Competition
Global Dance Challenge International Competition is taking place in Shanghai, China, from February 1 – 7, 2021. All International participants will submit videos, to be shown during the live competition in Shanghai.
All competitors will be adjudicated by the same jury, with virtual competitors’ videos interspersed between live competitors. This year's competitors will be accepted by invitation only from GDC International. If you are a competitor that has received an invitation to join this year's International Competition, please email us at registration@gdancechallenge.com for more information regarding competition fees and how to register.
Entrance Qualification:
Interested in competing for the Global Dance Challenge Awards? Check the competition eligibility criteria below.
Am I Eligible To Enter?
The Global Dance Challenge is open to general and professional dancers from all around the world ages 6 - 22, of all economic, ethnic, and geographic backgrounds.
Candidates pay a set fee for a unique creative experience inclusive of competing and coaching from world-renowned master teachers and choreographers.
Rules & Regulations
For duet competitors, age division will be determined by the age of the older of the two participants.
For group & ensemble competitors, age division will be determined by the average age of all competitors of the group or ensemble.
- All students and professionals of any nationality are eligible to compete.
- Competitors must be aged between 6 and 22 as of the cut-off date of August 6, 2021.
- Category is determined by age of competitor as of and including August 6, 2021.
- For 2021 International Competition all competitors outside of China must enter via video submission. Entry into the 2021 International competition is by invitation only.
Competitors are divided into the Professional Division (A) and General Division (B). Professional Division is for dancers who train for 20 or more hours per week in a specific genre. All dancers who train for less than 20 hours in a specific genre are placed in the General Division Category for that genre.
Please note: it is possible for a competitor to belong in the Professional Division Category in one genre and General Division Category in another.
If you are entering for more than one category please register for all categories at the same time. Please do not submit separate registrations for separate categories. Registration fees need only be paid once. Masterclass fees must be paid per category.
Categories - Professional Division
Category A Professional Division Ballet including Neoclassical Ballet and Contemporary Ballet (On Pointe)
If the competitor trains in Classical Ballet for more than 20 hours a week, they should enter in Category A, otherwise they should enter Category B General Division.
- Category A-1 Professional Ballet: Age 13-15
- Category A-2 Professional Ballet: Age 16-18
- Category A-3 Professional Ballet: Age 19-22
Types
- Solo
- Duet
- Group (3 - 6 dancers)
- Ensemble (7+ dancers)
Time limits for each type of entry may be found here.
Category A solo competitors must prepare a semi-final solo and final solo. Solos must be two different solo pieces in any of the following styles:
- Neoclassical Ballet welcomes original choreography or most creations of the late 20th or 21st century. For example, A W. Forsythe or J. Kylian style choreography would be considered neoclassical.
*Candidates must clear the right to perform original choreographic repertoire prior to entry
- Classical Ballet Solo should be choreographed in the style of 18th to 20th century. Dancers in the A-1 Professional Ballet , B-1 General Ballet and B-2 General Ballet may present a classical variation or a piece of original choreography utilizing classical technique.
- Contemporary Ballet Solo (on pointe) For females, this should be original choreography set with contemporary movement but executed on pointe. For males, original choreography should be set with contemporary and ballet vocabulary. If the solos are not on pointe, the participant should be placed in the Open Category.
- Category A Ballet Competitors may choose from the list of example classical variations below or a piece of original choreography utilizing classical technique.
See Examples for variations on classical variations.
* For those who train over 20 hours but cannot qualify for Category A-1 due to age discrepancies, GDC reserves the right to make exceptions based on letter of reference(s) from school of training and/or instructor with brief summary of dance experiences of the competitor.
**Original choreographic creations for GDC are very much appreciated.
***GDC reserves the right to designate the correct category of the participants’ entry. You must reserve all rights to the music and choreography for your performance. GDC is not liable for any fees or claims against usage.
Category A-C Professional Chinese Dance
If the competitor trains in Chinese Dance for more than 20 hours a week, they should enter in Category A-C, otherwise they should enter Category B-C General Division Chinese Dance.
The Chinese Dance category includes Chinese traditional and Chinese minzu dances. Participants are welcome to perform various representations of Chinese Cultural dances with choreography suited to the candidate’s age and capability.
