About ABC

Our Mission

Thank you for your interest in our ballet competition. We are delighted to provide you with an overview of our event and what you can expect when participating or attending.

Our ballet competition is an annual celebration of the exquisite artistry and talent within the ballet community. Dancers from various backgrounds and skill levels come together to showcase their abilities and passion for this timeless art form.

Division 1 will have the opportunity to perform a classical and a contemporary variation. Divisions 2 and 3, dancers have the opportunity to perform two classical variations as well as a contemporary variation. This allows them to demonstrate their broad technical skills and artistic expression in front of a discerning panel of judges.

In these divisions, participants will perform their first variation in a black leotard. This presentation focuses solely on the dancers' technical abilities, allowing the judges to assess their form, precision, and control. It's an opportunity for dancers to showcase their technical prowess and attention to detail.

For the second variation, dancers have the chance to wear captivating costumes that bring their performances to life. The second variation can differ from the first, enabling dancers to explore different characters and emotions. However, it is important to note that the variations must be chosen from a provided list to ensure fairness and standardization.

The list of classical variations we provide encompasses a wide range of styles, allowing dancers to choose the ones that resonate with them. Each variation presents its own unique artistic and technical challenges, providing a platform for dancers to showcase their versatility and artistry.

Our competition fosters an environment of inspiration and camaraderie among participants. It is a chance for dancers to learn from each other, exchange ideas, and grow as artists. Additionally, the event serves as an incredible platform to witness the incredible talent and dedication within the ballet community.

Whether you are a participant or an attendee, our ballet competition promises an enchanting experience filled with grace, beauty, and the magic of dance. We invite you to immerse yourself in the world of ballet, witness the exceptional performances, and be part of this captivating event.

If you have any further inquiries or would like more information about our ballet competition, please do not hesitate to reach out. We look forward to welcoming you to our event and celebrating the artistry of ballet together.

Categories and Divisions

AGE DIVISIONS

The American Ballet Competition has three age divisions.
Age of each competitor is determined as of June 1.

DIVISION I

Pre-Competitive: Ages 9 to 11

DIVISION II

Juniors: Ages 12 to 15

DIVISION III

Seniors: Ages 16 to 20

CLASSICAL BALLET SOLOS

Variations selected from the classical ballet repertoire are to be chosen from ABC’s approved variation list – see Music.

Variation maximum time limit: 2.5 minutes in length.

CONTEMPORARY SOLOS

Contemporary Dance is a genre of concert dance that uses methods found in modern, post-modern as well as classical and neo-classical ballet. Contemporary is based on the evolving philosophies of dance movement that often omits structured movement and form and draws on modern dance techniques. Some of the dance techniques and philosophies used includes those of the pioneers of contemporary dance such as Martha Graham, Loie Fuller, Jose Limon, Ruth St. Dennis, Merce Cunningham, Doris Humphrey and Mary Wigman, to name a few.

No tap or extreme hip-hop is to be incorporated in contemporary solo. Jazz and lyrical may be integrated as the choreography may require. Contemporary solos may be performed on or off pointe.

Contemporary solos time limits: no longer than 2.5 minutes and no shorter than 1.5 minutes.

ENSEMBLES

Ensembles include duets, trios, groups of 4-30 dancers and Classical Pas de Deux couples.

Choreography may be from the classical ballet repertory or original choreography combining elements of contemporary and classical dance styles.

Ensemble time limits:
Duets & Trios – up to 3 minutes
Ensembles – 4 to 9 dancers up to 3:45 minutes; 10-20 dancers up to 5:30 minutes; 21-30 dancers up to 7 minutes

Pas de deux – up to 6 minutes, may include adagio and coda sections. No variations.

If applicable, for original or protected choreography not in public domain, it is the responsibility of the competitor’s teacher or coach to obtain any and all required choreographer’s and/or musical releases and to pay any required royalties.

PARTICIPANT INFORMATION

Participants must be at least age 9 and not over 20 as of first day of the Competition.

Each dancer competing in the Solo divisions will be required to learn a Contemporary piece, and perform it the same day as part of their total score.

All Ensemble dancers not also competing in the Solo divisions, must participate in the 4 Master classes offered Wednesday through Saturday. Teachers/Judges (TBA)

Wednesdays Master class is offered in part to help acclimate you to the altitude at which you will be competing. Ogden, UT ranges from 4300 to 5200 feet above sea level.

For additional requirements, please see the Rules and Regulations Page

Email questions to americanballetcompetition@gmail.com

MUSIC

Classical Ballet Variations

Competitors are required to bring their own music on a CD – each clearly marked with name, age, category, division, and title of performance piece.

