This dance competition is dedicated to providing a professional stage where all dance enthusiasts can showcase their abilities, express themselves, and enhance their technique and artistic appreciation through the competition experience. The event features a diverse range of categories, including Ballet, Contemporary, Folk Dance, Chinese Classical Dance, Fusion Dance (including Pop and Lyrical), and Tap Dance. Participants are grouped by age, from 5 years old up to 19 and above, with additional divisions for Open Division (Non-student), Senior, and Professional Division.
#Registration Categories
【Solo】 【Duet & Trio】 【Group 4-8】 【Ensemble 9 & Above 】
#Contestant Age Divisions
＊The competition age is determined based on the participant’s date of birth, calculated as of January 1, 2026.
Ages 5–6
Ages 7-8
Ages 9
Ages 10
Ages 11
Ages 12
Ages 13
Ages 14
Ages 15
Ages 16
Ages 17-18
Ages 19–25 (Students Only)
Open Division Ages 19–30 (Non-students)
Open Division Ages 31–40 (Non-students)
Open Division Ages 41–50 (Non-students)
Senior Division Age 51-60 (Non-students)
Senior Division Age 61+ (Non-students)
Professional Division Ages 30-40 (Non-students, currently employed as dance teachers)
Professional Division Ages 41–50 (Non-students, currently employed as dance teachers)
Professional Division Age 51-60 (Non-students, currently employed as dance teachers)
Professional Division Age 61+ (Non-students, currently employed as dance teachers)
#Registration Fees
【Solo】-NTD3800
【Duet & Trio】-NTD$3100/per-person
【Group 4-8】-NTD$2800 /per-person
【Ensemble 9 & Above】-NTD2300 /per-person
#Awards
1. Gold Prize - Participants/ Groups with an average Score of 85 or above.
2. Silver Prize - Participants/ Groups with an average Score of 75 or above. 3. Bronze Prize - Participants/ Groups with an average Score of 65 or above.
Top Scorer Award
1. In the Solo/Duet/Trio categories, one top scorer will be selected for each age group. A minimum of two groups is required in each category; otherwise, this award will not be presented.
2. The number of Top Scorer Awards is based on total groups. If there are:
● 2–10 groups: 1 award
● 11–20 groups: 2 awards
The number of awards will increase according to the same rule.
Outstanding Group Award
1. In all Group/Ensemble categories, the one with the highest score in each age group will receive the Outstanding Group Award. A minimum of two groups is required in each category; otherwise, this award will not be presented.
2. The number of Outstanding Group Awards is based on total groups. If there are:
● 2–10 groups: 1 award
● 11–20 groups: 2 awards
The number of awards will increase according to the same rule.
IODC Shining Star
1.The highest-scoring Solo performer in each Section will receive NTD 3,000 as award money.
2. In case of a tie, the highest score previously removed will be added back for recalculation.
If still tied, the total of all five judges' scores will determine the winner. If still tied, the five judges will vote to select one winner.
Brand Award
Brand Sponsor will award one selected participant with product or gift vouchers.
Progress Award
1.Participants must provide competition number and score in 2025 IODC. If your total score of the participant in 2026 IODC increases by 3 points or more than that in 2025 IODC, you will receive a Krispy Kreme Doughnuts voucher.
International Competition Scholarship
1.Asia Open Dance Championship (Malaysia) – Several 50% and 100% scholarship awards.
2. TDO International Dance Competition (Thailand) – Several 50% and 100% scholarship awards.
＊Additional awards will be announced subsequently.
#Scoring Criteria
1. Musicality 25%
2. Performance and Coordination 25%
3. Technical Proficiency 25%
4. Choreography 25% (for Ballet Repertoire, Character portrayal is the scoring principle for this category)
Each Category will have 5 Judges. The scoring method involves deducting the highest and lowest scores for each participant/group and calculating the average.
#Competition Venue
National Taiwan University of Arts Performing Arts Center
#Music Requirement
Please convert your music to an MP3 file and upload it as a link. We ask that you provide the link in the registration form on our website.
#General Regulations
1. If you must withdraw from the competition, please submit a written request with supporting documents at least one month before the competition to receive a full refund, minus an administrative fee of NTD 300.
Withdrawals within one month will receive a refund minus a NTD 2,000 administrative fee.
2. Group categories may include participants from different age divisions, the age of the older participant within the group determines the age category.
3.Photography and recording are prohibited during the competition to respect copyright. Professional photography and recording services will be provided by an external team entrusted by the organization. For purchase inquiries, please check the official website.
Ballet / Ballet Repertoire
In Ballet Repertoire, your performance should be based on the most iconic solo, pas de deux, trio, and group pieces from classical ballet. The choreography must stay at least 80% faithful to the original version or the re-creation versions performed by international ballet companies. Minor adjustment is acceptable to suit the dancer’s technical level, but the overall appearance and style of the original version should remain unchanged as much as possible.
New Ballet Creation
Created with well-known ballet music or classical music, the ballet piece in New Ballet Creation should display the dancer’s technique and musicality through ballet body language designed by choreographer. A storyline is not required.
Demi-Character
Demi-Character features ballet pieces with storytelling and character interpretation. Dancers may portray characters such as a kitten or a little chef with imaginative plot. The piece should show clear dramatic structure with ballet movement and storytelling accounts for 25% in the score.
1.For all the participant, you may choose to wear Soft shoes or Pointe shoes and choice will not affect the scoring.
2.Solo- The entirety of all variations should not exceed two minutes and thirty seconds.
3.Duet and Trio - The entirety of all piece should not exceed Five minutes.
4. Group and Ensemble - The entirety of all piece should not exceed six minutes.
Contemporary
1.Solo- The entirety of all variations should not exceed three minutes.
2.Duet and Trio - The entirety of all piece should not exceed Five minutes.
3.Group and Ensemble - The entirety of all piece should not exceed six minutes.
4.Handheld props only.
Folk Dance / Chinese Classical Dance
1.Solo- The entirety of all variations should not exceed Six minutes. Includes setting up。
2.Duet and Trio - The entirety of all piece should not exceed Six minutes, including setting up.
3.Group and Ensemble - The entirety of all piece should not exceed 10 minutes, including setting up.
4.Stage setting assistants are limited to 6 people, and all props and sets must enter from stage right and exit from stage left.
Fusion Dance
1.Solo- The entirety of all variations should not exceed three minutes.
2.Duet and Trio - The entirety of all piece should not exceed Five minutes.
3.Group and Ensemble - The entirety of all piece should not exceed six minutes.
4.Any dance style may be used (lyrical, jazz, pop dance, etc.).
5.Handheld props only。
Tap Dance
1.Solo- The entirety of all variations should not exceed three minutes.
2.Duet and Trio - The entirety of all piece should not exceed Five minutes.
3.Group and Ensemble - The entirety of all piece should not exceed six minutes.