*The right to perform original choreographic repertoire must be cleared by choreographers prior to entering. original choreographic creations for GDC are very much appreciated
- Category A-C1 Chinese Dance: Age 13 - 15
- Category A-C2 Chinese Dance: Age 16 - 18
- Category A-C3 Chinese Dance: Age 19 - 22
Types
- Solo
- Duet
- Group (3 - 6 dancers)
- Ensemble (7+ dancers)
Time limits for each type of entry may be found here.
Category A-C competitors need only prepare one piece, which will be presented for the semi-finals and the finals.
*GDC reserves the right to designate the correct category of the participants’ entry. You must reserve all rights to the music and choreography for your performance. GDC is not liable for any fees or claims against usage.
Category A-D Professional Contemporary
If the competitor trains in Contemporary Dance for more than 20 hours a week, they should enter in Category A-D, otherwise they should enter Category B-D General Division Contemporary.
- Category A-D1 Professional Contemporary: Age 13-15
- Category A-D2 Professional Contemporary: Age 16-18
- Category A-D3 Professional Contemporary: Age 19-22
Types
- Solo
- Duet
- Group (3 -6 dancers)
- Ensemble (7+ dancers)
Time limits for each type of entry may be found here.
Category A-D solo competitors need only prepare one solo, which will be presented for the semi-finals and the finals. Submissions must be performed barefoot/demi. On pointe performances for Category D are not permitted.
*GDC reserves the right to designate the correct category of the participants’ entry. You must reserve all rights to the music and choreography for your performance. GDC is not liable for any fees or claims against usage.
Category B General Division Ballet
If the candidate trains in Classical Ballet for less than 20 hours a week, they should enter in Category B General Division.
- Category B-1 General Division Ballet: Age 7-9
- Category B-2 General Division Ballet: Age 10-12
- Category B-3 General Division Ballet: Age 13-15
- Category B-4 General Division Ballet: Age 16-19
Types
- Solo
- Duet
- Group (3 - 6 dancers)
- Ensemble (7+ dancers)
Time limits for each type of entry may be found here.
Category B solo competitors need only prepare one solo, which will be presented for the semi-finals and the finals. Competitors in B category may present a classical variation or a piece of original choreography utilizing classical technique. Competitors in B General Division may perform on demi or on pointe.
See Examples for variations on classical variations.
**Original choreographic creations for GDC are very much appreciated.
***GDC reserves the right to designate the correct category of the participants’ entry. You must reserve all rights to the music and choreography for your performance. GDC is not liable for any fees or claims against usage.
Category B-C General Chinese Dance
Category B-C is for competitors who train in Chinese Dance for less than 20 hours a week.
The Chinese Dance category includes Chinese traditional and Chinese minzu dances. Participants are welcome to perform various representations of Chinese Cultural dances with choreography suited to the candidate’s age and capability.
*The right to perform original choreographic repertoire must be cleared by choreographers prior to entering. original choreographic creations for GDC are very much appreciated
- Category B-C1 Chinese Dance: Age 6-10
- Category B-C2 Chinese Dance: Age 11-15
- Category B-C3 Chinese Dance: Age 16-19
Types
- Solo
- Duet
- Group (3 - 6 dancers)
- Ensemble (7+ dancers)
Time limits for each type of entry may be found here.
Category B-C solo competitors need only prepare one solo, which will be presented for the semi-finals and the finals.
*GDC reserves the right to designate the correct category of the participants’ entry. You must reserve all rights to the music and choreography for your performance. GDC is not liable for any fees or claims against usage.
Category B-D General Contemporary
Category B-D is for competitors who train in Contemporary dance for less than 20 hours per week.
It is important that the choreography is suited to the competitor’s age and capability. Original choreographic creations for GDC are very much appreciated!
- Category B-D1 General Contemporary: Age 6-10
- Category B-D2 General Contemporary: Age 11-15
- Category B-D3 General Contemporary: Age 16-19
Types
- Solo
- Duet
- Group (3 -6 dancers)
- Ensemble (7+ dancers)
Time limits for each type of entry may be found here.
Category B-D solo competitors need only prepare one solo, which will be presented for the semi-finals and the finals. All solos in Category D must be performed barefoot/demi. On pointe solos are not permitted in Category D.
*GDC reserves the right to designate the correct category of the participants’ entry. You must reserve all rights to the music and choreography for your performance. GDC is not liable for any fees or claims against usage.
