Festival information
2027 Dance dates and venue
- Dance
- February 28 and March 3 to 6, 2027
- Gala
- Thursday, March 11, 2027
- Dance venue
- Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre, 3800 33 Street, Vernon
- Gala venue
- Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre, 3800 33 Street, Vernon
- Registration opens
- November 15, 2026
- Registration closes
- January 15, 2027
General rules and entry information
Rules for all Dance entries
Teachers, participants, and parents are responsible for knowing the syllabus and rules. Failure to follow the general rules results in disqualification, without a fee refund.
Eligibility
- The Festival Committee decides matters not covered by the syllabus. Its decisions are final.
- Competitors must reside in Interior or Northern BC, east of Chilliwack, or in the Okanogan District of Washington State. Others may perform for adjudication only and are not eligible for awards or Provincials.
- Classes are for amateurs unless stated otherwise. Students who teach to support their education remain eligible.
- Choir, band, and orchestra competitors must be active members of their organizations.
- Age is measured as of December 31, 2026. A parent, guardian, or teacher signs age-restricted entries.
- A competitor may not enter more than one performance in the same class, except Piano Preparatory A and B. The same piece may not be used in multiple classes.
- A winning piece repeated within five years receives adjudication only.
- Festival performance spaces may not be used for practice. Commercial displays and promotions require Committee approval.
Registration, payment, changes, and withdrawals
- All entries are online. Registration runs from November 15, 2026 to January 15, 2027.
- Payment may be made by PayPal or cheque. All fees are due within seven days after registration closes.
- An email confirms the entry, class dates, and location after registration is complete.
- Teachers and competitors are responsible for eligibility and class requirements. Entry acceptance does not guarantee eligibility.
- The Festival Committee may refuse an entry. If it does, the fee is refunded in full.
- Entry fees are otherwise non-refundable. Medical emergencies are reviewed case by case.
- Schedule changes are not available after the official program is published.
- A category-change request may be submitted to the Committee at least seven days before the festival. A $15 fee is due before the performance.
Music, props, stage, and lighting
- Upload music to the designated Dropbox folder no later than seven days before the competition. Festival backstage staff play the files.
- The stage is marked at centre and quarter points. No other markings are allowed.
- Special lighting is not available. Marley flooring is provided.
- Prop setup takes no more than 30 seconds and may be done by a teacher or Festival volunteer.
- Lift and place props. Do not drag them across the Marley floor.
- Production setup and takedown are included in the 15-minute performance limit.
Performance procedures
- A dancer who leaves the stage may restart once for adjudication only.
- If a dancer is not at fault, for example because of a lighting failure, the repeated performance is adjudicated and marked normally.
- A loading dock is available for large items outside competitive times. Coordinate its use with a dance venue volunteer.
Ages, fees, and time limits
Dance entry fees and limits
| Entry | Fee | Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| Solo | $25 | 3 minutes |
| Workshop | $25 | 1 hour |
| Workshop, late registration | $30 | 1 hour |
| Junior Choreography | $25 | 3 minutes |
| Improvisation | $15 | 1.5 minutes |
| Duet or Trio | $15 per person | 3 minutes |
| Group, 4 or more | $12 per person | 5 minutes |
| Production | $12 per person | 15 minutes, including setup |
Age groups
- 6 and under
- 8 and under
- 10 and under
- 12 and under
- 14 and under
- 15 years
- 16 and over
Age is measured as of December 31, 2026. Classes may be divided further based on entry count.
Group sizes
- Small: 4 to 8 dancers
- Large: 9 to 15 dancers
- Extra Large: 16 or more dancers
Duo, trio, and group ages are averaged across all dancers.
Competitive entries receive adjudication and a mark, and may qualify for certificates, cups, and scholarships. Non-competitive entries receive adjudication only.
