DancinGrits! High School level Waltz Competition Guidelines
One of the highlights of the Formal each year is our Waltz Competition. Over the course of two songs, three dance couples will be chosen who exhibit excellence in form, creativity, synchronization, and execution of the classic waltz. A trophy is awarded to the winning couple.
Who may participate?
Any 9th-12th grade student who has not previously won 1st place in a waltz competition
Any 1st year alumni of the program provided he or she is dancing with a current high school student and has not previously won 1st place in waltz competition
What do I need to do to participate?
Each couple needs to preregister for the competition by April 11. Spaces will be limited to 20 dance pairs. You may preregister by sending an email to with the name of you and your partner. To avoid confusion, please do not preregister with a partner unless you have already talked to the other individual and confirmed you will be competing together.
What if I want to compete but do not have a partner?
Ask a friend from DancinGrits! If you are unable to find an available dance partner, email us and we will create a list of students who are looking for partners. We will try to help make connections where we can but please be aware that once all the spaces are filled, we will not be able to add more couples. If there are still spaces remaining, I will have the “partner” lists with me at the April classes.
Who will be judging?
Your current DancinGrits! instructors, previous waltz winners, and possibly other dance instructors from an outside studio.
What sorts of things do judges look for? Posture, correct musical timing, pleasing lines, musicality and expression, appropriate characterization, and overall performance are elements crucial to judging any form of dance. On top of those qualities, DanceSport adds elements related specifically to dancing in partnership, such as:
• how the couple holds each other (is it symmetrical between the two partners and does it always look relaxed and pleasant?),
• how connected they look (does each partner fulfill their lead or follow role in a technically correct manner without negatively affecting the other, so that the couple looks effortlessly synchronized?),
• how grounded they look (is the couple correctly using their feet, legs, and bodies to achieve a controlled, powerful, movement across the floor?)
• how well they navigate a floor full of couples (does the couple navigate its way around the floor as much as is appropriate for the dance without interfering with other couples?).