COMPETITION AGE DIVISIONS
A singular dancer’s age for competition is determined by using the dancer's age as of January 1st in the calendar year of the current season’s national finals event. Performers maintain their regional age category at Nationals. You must recalculate the average age of a routine for Nationals if any of the dancers in a routine change.
Season 30 Age Determination Date: 1/1/2026
AGE DIVISION | AGE OF DANCERS |
|---|---|
SENIORS | Ages 16-19 |
TEENS | Ages 13-15 |
JUNIORS | Ages 10-12 |
MINIS | Ages 6-9 |
AGE DIVISIONS FOR
GROUP ROUTINES
For Duo/Trios and above, our registration system will calculate the average age of dancers in a routine to determine the routine's eligible age division.
Routines that utilize dancers from different age divisions will compete no more than one age division younger than the oldest dancer in the routine, regardless of the routine’s average age. Example: if a production number includes a 17 year old dancer (senior) and the average age of the routine is 12 (junior), the group will compete one level above in the teen category.
LEVELS OF COMPETITION
West Coast Dance Explosion currently has one level of competition at both its Regional and National Events. Judges’ score sheets and critique videos will be available on the Monday following the event in your online portal.
ROUTINE SIZE DIVISIONS
All dancers must be registered for the entirety of the convention workshops in order to compete at West Coast Dance Explosion. For information about the number of routines a studio may enter, please see the Studio Entry Limits below.
GROUP SIZE | TOTAL DANCERS | MAX TIME LIMIT |
|---|---|---|
Solo | 1 Dancer | 2:45 |
Duo/Trio | 2-3 Dancers | 2:45 |
Small Group | 4-9 Dancers | 3:00* |
Large Group | 10-19 Dancers | 4:00* |
Line | 20 or more Dancers | 5:00* |
Production | 20 or more Dancers | 6:00** |
Solo contestants must be entered in at least one Duo/Trio, Group, Line, or Production routine to be eligible to compete in SoloBlast.
*Small Group thru Line routines may purchase a maximum of 3 additional minutes at a rate of $15 per dancer, per minute. These are the maximum time allotments. No Exceptions.
**Production routines may purchase up to 3 additional minutes at a rate of $5 per dancer, per minute. WCDE will not accept production routines over 9 minutes. No exceptions.
MULTIPLE SOLOS AT THE SAME EVENT!
When competition availability allows, students may compete up to two solos per regional event at WCDE. Solos cannot be of the same dance genre when a dancer is competing more than one solo.
VENUE & CITY SPECIFIC RULES
Should any rules or limitations be placed on an event by a particular venue or local ordinance, the information will be posted on the tour page for that particular city. If parents have questions about these specific rules prior to the event, we ask them to coordinate with their studio representative to help streamline communication.
WEST COAST DANCE EXPLOSION
COMPETITION
INFORMATION · AGE DIVISIONS · CATEGORIES · TIME LIMITS · SCORING · AWARDS · RULES
WHY OUR COMPETITION?
At West Coast Dance Explosion, competition is about more than a medal count — it’s about growth, artistry, and the shared joy of performance.
We’ve built an environment where dancers feel inspired to push their limits and celebrated for their unique strengths. Our judging system is designed to give constructive, detailed feedback across the Five Pillars of Dance Excellence: Technique, Performance Quality, Choreography Execution, Quality of Movement, and Artistic Merit.
From the moment you step on stage, you’ll feel the WCDE difference — high-energy production, professional standards, and a community that lifts dancers higher.
DISCOVER MORE...
Click on the titles below to learn more about what makes WCDE's competitive events stand out in the dance competition industry.
Professional-Level Production
The WCDE stage is designed for dancers — with quality lighting, professional sound, and detailed attention to staging that showcases every style, from pointe to tap. We deliver mic’d tap decks, flawless stage presentation, and a production team that understands every detail matters.
Fresh, Timeless Aesthetic
We believe production should frame the art, not compete with it. Our stage, music, and pacing are designed to highlight the dancers’ talent while honoring the traditions of the art form.
Captured for the Memory
In partnership with Shutter Storm, a multi‑media company renowned in competitive dance for its meticulous attention to detail and emotion‑driven capture, we ensure every leap, turn, and expression is preserved like art.Purpose-Driven Judging
Every routine is evaluated using our PASSE Index (Performance/Artistry/Skill Scoring & Evaluation), breaking down the Five Pillars of Dance Excellence. This ensures feedback is clear, actionable, and fair.
Experienced & Inspiring Judges
Our judges are nationally respected educators and working professionals who know what it’s like to be in the dancers’ shoes — and on the world’s stages.
Recognizing More Than Scores
Special awards like the Spirit of West Coast Award honor professionalism, teamwork, and positivity, ensuring that recognition isn’t just about placement.
A Celebration of Achievement
From Merit Awards to Power Pack Overall Awards, every recognition moment is designed to celebrate effort, improvement, and artistry.Dancer-First Philosophy
We believe great performances happen when dancers feel ready. That’s why we schedule with time for quick changes and stay true to the published order — ensuring the weekend runs smoothly and stress-free.
Supportive, High-Energy Environment
Studios cheer for each other, dancers lift one another up, and every performance is met with encouragement.A Culture of Respect
Kindness, professionalism, and positivity aren’t just expected — they’re celebrated.Service That’s Personal
Our team is accessible, responsive, and genuinely invested in making your WCDE weekend smooth and memorable.Clear Communication
We believe fairness starts with clear, consistent rules. Our policies apply equally to everyone, and we keep studios informed every step of the way.
Smooth Check-In & Load-In
We make arrival and backstage prep easy so the focus stays on dancing.SoloBlast Competition
Soloists in each age division compete for the top spot and the title of SoloBlast Champion — earning a Silver Elite Dancer Scholarship, a champion’s sweatshirt, and a chance to perform in The Weekend Wrap Up.Studio ICON Challenge
Studios who compete group routines across four dance styles are eligible to named the Studio Icon Challenge Champion, showcasing their versatility.The Weekend Wrap Up
The top three highest scoring studios close the weekend with encore performances, bringing the energy to a final high.Age Divisions
Determined by dancers’ ages as of January 1 of the Finals season; group routines use the average age but cannot be placed more than one division below the oldest dancer.
Dance Styles
WCDE offers 10 categories, from Ballet and Jazz to Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre, and Fusion. Studios should register routines in the style they most represent.
The PASSE Index
Our proprietary scoring system combines technical and artistic evaluation for total transparency. Category ties are broken through pillar scores or judge consensus.
Merit & Placement Awards
Merit Pins are awarded to every dancer in every routine, celebrating their hard work and artistry. FourSTAR or higher earns a spot at Nationals.
Power Pack Awards
Top performers in each category and age division earn Power Pack recognition — a badge of excellence across the weekend.
WHAT MAKES WCDE DIFFERENT?
We’re not just producing a competition — we’re shaping a weekend where dancers grow, studios connect, and artistry is celebrated on every level. Our decades-long commitment to excellence ensures your WCDE stage experience is one you’ll remember.
COMPETITION INFO