Online Cecchetti Choreography Competition for Young Dancers

Competitors are invited to create, film and submit choreography for a solo or duet in their respective age category. Competitors may also wish to explore what technology could add to their video submissions (optional).

Please read all entry details, rules and Terms & Conditions below in full.

Entries to this event are now closed.

Winners will be announced on Thursday 28 January 2021.

1st place will be awarded in each category and winners will receive medals by post. A special award will be given for digital creativity for those who wish to explore what technology can add to their performance.

All prizes will be awarded at the discretion of the adjudicators.

Age Categories

Junior 

Solo: 7 - 10 years | Duet: 7 - 10 years

Middle

Solo: 11 - 13 years | Duet: 11 - 13 years

Senior

Solo: 14 - 18 years | Duet: 14 -18 years

All ages to be taken on 1st day of September 2020.

Choreography

Choreography must be created by pupils according to the entry categories outlined above.

Dances must be entirely original and the sole work of the named choreographer/s.

Time limits: Solo - 1 ½ mins / Duets - 2 mins. Content submitted beyond the time limit stated will not be adjudicated.

If music has lyrics, please ensure these are appropriate.

Costumes should be simple, no extra marks are awarded for costume.

Classical dances must not be danced on pointe.

Rules

Competitors must be studying with a Society Registered Cecchetti teacher.

Pupils in vocational training are not eligible to enter this competition.

Competitors may enter multiple times in their age category.

Choreography may be performed by the choreographer or dancers of their choosing.

Dancers of any age may perform the choreography, however, it must be entered according to the age of the choreographer/s.

Solos may stipulate one choreographer. Duets may stipulate up to two choreographers.

Competitors shall agree to abide by all the rules laid down for this competition and accept the Adjudicator’s decision as final.

Susan Lucas

LISTD (Cecchetti), RBS Dip. (PDTC),Mat Pilates

Susan’s early classical ballet training was in Surrey with Gillian Dawson studying the Cecchetti method for twelve years before winning the Cyril Beaumont Scholarship to the Royal Ballet School.

She graduated to Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet following the RBS annual matinee performance dancing the role of Swanhilda in the full production of Coppelia alongside David Bintley’s Dr Coppelius. During a long career with SWRB which relocated to become Birmingham Royal Ballet, Susan worked her way through the ranks of the company gaining experience of Corps de Ballet, Soloist and Principal roles. With BRB, Susan danced the principal roles including Sugar Plum Fairy (Nutcracker), Aurora and Enchanted Princess (Sleeping Beauty), Giselle, Lise (La fille mal gardée) and Swanhilda (Coppelia)

 Susan has over eighteen years of experience teaching ballet to all ages and levels of students, including several years at Elmhurst School for dance. She has also taught at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts. Susan was a board member of DanceXchange Birmingham for twelve years.

Susan holds the Licentiate qualification as a member of the Cecchetti Classical Ballet Faculty of the Society.

Upon submission of the entry fee, a Dropbox link will be located at the bottom of the Eventbrite PDF ticket, where competitors' videos can be uploaded securely.

All competitor entry category & title of piece must be written clearly on an A4 sheet and held by the competitor/s in clear sight at the start of the video.

Competitor/s body and feet must be clearly visible on the recording throughout.

Video submissions must be clearly named as ‘Entry Category-Choreographer name-Title of piece’

It is of paramount importance that the video is of good visual quality and that the music can be heard. Videos of poor quality may affect the result of entries. A plain light-coloured background is ideal, if possible.

All videos should be submitted in MP4 format.

All videos should be recorded in LANDSCAPE orientation.

Safe dance practice is paramount.

Dancers should ensure they are fully warmed up before recording the video/s so as to perform in a safe manner, which will not cause injury, ensuring the area chosen to dance in is suitable and clear from any obstructions.

On receipt of the footage from pupils, teachers should upload it immediately to the Society secure Dropbox via the link provided. Once the footage is transferred, this should be deleted from your device and not stored.

Anyone competing in this online event does so at their own risk. The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing will not accept any responsibility for any injury howsoever caused.

A media consent form will be circulated to those who have booked tickets when ticket booking closes. Written consent must be obtained for competitors’ and any additional performers from parents/carers/guardians before submitting video/s.

By entering the competitors’ videos, you have agreed on the competitors’ behalf, if they are selected as a winner or for any commendation, for their name and possibly footage of them dancing, to be published on Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing public platforms such as website and Social Media channels.

Upon submission of your application on the competitor’s behalf you are agreeing to the criteria set above and that you agree to adhere to health and safety regulations and the competitor rules.

Winners entry video footage may be kept and used by the Society for any promotional purposes for up to two years, all other video entries will be deleted within 10 working days of winners and commendations being announced.

No refunds are payable once an entry has been made and payment received.

The Adjudicators’ decision is final, individual feedback will not be provided.

The competition relies on a certain number of entries being received. If insufficient entries are received the competition may not be viable and in this case entry fees will be returned. Competitors must be made aware of this by their teacher in advance. If the competition cannot take place teachers will be advised by email.