Rules and Regulations

The present regulations may be subject to changes due to unforeseen circumstances that require adaptations.

 

I. PARTICIPANTS

It is intended for young dancers enrolled in dance schools, either national or international, and who are between 7 and 21 years of age.

The participant’s age will be considered as of January 1, 2026.

 

II. DANCE COMPETITION

1. Pre-selection
Participation in the Soloist category has limited entries; therefore, candidates are subject to a pre-selection. From December 1–22, 2025, applicants must complete the pre-selection form and email to adagio@adagiointernationaldance.com their application video along with proof of payment of the pre-selection fee of €10 per solo/contestant.

Successful candidates will be announced during January 2026 and must subsequently finalize their registration by January 31, 2026.

VIDEO REQUIREMENTS:

a) Each video file must contain only one solo, with a maximum duration of 2 minutes.
b) The file name must be the candidate’s full name, followed by the word Classical or Contemporary.
c) The file size must not exceed 100 MB.
d) The recording, made in a studio, must ensure good image quality (stability, lighting, definition, proportionality) in order to allow for the correct evaluation of the candidate (physical characteristics, body and facial expression).
e) The candidate’s identification (name and school) must not be visible in the recording, to guarantee anonymity.
f) The audition solo does not need to be the same as the one to be performed in the competition.
g) For the classical solo, female candidates must wear white or pink tights, a sleeveless leotard, and hair tied back, without skirt or rehearsal tutu; male candidates must wear a fitted t-shirt and tights or fitted shorts.
For the contemporary solo, candidates must wear leggings and a fitted t-shirt.

 

Failure to comply with the established rules will result in the candidate’s disqualification.

2. Categories, Subcategories, and Age Divisions

a) The competition is divided into two categories:

A – Amateur: young dancers who practice up to 5 hours per week.

P – Pre-professional: young dancers who practice 6 or more hours per week.

b) Within each category, dancers may participate in the following subcategories:

Solo

Duet

Small Group (up to 5 members)

Large Group (more than 5 members)

c) The following age divisions apply:

SOLOS

Children: 7 to 9 years old

Beginner: 10 to 12 years old

Junior: 13 to 15 years old

Senior: 16 to 21 years old

 

DUETS AND GROUPS

Children: 7 to 9 years old

Beginner: 10 to 12 years old

Junior: 13 to 15 years old

Senior: 16 to 21 years old

NOTES:

Contestants who, in ADAGIO 2025, received one of the individual special awards may only participate in the Pre-professional category in the present edition, as it is considered that they have reached a level beyond the Amateur category.

If a duet or group includes a member from the Pre-professional category, they must compete in that category.

In the Duet and Group subcategories, the age of the oldest member will determine the age division.

The organization reserves the right to adjust the divisions according to the number of contestants, which may involve merging two divisions into one or splitting a division with many participants into two.

3. Styles

Classical/Neoclassical

Contemporary

Character

Registration is permitted in all styles.

Within the same style and category, a contestant may register in multiple choreographies, provided they are in different age divisions.

This rule does not apply to the Solo subcategory, in which participants may only register in the division corresponding to their age, and may compete with a maximum of 1 Classical/Neoclassical Solo and/or 1 Contemporary Solo.

4. Choreographies

a) Duration

The maximum duration of the choreographies is as follows:

Choreographies that exceed the established time limits will be disqualified. Any choreographic moments performed without music will be counted as part of the choreography’s duration.

b) Classical/Neoclassical Choreographies
Traditional classical repertoire, free classical choreographies, or neoclassical choreographies may be performed, and all will be evaluated according to the same criteria.

In the Amateur Category (A), the use of pointe shoes is not permitted in the Children Division and is optional in the remaining divisions.

In the Pre-professional Category (P):

• Solos: the use of pointe shoes is not permitted in the Children Division, is optional in the Beginner Division, and is mandatory in the Junior and Senior Divisions.

• Duets and Groups: the use of pointe shoes is not permitted in the Children Division, is optional in the Beginner and Junior Divisions, and is mandatory in the Senior Division.

c) Contemporary Choreographies
In contemporary choreographies, the use of pointe shoes is not allowed. Contemporary dance techniques must be applied, with a movement vocabulary clearly distinct from the classical style.

d) Props
The use of props is subject to prior approval by the organization at the time of registration. Only props that can be carried by the contestants themselves and that do not exceed the dimensions of a standard chair are permitted.

