Learn more about the Contemporary Track

The contemporary track has an age limit of 16 to 25 years old. A competitors age will be based on age the first day of the competition (March 16, 2019) – only dancers born on or before March 16, 2003 and after March 17, 1993 are eligible to participate. There are no age divisions within the Contemporary Track.

Those who meet the Age Requirements (see above) must qualify in order to participate in the Dance Prix de New York.

All competitors in the Contemporary Track must complete Application Form and Submit Fees and an audition video. Please keep in mind the following rules for the video submission:

1. Dancer should have name on video title/file name and also have spoken or typed name at the beginning of the video if possible.
2. A recent solo performance/variation filmed in a dance studio is preferred but a recent performance video from a competition is allowed:
   1. Existing video from competition:
      1. Solo performance must have been filmed no earlier than September 1, 2017 – please provide name and date of performance with video link
      2. No edits or cuts – video must be one continuous film of complete variation
   2. Filming a video for submission:
      1. Filming a variation for qualification is preferred. Performed in a dance studio, no costumes:
         1. Male candidates: dark tights and a fitted plain t-shirt (any color), no cut off tights, leg warmers or loose T-shirts
         2. Female candidates: tights and a sleeveless plain leotard (any color) – No skirts, leg warmers or loose T-Shirt
      2. No edits or cuts – video must be one continuous film of complete variation

Remember that this video should be of suitable quality for judges to evaluate – do not film facing windows, turn all studio lights on, use tripod if possible, clear footage, full body in sight at all times, dancer large enough in video frame to clearly see, rehearsal clothing in contrasting color from studio walls or background. If video rules are not followed or footage is substandard it will be rejected – there will be no refunds of registration fees.

The Competition Director will review or engage judges to review video submissions and make determinations on who will be invited to the Competition.

Required Materials – Qualification Round

1. Online application
2. Application fee
3. Link to video
4. Headshot for identification only (need not be a professional headshot)
5. Dance Shot of your choosing

An updated Schedule and list of Deadlines can be found on the Competition page of the DancePrixNY.com website. Please check this web page for any changes and updates.

Qualification Round Deadlines:

• Early-decision applicants must have all materials and fees submitted on or before November 30, 2018. This advance application period, with discounted fee (US$28) will allow applicants to receive notification from the DPNY by December 15, 2018. We advise all international competitors who require a visa to travel to the USA utilize this advance application option.
• All other applicants have a deadline of February 24, 2019 (Application Fee US$35). An ongoing/rolling process of notification of acceptance will occur – applicants should expect a determination of acceptance within 2 weeks of application submission.

Applications for medalists of approved competitions listed above must submit application by January 15 or within 30 days after qualifying competition is completed, whichever comes later.

Solos:

• Contemporary solos in rounds one and three (if accepted into round three) must adhere to 3-minute maximum time constraint and should be works created within the past 5 years. Dancers are encouraged to wear simple costumes that do not obstruct movement and/or the line of your body. Wearing socks is discouraged. Adjudication will be based on contemporary artistic work, therefore, we ask that you refrain from “tricks” and focus on creating a world through articulate and impactful performances that develop choreographically from beginning to end.
• All Contemporary Track Competitors must choose one of the three posted videos on the DPNY website, learn the solo from the video and be prepared to dance the piece for the judges in the second round. Competitors will be divided into groups and receive coaching from the choreographer the prior to the second round performance. It is advised that competitors choose a solo that suits them and contrasts with the other solos they are bringing. There are no advantages in the scoring in choosing any particular one of the three works.

General Repertoire Information:

• Choices for repertoire must be made in advance (see Deadlines) and relevant information must be provided to the competition director prior to the deadline including information on repertoire title, composer/music, choreographer, dancer name(s), and music file (mp3).
• Lighting will be uniform stage lighting for all pieces and no specials or changes allowed.

Competitors will provide music files in an mp3 format in advance (see Deadlines). Music files should be uploaded to the account you set up at DancePrixNY.com – log in and upload music files with the music titles indicated as follows:

• CompetitorName_Round# _ RepertoireName.mp3

• Ex: JaneSmith_Round1_RaymondaActIII.mp3

Competitors must bring copies of music on CD or flash drive. A copy of the piece selected for the Final Round must be on CD for the coaching session – if you do not have the CD, you will forfeit the coaching session or run the variation without music (no exceptions). (Keep copies of music with you at theater). IICB is not responsible for music in the wrong format, mislabeled or corrupted files if competitors do not have working back-up copies on disk.

All competitors must present themselves at an orientation/welcome desk prior to participating in the Competition as indicated in the schedule. Competitors will check-in, confirm receipt of all materials including fees, music, liability and media releases, and receive scheduling and additional Competition information.

Competitor numbers and identification will be provided at registration – numbers and Competition ID must be worn as directed for the duration of the competition.

