While attending an Elite Dance Cup event, we ask that all attendees follow certain guidelines to allow for a smoothly run and safe event. We ask all competitors please wear footwear at all times. Food and beverages are strictly prohibited in the auditorium and dressing area. Absolutely no videotaping or photography is allowed in the theater at any time during performances. We ask all attendees exercise theater etiquette at all times. This means please remain in your seat while a dance is performing (you may use the transitional time in between performances to move about the auditorium). Please keep talking to a minimum, silence all cell phones and treat every performer like you would want your dancer treated.
The performance schedule/times will be sent to your studio owner 7 - 10 days prior to the event. It is not available online. The schedule will be available to purchase and view the Thursday night prior to the event by downloading the dakiki event app for iPhone & android. You can also purchase a souvenir program with schedule at the Elite Boutique at the competition while supplies last.
No, Elite Dance Cup welcomes all family and friends to support the dancers! Doors will open 30 minutes prior to the first scheduled performance.
Yes, your teacher or studio director can register dancer(s) online for the Title Competition. This is a separate category from the solo Category. All entries must be entered online through a teacher or studio director before the locations deadline. No additional entries will be accepted at the competition.
Elite Dance Cup will have a Search for The Face of Elite. Any 2025 Season participants can register at the Elite Boutique on-site or online for $50.00 per dancer and submit 2 pictures 5x7 or larger. One picture must be in full costume and a full body shot. A short excerpt of why the participating dancer should be selected to represent Elite Dance Cup in 2026 will also be required to enter. One or two Finalist(s) (depending on entries received) will be selected from each Regional event to advance to the Final Round. The 2026 Face of Elite Finalists and Winner will be selected in May by The Face of Elite deciding Panel. Winner will be required to attend one of Elite Dance Cup’s 2025 National Finals for photo shoot. The Face of Elite will be featured in Elite Dance Cup’s 2026 advertising campaign.
Improv Competition
Elite Dance Cup will host an Improv Competition at each Regional event. The competition will be held in the Petite/Junior/Pre-teen (12 & Under) age category. The competition will take place prior to the awards presentation for the age category. Formatted much like an audition, the dancers are each assigned a number and perform their Improv for the judges in groups of approximately 3 to 8. Depending on the number of entries, following the preliminary, semi final and final rounds judges will select a winner. Music and genre are randomly chosen, each group will have 45 seconds to dance with a 10 second countdown. Individual dancers can sign-up at the Elite Boutique throughout the competition before the awards presentation of their age category for $30.00 per dancer. Winners will receive an award.
Turn & Leap Competition
Elite Dance Cup will host a Turn & Leap Competition at each regional event. The competition will be held in the Teen/Senior (13 & Over) age category. The competition will take place prior to the awards presentation for the age category. Formatted much like an audition, the dancers are each assigned a number and perform a turn and leap of the judges choice and then one of their favorites. Depending on the number of entries, following the preliminary, semi final and final rounds judges will select a winner. Individual dancers can sign-up at the Elite Boutique throughout the competition before the awards presentation of their age category for $30.00 per dancer.
Winners will receive an award.
Dancers we suggest you bring dance clothes that you would wear to an audition to participate in the Improv Competition (leotard, tights, dance shoes, bows, etc.)
We can never guarantee an exact time schedule due to unforeseen circumstances. However, Elite Dance Cup makes every effort to accommodate scheduling request before the schedule is set. Therefore, we will run in order and on-time! We always recommend being present and ready to perform at least one hour prior to your scheduled performance time.
All entries must be from a studio. Elite Dance Cup does not accept independent entries.
Most guidelines and rules are available under the Rules tab on the home page of the website. Your studio owner will have access to both rules and fees once they have created a studio account through registration.
Due to the negative impact it places on dancers while performing and to protect the integrity of individual choreography the use of ANY electronic device for photography and videography is STRICTLY PROHIBITED during all performances as well as in the dressing rooms. Failure to comply may result in the routine performing for adjudication only as well as confiscation of the recordings and/or photographs.
Any spectator that fails to comply with Elite Dance Cup’s No Photo/Video rule may be escorted and removed from the event.
Each registered participant will receive FREE Photos & Video of their performed routine(s)
Video and photos may be taken during award ceremonies only!
Elite Dance Cup will not assign dressing rooms. All competitors must share the space available. Please be considerate of the belongings and personal space of others. Please note that members of the opposite gender are strictly prohibited from the dressing room areas. i.e. males are not allowed in the female dressing rooms and females are not allowed in the male dressing rooms. Please be kind and courteous to all studios and remember that it is a shared space. Dressing rooms are to be used solely for costume changing; eating, practicing, and other activities of that nature should be done elsewhere. Visitors and animals are not allowed in dressing spaces!
The backstage area is reserved for performers, teachers, and studio directors only to avoid overcrowding. Prop parents are allowed backstage no more than five entries prior to the performance that will be using the prop.
Elite Dance Cup is an adjudicated competition. Awards are based on points given by a panel of judges. The highest award possible is an Elite Reserve. Overall High Score Awards, Divisional High Score Awards, Regional Judges Awards, Elite Awards and several Scholarships are also given.
Score sheets and judges’ critiques are available only to the studio director through the registration system online. Please contact your teacher or studio director.
The overall results for each competition will be posted online by selecting Results on the home page of the website. They will be updated 5-7 days after the competition.