2026-2027 Rules and Regulations

Safety Guidelines

• Dance is a physical activity that involves inherent risks, including but not limited to sprains, abrasions, muscle strains, and fractures. Participants must ensure that they are physically fit to participate and acknowledge and assume the risks of possible physical injury during the competition, rehearsals, backstage waiting periods, and related activities.
• Participation in the competition constitutes acknowledgment and acceptance of the above risks. PACDA, the Taoli World Dance Competition, its staff, partner organizations, and related personnel will not be held responsible for accidents or injuries arising from participation in the competition or related activities.
• Participants are responsible for safeguarding their personal belongings. Cash, electronics, jewelry, and other valuables should not be left unattended in the theater, dressing rooms, backstage areas, or other locations. PACDA and the Taoli World Dance Competition are not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen personal property.
• Flammable items, breakable props, sharp objects, or other items that may endanger people or the venue are prohibited on stage. Blunt-edged simulated weapons or special props may be used only with prior approval from the Organizing Committee.
• Liquids, paint, gel, powder, or other substances that may make the stage slippery, cause contamination, or create a safety hazard are prohibited.
• Props must generally be freestanding and may not be attached, suspended, or connected to theater or stage equipment without authorization. All special props and their intended use must be declared to and approved by the Organizing Committee in advance. Unapproved props may not be used on the competition stage.
• Participants and participating organizations must help maintain stage safety. All props and debris must be removed immediately after a performance, and the stage must be returned to a clean and safe condition.
• Any violation of competition or venue safety rules, or any conduct that may endanger participants, staff, audience members, or the venue, may result in the removal or prohibition of the relevant prop. Serious violations may result in disqualification. The Organizing Committee retains final authority on all safety matters.

Competition Rules

• All routines must comply with the rules of the Taoli World Dance Competition, including but not limited to dance category, competitive level, age division, routine duration, prop use, and safety requirements.
• Dance movements, music, lyrics, costumes, and overall presentation must be suitable for audiences of all ages and for family viewing. Routines containing overly explicit, suggestive, indecent, or otherwise inappropriate content, or music containing vulgar, indecent, or unsuitable lyrics, may receive a score deduction or be disqualified.
• During the competition and award ceremony, audience members may not use professional photography or video equipment, tripods, monopods, or other equipment that may obstruct sightlines or disrupt the event without prior approval from the Organizing Committee. Photography and video recording must comply with venue and Organizing Committee policies.
• All props and sets must comply with the Prop and Set Requirements in these rules and must not compromise the safety of dancers, staff, stage equipment, or the venue.
• All accompaniment music must be uploaded by the specified deadline in accordance with the Music Requirements. Participating organizations are responsible for confirming that the submitted music version is correct and playable.
• All judges’ scores and adjudication results are final. Requests for rescoring based solely on disagreement with scores, rankings, or awards will not be accepted. Technical errors involving score calculations, registration information, or system records may be submitted to the Organizing Committee for verification.

Competition Schedule

Please Note：If this is your first time participating in the Taoli World Dance Competition, the Preliminary is required 2 months before registering for the Regional Competition.  For detailed information, please contact the TWLD Organizing Committee.

Regional Competitions：

• Broadcast Competition 1: February 20–21, 2027
• Las Vegas, NV: March 13–14, 2027
• Calgary, Canada: April 4, 2027 (Tentative)
• San Jose, California: April 10–11, 2027
• Chicago, IL: May 1-2, 2027 (Tentative)
• Toronto, Canada: May 22–23, 2027
• Broadcast Competition 2: June 12–13, 2027

Grand Finals：

• Bayside, NY: July 9-11, 2027

Type of Entries

• At the same Regional Competition or Broadcast Competition, each dancer may enter only one Solo, Duet, or Trio routine within the same dance category. Group dances are exempt from this restriction. For example, a dancer entered in a Chinese Classical Dance Solo may not also enter a Chinese Classical Dance Duet or Trio at the same event, but may still participate in a Chinese Classical Dance Group routine.
• A dancer wishing to enter a different routine in the same dance category may register for another Regional Competition or Broadcast
• If the same dancer qualifies for the Grand Finals with multiple Solo, Duet, or Trio routines in the same dance category through different Regional Competitions or Broadcast Competitions, the dancer must select one of those routines for the Grand Finals. Group dances are exempt.