Props or costumes identifying the dancer’s school are not allowed.

The use of materials that may compromise the cleanliness and safety of the stage is strictly prohibited.

e) Repeated Choreographies
The presentation of repeated choreographies should be avoided.

Each school may not present the same choreography more than twice during the entire competition, regardless of division or category.

Likewise, a contestant may not participate with a choreography they performed in the previous year.

5. Evaluation Criteria

Regardless of other criteria defined by the jury, dancers will be evaluated based on:

• Technical execution

• Interpretation and expressiveness

Contestants will be scored on a scale from 0 to 100 points. A score of 80 points or higher is required to receive a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd prize; however, the jury may decide not to award a prize.

The decision not to award a prize is the sole responsibility of the jury and cannot be contested.

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III. CHARACTER DANCE COMPETITION

In this style, there are no divisions into categories, subcategories, or age groups.

Contestants may participate in a maximum of 2 character dance choreographies, whether solo, duet, or group.

As for choreography duration, use of props, and evaluation criteria, the same rules as the Classical and Contemporary Dance Competition apply.

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III. MUSIC

Music must be submitted by February 22, 2026.

A maximum tolerance of 5 seconds beyond the time limit is allowed, only to enable the completion of the musical phrase, provided the choreography is performed entirely with music.

No tolerance will be granted when part of the choreography is performed without music. In such cases, the duration of the section without music must be indicated when submitting the track.

The use of music with inappropriate language is not permitted.

The rights to use both music and choreography are the sole responsibility of the competing school.

 

IV. JURY

The competition jury will be composed of three or more members of recognized merit in the field of dance.

The jury’s decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

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V. REGISTRATION

1. The registration deadline is January 31, 2026. Should the number of registrations reach the event’s maximum capacity, the organization reserves the right to close registrations before this date.

2. Registration must include the following elements:

• Registration form available on the website;

• Proof of payment of the registration fee by bank transfer.

In the event of withdrawal, regardless of the reason, the registration fee will not be refunded.

Failure to provide any of these elements, or providing them incorrectly or incompletely, will result in the invalidation of the registration. Invalidation will be communicated to the contestant by email, using the address provided on the form, and cannot be contested.

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VI. FEES

• Solo – €65 per solo

• Duet – €55 per participant, per choreography

• Small Group – €40 per participant, per choreography

• Large Group – €30 per participant, per choreography

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VII. AWARDS

• Monetary prizes

• Diplomas, medals, and trophies

• Scholarships for dance courses and internships

• Other prizes to be announced

The jury may decide not to award a particular prize or to divide a prize between more than one contestant.

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VIII. GALA

The Meeting will close with a Gala featuring prize-winning contestants and invited professional dancers.

The jury and the organizing committee will decide which contestants will participate and their order of appearance.

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IX. MASTERCLASSES

During the Meeting, masterclasses will be offered, led by members of the jury and/or other dance professionals, to be announced in due course.

Although attendance is not mandatory, masterclasses are open to all participants, subject to prior registration.

The maximum number of participants will be announced in due time.

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X. INSURANCE

Participants must have their own insurance against injury or illness.
The organization does not assume any responsibility for possible accidents during the Meeting, nor for theft or loss of belongings.

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XI. PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEO RECORDINGS

Capturing images during the competition is strictly prohibited. Photographs and audiovisual recordings will be carried out exclusively by entities contracted by the organization and duly identified.

Participation in the event implies authorization for audiovisual capture. The organization reserves the right to use this material for commercial and promotional purposes.

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XII. FINAL PROVISIONS

Once accepted and validated, a registration may be canceled at any time by the organization, without prior notice and with immediate effect, if the contestant, members of their school, or supporters display behavior that disrupts the proper functioning of the event, including disrespect towards any member of the organization, jury, or other participants.

Registration may also be canceled by the organization in the event of non-compliance with any rules contained in the “Operating Rules” by contestants, school members, or supporters.

The “Operating Rules” will be sent to participating schools after the acceptance of their registration.

The cancellation of a registration will be communicated verbally or by email to the responsible teacher. It cannot be contested and does not imply the return of amounts paid, reimbursement of any expenses, or compensation for damages.

Registration in the Meeting implies the mandatory acceptance of this regulation, as well as all operating rules.

The organization reserves the right to decide on any matter not covered by this regulation.

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ADAGIO – INTERNATIONAL DANCE MEETING
Ourém, Portugal