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American Dance Competition- International Ballet Competition - Summit, NJ

When
Feb 12 - 14, 2027
Where
South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC)
Summit, NJ
SatSun

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.

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Awards, Judging & Scoring

Scoring System

Scholarship-based: Gold Medal ($1,000 cash + mounted medal + diploma), Silver Medal, Bronze Medal. $500,000+ in scholarships awarded annually. 2023 results: 101 professional opportunities (company contracts/trainee positions), 79 company experience programs, 624 summer program scholarships, 109 year-round training scholarships, 56 year-round short stays. Multi-round format with finals gala.

Tour-wide standard
Judging Criteria

Adjudicated by panel of professional ballet company directors who also teach and scout talent during the event

Categories & Divisions

Age Divisions(tour standard)
Primary (9-12)Junior (13-15)Senior (16-21)

Pricing

Semi-final entry fees vary by registration tier (early/regular/late). Solo Variations $125/$135/$145 per variation; Pas de Deux $125/$135/$145 per dancer; Duo|Trio $80/$90/$100 per dancer; Ensemble $60/$70/$80 per dancer; Administrative Fee $125 per person per location. Coach Pass $25 for semi-final events. No refunds for any reason (credit to future event only).

Solo entry
$135

Registration

Early deadline
2026-08-31Early Registration (full payment by Aug 31, 2026): Solo Variations $125/variation; Pas de Deux $125/dancer; Duo|Trio $80/dancer; Ensemble $60/dancer; Administrative Fee $125 per person per location
Open registration

Travel

Competition venue: SOPAC | South Orange Performing Arts Center, One SOPAC Way, South Orange Village, NJ 07079. Classes held at School of Nimbus Dance, 315B Springfield Ave., Summit, NJ 07901.

Logistics

Photo/video: SmackArts

Tour Info

Established2005
Nationals
St. Petersburg, FL (Mahaffey Theater)
Events/season1

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