Competitor is responsible for bringing backup CD for each performance selection and to keep it with them at all times.

Each performance piece must be on a separate CD with a 4 second lead-in.

CDs to be handed in at check-in. Performance number will be added to CD by ABC staff at check-in.

If applicable, competing student’s teacher or coach is responsible for obtaining any required choreographer’s and/or musical releases and is responsible for the payment of any royalties.

Division I (Ages 9-12) Classical Ballet Variations Performed in Costume:

(Division I not eligible for performing pas de deux)

GIRL’S VARIATIONS:

Coppélia
  (Delibes/St.Leon)
  Swanilda Act III Pas Variation
  Doll Variation
Don Quixote
  (Minkus/Petipa)
  Cupid’s Variation
Flower Festival in Genzano
  (Helsted/Bournonville)
  Pas de Deux Variation
Harlequinade
  (Drigo/Petipa)
  Pas de Deux Variation
La Fille Mal Gardée
  (Herold/Aumer)
  Ages 9 & 10
La Fille Mal Gardée
  (Hertel/Nijinska)
  Ages 11 may choose
  either composer
The Magic Flute
(Drigo)
  Pas d’Action Variations
The Fairy Doll
  Bayer/Hassreiter
  Fairy Doll Variation
Paquita
(Minkus/Petipa)
  Pas de Trois Variations Act I
Sleeping Beauty
(Tchaikovsky/Petipa)
  All Fairy Variations
  (except Lilac Fairy);
  Little Red Riding Hood;
  Aurora’s Variation Act III
Swan Lake
(Tchaikovsky/Petipa)
  Pas de Trois Variations Act I
The Talisman
(Drigo/Petipa)
  Pas de Deux Variation

BOY’S VARIATIONS:

Coppélia
(Delibes/St.Leon)
  Franz Pas Variation Act III
Le Corsaire
(Prince Oldenberg/Adam/Drigo)
  Pas d’Esclave
Flames of Paris
(Asafiev/Vainonen)
  Pas de Deux Variation
Paquita
(Minkus/Petipa)
  Pas de Trois Variations Act I
Satanella
(Pugni/Petipa)
  Pas de Deux Variation
The Talisman
  (Drigo/Petipa)
  Pas de Deux Variation

Divisions II & III Classical Ballet Solos:

Long List Ballet Solos, Round 1 (Performed in Costume)

Coppélia
  (Delibes/Saint Leon)
  Pas de Deux and Variations
Diana and Acteon
  (Drigo/Vaganova)
  Pas de Deux and Variations
Don Quixote
  (Minkus/Petipa)
  Pas de Deux Act III; Kitri’s Variations Act I & II;
  Queen of Dryads, Act II & III;
  All Variations
La Esmeralda
  (Pugni/Petipa)
  Pas de Deux and Variations
La Fille Mal Gardée
  (Hertel/Nijinska)
  Pas de Deux and Variations
The Flames of Paris
  (Asafiev/Vainnonen)
  Pas de Deux and Variations
The Fairy Doll
  Bayer/Hassreiter
  Fairy Doll Variation
Flower Festival in Genzano
  (Helsted/Bournonville)
  Pas de Deux
Giselle
  (Adam/Coralli)
  Peasant Pas Act I Variations;
  Pas de Deux Act II

  Giselle's Act I Variation
Grande Pas Classique
  (Auber/Gsovsky)
  Pas de Deux and Variations
Harlequinade
  (Drigo/Petipa)
  Pas de Deux and Variations
La Bayadère
  (Minkus/Petipa)
  Gamzatti and Solor Act II Variations;
  Bronze Idol;
  Nikia Pas de Deux Variations;
  Three Shades Variations Act II
Le Corsaire
  (Drigo/Petipa)
  Three Odalisques;
  Pas d’Esclave and Variations;
  Jardin Anime Variations;
  Pas de Deux Act III and all other Variations
Les Sylphides
  (Chopin/Fokine)
  Mazurka, Waltz and Prelude
Napoli
  (Paulli/Bournonville)
  All Variations
Paquita
  (Minkus/Petipa)
  All Variations (*under 2:30 min)
Pas de Quatre
  (Minkus/Petipa)
  Pas de Deux and Variations
Raymonda
  (Glazunov/Petipa)
  All Variations except Raymonda’s
  Adagio Variation Act III
Satanella—Carnival of Venice
  (Pugni/Petipa)
  Pas de Deux and Variations
The Sleeping Beauty
  (Tchaikovsky/Petipa)
  Aurora Act II;
  Fairy Variations;
  Bluebird Pas de Deux Variations;
  Wedding Pas de Deux Variations Act III
Swan Lake
  (Tchaikovsky/Petipa)
  Odette Act II;
  Black Swan Pas de Deux and Variations
The Talisman
  (Drigo/Petipa) Pas de Deux and Variations
Walpurgis Nacht
  (Pugni/Lavrovsky)
  Pas de Deux and Variations