Categories and classes
Ballet, Modern, and Stage
Ballet
| Class | Description |
|---|---|
| Demi-Pointe Classical | Classical ballet based on any method, including Cecchetti, R.A.D., or Vaganova. Soft ballet shoes are required. One hand-held prop is allowed. Classical music with lyrics is permitted at VPAF, but not at Provincials. |
| Pointe Classical | Classical ballet performed on pointe. One hand-held prop is allowed. |
| Contemporary Ballet | Classical ballet combined with freer movement such as floor work and turned-in legs, with an emphasis on expression and artistry. |
| Interpretive Ballet | Ballet technique used to express a mood or idea without telling a story. No sets or props. |
| Demi-Character | Ballet technique from the waist down and character portrayal from the waist up. Props are allowed when integral to the dance. |
| National Character | Folk or traditional dance representing a country. Mime, props, vocal or instrumental music, and character shoes are permitted. |
| Improvisation | Open to soloists of all ages. Dancers hear a 10-second preview, followed by a 1-minute improvisation. Multiple dancers may share the stage. |
Modern
| Class | Description |
|---|---|
| Modern | Technique rooted in Graham, Limon, Horton, and similar methods. It emphasizes contraction and release, fall and recovery, breath, and natural rhythm. Movement may or may not relate to the music. |
| Contemporary | Free movement combining techniques such as Forsythe, McGregor, Khan, and Naharin, with full-body engagement and an examination of human concepts. |
| Interpretive Modern | Modern or contemporary vocabulary used to convey a story, feeling, or emotional state. Movement reflects the intent of the music. |
Stage
| Class | Description |
|---|---|
| Tap | Rhythmic clarity and shading of sound. No dubbed tap sounds. Arm and body movement should be coordinated. |
| Jazz | Energetic, rhythmic dance using isolations, syncopation, and popular music. Up to three acrobatic tricks. No lip-syncing. |
| Lyrical | Expressive dance interpreting slower music through soft jazz technique and emotion. |
| Street/Hip Hop | Individual style using elements such as popping, locking, gliding, house, or power moves. Costumes and lyrics must be age appropriate. |
| Acro | A balance of 50 percent dance and 50 percent acrobatic movement. One simple, integral prop is allowed, but not a mat. |
| Song and Dance | Equal emphasis on singing, dancing, and acting. No recorded vocals. Solo limit: 4 minutes. Group limit: 6 minutes. |
| Musical Theater | Dance adapted from film or stage musicals. Lip-syncing is allowed. Judging covers dance and characterization. |
| Variety | Character-based choreography that blends genres. Broadway songs and characters are excluded. Lip-syncing is permitted. |
Dancers qualifying for Provincials with Jazz or Lyrical must choose a second solo from Tap, Song and Dance, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, or Acro.
Junior Choreography
Open to student choreographers registered in Ballet, Modern, or Stage. The work may be a solo, duo, or group, and the solo fee applies. The choreographer may perform in their own work. Adjudication covers choreography, creativity, and performance.
Submit one copy of the choreography notes at the Lobby Desk before the first session of the day. Include the inspiration, costume and music choices, and a movement outline of at least one section.
Provincials
Provincial representative eligibility
Each regional festival may send one representative per age group in each discipline to the BC Provincial Festival. Age is measured as of December 31 before the Provincial Festival.
| Division | Age |
|---|---|
| Junior | 10 to 12 |
| Intermediate | 15 and under |
| Senior | 18 and under |
| Provincial Excellence | 20 and under |
| Discipline | Required solos | Limit | Workshop | Selection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ballet | One Pointe or Demi-Pointe solo, plus one additional Classical Dance solo. | 3 minutes each | Classical Workshop | Technique, artistry, and adherence to classical style. |
| Modern | One Modern solo and one Contemporary solo. | 3 minutes each | Modern Workshop | Technical strength, expression, and artistry across both solos. |
| Stage | Two solos. They cannot be both Jazz and Lyrical. | 3 minutes each | Tap and Jazz Workshop | Technical strength, expression, and artistry across both solos. |
Workshops
Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and Tap workshops
Workshops are taught by the adjudicator for the discipline.
- Junior: ages 10 to 12
- Intermediate: ages 13 to 15
- Senior: ages 16 to 20
Workshop dress code
Grooming is noted. Belts, trims, jewellery, leg warmers, and similar accessories are not permitted.
Ballet, female
Pink tights, a dark solid-coloured leotard, and pink ballet slippers. Hair in a classic bun.
Ballet, male
Dark tights or fitted shorts, a solid-coloured shirt or leotard, and ballet slippers. Hair neatly groomed.
Modern
Dark solid-colour fitted dancewear, with neatly groomed hair. Kneepads and socks are permitted. No sweatpants or sweatshirts. Formal footwear is not needed.
Stage
Dark solid-colour fitted dancewear, with neatly groomed hair. Kneepads are permitted. No sweatpants or sweatshirts. Bring tap shoes for Tap or Musical Theatre and jazz shoes or an allowed alternative for Jazz.
Awards, etiquette, and payment
Awards and Festival conduct
Awards
- Cash scholarships for Highest Mark in Stage, Modern, and Classical.
- Adjudicator Choice for Junior, Intermediate, and Senior performers in Stage, Classical, and Modern.
- Most Promising Junior, Intermediate, and Senior.
- Trophies and bursaries are to be announced.
Theatre etiquette
- Arrive early and be seated before the performance begins.
- Silence phones and electronics. Leave the room at intermission or after the show to return calls or messages.
- Do not talk, whisper, make unnecessary noise, take photographs, or record video during performances. Recording may lead to participant disqualification.
- Remain seated until an intermission or clear break. Food and drink are not allowed in the theatre.
- Respect the venue and stage. Applaud at appropriate times and remain silent after the introduction or bell.
E-transfer payment
- E-transfer to [email protected] is accepted when it includes the student's name and entry number or numbers.
- A studio teacher may pay for a group with one e-transfer after contacting the festival for the required spreadsheet.
- E-transfers without a clear student name and entry number will not be accepted.