We are the first competition ever to have separate judges for each dance form. We have divided the competition into five sections:

i) Tap
ii) Jazz, Lyrical, 
iii) Acrobatics, Open
iv) Hip-Hop
v) Musical Theatre, Song & Dance, Vocal, Production
vi) Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Demi-Character

Each section will have separate judges  who are specialized in that form of dance to give the dancers optimum critiquing benefits. As a dancer and teacher I understand the frustration of wondering if the judges are really fully alert when "judging" after the 16 hour days of watching hundreds of routines (sometimes four days in a row). And if the judges expertise are primarily in one dance form, how can they properly critique another dance form (especially with little to no knowledge). By having SEPERATE JUDGES per dance category the mental fatigue of extremely long days will be eliminated and the judges will be able to mark the dancers to their full potential; And by having SPECIALIZED JUDGES they can give a well rounded critique. The Overall Awards will be given at the last adjudication of every dance section. For more details on the overalls breakdown please refer to our Overalls page. 
Special Awards & Judges Choice Awards :

There will also be one other judge who is specialized in all forms of dance and will be watching the entire competition to determine ALL of the special awards for each adjudication as well as the Overall Special Judges Choice Awards to be given out at the final adjudication of the competition.