Divisions II & III (Ages 13-20) Classical Ballet Variations:

Short List Ballet Solos, Round 2 (Performed in Black Leotard, can be the same as costume variation)

FEMALE VARIATIONS:

MALE VARIATIONS: (CAN BE EITHER ROUND 1 OR 2)

Carnivale of Venice
  (Pugni/Petipa)
  Satanella Pas de Deux Variation
Giselle

(Adam/Coralli)

Albrecht Act II

Coppélia
  (Delibes/St Leon)
  Franz’s Act III Variation
Flower Festival in Genzano
  (Helsted/Bournonville)
  Pas de Deux Variation

Paquita
  (Delvedez/Minkus/Petipa)
  Pas de Trois Act I Male Variation
Sleeping Beauty
  (Tchaikovsky/Petipa)
  Prince Désiré Act III Variation &
  Bluebird Variation
Swan Lake
  (Tchaikovsky/Petipa)
  Prince Siegfried Act III Variation

RULES & REGULATIONS

Competition is not open to professional dancers.
Competition is open to students of all nationalities.
ABC does not discriminate on the basis of race or nationality.
ABC does not give out jury scores. ABC will provide a written summary of the judge’s comments and an averaged score if requested no later than 60 days after the end of competition.
All company traineeships and scholarships will be awarded by representatives from each awarding school, company or, upon the request of the awarding company or school, by the ABC jury.
Companies, schools and ABC jury reserve the right not to award any scholarship, traineeship or contract.
Jury reserves the right to withhold any award or to divide any award between more than one competitor.
All recipients of scholarships, traineeships or company contracts are responsible for contacting and making all arrangements directly with the awarding school or company. If unable to accept the award, the recipient must communicate expeditiously and directly with the awarding organization. Some schools may extend summer scholarships to the next year and, in that event, may require the recipient to be reevaluated and/or auditioned for their continued progress.
If there are fewer than eight male competitors in any one or all ABC divisions, one award may be presented to the best male dancer.
The order of competing will be determined youngest to oldest.
All performances will be held before public audience.
Costumes and make-up are the responsibility of each competitor.
Competitors are responsible for bringing their own music on a CD marked clearly with name, age, category, division, and title of performance piece. Each musical selection must be on a separate CD. Competitor is responsible for bringing a backup CD for each selection. One track only per CD with 4 second lead-in. CDs to be handed in at check-in. Performance number will be added to CD by ABC at check-in.
Competitors must abide by time lengths established for each solo or ensemble piece. Non-adherence will result in a penalty on final score.
If applicable, competing student’s teacher or coach is responsible for obtaining any required choreographer’s and/or musical releases and is responsible for the payment if any royalties.
Winners agree to appear or perform, if requested, for no fee for subsequent ABC competitions.
ABC reserves the right to use any photos taken during classes, teacher seminars or competition of any competitor or teacher who consent to such use by enrolling.
All ABC photos used independently for publication by competitor must credit photographer and ABC.
All participants are required to be self-insured and to indemnify ABC.
ABC has the right to amend rules and regulations at any time.
In the event any issue is not clearly addressed in the rules and regulations, the decision of ABC shall be binding.
ABC has the right to refuse any applicant’s participation with cause.
All fees must be paid in full by due date for competitor to participate.
There are no refunds for any fees paid. Consideration may be made for Medical/Injury with Doctor’s Certification in writing.

About ABC

Our Mission

Categories and Divisions

AGE DIVISIONS

DIVISION I

DIVISION II

DIVISION III

CATEGORIES

CLASSICAL BALLET SOLOS

CONTEMPORARY SOLOS

ENSEMBLES

PARTICIPANT INFORMATION

PARTICIPANT INFORMATION

Participants must be at least age 9 and not over 20 as of first day of the Competition.

MUSIC

Classical Ballet Variations

Division I (Ages 9-12) Classical Ballet Variations Performed in Costume:

GIRL’S VARIATIONS:

BOY’S VARIATIONS:

Divisions II & III Classical Ballet Solos:

Divisions II & III (Ages 13-20) Classical Ballet Variations:

FEMALE VARIATIONS:

MALE VARIATIONS: (CAN BE EITHER ROUND 1 OR 2)

RULES & REGULATIONS

RULES & REGULATIONS

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