• • Solo
  • Duet/Trio
  • Small Group（4-9 dancers）
  • Large Group（10-24 dancers）
  • Production（25 or more dancers）

Comeptition Levels

Competition levels should be selected based on the dancer’s overall dance experience, weekly training hours, and skill level. Weekly training includes all dance styles, group classes, small-group classes, private lessons, rehearsals, and dance-related conditioning.

• Recreational – approximately 2 hours of training per week
• Intermediate – approximately 2–5 hours of training per week
• Advanced – approximately 5–8 hours of training per week
• Pre-Professional – 8 or more hours of training per week
• Professional – dancers whose profession is dance performance or dance instruction

Duet/Trio/Group Dances：

The routine must be entered at the highest competitive level represented by any dancer in the routine. For example, if most dancers in a group are Intermediate but one dancer qualifies as Advanced, the routine must be entered in the Advanced level.

The Organizing Committee and judges reserve the right to adjust the competitive level of a routine that clearly does not match the level entered, based on the participant’s training background and performance.

Dance Categories

Please carefully select the correct dance category for each routine. Incorrect classification may result in a score deduction or category adjustment.

• Chinese Classical Dance
• Chinese Folk Dance
• Contemporary Chinese Dance
• Classical Ballet
• Contemporary Ballet
• Lyrical/Contemporary
• Children’s Dance
• Open (e.g., Ballroom, Jazz, Hip Pop, )

Age Group Divisions

Competition age is calculated as of January 1, 2027. For Duets, Trios, and Groups, the age group division is determined by the average age of all participating dancers.

• Young Children: Ages 5–7
• Children Group A: Ages 8–10
• Children Group B: Ages 11–12
• Teen Group A: Ages 13–15
• Teen Group B: Ages 16–18
• Young Adult A: Ages 19–29
• Young Adult B: Ages 30–35
• Adult Group A: Ages 36–49
• Adult Group B: Ages 50–70

Routine Time Limits

• Solo, Duet, and Trio: up to 3 minutes
• Small Group: up to 4 minutes
• Large Group: up to 5 minutes
• Production: up to 7 minutes

• Extended Time Fee: Any request for additional time must be submitted for approval and is subject to an additional fee.
• Maximum extension: 2 minutes. Routines exceeding the standard time limit by more than 2 minutes will not be accepted.

Scoring Standards

• All competition routines will be scored by the judges according to standards established by the Organizing Committee. The highest and lowest judges’ scores will be removed, and the average of the remaining scores will be the routine’s final score.
• Dance movements, music, lyrics, costumes, and overall presentation must comply with competition standards and be appropriate for audiences of all ages. Content considered overly suggestive, indecent, inappropriate, or otherwise unsuitable may result in a score deduction or disqualification.
• Participating organizations must select the correct dance category, age group division, and competition level at registration. If registration information does not match the actual entry, the Organizing Committee and judges may adjust the category or level, deduct points, or remove eligibility for certain awards.
• All props must be declared to and approved by the Organizing Committee in advance. After the performance, participants must immediately remove all props and debris. Improper prop use, use of unapproved props, or failure to promptly clear the stage when it affects safety or the competition schedule may result in a score deduction or disqualification.
• All judges’ scores and adjudication results are final. Judges evaluate routines based on the performance presented on the day of competition. Requests for rescoring based solely on disagreement with scores, rankings, or awards will not be accepted. If there is a technical error involving score calculation, registration data, or system records, a verification request may be submitted to the Organizing Committee.

