DANCE RULES 2026

ADJUDICATOR: to be appointed

AGE DETERMINATION DATE 1^st January

ENTRIES OPEN: Monday 27^th January 2026 – Entry and payment will be via the Stardom Competition Online Entry System (www.stardom.com.au )

ENTRIES CLOSE: Friday 27th March 2026 – No late entries accepted.

ENTRY FEES:

Solos $10

Duos/Trios $15

Groups $20

PROGRAM RELEASED: Monday 20th April 2026 - copies can be found on the website(www.borderdistricteisteddfod.org.au ).

MUSIC: We use Music Uploads as our music platform (www.musicuploads.com.au.  )

CONTACT: dance@borderdistricteisteddfod.org.au

Rules and Regulations

1. ENTRY

This Eisteddfod is open to amateurs only who have not or are not receiving income derived from that particular class for which they entered.

All entries and payments are to be submitted online via www.stardom.com.au.

Dancers/Studios enter and participate in this eisteddfod according to all rules and guidelines listed. Lack of knowledge will not be accepted as a reason for the infringement of any rule.

Every care will be taken for competitors’ safety but the Committee will not be responsible for any injuries sustained by any competitor and/or damage to property during the Eisteddfod.

Entry fees are not refundable unless the section is cancelled by the Committee or there is an error in the program.

Late entries will not be accepted.

Solo, Duo & Trio - Competitors may compete only once in that section

Groups - There is to be a minimum of four competitors for groups.  

Groups may enter more than once in each section but must have 1 different person in each group, they may not be the same group.  Primary and High School groups do not have to abide by this rule.

No routine is to be performed more than once.

2. CHILD SAFE EVENT

This is a family-oriented dance eisteddfod therefore costumes, routines and lyrics must be suitable. Please be mindful of avoiding inappropriate language and gestures. Reduction in points or disqualification will be at the discretion of the Adjudicator/ Dance Convenor.  

The BDE has a strict ‘No Tights, No Dance’ policy.  We aim to provide a safe family friendly competition and in the interest of child safety this rule will be enforced for all competitors.

3. CHECK-IN

Please ensure you check in side stage at least 15 minutes prior to your section start time.  Competitors will be deemed withdrawn if not present when called for their section.

4. BACKSTAGE

We ask you to be respectful of the amount of people backstage acting as support. We ask that all competitors have max of one support person backstage, unauthorized persons are not allowed in the backstage except for Eisteddfod officials and designated teachers.

5. TIME LIMITS

Solos

Song & Dance or Song & Tap: 4 minutes

Cabaret, Broadway Jazz & Musical Theatre: 5 minutes

All other Solos: 3 minutes

Duos & Trios

Song & Dance or Song & Tap: 4 minutes

All other Duos & Trios:  3 minutes

Groups: 5 minutes

Primary & High School Groups: 5 minutes

6. MUSIC

All music is to be uploaded to www.musicuploads.com.au.  Music will only be accepted via the MusicUploads portal.  Failure to have music submitted by the required date may see your entry forfeited.  It is your responsibility to check music once uploaded.

7. AGE

Competitors age is determined at 1^st January 2026. Competitors must be prepared to provide Proof of Age if required.

Solo competitors may only enter in their designated age group in any section. No Solo competitor will be allowed to dance up an age group unless there is no section available that pertains to the competitor’s age.

8. OWN CHOREOGRAPHY

Competitors must choreograph a dance with no assistance from a teacher, parent or choreographer.  The choreographed piece may have costuming.

9. ALTERATIONS; CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM OR ADJUDICATOR

The Committee reserves the right to make any alterations or additions to the program when they become necessary and to appoint a substitute adjudicator at any time without notice. The Committee has the right to combine sections where required due to numbers. The committee is unable to make special arrangements for any competitors to compete at a time other than that shown.   

10. COMPETITOR LEAVING THE STAGE

Competitors who stop during a performance and leave the stage may re-appear for comments only. No mark or place will be awarded. The exception being 6 years & under who can re-appear and be marked or placed at the Adjudicators discretion. A performer not completing their performance due to genuine TECHNICAL difficulties will be allowed to return to the stage and receive a score at the Adjudicator’s discretion.

Prompting of an onstage competitor is strictly prohibited, except for 6 years and under items.

Any decisions made by the adjudicator in relation to a performer not completing their performance due to technical difficulties will be final.

11. COPYRIGHT & PHOTOGRAPHY

By participating in this Eisteddfod, all persons accept that they will be photographed or filmed and that these images may be used for promotion of the Eisteddfod.

Please be aware that the official photographer as well as BDE may use the images to promote their event. If privacy is required for a competitor, please contact the convenor prior to the Eisteddfod.

The Eisteddfod Committee is not responsible for any infringement of copyright or royalty by performers or those associated with the performances.  Copied music and choreography is used at their own risk. We assume that all studios/schools hold the relevant licence.

The Border District Eisteddfod takes privacy seriously; however we want to balance this with common sense by allowing families to take photos of their performers. Flash photography is NOT ALLOWED at any time during the Eisteddfod however, photographs and recordings are allowed for PRIVATE USE ONLY during individual sections. On the Groups Days we request ONLY teachers take photos of their groups.

12. THE ADJUDICATORS DECISION WILL BE FINAL

Communication with the adjudicator is not allowed.

13. DRESSING ROOMS

Each Dancer will be responsible for keeping their dressing space clean and tidy.

All dressing rooms are unisex for all participants to use. Anyone requiring special consideration, or the use of a restricted dressing room must notify the Convenor prior to the Festival. Requests may not be accommodated.

14. TAP SHOES

No pre-recorded tapping during dance sections is permitted. Tap shoes must not be worn in the auditorium and tap shoes must be removed or covered backstage.

15. PRIZES

Can be obtained from the table at the back of the hall

16. SONG & DANCE SECTION

No voice accompaniment allowed during Song and Dance routines.

17. PROPS

Props should be small in size and must not create a hazard.  No responsibility will be taken for any props by the committee.  

18. AGE AGGREGATE

6 years is calculated across 3 solo items.  All other ages are calculated across 5 solo items.  Excludes Own Choreography