HIVE RULES 

• Bumbles (6 and under)

• Petite (7–8)

• Junior (9–11)

• Pre-Teen (12–13)

• Teen (14–15)

• Senior (16–19)

• Adult (20+)

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Age is determined by the dancer's age as of January 1st, 2026

• Solo: 1 dancer

• Duet: 2 dancers

• Trio: 3 dancers

• Small Group: 4–9 dancers

• Large Group: 10–19 dancers

• Line: 20+ dancers (same level, same style)

• Production: 20+ dancers (story or theme driven, multiple levels/styles)

• Solo: up to 2 minutes 45 seconds

• Duet/Trio: up to 2 minutes 45 seconds

• Small Group: up to 3 minutes

• Large Group: up to 4 minutes

• Line/Production: up to 7 minutes

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Additional time may be purchased.

 
Each dancer may compete up to two solos. Only the highest scoring solo will be eligible for placement

Hive National Dance Challenge accepts routines in the following categories:

• Jazz

• Ballet

• Tap

• Lyrical

• Contemporary

• Modern

• Hip Hop

• Musical Theater

• Open ( a style not listed, or something unique such as acro or stylized movement not easily categorized)

• Production (theme or story-based group performances using multiple levels/styles)

• Line (20+ dancers, single style, relatively level matched)

• Technique – 35%

• Performance (Emotional Execution) – 35%

• Choreography – 20%

• Overall Impression ( costuming, appropriateness) – 10%

• Queen Elite: 294–300 ( only available in advanced)

• Double Platinum: 286–293.9

• Platinum: 278–285.9

• High Gold: 270–277.9

• Gold: 269.9- Below

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Hive National Dance Challenge is a skill-based competition. Level placement is based on technique, difficulty, execution, and performance quality—not on age or number of class hours. Hive staff and judges reserve the right to move a routine to a higher level. WE WILL LEVEL UP if a routine demonstrates consistent mastery of skills beyond the entered level. Dancers are observed for both technical elements and performance execution to determine proper placement.
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Novice: For dancers new to competitive dance or still developing their foundation. Movements may include basic transitions, single pirouettes, straight leaps, and elementary floor work. Choreography is generally simple and focused on timing, rhythm, and clarity.
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Intermediate: For dancers with growing consistency and intermediate skills. Movements may include double pirouettes, turning leaps (such as jetés or tilts), traveling sequences, and fuller transitions. These dancers are developing musicality, expression, and control.
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Advanced: For dancers with mature technique, artistry, and performance quality. Movements may include triple+ pirouettes, advanced turning sequences, aerials, switch leaps, and intricate transitions. These dancers perform at a high regional or national level with clear emotional and technical impact.
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Bee Inspired: Dancers of any age with cognitive or physical diversities who perform with support, guidance, or adaptive choreography. Hive celebrates inclusivity and encourages artistic expression at every level. 

TOP OVERALL AWARDS
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• Top 10 routines are awarded in each age division and performance level based on overall score.

• If fewer than 5 entries exist in a division, we will award Top 3.

• If fewer than 3 entries exist, we will award Top 2

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TOP STYLE AWARDS
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• Top Dance Style Awards will be given per style (e.g., Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop), but only if there are 3 or more routines competing in that style and level.

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• Style awards are determined by the highest scoring routine in that style across all studios.

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TOP STUDIO AWARDS
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• Queen’s Court Award – Honors a studio that excelled in artistry, technique, and overall presence

• Paramount Award – Awarded to the studio with the highest-scoring routines of the event

• Excellence in Performance – Recognizing outstanding overall artistry and execution

• Choreography Spotlight – Honoring exceptional creativity and choreography

• Studio Spirit Award – Celebrating kindness, teamwork, and positive energy

• Creative Impact Award – Awarded for bold artistic choices and originality

HIVEx: Hive Excellence
 
When a performance is truly unforgettable, the BUZZer sounds and something magical happens. That moment earns the title HIVEx, the highest honor at Hive National Dance Challenge. Reserved for routines that captivate, inspire, and raise the bar, HIVEx represents true Hive excellence. Will your performance be the one that makes the Hive buzz?

Hive Title Competition
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Dancers who compete for the Queen Bee Title showcase their strength through solo performance, choreography, and improv. Open to novice, intermediate, and advanced levels, this honor is reserved for those who lead with passion, precision, and stage presence. Do you have what it takes to wear the crown?

Grand Champion Awards
Awarded to the highest-scoring group routines (small group, large group, line, or production) in each eligible level and age category. Solo, duet, and trio entries are not eligible.
Levels & Age Divisions:

• Intermediate

  • Grand Champion – 11 and Under

  • Grand Champion Runner-Up – 11 and Under

  • Grand Champion – 12 and Over

  • Grand Champion Runner-Up – 12 and Over

• Advanced

  • Grand Champion – 11 and Under

  • Grand Champion Runner-Up – 11 and Under

  • Grand Champion – 12 and Over

  • Grand Champion Runner-Up – 12 and Over

​The Improv Hive Challenge celebrates fearless dancers who move with raw emotion, creativity, and authenticity. No choreography, no limits—just you, the music, and the moment. Open to all ages and levels, this challenge is where true artistry comes alive