Music Requirements

• The Organizing Committee accepts music in MP3 format only.
• All music must be uploaded to the registration system by the required. Late submissions may not be accepted. After uploading, the participants must verify that the music file, routine title, and version are correct and that the file plays properly.
• Each participant must bring a backup copy of the music on a USB flash drive on competition day for emergency use.
• The Organizing Committee is not responsible for problems caused by incorrect, corrupted, unplayable, or incorrectly uploaded music files provided by the participants.
• If music playback is disrupted at the venue due to equipment or other technical issues, the participating organization representative should immediately communicate with event staff. The Organizing Committee will determine whether to restart the music or take other appropriate action based on the circumstances.

Dance Video Requirements

• All competition videos must be uploaded to the registration system by the stated deadline. Late submissions may not be accepted.
• Only MP4 video files are accepted. File size must be between 20MB and 250MB. All videos must be uploaded directly to the designated registration system; submissions through other methods will not be accepted.
• Competition videos must be complete recordings made within two months prior to the submission date. The Organizing Committee may request supporting information for verification. A video that does not meet this requirement may affect the routine’s eligibility to compete or advance.
• All dancers shown in the video must match the participants listed on the registration. Substitution or impersonation is prohibited. If such conduct or other improper behavior is discovered, the Organizing Committee may disqualify the routine and void related results.
• To help ensure fair adjudication, the video background should be clean and simple. Avoid subtitles, school names or logos, dancer names, or other information that may identify the dancer or participating organization.
• The video must be recorded continuously in one take. Editing, splicing, speed changes, special effects, image correction, or other post-production that may affect the authenticity of the performance is prohibited. Violations may result in disqualification.
• Videos must be filmed horizontally in widescreen orientation. A fixed camera position and appropriate wide-angle framing are recommended. Avoid frequent camera movement or zooming, and ensure that the dancer’s full body and complete movement are clearly visible.
• Lighting must be sufficient and the image clear and stable. Music in the video must be clear and complete, without significant background noise, distortion, or other sound issues that may interfere with adjudication.
• Before submission, the participating organization must verify that the video content, dancers, routine version, image, audio, and file are correct and playable. The participating organization is responsible for consequences caused by upload errors, damaged files, or submission of an incorrect version.

Dance Photo Requirements

• Each competition routine must submit two dance photos: one vertical photo and one horizontal photo.
• Dancers should wear the formal performance costume and makeup corresponding to the competition routine. Photos must be clear and high quality, with a clean and simple background and without unrelated text, logos, or distracting elements.
• Submitted dance photos may be used for competition-related social media, event promotion, program displays, award ceremonies, and post-event publicity.
• Participating organizations must upload the photos by the deadline established by the Organizing Committee and verify that the photos and routine information are correct. If photos are not submitted on time, the Organizing Committee cannot guarantee that the routine’s photos and related information will appear in the award ceremony, on-site displays, or promotional materials.

Prop and Set Requirements

• All props and sets must be safe and stable and may not contain sharp edges, breakable components, hazardous materials, or other designs that could injure dancers or staff or damage stage equipment.
• All props and sets must fit through the venue’s standard backstage entrance and must be capable of being carried on, positioned, and removed within the time allowed by the Organizing Committee. Excessive setup or removal time that delays the competition may result in a score deduction or restriction on the use of the prop.
• Open flames, pyrotechnics, sharp objects, real weapons, and other hazardous items are strictly prohibited on stage. Blunt, non-sharp simulated weapons or special props may be used only after prior declaration to and approval by the Organizing Committee.
• Liquids, pigments, gels, aerosols, glitter, smoke, powders, paint powder, ashes, helium balloons, or similar materials that may make the stage slippery, cause contamination or damage, or compromise the safety of the dance floor are prohibited.
• Props and sets must generally be freestanding and may not be attached, suspended, or connected to the theater’s stage, lighting, fly system, curtains, or other venue equipment. Sets or backdrops requiring overhead rigging may not be used.
• All props and sets must be carried, positioned, and removed by the participating dancers, teachers, or participating organization staff. Theater or competition staff may not be asked to move or operate props without prior authorization.
• Immediately after the performance, the participating organization must remove all props, sets, and debris and return the stage to a clean and safe condition that does not interfere with the next routine.
• Any prop or set deemed unsafe, noncompliant with venue rules, potentially damaging to stage equipment, or likely to delay the competition may be prohibited or removed. If its use affects the competition, the Organizing Committee may impose a score deduction or disqualify the routine.

