American Dance Competition- International Ballet Competition - Chicago, IL

About American Dance Competition- International Ballet Competition

American Dance Competition-International Ballet Competition (ADC|IBC) operates as a premier youth international ballet scholarship competition for pre-professional dancers ages 9-21 of all nationalities. Founded in 2005 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, ADC|IBC has developed into a leader in connecting talented youth with professional training opportunities. The competition features a multi-round format with semi-finals held at regional tour stops across multiple U.S. cities and international locations, culminating in week-long finals at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg, Florida. The competition awards over $500,000 in scholarships annually through its extensive network of scholarship partners, including prestigious institutions like American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and Tulsa Ballet. Awards include Gold Medal recognition ($1,000 cash plus mounted medal and diploma), Silver and Bronze medals, along with company contracts, trainee positions, summer intensive scholarships, and year-round training scholarships. The competition is adjudicated by a panel of professional ballet company directors who also teach and scout talent during the event, providing participants with direct access to industry professionals. Beyond the competitive rounds, ADC|IBC includes a Scholarship Expo and culminates with a final gala performance featuring both professional dancers and top student performers. The event serves as an annual meeting ground for dancers, teachers, directors, and dance professionals, offering free training to participants and maintaining affordable public admission to support the dance community's engagement with the art form.

Awards, Judging & Scoring

Categories & Divisions

Pricing

Registration for the Chicago semi-final is first-come, first-served; late fees begin Nov 9, 2026. Per-entry fee amounts are not published on the public site.