Time Limitations
- Professional and General division Solos, all categories: no more than 3 minutes
- Professional Division, Ballet category: Classical Ballet Pas de Deux: no more than 15 minutes (includes pas de deux, male and female variations, and Coda)
- Professional Division, Category C & D Duets: 3 minutes
- General Division, Ballet category, Category C & D Duets: 3 minutes
- Professional and General Division small group dance (3-6 dancers): 5 minutes
- Professional and General Division ensemble dance (7 or more dancers): 5 minutes
Scoring
The scoring system is evaluated on a 100-point system.
Points will be given in the following areas:
- Technical ability
- Artistic performance
- Musicality
- Appropriate selection of repertoire or choreography
- Overall complete presence
- Costume and Presentation
The semi-final score is made up of two parts (master class + stage performance), while the final score will be determined by stage performance scores.
Semi-final total score = 20% master class results & 80% program results
Finals total score = 100% program results. Semi-final scores have no affect on final results and standings.
Awards & Scholarships
Global Dance Challenge 2021 Awards and Scholarships
Professional Division
Ballet A1/A2/A3 (solo, duet, small group dance, ensemble dance): Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards
Chinese dance A-C1/A-C2/A-C3 (solo, duet, small group dance, ensemble dance): Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards
Contemporary dance A-D1/A-D2/A-D3 (solo, duet, small group dance, ensemble dance): Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards
General Division
Ballet B1/B2/B3/B4 (solo, duet, small group dance, ensemble dance): First, Second, and Third prizes
Chinese dance B-C1/B-C2/B-C3 (solo, duet, small group dance, ensemble dance): First, Second, and Third prizes
Contemporary dance B-D1/B-D2/B-D3 (solo, duet, small group dance, ensemble dance): First, Second, and Third prizes
*Awards will be given within the Solo, Duet, Group and Ensemble sub categories that are in Category A, B, C, & D
Special Mentions
- Best Performance
- Best Coach
- Best Dance Organization
- Best Choreographer
- Most Potential
Event Bonus
The Organizing Committee of the GDC International Youth Dance Competition will select the first, second and third outstanding entries in each division from all the participating competitors in each Category. Category A, Category A-C, Category A-D, Category B, Category B-C and Category B-D. The winning works will receive the following bonus prizes:
First place is 10000 yuan.
Second place 7500 RMB
Third place 5000 RMB
* all awards are established by the GDC International Youth Dance Competition jury, and the above special awards and bonus prizes may not be awarded.
2019 Winners
We applaud all contestants and their instructors on their hard work and beautiful presentations and congratulate the following Global Dance Challenge 2019 winners on their accomplishments!
- Gold: #103, Margarita Roura – from Portugal
- Silver: #102, Grace Bianchin – from Canada
- Silver: #101, Ana Wu – from Canada
- Bronze: #100, Leo Jun Hong Cheng – from Singapore
- Gold: #114, AntÓnio Casalinho – from Portugal
- Silver: #127, Angel Vizcaino – from Mexico
- Bronze: #117, Zhang Tengyuan – from China
- Gold: #129, Tali Elman – from Canada
- Gold: #128, Zhu Jingyang – from China
- Gold: #131, António Casalinho & Margarita Roura Fernandes, for Flames of Paris Pas de Deux – from Canada
- Silver: #130, Zhao Dian & Jin Wen Xuan, for Nutcracker Grand Pas de Deux - from China
- First place: #231, Maria Lopez – from Mexico
- First place: #221, Luo Yuet Ho – from China
- Second place: #219, Isabella Liu – from Canada
- Second place: #218, Chen Yutan – from China
- Third place: #211, Wang Lingyuyao – from China
- Third place: #228, Mikayla Morris – from China
- First place: #247, Huang Jueya – from China
- Second place: #258, Carolina Veiga da Costa – from Portgual
- Second place: #237, Zhang Jinyue – from China
- Third place: #242, Rhys Howes – from Canada