DPNY will endeavor to provide an equal amount of stage time for competitors immediately before each session.

Costumes are allowed for all performance pieces but competitors will not be judged on costuming. Lighting will be uniform stage lighting for all pieces and no specials or changes allowed.

Competitors will be allowed backstage only during their designated performance sessions. Each competitor will be allowed one guest (parent or coach) to accompany them backstage during stage time only – this individual must be present at registration to receive identification.

Daily master classes are provided pursuant to schedule – competitors will be assigned studio, time and teacher and do not have discretion over which class to take. It is each individual competitor’s personal responsibility to be warmed up and prepared for competition – open studio space, if made available, will be made available to all competitors in each age division on an equal-access basis.

One or more panels of judges will be chosen by the director to adjudicate the competition. Any changes in the make-up of the panel, for whatever reason, will be at the discretion of the Director. The judges will utilize the rules and regulations to assure fair and equal treatment for all competitors. All judging decisions will be final and no appeals process will be allowed.

Dancers

Contemporary dancers will be given three scores: for artistry, technique, and future potential, each evaluated on a 10-point system. The three scores from each judge will be collected and the sets of scores will be averaged in each category and provided to competitors. Judges will release competitor’s scores at the end of the competition. Judges are looking for performers who are fluent in the contemporary concert dance vernacular. Scores will reflect your abilities as a performer in terms of physical expression, response to the music, use of space, and technical skill, as well as recognition for strong choreography and movement invention.

Choreography
Contemporary works presented in Rounds One and Three will also be evaluated by the judges for choreography and recognition will be provided for works that best utilize:

• Musicality
• Creative use of space
• Movement invention and intention
• Choreographic arc (does the work develop – creating a ‘world’ or develop musically, in a satisfying way)

Medals will be awarded at the discretion of the judges based on scoring. Scholarships, apprenticeships, contracts and other opportunities will be at the sole discretion of each individual judge and may not necessarily be based on scoring or medals.

The Competition website will endeavor to provide information about hotel options in the area but it is each competitor’s responsibility, and not that of the competition, to assure housing, food and transportation to and from the competition site. The competition is not responsible for making food or drink available to competitors or their teachers and families – there are grocery and dining options in the neighborhood surrounding the Tisch Dance Building.

DPNY accepts no responsibility for any candidate presenting themselves with an injury that prevents them from participating in the competition. DPNY cannot be held responsible for any injury, illness or theft sustained by the participants during the competition. The participants are responsible for insuring themselves against accidents, illness and theft.

All photographs, video and other recordings of the Competition will be the property of the Competition. All competitors will be required to sign a release that allows the Competition to utilize such recordings for all media uses.

Music

Competitors should choose from the repertoire of music available in the ASCAP, BMI or SESAC music catalogs. Competitors are responsible for obtaining music permissions for any music not found in these catalogs.

Choreography

It is the responsibility of each competitor to clear the performance and recording rights of all contemporary choreography or re-staging of classical choreography and rights to the Competition for recording and distribution in all media worldwide.

A list of Jury Members and Teachers will be maintained on the Competition Page of DancePrixNY.com. These names are subject to change without advance notice. The panel of judges will change over the course of the competition and through the various rounds.

Deadlines and announcements are subject to change.

Advance Qualification Deadline

Qualification Deadline

• November 30, 2018 – Advance Notice discount ends for Qualification
• February 15, 2019 Final Deadline for Qualification Applications
• February 20 – Deadline for all fees for all competitors
• March 1, 2019 – Deadline for MP3 music files and repertoire details
• March 16 – Registration/Check-in

Application:

• Early/Advance Application: US$25.00 (Must apply on or before November 30, 2018)
• Regular Application: US$30.00 (Must apply on or before February 15, 2019)

For all applicants invited to compete in the Contemporary Track of the Dance Prix de New York, a registration fee of US$340.00 will be due no later than February 15, 2019 in order to assure placement in the competition. This fee includes all competition-related programs including Master Classes, at least two performance opportunities in rounds one and two and, if selected, a third performance in the Finals. Seminars/panel discussions, coaching session and educational programs are also included in the Registration Fee.  Not included in registration fees are all other competition related expenses including, but not limited to travel, lodging, food, insurance, purchase of photos, videos, and off-site, optional programs.

All fees must be paid in advance. Competitors with unpaid fees 30-days prior to the start of the Competition face possible elimination if competition capacity has been reached. It will be the responsibility of each competitor to maintain proof of payment (receipt will be provided from all Paypal transactions). Fee can be paid either online using Paypal or a Credit Card.

In the event of injury, Registration fees will be partially refunded (up to 75%) upon notice from participant/parent/teacher accompanied by a note from a doctor.

Access to additional outreach and education opportunities may be provided. Some of these programs including group tickets to dance performances and other off-site events, may require advance sign-up, may have participation restrictions and may include additional fees for participation.