (age-restricted) Grand Pas Classique – Variation The Cavalry Halt – Variation Satanella – Variation La Fête des Fleurs à Genzano – Variation Graduation Ball – Variation The Talisman – Variation Diana Variation Napoli – Variation Fairy Doll Variation Paquita – Variation Flames of Paris – Variation The Pharaoh’s Daughter – Aspicia Variation (age-restricted) The Awakening of Flora – Variation Laurencia Variation (age-restricted) La Sylphide – Variation La Fille Mal Gardée – Lise Variation Lavrovsky Grand Pas Classique (Adam)– Variation Les Sylphides – Variation Walpurgisnacht – Variation (age-restricted) |
Other Important Notes
・Participants should receive necessary guidance from their instructors according to their age and ability in each division.
・No comparisons will be made between participants, and the judging is solely for the purpose of providing advice. Please understand that each judge's advice is subjective, and opinions may differ.
・While the selection and choreography of your chosen piece are at your discretion, please select an appropriate piece in consultation with your instructor.