An amazing total of 520 young dancers from the UK and all over the world entered this new competition. Online heats for this event have now closed, and our expert heats adjudicators have very much enjoyed carefully watching and marking all the entries. The overall standard of entries was impressive and all participants, especially the finalists, should be exceptionally proud of their achievements.

International finalists are being adjudicated online by distinguished faculty experts Francesca Filpi and Lorraine Swain, and an international winners’ showreel celebrating their achievements will be created and screened at the live UK finals and shared afterwards on our social media channels.

Meanwhile, preparations are well underway for the live UK finals at Central School of Ballet on Saturday 15 April, and we are looking forward to welcoming finalists, teachers, families, and guests to what promises to be an exciting and inspiring celebration of excellence.

Four finals classes will take place throughout the day: Grade 1 and 2, Grade 3 and 4, Grade 5, 6, and Intermediate Foundation, and Intermediate and Advanced 1. Finalists will perform a ballet class onstage, taught by a faculty expert and accompanied by a pianist. Each finals class will be adjudicated by three highly respected industry professionals, who will conduct an awards presentation following each class.

Booking opens on Thursday 19 January. On entering, teachers will select which final they require: EITHER live UK finals OR online international finals. Please note, competitors from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Europe, and the rest of the world can select either. Competitors from England MUST select the live UK finals. To access early bird tickets please enter promo code EARLYBIRD before purchasing tickets.

Heat Entry Fees
Early Bird £16
Standard Rate £18

Online International Finals
No additional fee

Live UK Finals
Finalists: £10

Spectators         
Per class: £15
Per class: ISTD member/under 16/over 67 £12
All day: £30
All day ISTD member/under 16/over 67 £24

Competitors will learn enchaînements specially selected by the ICB Committee for their artistry and musicality. Immediately following entry, teachers will receive notes on enchaînements and information on music. Teachers entering competitors for the Intermediate /Advanced 1 category will also receive a video. Teachers will record the competitor performing the enchaînements and submit the film, along with a completed event form, by Sunday 26 February.

Teachers are reminded to enter competitors in the level they are currently working at. Teachers will be asked to provide each competitor’s exam PIN number.

Grade 1 and 2      

• Competitors must be 10 years or under on the closing date 26 February 2023 and working at Grade 1 or Grade 2
• Three enchaînements: port de bras/adage; allegro warm up; allegro
• Movement vocabulary suitable for Grade 1 and 2

Grade 3 and 4

• Competitors must be 13 years or under on the closing date 26 February 2023 and working at Grade 3 or Grade 4
• Three enchaînements: port de bras/adage; allegro warm up; allegro
• Movement vocabulary suitable for Grade 3 and 4

Grade 5, 6 and Intermediate Foundation             

• Competitors must be 16 years or under on the closing date 26 February 2023 and working at Grade 5, Grade 6, or Intermediate Foundation
• Two enchaînements: port de bras/adage and allegro (based upon work from Class Examinations 7 and 8)
• Movement vocabulary suitable for Grade 5, 6 & Intermediate Foundation

Intermediate and Advanced 1

• Competitors must be 19 years or under on the closing date 26 February 2023 and working at Intermediate or Advanced 1
• Two enchaînements: Port de bras/adage and allegro
• Movement vocabulary suitable for Intermediate and Advanced 1

• I confirm the competitor is working at the required grade.
• All competitors must have been with their present ISTD-qualified Imperial Classical Ballet teacher/school for at least nine months before the closing date of 26 February 2023.
• Teachers can enter as many students as they wish.
• Entries must be made by an ISTD teacher and not parents/guardians. Entries can be from any country.
• Competitors should perform the solo as dressed for ballet class.
• 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.
• When ticket booking closes a media consent form will be circulated to those who have booked tickets. Written consent must be obtained for competitors and any additional performers from parents/carers/guardians before submitting video/s.
• By entering the competitor’s video, you have agreed on the competitor’s 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 ISTD marketing / social media channels.
• Upon submission of your application on the competitor’s behalf you are agreeing to the criteria set above and to adhere to health and safety regulations and the competitor's rules.
• Winning and commendation 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, and individual feedback will not be provided.
• The integrity of the teacher is relied upon to ensure that the rules are followed by all participants to enable the smooth running of the event.
• All competitors will receive a digital certificate of participation with their names included.
• The ISTD will not be held responsible for any person in breach of their current country/local regulations.
• The ISTD reserves the right to cancel or amend the event without notice and any changes to the competition will be notified to entrants as soon as possible by the organiser.