Competition Rules 2027

1. The Competition

The organizer, Dance Performance, is hosting the Spirit of Talents Dance Competition, an open dance and singing competition taking place from May 7–9, 2027.

Participation is open to individuals as well as members of ballet, dance or music schools or similar organizations. The competition is divided into various categories and age groups and is open to performers of all ages and levels, from beginners to advanced performers.

The audience area is open to all participants, their supervisors and accompanying persons, as well as the general public and performing arts enthusiasts.

2. Registration

Registration is available exclusively through the online registration portal on the website (link to follow). After pre-registration, participants will receive a registration link providing access to the registration portal. Once registration is complete, it is considered binding and the participation fee becomes due. Fees are non-refundable.

Registration may only be completed by the responsible ballet school, institution or instructor.

By submitting the registration, the registering institution confirms that, for participants who are minors, consent has been obtained from their legal guardians for participation as well as for the use of photo and video recordings.

By registering, participants grant Dance Performance the rights to use any film, photo and audio recordings made in connection with the competition. No separate declaration of consent is required.

By registering, participants or their legal guardians consent to the processing of their personal data for the purposes of registration, organization and conduct of the competition, as well as for the publication of results lists, photos and videos. Data processing is carried out in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Further information can be found in the privacy policy at www.spiritoftalents.de.

Upon receipt of the registration and payment of the participation fee, a binding participation agreement is established between the person or institution submitting the registration and the organizer.

3. Categories

• Classical Ballet (with and without pointe shoes; pointe work is permitted from the age of 12)
• National Dance/Folklore
• Modern/Contemporary
• Open*
• Singing
• Singing and Dance

• * Open includes Show Dance, Lyrical Jazz, Jazz, Musical Dance and Children’s Dance.
• In the categories “Singing” and “Singing and Dance”, only live singing is permitted. Background vocals in the musical accompaniment are not permitted.

4. Age Groups & Group Division

Cut-off date: Age groups are determined by the age each participant reaches during the 2027 calendar year. The participant’s year of birth, rather than their exact date of birth, is decisive (cut-off date: December 31, 2027).

Group Division

5. Performance Time Limits

• Solo: 2:00–2:30 min
• Duo/Trio: 2:00–2:30 min
• Small Group (4–10 participants): 2:30–3:30 min
• Large Group (11 or more participants): 2:30–4:00 min
• Singing: max. 5:00 min

Note: Original variations in ballet and national dance are exempt from the time limits.

6. Age Rules for Groups

For duos and trios, the age of the oldest participant applies.

In small and large groups, no more than 30% of the participants may belong to a different age group.

7. Performance Levels

To ensure a competitive atmosphere, at least three participants are required in each category. If there are too few participants, they may be placed in the next higher age group after consultation and with their consent. Otherwise, the category will be cancelled without replacement.

8. Jury & Scoring

The jury consists of three to five experts in the respective category. All jury members have professional ballet, dance or vocal training as well as relevant stage experience.

Jury members will be announced by name prior to the competition.

The jury’s decision is final and binding.

The scoring is based on a multidimensional points system:

• Maximum score: 120 points per performance
• Four scoring criteria per performance
• Up to 10 points per criterion per jury member
• The total score is calculated by adding the individual scores

• Intonation
• Vocal technique (breath control, register coordination, vocal control, tone production and diction)
• Musical interpretation (timing and rhythm, phrasing, dynamics and stylistic accuracy)
• Interpretation and expression (use of text and subtext, identification, stage presence and expression)

• Technical score (technical difficulty and quality of movement)
• Artistic score (musical interpretation, execution of the choreography, creativity, variety of movements, use of space, coordination and harmony between concept, movement and music)
• Execution (synchronization in groups, precision of movement, body tension and expressiveness)
• Overall impression (stage presence, identification with the dance style, charisma, expressiveness and posture)

9. Awards & Prizes

Awards ceremonies will take place shortly after the respective performances within each age group and competition category. Exact times will be published in the schedule.

All participants receive a certificate. The top three places in each competition category receive a trophy.

The special awards for 2027 will be announced at a later date.

10. Participation Fees

Participation fees and any other fees must be paid in euros to the following account:

Svetlana Hacker (account holder)
IBAN: DE26 6409 1200 0431 1190 07
Volksbank Ermstal-Alb eG

Note: Payment options may still be adjusted.

All fees are due upon registration. Places are only guaranteed after full payment of the participation fees.

Participation fees already paid are non-refundable.

The event will be recorded by an external media team. All participating institutions will receive access to the official photo and video recordings after the event.

11. Additional Regulations

• By registering, participants agree to be bound by the competition rules.
• Stage rehearsals follow a set schedule. Punctual attendance is mandatory. In the event of late arrival or absence, there is no entitlement to an alternative rehearsal time.
• Music files must be uploaded via the registration portal in MP3 format. A backup copy must also be brought to the venue on a USB drive.
• Uncooperative or unsportsmanlike behaviour towards the organizer, jury or other participants will result in exclusion without a refund.
• By registering, participants grant the organizer the rights to use and exploit audio, photo and video recordings.
• Participation is at the participant’s own risk. No liability is accepted for personal belongings, props or valuables.
• The jury may reassign performances to a more appropriate category without any loss of points.
• Performances must be age-appropriate. Politically or socially objectionable content, discriminatory statements or profanity are prohibited.
• The use of personal lighting effects, open flames or explosive objects is prohibited.

The organizer reserves the right to cancel or postpone the event for organizational reasons or due to force majeure, such as official requirements, illness or strikes.

In such cases, there shall be no entitlement to compensation or reimbursement of fees already paid.

12. Venue

Stadthalle Metzingen
Konrad-Adenauer-Platz 1
72555 Metzingen

The competition will take place at Stadthalle Metzingen. The organizer reserves the right to change the venue or schedule.

13. Organizer Contact

Spirit of Talents – Dance Competition
Svetlana Hacker
Grafentalstraße 3/2
72800 Eningen
Tel. +49 (0)152 340 35 341
Email: info@spiritoftalents.de

14. Final Provisions

Should any provision of these conditions of participation be or become invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions shall remain unaffected (severability clause).

German law shall apply. The place of jurisdiction is the registered office of the organizer.