TapVibe Challenge – Rules and Guidelines
Welcome to the TapVibe Challenge! We’re thrilled to have you join our celebration of tap dance excellence. To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone, please review the following rules and guidelines:
RULES
Online entries must be completed within 30 days of the competition. Entries will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. PLEASE NOTE: We will be limiting the number of entries to accommodate time frame. A late fee will apply if entered after the deadline. No entries will be considered “registered” until payment is submitted for the routine and the mandatory media fee per dancer.
Dressing rooms will open 30 minutes prior to the start of the competition, along with the doors to the public.
NO VIDEO OR FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY allowed. We will be having a professional videographer and photographer onsite capturing the dances. This service is automatically included in the entry fees.
No food or drink (other than water) is allowed in the ballroom. No smoking is allowed at all in the premises.
CATEGORIES
Solo: one dancer
Duo/Trio: 2 or 3 dancers
Small Group: 4-8 dancers
Large Group: 9-15 dancers
Line: 16-20 dancers
Productions: 20+ dancers
AGE DIVISIONS (age determined by 1/1/2026)
NUGGET: 6-8 years old
MINI: 9-10 years old
JUNIOR: 11-12 years old
TEEN: 13-14 years old
SENIOR: 15-19 years old
TIME LIMITS*
Solos/Duos/Trios: limited to 2:45
Small/Large Groups: limited to 3:00
Lines and Productions: limited to 4:00
PROPS
The use of ANY props must be cleared by TapVibe. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR APPROVAL.
MUSIC
All music must be submitted 14 days prior to the competition. Please have your music files clearly labeled with the song name.
SAFETY
TapVibe, Tap 24.7, TAPapalooza, and the hosting facility are not responsible for any kind of damage, loss, or injury sustained by dancers or spectators or their property while attending any area of the venue. Upon registration, it is agreed that participants will not hold Tap 24.7, TapVibe, or TAPapalooza, its directors, judges, or employees responsible for any injuries or illnesses that may be contracted during the event.
JUDGING
There will be 3 TAP specific judges on our panel! These individuals are leading professionals in the tap world and will provide tap critiques that will be geared to help dancers technique and performance skills. All decisions of the judges are final. In addition to the 3 judges, who will provide verbal critiques and scoring, there will be an additional “group verbal critique” done by other tap professionals who are proficient in the tap dance world. So each routine will receive 4 verbal critiques per dance!
Score sheets will be made available after the competition weekend, along with verbal critiques.
Each performance is based on the following:
TECHNIQUE: 30 points
MUSICALITY: 20 points
CHOREOGRAPHY: 20 points
PERFORMANCE: 20 points
OVERALL IMPRESSION: 10 points
AWARDS-Adjudication
Each dance will be presented with an adjudication award. This is based on the total number of points given by the 3 judges. Judges will be using decimal points instead of just whole numbers.
Breakdown of scores (based on a combined total of 3 judges)
Platinum: 270-300
High Gold: 249.1-269.9
Gold: 225-249
High Silver: 210-224.9
ADDITIONAL SPECIAL AWARDS
We will be awarding multiple scholarships for tap fests, as well as the following*:
CRISP CLARITY
TERRIFIC TIMING
PERFECT PRECISION
SWAG AND SWING
IN THE POCKET
*There will only be one of the above awarded within all age divisions and group sizes.
OVERALL AWARDS
The total number of entries received within a category/age division will determine how overalls will be given out.
TOP 1: if there are 2-4 entries
TOP 2: if there are 5-7 entries
TOP 3: if there are 8-10 entries
TOP 5: if there are 11-15 entries
FAMILY FRIENDLY
This competition is family-friendly, so any use of music with profanity or inappropriateness will not be tolerated and will be forfeited immediately with no refunds.
We can’t wait to witness the incredible talent at the TapVibe Challenge!
There is a strict NO REFUND policy for all entries in the TapVibe Challenge. ALL SALES ARE FINAL.