B. Pre-Competition – Free Variation Division Application Guidelines
Overview
As with the Pre-Competition Set Variation Division, this division is intended for those who are seriously preparing for competitions and who wish to receive advice from the judges.
The evaluation will be conducted in order of age, but there will be absolutely no comparisons between participants. Judges will provide feedback that will be useful for future stage performances.
Please note that the advice given may sometimes differ from the guidance provided by your teacher. Such feedback should be regarded as the individual opinion of the judge. Whether to incorporate the judge’s advice or not should ultimately follow your teacher’s direction.
Eligibility
• Age: From Grade 2 of elementary school (7 years and older, as of the year of the competition) up to 70 years old.
• Purpose: For those in the preparatory stage of competition who wish to receive advice from the judges.
• Nationality: Open to all nationalities.
About the Evaluation
• There are no preliminaries or finals; participants will perform only once.
• The evaluation will be conducted in order of age, but there will be no comparisons made between participants. No scores or rankings will be given.
• Feedback from the judges is intended to help participants in their future stage performances. While this advice may sometimes differ from the teaching policies of your own teacher, please understand that it reflects the personal perspective of each judge.
Category by Division
• Pointe Shoes: Permitted from Grade 6 (E6) and above. Before this age, pointe shoes are not permitted.
• All divisions may also be performed in ballet shoes.
| Grade/Age | Separate Categories for Male & Female | Pointe |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd Grade Elementary（E2） 7-8 years old April 2, 2017- April 1,2018 |
Male/Female | Pointe shoes not permitted |
| 3rd Grade Elementary（E3） 8-9 years old April 2, 2016- April 1, 2017 |
Male/Female | Pointe shoes not permitted |
| 4th Grade Elementary（E4） 9-10 years old April 2, 2015- April 1, 2016 |
Male/Female | Pointe shoes not permitted |
| 5th Grade Elementary（E5） 10-11 years old April 2, 2014- April 1, 2015 |
Male/Female | Pointe shoes not permitted |
| 6th Grade Elementary（E6） 11-12 years old April 2, 2013- April 1, 2014 |
Male/Female | Pointe shoes permitted |
| 1st Year Junior High（J1） 12-13 years old April 2, 2012 - April 1, 2013 |
Male/Female | Pointe shoes permitted |
| 2nd Year Junior High（J2） 13-14 years old April 2, 2011 - April 1, 2012 |
Male/Female | Pointe shoes permitted |
| 3rd Year Junior High（J3） 14-15 years old April 2, 2010 - April 1, 2011 |
Male/Female | Pointe shoes permitted |
| Senior High School（S） 15-18 years old April 2, 2007 - April 1, 2010 |
Male/Female | Pointe shoes permitted |
| Adult（A） Age 18–70 Age shall be determined by the full age of individuals whose birthdays fall between January 1 and December 31, 2025. |
Male/Female | Pointe shoes permitted |
Advice Sheet & Awards
After the evaluation, every participant will receive an Advice Sheet.
In addition, each participant will be presented with an award recognizing their individual strengths.
About Free Variations
• Restriction: Please select and choreograph from the classical ballet repertoire. It is acceptable to reconstruct choreography in accordance with the dancer’s age, but arrangements should remain faithful to the original choreography as much as possible.
• Restricted Variations: The following works may not be performed.
Restricted Variations for Girls – Grade 2 to Grade 4 Elementary
• Swan Lake – Odette/Odile
• The Sleeping Beauty – Princess Aurora
• The Nutcracker – Sugar Plum Fairy
• Don Quixote – Kitri Act I, Dulcinea
• The Pharaoh’s Daughter – Aspicia
• La Esmeralda
• Grand Pas Classique
Restricted Variations for Boys – Grade 2 to Grade 4 Elementary
• Swan Lake – Prince
• The Sleeping Beauty – Prince
• The Nutcracker – Prince
• La Bayadère – Solor
• Don Quixote – Basilio
• Le Corsaire – Ali, Lankendem
Restricted for All Divisions
• Any works by George Balanchine (e.g., Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, Sylvia Pas de Deux, etc.)
• WBC Set Variations (unless the dancer has not already performed them in the Pre-Competition Set Variation Division)
Performance Time and Music
• Performance Time: Maximum of 2 minutes 30 seconds.
• Music: Each participant must prepare and bring their own CD.
Other Notes
・• Each participant must receive appropriate guidance from their teacher according to their age and ability.
• No comparisons will be made among participants; the purpose of the evaluation is solely to provide advice. Please note that the advice given by judges is subjective, and may differ between judges.
• The choice of free variation and choreography is up to the participant, but should be made in consultation with the teacher to ensure the selection of an appropriate piece.