Let’s Talk Dance: Leveling dances

By Dance Out Competition
A monthly conversation from Dance Out Competition about the topics shaping our dance community.

One of the biggest sources of frustration in the dance competition world centers around how routines are leveled. At Dance Out Competition, our goal is to create a fair and balanced environment where every dancer has the best possible opportunity to succeed. Leveling is a key part of that mission — but it’s also one of the most misunderstood.

The Purpose of Levels

Levels are designed to ensure that dancers compete with others who have similar training experience, time commitment, and skill development. The purpose isn’t to separate dancers by talent, but to group them by experience and readiness so performances can be judged fairly and evenly.

At Dance Out, each level — Novice, Intermediate, and Elite — serves as a stepping stone in a dancer’s progression. These levels are meant to guide dancers as they grow in both skill and performance experience. The ultimate goal is to reach the Elite level, where dancers are challenged to perform at their highest artistic and technical potential.

Why Leveling Can Feel Unfair

We understand that sometimes it feels like certain routines are placed in a lower level than they should be. This can happen for a few reasons:

• Subjectivity: Each studio interprets level guidelines differently.

• Varied Training Structures: Every studio operates with different class schedules and training expectations.

• Competition Experience: A dancer’s time on stage plays a major role. Even if a dancer trains only four hours a week, if they have competed in the Novice level for more than a year or two, that performance experience alone gives them an advantage over a first-year Novice dancer.

The same principle applies to Intermediate dancers who have been competing at that level for several seasons. Over time, their confidence, performance maturity, and competitive experience prepare them for the next step — the Elite level. Moving up is part of the natural progression of a dancer’s growth, and we celebrate that advancement.

Our Commitment to Fairness

At Dance Out Competition, we take leveling very seriously. We use clear, published guidelines to help studios determine placement and we review entries carefully to ensure fairness across the board.

If a routine appears to be mis-leveled, our team will review it and, if necessary, adjust. Our goal is never to penalize, but to maintain fairness and integrity for every dancer on our stage.

Working Together for a Level Playing Field

We encourage all teachers and studio directors to:

• Review our leveling guidelines carefully before registering dancers.

• Be honest and thoughtful when placing routines.

• Reach out to us with questions — we’re always happy to clarify and assist.

Together, we can keep Dance Out Competition positive, educational, and fair — ensuring that every dancer is recognized for their growth, artistry, and hard work.