The Sword Spectacular

“A Performance Opportunity: For Such A Time As This” 

COMPETITION AND CONVENTION

Are you ready to elevate your training and unlock a new level of freedom in your movement? Join us for our biggest most powerful event yet, designed to inspire confidence, artistry, and who you are destined to be. Join us for a moment in time that could become your breakthrough.

Convention Details

Registered teachers/owners are permitted to take classes or observe at any level throughout our event. Registered assistant teachers are permitted to gain access to any classroom throughout our event. Dancers must dance in their designated ballroom at all times.

Please review our level placement below.

CLASS LEVEL	AGE GUIDELINES	REGULAR RATE
Mini	Age 7-9	$250
Junior	Age 10-12	$250
Teen/Senior	Age 13+	$250

Convention Observer Fees

Our Free Teacher Offer is as followed:

REGISTERED PAID DANCERS	TEACHER(S) ATTEND FREE
6-10	1
11-20	2
21-30	3
31-40	4
41+	All

Scholarships

We will award many scholarships at each event! More important than any scholarship, we will speak eternity-lasting words over each dancer. We will declare life into each dancer, making sure they walk away from The Sword knowing their identity and how special they are, appointed for such a time as this! They will walk away with a message of encouragement from the highest God that will speak over any insecurity or self-doubt!

Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven.
-Luke 6:23

Studio Scholarships

Each studio owner will be able to choose one member from their studio. Studio owners will submit their nominations during the showcase at the registration table. 

This scholarship may only be redeemed by the dancer who won the award. Studio scholarship may be used ONE time only and must be redeemed within 12 months from the award date.

Assistant Invite Scholarships 

This award is one full scholarship and a chance to be an assistant. 

The assistant scholarship is a prestigious offer from The Sword. Only a few dancers receive it at each event. We hold this award to the highest standard. Our faculty comes together in prayer before awarding the assistant scholarships. This scholarship conveys that a dancer stood out during our event and means that The Sword staff recognizes the dancer’s bright future. We hand-pick dancers that we would like to mentor and guide into following what God has for their dance career.

This scholarship may only be redeemed by the dancer who won the award.  This deal is only valid for ONE year. Assistant invite acceptance is optional. The dancer will still have ONE year of a full scholarship, but won’t be able to assist teachers or hold the title of The Sword Assistant if declined. More information will be distributed to winners.

• World Changer Scholarships: One-time full scholarship to The Sword
• Power Scholarships: One-time 50% scholarship to The Sword
• Arising Artist scholarships: One-time 25% scholarship to The Sword

Competition Guidelines, Pricing, Info, & Rules and Regulations

Our Heart

The Sword Dance Competition exists to call dancers higher and to cast vision into their hearts. We want them to desire to put worship above performance. Our mission is to create an environment where dancers can grow in their craft, encourage one another, and use their gifts to glorify God.

“Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven” — Matthew 5:12

Competition Rates

Division	Rate
Solo	$70 per dancer
Duo/Trio	$65 per dancer
Group (4–9 dancers)	$20 per dancer

Time Limit

All routines: No longer than 2:45

Registration Requirement

Dancers must be registered for convention classes to compete.

Combined Fees

The convention and competition fees are paid together during the online registration process.

Observer Bands

Not required for the competition. Open seating is available starting 15 minutes before the competition begins.

Competition Schedule

Competition is typically held on Friday evening. Most solos, duos, and trios will take place in the evening.

Line-Up Notifications

Registered participants will receive a general competition schedule via email two weeks before the event.

Age Divisions

Dancers will compete according to the following age divisions:

Mini (Ages 5–8)

• Self-Choreographed
• Professionally Choreographed

Junior (Ages 9–12)

• Self-Choreographed
• Professionally Choreographed

Teen (Ages 13–15)

• Self-Choreographed
• Professionally Choreographed

Senior (Ages 16–18)

• Self-Choreographed
• Professionally Choreographed

Choreography Divisions

The Sword offers two distinct divisions:

• Self-Choreographed: A dancer who creates their own choreography for their competition entry.
• Professionally Choreographed: A dancer performing choreography created by a teacher, choreographer, or other professional.

Both divisions are recognized separately within each age category.

The Sword Adjudication

Every dancer will receive an adjudication award based on their score:

• STRIKE — 192–200
• PREMIER — 180–191
• EXCELLENCE — 168–179
• RISING — 0–167

These adjudication levels are designed to recognize each dancer’s individual achievement and encourage continued growth. Every dancer receives an adjudication award.

Judging Criteria

Faculty Feedback

After each performance, dancers will remain on stage to receive feedback from our esteemed faculty members. This feedback will be live, allowing each dancer to be seen and heard. The faculty will also pray over the dancers’ routines. This unique experience is designed to boost confidence, encourage excellence, and guide dancers to breakthrough moments.

