CATEGORIES & SCORING

Understand how your performance is evaluated across all age divisions and categories.

PERFORMANCE DIVISIONS

Dancers are placed into competitive divisions based on training hours and experience.

Novice

Dancers in their first year of competitive dance, or first-time soloists who have previously competed only in a group.

  • Applies to all members of Duo/Trio through Production; all dancers must meet the novice criteria.

Part-Time Competitive

Dancers who train 6 hours per week or less.

  • Applies to all Solos, Duo/Trio, Groups and Production; all dancers must meet the part-time training criteria.

Competitive

Dancers who train more than 6 hours per week.

  • Applies to all Solos, Duo/Trio, Groups and Productions; all dancers must meet the competitive training criteria.

CATEGORIES

Solo:
1 Dancer
Duo / Trio:
2 or 3 Dancers
Small Group:
4 - 9 Dancers
Large Group:
10 - 15 Dancers
Line:
16 - 20 Dancers
Extended Line:
21+ Dancers
Production:
More than 20 Dancers and Over 5 Minutes in Length

AGE DIVISIONS

Ages are determined as of December 31st of the previous year (For 2026, use age as of Dec. 31 2025).

Petite:
Ages 6 and Under
Mini:
Ages 7 - 9 Years
Junior:
Ages 10 - 12 Years
Teen:
Ages 13 - 15 Years
Senior:
Ages 16 - 18 Years
Adult:
Ages 19 and Over

DANCE STYLES

  • Contemporary
  • Lyrical
  • Modern
  • Tap
  • Ballet
  • Pointe
  • Jazz
  • Open
  • Hip Hop
  • Character Ballet
  • Acrobatics
  • Musical Theatre
  • Song and Dance

SPECIALTY CATEGORIES

IMPROV CHALLENGE

Solo Improv

  • For competitive dancers only.
  • Dancers compete in 12 & Under or 13 & Over.
  • Perform improvised movement.
  • Criteria includes creative expression, physical expression, musical connection, risk taking, confidence and overall performance.

Contact Improv

  • For teen and senior competitive dancers only
  • Dancers explore contact movement through improvisation
  • Criteria includes physical connection, emotional connection, use of space, use of dynamics, use of breath, use of music, risk taking and bravery.
  • Winners are selected by Judges Choice
  • There are no scores, only top 1st, 2nd and 3rd

AWARDS & JUDGING

SCORING SYSTEM

AWARD LEVEL

SCORE RANGE

Breaking Bounds
96 and Higher
Platinum
94 – 95.9
High Diamond
92 – 93.9
Diamond
90 – 91.9
High Gold
88 – 89.9
Gold
85 – 87.9
High Silver
84.9 and Under

JUDGING CRITERIA

100 points divided by the following:

  • Technique

  • Choreography

  • Performance

  • Style

  • Energy

  • Overall Appearance

Adjudication Process:

The routines performed at Breaking Bounds are judged by a panel of three qualified adjudicators, who award each a mark out of 100. The three marks are then averaged to determine the final mark for the performance. This could result in numerous routines winning at each award level. Every awards session includes feedback from the judges and the distribution of special awards from the panel. These special awards are based on creativity, technique, and various other dance elements.