AWARDS
JUDGING CRITERIA
| CRITERIA | WEIGHT |
|---|---|
| TECHNIQUE | 50% |
| PERFORMANCE QUALITY | 20% |
| CHOREOGRAPHY & MUSICALITY | 20% |
| OVERALL PRESENTATION | 10% |
All entries will be evaluated by at least four qualified judges, with the lowest score automatically dropped. In the case of a tie, the dropped score will be added to determine the winner. If a tie still remains, it will stand as a tie.
ADJUDICATED AWARDS
Top of the Chart, Platinum, High Gold, Gold, High Silver & Silver awards are determined by the following scores:
| TOTAL SCORE | AWARD |
|---|---|
| 291-300 | Top of the Chart! |
| 282-290 | Platinum |
| 273-281 | High Gold |
| 264-272 | Gold |
| 255-263 | High Silver |
| <254 | Silver |
HIGH SCORE AWARDS BY AGE DIVISION
Overall High Scores in the PeeWee, Mini, Junior, Teen, Senior, and Open divisions will be awarded 1st through 10th place. Cash prizes will be presented to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners as follows:
| CATEGORYCATEGORY | 1ST1ST PLACE | 2ND2ND PLACE | 3RD3RD PLACE |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOLO | $300 | $200 | $100 |
| DUO/TRIO | $300 | $200 | $100 |
| SMALL GROUP | $300 | $200 | $100 |
| LARGE GROUP | $300 | $200 | $100 |
| LINE | $300 | $200 | $100 |
| EXT. LINE | $300 | $200 | $100 |
Please note: Each Competition Division in each of the PeeWee, Mini, Junior, Teen, Senior & Open age divisions must contain at least six entries to warrant the awarding of cash prizes.
HIGH SCORE AWARDS BY PERFORMANCE DIVISION
In each age division (PeeWee, Mini, Junior, Teen, Senior, and Open), the highest-scoring routines in these performance categories will receive a competition voucher valid for OPUS Nationals 2028. High scores will be recognized with awards for 1st through 10th place. Solos and Duo/Trios are excluded from this award. Competition voucher amounts for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place are as follows:
| DIVISIONPERFORMANCE DIVISION | 1ST1ST PLACE | 2ND2ND PLACE | 3RD3RD PLACE |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAZZ | $300 | $200 | $100 |
| BALLET | $300 | $200 | $100 |
| HIP-HOP | $300 | $200 | $100 |
| TAP | $300 | $200 | $100 |
| LYRICAL | $300 | $200 | $100 |
| MUSICAL THEATRE | $300 | $200 | $100 |
| CONTEMPORARY | $300 | $200 | $100 |
| CONTEMP. BALLET | $300 | $200 | $100 |
| BALLROOM | $300 | $200 | $100 |
| PRODUCTION | $300 | $200 | $100 |
| SPECIALTY | $300 | $200 | $100 |
| ACRO | $300 | $200 | $100 |
Please note: Each Competition Division in each of the PeeWee, Mini, Junior, Teen, Senior & Open age divisions must contain at least six entries to warrant the awarding of competition vouchers.
TOP 10 FINALS AWARDS
TOP 10 HIGHEST-SCORING FINALS DUO/TRIO & GROUPS
At Nationals, the Top 10 highest-scoring routines will be recognized in every age division (Duo/Trios & Groups) and performance division (Groups), providing even more dancers with the opportunity to be celebrated for their achievements.
TOP 10 HIGHEST-SCORING FINALS SOLOISTS
At Nationals, High Score awards for the Finals Solo Competition will be separated by individual age, with the Top 10 highest-scoring soloists recognized in every age division. For example, the Mini Division will include:
- Mini Age 8 – Top 10
- Mini Age 9 – Top 10
- Mini Age 10 – Top 10
This format will apply to all dancers ages 8-19 in the Mini, Junior, Teen and Senior divisions.
The PeeWee Division will not be separated by age. All PeeWee dancers ages 4-7 will compete together and be recognized within a single Top 10.
PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
- The Top 10 Overall High Scoring Routines in each Mini, Junior, Teen Small, Teen Large and Senior division - selected from all Small Group, Large Group, Line and Extended Line entries - will be named Performance of the Year Nominees. Nominees will be announced during the Finals Competition Awards Ceremony, with final placements and the Performance of the Year Winner revealed at the Gala.
- Each studio may be represented by only one routine in each of the Mini, Junior, Teen Small, Teen Large and Senior divisions. If a studio earns multiple top scores within the same division, only its highest-scoring routine will be considered, and the remaining spots will go to the next highest-scoring routines from other studios.
- The PeeWee and Open Performance Of The Year Winners will be revealed at the Gala, each receiving a $500 competition voucher valid for OPUS Nationals 2028.
| PLACE | VOUCHER (Valid for OPUS Nationals 2028) |
|---|---|
| 1ST PLACE | $1,000 |
| 2ND PLACE | $500 |
| 3RD PLACE | $250 |
| 4TH PLACE | $250 |
| 5TH PLACE | $250 |