Dancers will be evaluated based on their overall performance, including:

• Technique
• Execution & Cleanliness
• Musicality
• Performance Quality
• Choreography
• Artistic Expression
• Storytelling
• Overall Impact

Judges will provide feedback intended to encourage dancers while identifying areas for continued growth.

Overall Recognition

The Sword will recognize the 1st place dancer in each age category within each division.

Professionally Choreographed

• Mini — Solo, Duet/Trio & Group — 1st Place
• Junior — Solo, Duet/Trio & Group — 1st Place
• Teen — Solo, Duet/Trio & Group — 1st Place
• Senior — Solo, Duet/Trio & Group — 1st Place

Self-Choreographed

• Mini — Solo, Duet/Trio & Group — 1st Place
• Junior — Solo, Duet/Trio & Group — 1st Place
• Teen — Solo, Duet/Trio & Group — 1st Place
• Senior — Solo, Duet/Trio & Group — 1st Place

Each category will have its own Top 1st Place recipient, allowing solos, duets/trios, and groups to be recognized separately rather than competing directly against one another.

In addition, the top 3 highest-scoring routines across the entire competition will receive special overall recognition, regardless of age division or choreography division.

Depending on the number of entries, age divisions may be combined for the 1st place awards.

Specialty Awards

Throughout the competition, judges will have the opportunity to recognize dancers who demonstrate exceptional qualities in their performance.

Specialty awards may include:

• Judges’ Choice ×2
• Entertainment Award ×2
• Set Apart Award ×2
• Star Quality Award ×2
• The Sword Award ×2

The number of specialty awards presented may vary depending on the number of dancers and entries registered for the competition.

The Sword Award

The Sword Award is a special recognition given to two dancers who demonstrate exceptional artistry, excellence, intentionality, and impact throughout their performance.

• One dancer will be selected from: Self-Choreographed Division
• One dancer will be selected from: Professionally Choreographed Division

The two recipients of The Sword Award will be invited to perform in The Sword Closing Show on Sunday.

This award is not simply about receiving the highest score. It is an opportunity to recognize dancers whose performance makes a meaningful artistic impact and represents the heart of The Sword.

Christ-Centered Competition

The Sword is a Christian dance opportunity, and we desire every part of the event to reflect Christ.

We encourage dancers to approach competition with:

• Excellence
• Humility
• Integrity
• Encouragement
• Creativity
• Respect
• Servanthood

Dancers are not competing to determine their worth. Their worth is already established in Christ. Competition provides an opportunity to steward their gifts, pursue excellence, and celebrate what God has placed in them.

Choreography & Music

All choreography, music, costumes, and themes must be appropriate for a Christian, family-friendly environment.

Entries may not contain:

• Profanity or explicit language
• Sexual or suggestive content
• Vulgar or inappropriate movement
• Explicit drug or substance references
• Content that is inappropriate for the dancer’s age

Creative expression, storytelling, worship, biblical themes, and meaningful artistic concepts are strongly encouraged.

The Sword reserves the right to request changes to music, choreography, costumes, or other content that does not align with the standards of the event.

All music must be uploaded to Dance Comp Genie!

Costumes

Costumes should:

• Be age-appropriate
• Provide appropriate coverage
• Allow dancers to move safely
• Maintain professionalism
• Tights must be worn under costumes

Sportsmanship

We ask every dancer, teacher, parent, and studio to contribute to an encouraging environment.

Participants should:

• Celebrate fellow dancers.
• Respect judges and competition staff.
• Encourage other studios.
• Demonstrate humility in both success and disappointment.
• Refrain from negative comments about other dancers.
• Treat everyone with dignity and kindness.

We want dancers to leave feeling challenged, encouraged, and celebrated.

Backstage & Performance Rules

• Dancers must arrive backstage at least 3 routines before their scheduled performance.
• Only authorized dancers, teachers, and staff may enter backstage areas.
• Dancers must follow all stage-management instructions.
• Dancers should remain respectful and quiet while waiting to perform.
• Food and drinks other than water should remain in designated areas.
• Studios are responsible for ensuring their dancers are ready and present for their scheduled routines.

Music

Studios are responsible for submitting the correct competition music by the designated deadline.

Studios are encouraged to bring a backup copy of every competition track.

If a technical issue occurs, competition staff will work with the studio to determine an appropriate solution.

Final Authority

The Sword Dance Competition reserves the right to make reasonable decisions regarding rules, scheduling, safety, judging, categories, and circumstances not specifically addressed in these guidelines.

All competition administration and judging decisions are final.

We can’t wait to see how dancers step into their greatness and share their passion with us at The Sword Spectacular! This experience will boost confidence and guide dancers into true excellence and breakthrough.

OUR STANDARD

We don’t compete to prove our worth.
We compete to steward our gifts with excellence.

We don’t dance for applause.
We dance to glorify God.

We don’t tear one another down to stand out.
We celebrate what God has placed in every dancer.

FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS

BORN TO WORSHIP • BORN FOR MORE