Dance Content Requirements

• Competition routines should present healthy and positive content appropriate for audiences of all ages, support artistic education and physical and emotional well-being, and are encouraged to demonstrate artistic, cultural, and contemporary relevance.
• Competition routines may not contain hatred, discrimination, glorification of violence, sexual content, excessive suggestiveness, indecency, or other material unsuitable for audiences of all ages.
• Entries whose primary purpose is religious promotion, religious misrepresentation, political propaganda, or political advocacy will not be accepted.
• If the Organizing Committee determines that a routine’s content, music, lyrics, costume, props, or overall presentation does not comply with the competition’s purpose or the above requirements, it may require adjustments. Serious violations may result in refusal of the entry or disqualification.

The Organizing Committee retains final authority to review and determine whether competition content complies with event standards.

Awards

TBD 

Advancement to the Grand Finals

• Routines receiving awards that meet the advancement criteria at a Regional Competition are eligible to register for the Grand Finals in the same competition season. Grand Finals capacity is limited, and registration will open in tiers based on award level. Registration is first-come, first-served within each tier. Once total capacity is reached, the registration system will close automatically. Qualification does not guarantee a place in the Grand Finals.
• Grand Finals registration will open in the following tiers:
  • Tier 1: Routines receiving the Elite Platinum Award and the Taoli Spirit Awards at a Regional Competition.
  • Tier 2: Routines receiving the Platinum Award and Highest Overall at a Regional Competition.
  • Tier 3: Routines receiving the Gold Award at a Regional Competition.
• Opening and closing dates for each registration round will be announced separately by the Organizing Committee.  Qualified routines must complete reigstration and payment within the designated period.  If registration is not completed by the deadline, the Organizing Committee may release the available space to the next registration round.
• If the same dancer qualifies for the Grand Finals through different Regional Competitions or Video Competitions with multiple Solo, Duet, or Trio routines in the same dance category, the dancer must select one routine for the Grand Finals.  Group dances are exempt from this restriction.
• After Grand Finals registration is completed, if the event has met the minimum participation requirement and the competition schedule has been confirmed, competition fees are non-refundable if a participant or participating organization is unable to attend for personal reasons.  If a dancer cannot participate due to injury or illness, a valid medical document must be provided.  Upon approval by the Organizing Committee, the registration fee may be credited for one year toward registration fees for the following competition season.

Registration Fees

Preliminary

• Solo/Duet/Trio – each routine USD $30
• Group Dance – each routine USD $50

Regional Competition

• Solo
• Duet
• Trio
• Group
• Extended Time Fee

Grand Finals

• Solo
• Duet
• Trio
• Group
• Extended Time Fee

• Current PACDA member schools or current PACDA members receive a US$5 discount per routine.
• Except for independent entries, registration fees must be paid collectively by the school or organization.

Payment Methods:

• Zelle® (available through Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and other participating banks): send payment to payment@pandance.org. Payments made by Zelle receive a US$2 discount per routine.
  • For schools and organizations, include the school or organization name in the payment memo. For individual entries, include the routine title.
• Credit Card (TBD)

Registration fees must be paid in full within two days after registration. Failure to complete payment by the required deadline will be treated as withdrawal from the competition.