- Third place: #261, Hiromi Abe – from Japan
- First place: #296, Margarida Noiva Conçalves – from Portgual
- Third place: #268, Johana Gracia – from Mexico
- First place: #276, White Swan Ballet, for "Nutcracker Cane Dance" – from China
- Second place: #277, White Swan Ballet, for "Coppelia Doll Dance" – from China
- Second place: #275, Goh Ballet Academy, for "Spring Butterfly" – from Canada
- Third place: #279, Beijing Aoba International Arts Centre, for "Happy Polka" – from China
- First place: #283, Doris Topete Dance Academy, for "Mi Corazon" – from Mexico
- Third place: #282, Goh Ballet Academy, for "Double Eagle" – from Canada
- First place: #287, Goh Ballet Academy, for "Who made mistakes" – from Canada
- Second place: #285, Goh Ballet Academy, for "Petit Trio de Ballet" – from Canada
- First place: #289, Marigold Yifan Ballet Art Centre, for "Italy" – from China
- Second place: #290, Goh Ballet Academy, for "Umbrella Dance" – from Canada
- Third place: #293, Beijing Aoba International Arts Centre, for "Fijita" – from China
- Second place: #295, Suzhou Little Angel Ballet Company, for "Jasmine" – from China
- Gold: #301, Zhao Yichan – from China
- Silver: #302, Connie Jin – from Canada
- Gold: #309, Sun Yunning – from China
- Gold: 311, Ana Wu – from Canada
- Silver: #307, Zhang Jinyu – from China
- Silver: #315, Goh Ballet Academy, for "Demon Sparrow" – from Canada
- Bronze: #314, Goh Ballet Academy, for "Pretty Girl" – from Canada
- Gold: #319, Princess Shera International Dancing School, for "As the Artisan Heart"
- Silver: #317, Fanglan Dance Studio, for "June Jasmine" – from China
- Bronze: #318, Goh Ballet Academy, for "Jasmine Flower" – from Canada
- Bronze: #402, Sophia Yao – from China
- Gold: #408, Lyric Fernandes – from USA
- Silver: #415, Ana Wu – from Canada
- Silver: #405, Zhang Xinyue – from China
- Bronze: #406, Adele Liao – from China
- Gold: #420, AntÓnio Casalinho – from Portgual
- Silver: #424, Angel Vizcaino – from Mexico
- Silver: #425, Tali Elman – from Canada
- Bronze: #418, Johana Gracia – from Mexico
- Bronze: #423, Kyra Soo – from Canada
- Bronze: #403, Princess Shera International Dancing School, for "Fire"
- Silver: #404, Goh Ballet Academy, for "Rodeo Gals" – from Canada
- Silver: #426, Goh Ballet Academy, for "Espionage" – from Canada
Overall Top 3 marks in each category
Category A- GDC Prix de Bronze: #129, Tali Elman – from Canada
- GDC Prix d'Argent: #127, Angel Vizcaino – from Mexico
- GDC Prix de l'Or: #131, António Casalinho & Margarita Roura Fernandes – from Portgual
- GDC Prix de Bronze: #258, Carolina Veiga da Costa – from Portgual
- GDC Prix d'Argent: #296, Margarida Noiva Conçalves – from Portgual
- GDC Prix de l'Or: #247, Huang Jueya – from China
- GDC Prix de Bronze: #309, Sun Yunning – from China
Jury Honourable Mentions
- A2 solo: #108, Nicholas Mihlar – from Canada
- A2 solo: #111, Luo Yi – from China
- A2 solo: #123, Yu Shan – from China
- A2 solo: #126, Kyra Soo – from Canada
- B1 solo: #232, Jhilian Yan Klassen – from Canada
- B1 ensemble: #288, Gui Yang Fen Se Zu Jian Dance Arts School, for “Storm” – from China
- B1 ensemble: #291, White Swan Ballet, for “Jewel” – from China
- B1 ensemble: #292, Goh Ballet Academy, for “Waltz” – from Canada
- D3 solo: #417, Nicholas Mihlar – from Canada
- D3 solo: #421, Marie Keenan – from Canada
- D3 solo: #422, Irene Ta – from Canada
- B1 solo #207, Theepika Sivananthan, for "Cinderella’s Dream" – from Canada
- Beijing Aoba International Arts Centre – from China
- Barbara Bartnik, for "Incumbency" (as performed by competitor #423, Kyra Soo)
- Kirsten Wicklund, for "A Deal with Chaos" (as performed by competitor #422, Irene Ta)
- #108, Nicholas Mihlar – from Canada
Ballet Category A3 solo
Ballet Category B1 Ensemble
Ballet Category B1 Solo
Ballet Category B2 Duet
Ballet Category B2 Solo
Ballet Category B3 Ensemble
International Dance Category C1 Group
International Dance Category C2 Solo
Open Contemporary and Jazz Category D1 Duet
Open Contemporary and Jazz Category D2 Solo
Open Contemporary and Jazz Category D3 Solo